Panasonic FH2 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Panasonic FH2 vs. Ricoh WG-5 GPS: An In-Depth Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing the right compact camera can be surprisingly intricate, especially when two models like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 and the Ricoh WG-5 GPS occupy the small sensor space yet target radically different user priorities. Having spent extensive hours in controlled environments and unpredictable real-world terrains testing compact cameras, I’m keen to unravel their practical distinctions - from sensor capabilities to durability, from autofocus prowess to battery stamina.

In this detailed comparison, I dive deep into each model’s strengths and limitations, bringing to bear hands-on experience, technical benchmarks, and the kind of field insights that matter to photography enthusiasts and working pros alike.

The Battle of Compact Champions: Size and Handling

First impressions matter, and for photographers on the move, size and ergonomics can dramatically influence shooting comfort and accessibility. The Panasonic FH2 is remarkably pocketable, crafted as a slim, sleek device measuring just 94 x 54 x 19 mm and weighing 121 grams. In contrast, the Ricoh WG-5 GPS is a chunkier contender at 125 x 65 x 32 mm, weighing nearly twice as much at 236 grams.

The FH2’s lightweight form favors everyday carry - it barely registers in a jacket pocket, making it ideal for casual street photography or spontaneous portrait sessions. Its thin profile, however, also means a sacrifice in grip comfort during prolonged shooting, as there’s minimal surface area to cradle. The WG-5 GPS’s heft and ruggedized body offer a more tactile grip, enhanced by rubberized side panels - a real boon when shooting outdoors, especially in challenging weather conditions.

Top-down, the Panasonic exposes a minimalist control layout, optimized for point-and-shoot ease, while the Ricoh WG-5 GPS reveals more pronounced buttons and dials, engineered for confident, glove-friendly operation in inclement environments.

In essence, if portability and discretion rank highest, the FH2’s compact pocketability rules. But for rough and tumble shooting, where handling certainty outsizes subtlety, the WG-5 GPS commands attention.

Sensor and Image Quality: Under the Hood of the Pixels

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and both these models share a similar sensor size, measuring approximately 1/2.3" (roughly 28 mm² active area). Here’s a snapshot of their sensor specs side by side:

• Panasonic FH2: 14 megapixels, CCD sensor, with max native ISO 6400 (though realistically noisier beyond ISO 800).
• Ricoh WG-5 GPS: 16 megapixels, BSI-CMOS sensor, also capped at ISO 6400 but benefits from backside illumination technology for improved low-light performance.

A CCD sensor like Panasonic's often delivers pleasing color depth and smooth gradients at base ISO settings, especially in bright light. However, the CCD’s power consumption is less efficient, and it tends to produce more noise at higher ISOs compared to the more modern BSI-CMOS sensor found in the Ricoh.

Testing side by side under controlled lighting conditions, the WG-5 GPS edges ahead in dynamic range and high ISO clarity. Subtle shadow details are better preserved, and the overall image punch proves superior across a wider ISO band. The Panasonic’s 14MP images hold up well for snapshots and social media sharing but start losing micro-contrast and sharpness at ISO 400 and beyond.

The Ricoh also benefits from a slightly faster max aperture range (f/2.0–4.9 vs. FH2's f/3.1–6.5), offering a modicum of extra light-gathering ability especially at the wide end, to soften backgrounds today’s photographers crave.

Harnessing the Rear LCD: User Interface and Visibility

With no electronic viewfinders on either model, LCD performance becomes vital for framing and review.

The Panasonic FH2 comes with a smaller 2.7-inch, 230k-dot fixed-type display - adequately bright but often challenging under harsh sunlight. Its fixed angle makes shooting at awkward positions slightly cumbersome.

In contrast, the Ricoh WG-5 GPS offers a larger 3-inch screen with double the resolution (460k dots), dramatically improving sharpness and outdoor visibility. Although it lacks touchscreen capabilities, this denser screen, combined with Ricoh’s clear menu system, results in a noticeably smoother user experience in real-world scenarios like hiking or under midday sun.

Editorial Gallery: What Do the Photos Say?

Enough about specs - how do images from these cameras compare in real usage? I took both cameras on a varied shooting spree: portraits in the park, landscape vistas, macro florals, and urban jabs.

Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back Ricoh WG 5 GPS front Ricoh WG 5 GPS screen back

• Portraits: Panasonic’s CCD tones excel at rendering gentle, warm skin hues but falter slightly when pushing zoom or shooting indoors without flash. The WG-5 GPS adds noticeably sharper eye detail and better bokeh separation thanks to its faster lens and higher resolution.
• Landscapes: Sharpness and tonal gradation in the Ricoh capture vast dynamic range in skies and foliage, benefiting from superior sensor tech. The Panasonic still produces respectable wide-angle snapshots but with softer edges.
• Macro: The WG-5's 1 cm macro focus distance is a decisive advantage for close-up detail, exceeding the FH2’s 5 cm minimum. Its lens and sensor combo bring out hyper-real flower textures, whereas the FH2’s macro is more casual and less punchy.
• Low Light & Night: Noise suppression is markedly better on the Ricoh, letting you push ISO further with confidence. The Panasonic’s lack of advanced noise algorithms and lower sensitivity make high-ISO shots grainy.

Autofocus and Burst Speed: Catching the Action

For any enthusiast eyeing wildlife, sports, or candid street moments, autofocus speed and burst ability can make or break the shot.

• Panasonic FH2: Employs contrast-detection autofocus with 11 focus points, face detection included, but lacks continuous AF and manual focus - limiting control. Burst mode caps at 4 fps, sufficient for mild action but behind modern standards.
• Ricoh WG-5 GPS: Advanced continuous contrast AF with 9 points and center-weighted metering, plus manual focus support enhances tracking. Impressively, burst mode clears 14 fps for short bursts - superior for fast-moving subjects.

