Panasonic Lumix FH2 vs Sony HX400V: A Thorough Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When it comes to choosing a compact or bridge-style camera, the choices can be overwhelming. Today, I’m putting two cameras under the microscope that represent markedly different approaches in the small sensor camera category - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V. Both appeal to serious enthusiasts who want more than just a smartphone snapshot experience, but each is crafted with distinct priorities and use cases in mind.

I've spent years putting compact and superzoom cameras through their paces across multiple photography disciplines, so in this detailed comparison, you’ll find insights rooted in hands-on testing, technical expertise, and practical considerations. Whether you’re primarily a casual travel snapper or a dedicated wildlife shooter on a budget, this article will help you choose the camera that best fits your goals.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Design Philosophy

At a glance, the Panasonic FH2 looks and feels like a pocket-friendly, truly compact camera, while the Sony HX400V instantly screams “bridge camera” - larger, heavier, and more DSLR-esque in form. The FH2’s sleek, slender profile (94×54×19 mm, 121 g) makes it great for slipping in your jacket or handbag. Its simplicity invites quick point-and-shoot use, ideal for casual shooters or travel photographers who prize portability.

In contrast, the Sony HX400V weighs in at a robust 660 g and measures 130×93×103 mm. That heft translates to more substantial grip and control - often preferred for extended shooting sessions and when handling long telephoto lenses. It’s less about pocketability and more about versatility and manual control at the ready.

The Sony’s more complex control layout supports advanced exposure modes - shutter speed priority, aperture priority, full manual - and even customizable buttons. The FH2, by design, strips away most manual controls, lacking aperture priority or shutter priority and manual exposure altogether. This is reflected in the absence of a viewfinder and a fixed, simple LCD.

Ergonomically, I find the HX400V's design to be much more comfortable for longer shoots, especially when zooming extensively or tracking moving subjects, whereas the FH2’s compact design trades that comfort in favor of extreme portability.

Sensor and Image Quality: More Than Just Megapixels

Sensor technology is at the heart of image quality. Both cameras use a relatively small 1/2.3" sensor size, but let’s look under the hood:

• Panasonic FH2: Uses a 14MP CCD sensor, max ISO 6400 (though realistically noisy above ISO 400), and outputs JPEG-only files - there’s no RAW support. The CCD sensor, while decent for daylight, lacks the low-light performance and dynamic range of modern CMOS sensors.

• Sony HX400V: Employs a 20MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor (BSI-CMOS), which is more efficient at gathering light, offering better high ISO performance with less noise, and a higher max ISO of 12,800.

In practical use, the Sony delivers noticeably richer detail and cleaner images under diverse light conditions. The extra resolution is helpful for cropping or large prints. The FH2 is respectable in good light and produces pleasant, punchy color straight out of camera, but it quickly shows limits indoors or at dusk.

Don’t expect miracle low-light photography from either - small sensors inherently struggle here - but the HX400V gives you more breathing room.

Display and Interface: Where Usability Meets Technology

Moving beyond image capture, the rear LCD and user interface significantly impact your shooting experience. Here’s a side-by-side look:

The FH2’s fixed 2.7-inch screen sports a modest 230k-dot resolution - serviceable, but fairly basic in sharpness and brightness. Touch input is absent, making menu navigation slower, and the lack of a viewfinder means always relying on this screen in bright conditions, which can be challenging outdoors.

Sony’s HX400V offers a much larger 3-inch tilting LCD with a much sharper 921k-dot resolution. This makes composing shots easier, especially at awkward angles or when holding the camera overhead.

Critically, the HX400V also includes a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with approximately 100% coverage, invaluable for bright daylight shooting or for tracking fast action. The FH2 has none.

The menu systems reflect respective camera philosophies: simple and approachable on the Panasonic, complex and feature-rich on the Sony, including customizable function buttons and more manual controls.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Speed and Tracking Essentials

For many, autofocus speed and accuracy define usability, particularly for moving subjects. Here's what I found testing face detection and AF tracking on both cameras:

• Panasonic FH2: Features a contrast-detection autofocus system with 11 focus points, face detection, and limited tracking capabilities. Autofocus speed is adequate for still subjects but noticeably slower in low light or with moving subjects. Continuous AF modes are absent.

• Sony HX400V: Also uses contrast detection but augments this with improved algorithms and 9 AF points, including center-weighted focus and spot metering options. Tracking is more reliable and faster. Single autofocus is quick, but note continuous tracking AF isn’t offered.

Burst shooting: Panasonic maxes out at about 4 frames per second (fps), whereas Sony nearly triples that with 10 fps burst capability. For sports or wildlife photographers trying to capture the decisive moment, the HX400V's advantage is clear.

Lens Capability: Zoom Range and Optical Qualities

Here’s where the two cameras starkly diverge. The fixed lenses reflect very different priorities:

• Panasonic FH2: 28–112mm equivalent zoom (4x), f/3.1 to f/6.5 max aperture range. It's an entry-level, versatile zoom covering wide-angle to short telephoto useful for casual snaps, portraits, and landscapes.

• Sony HX400V: Monstrous 24–1200mm equivalent (50x) zoom, f/2.8 to f/6.3 aperture range.

The Sony's superzoom enables an extraordinary reach usually reserved for professional super-telephoto lenses, making it perfect for wildlife and sports enthusiasts who can’t carry multiple lenses but want to capture distant subjects. The wider aperture at the wide end likewise supports better low-light and bokeh performance - important for portraits and macro.

The FH2 misses out on macro focusing closer than 5 cm, whereas the HX400V can focus as close as 1 cm, useful for detailed close-ups.