In practice, the WG-5 GPS nails wildlife and action better, responding quickly to shifting subjects and holding focus under challenging conditions. The FH2, while capable indoors and in low movement scenarios, often hunts and lags with rapid focus transitions.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Built for the Elements?

This is where the cameras really diverge.

• Panasonic FH2: A traditional compact with no environmental sealing. Not waterproof, dustproof, or shock resistant.
• Ricoh WG-5 GPS: A bona fide tough camera. Waterproof (up to 14m), shockproof from 2m drops, freezeproof to -10°C, and crushproof to 100 kgf.

Shooting in rain, dust, or even rugged mountain trails, the WG-5 GPS is a triumph of ruggedized design. It also integrates GPS tagging for photographers who cherish geolocated memories without external accessories - a feature absent from the Panasonic.

Manual Controls and Exposure Versatility

If you prefer to tweak exposure and settings yourself, control layouts and exposure options matter.

The FH2 is designed largely for point-and-shoot simplicity. It does not offer manual focus, exposure modes are limited (no aperture or shutter priority, no manual), and no exposure compensation is available. Good enough for novices or snapshot shooters, but professionals will feel restricted.

The WG-5 GPS offers shutter priority mode, manual focus rings, and exposure bracketing - excellent tools for creative shooting and HDR workflows. This relatively broad exposure control elevates its usability beyond casual shooting.

Video Features: Beyond Still Photography

In the era where video capability is increasingly important, both models offer HD video capture - but with meaningful differences.

• Panasonic FH2: Motion JPEG video up to 720p at 30 fps, no microphone input, and no image stabilization beyond optical in stills mode. Basic and now somewhat dated.
• Ricoh WG-5 GPS: Full 1080p HD at 30 fps with 720p options at 60 fps for smoother motion. Sensor-shift stabilization aids steadier handheld video. No mic port here either, but HDMI output is supported.

For casual video blogging or travel snippets, the WG-5 GPS’s video specs and stabilization are definitely more satisfying.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Longevity means less worry during long shoots.

• The Panasonic FH2 runs on a generic battery pack with an estimated 270 shots per charge.
• The Ricoh WG-5 GPS uses the D-LI92 battery pack offering about 240 shots per charge - slightly lower but still acceptable given the added power demands of its GPS and rugged build.

Both rely on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot and include some modest internal memory. Neither supports modern USB-C charging or wireless connectivity like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, limiting remote control or quick file transfer - a downside by today’s connectivity standards.

Price-to-Performance Analysis: Which Camera Delivers the Better Bang?

• Panasonic FH2: Priced around $150, it is an entry-level compact aiming at casual shooters. Its modest feature set and aging sensor technology are reflected in its affordable tag.
• Ricoh WG-5 GPS: Retailing near $500, it stands well above in build, performance, and feature set, targeting adventure photographers or those who prize durability paired with respectable image quality.

For roughly three times the price, the WG-5 GPS delivers multi-dimensional value: tougher construction, higher image fidelity, richer autofocusing, and video virtues. The FH2, while pleasant for quick snapshots, cannot keep pace beyond basic use.

Specialty Performance Breakdown by Photography Genre

Let’s sharpen the focus to how each camera performs across different photography types:

• Portrait: WG-5 GPS wins with better lens speed, face/Eye AF, and sharper results.
• Landscape: Tie in portability, but WG-5 GPS’s dynamic range and weather sealing tip scales.
• Wildlife: WG-5 GPS faster continuous AF and burst rate make it better for wildlife snaps.
• Sports: WG-5’s 14fps burst and shutter priority make it more sports-friendly.
• Street: FH2’s smaller size favors candid street shots despite slower AF.
• Macro: WG-5 dominates with 1 cm focusing and sharper close-ups.
• Night/Astro: WG-5’s sensor outperforms Panasonic’s in noise and exposure control.
• Video: WG-5’s 1080p and stabilization put it ahead.
• Travel: WG-5’s ruggedness and GPS appeal more despite extra size.
• Professional Work: WG-5 provides more reliable controls and formats, yet limited by no RAW support on either camera.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Pick?

After dissecting their specs, testing features, and shooting side by side, here’s my distilled guidance:

• Choose the Panasonic FH2 if:

  • You want a pocket-friendly budget compact for casual everyday photos.
  • Video quality and low-light performance are not primary concerns.
  • You’re after a simple, no-fuss camera for snapshots and social sharing.
  • Light weight and unobtrusiveness top your priorities.

• Choose the Ricoh WG-5 GPS if:

  • You need a tough, resilient camera for adventure, travel, or fieldwork.
  • Image and video quality matter in diverse lighting conditions.
  • You want more manual control, faster autofocus, and versatility.
  • GPS tagging and weather sealing are important lifestyle or professional features.

In conclusion, while both are compact 1/2.3” sensor cameras, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 and Ricoh WG-5 GPS serve fundamentally different user missions. One is the nimble, inexpensive snapshot machine; the other, a rugged tool built to brave the elements without surrendering photographic quality. Depending on your photographic ambitions and shooting conditions, these contrasting compacts excel in their own domains.

For enthusiasts valuing durability and broader capability - especially outdoor lovers - the Ricoh WG-5 GPS clearly earns its higher price tag. Meanwhile, budget-conscious novices or everyday point-and-shooters still find uncomplicated joy in the Panasonic FH2’s simplicity.

Happy shooting!

Images used in this article are illustrative comparisons derived from extensive testing and representative shoots.