Image stabilization on both is optical, crucial given the long zoom reach especially on the Sony to combat camera shake. Optical IS is effective on both but essential on the HX400V.

Real-World Photography: How Do They Perform Across Genres?

Let's break down suitability for different photography types, supported by actual sample images I shot with both cameras:

Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

Portraits

• FH2: Produces pleasing skin tones with natural colors thanks to Panasonic's Venus Engine processing, but the narrow aperture and limited zoom impede background separation and creamy bokeh. Eye detection AF helps nail focus on faces, but lack of manual controls can frustrate advanced portrait shooters.

• HX400V: Better aperture range and longer zoom enable tighter framing and softer backgrounds, lending more professional portrait aesthetics. Face detection and selective AF points add critical precision in focusing on eyes.

Landscape

• FH2: 14MP resolution is adequate for small to medium prints. The relatively short zoom can capture typical scenic compositions but feels limited for dramatic frames. Dynamic range is average, so shooting in RAW would be ideal but is unsupported.

• HX400V: Higher resolution and enhanced dynamic range of the CMOS sensor give richer detail and tonal gradations. The tilting LCD and EVF aid composing landscapes from challenging angles.

Wildlife

• FH2: Limited zoom and slow AF make wildlife shooting difficult.

• HX400V: This is where the HX400V shines for enthusiasts - 50x zoom, fast shutter, and 10 fps burst rate excel at capturing animals in varying light. Image stabilization is a big help here, too.

Sports

• FH2: Slow shutter speeds and AF limit sports usability.

• HX400V: Faster shutter speeds (maximum 1/4000s), high fps burst, and tracking make it better suited for sports, especially outdoor daytime events.

Street

• FH2: Compact size and quiet operation benefit street photographers seeking discretion.

• HX400V: Larger size can be intrusive; lower portability is a con for candid street shooters.

Macro

• FH2: Macro distance of 5cm is functional but not exceptional.

• HX400V: Impressive 1cm closest focus offers interesting macro creativity with more detail.

Night / Astro

• FH2: Limited ISO range and sensor noise hamper low-light work.

• HX400V: While small-sensor cameras don’t excel at astrophotography, the HX400V’s better ISO handling and full manual modes aid night shots.

Video

• FH2: Max 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG, no audio input; very basic video.

• HX400V: Full HD 1080p up to 60fps with AVCHD and MPEG-4 support; external mic input allows improved audio capture.

Travel

• FH2: Lightweight, pocket-sized, fast on the go.

• HX400V: More versatile, but heavier and bulkier; better suited if you want a range to reduce lens swaps.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Neither camera features environmental sealing - no dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or freezeproof ratings here - typical for their class, but a consideration if you often shoot outdoors in challenging conditions.

The build quality of the HX400V feels more robust thanks to the larger body and ergonomic grip, providing peace of mind for rugged use. The FH2’s plastic shell is light and less robust but fine for casual, everyday use.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences

For wireless connectivity:

• FH2: No wireless features - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS.

• HX400V: Bucks this with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC for quick pairing, and GPS for geotagging your shots - a significant advantage if you want to streamline image sharing and capture location data.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards, but the HX400V supports a broader range, including Memory Stick formats, which might matter if you have older Sony accessories.

Battery Life and Practical Considerations

The Panasonic FH2 delivers around 270 shots per charge, Sony HX400V slightly better at 300 shots. Both use proprietary battery packs but the Sony’s is a well-established NP-BX1 model with widely available spares.

Carrying extra batteries is advisable, especially for the HX400V during intensive zoom and video sessions.

Verdict: Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Both cameras target different segments despite sharing small sensors. Here’s how I recommend based on your priorities:

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix FH2 if:

  • You want an ultra-compact camera to carry everywhere effortlessly.
  • Your budget is limited (around $150 new or less used).
  • You mostly shoot daylight, simple scenes, family snaps, and travel.
  • You prefer minimal fuss over manual control.
  • Video is a minor concern.

• Choose the Sony HX400V if:

  • You want a versatile “do-it-all” zoom camera that tackles wildlife, sports, portraits, and landscapes.
  • You don’t mind the extra size and weight for better ergonomics and manual control.
  • Video quality and sound input matter.
  • You appreciate wireless connectivity, GPS, and advanced exposure modes.
  • Your budget allows spending around $450.

Specialty Scores: Genre-specific Performance Breakdown

Looking deeper, the HX400V overwhelmingly outperforms the FH2 in wildlife, sports, macro, and video. The FH2 sits comfortably in street and travel walking-around categories, though with limits.

Wrapping It Up: What I Personally Prefer

Having handled both extensively, I lean towards the Sony HX400V for anyone who wants more creative control and greater reach, especially wildlife enthusiasts on a budget who can’t or don’t want to carry interchangeable lenses. The FH2’s charm is undeniable for ultra-light travel or beginners wanting easy images at a great price, but it won’t satisfy if you crave speed, versatility, and video quality.

Keep in mind that although neither camera supports RAW files, the HX400V’s sensor and processing engine let you squeeze more quality from JPEGs - and its manual modes let you learn photography fundamentals.

To sum up, choose based on your photography style and budget. The FH2 is a nimble, honest compact for the casual enthusiast, the HX400V a powerhouse small-sensor zoom for serious amateurs eager to explore diverse photography horizons.

Happy shooting!

Disclaimer: The information and comparisons above reflect extensive hands-on use and standard testing procedures typical of professional camera reviews. Camera prices and specifications are subject to change.