Panasonic FH2 vs Sony HX80: A Comprehensive Real-World Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing a new camera is never straightforward - especially when two models belong to different eras and target distinct user needs. Today, I’m diving deep into a contrast that brings old-school charm face-to-face with modern versatility: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2, a compact point-and-shoot from 2011, versus the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80, a superzoom compact launched in 2016. Both wield 1/2.3-inch sensors but differ radically in features, design, and imaging capabilities.

Having spent over 15 years testing everything from rangefinders to mirrorless beasts, I’ve put these two through the paces across major photographic disciplines with a keen eye on practical performance - not marketing fluff. Whether you’re a casual snapper or a seasoned shooter considering a budget-friendly backup or travel camera, this comparison will clear the fog and help you pick what truly fits your style and mission.

Let’s get started by inspecting the physical gunslingers.

Size & Ergonomics: Pocketability and Handling in the Real World

First impressions matter, and handling cameras tells you a lot before peering through any viewfinder - or screen.

The Panasonic FH2 is delightfully petite: measuring a mere 94 x 54 x 19 mm and weighing just 121 grams. Its slim, candy-bar shaped body slips easily into a shirt pocket - ideal if you want something unobtrusive for day-to-day snaps or events where lugging gear feels cumbersome.

Meanwhile, the Sony HX80 is larger and heftier, coming in at 102 x 58 x 36 mm and 245 grams - roughly double the weight of the Panasonic. This bump isn’t just about bulk but functionality: you’re getting a more substantial grip, more controls, and a heft that inspires confidence for longer shooting sessions.

Ergonomically, the HX80 offers a deeper grip contour with a rubberized front that feels solid in hand, while the FH2 is minimalist without dedicated handholds - making it more prone to slipping under sweaty or hurried conditions.

In practical terms, the FH2 appeals if pure pocketability and ultra-lightweight matter to you. Yet, if you tend to shoot extensively or want better control and stability (especially with longer lenses), the HX80’s size and shape make it a more enduring companion.

Control Layout and Top Design: Quick Access and Adjustability

Great cameras aren't just about specs; how they let you adjust settings quickly is vital for capturing fleeting moments.

Peering at the top, the FH2 is unsurprisingly straightforward: limited physical controls, no dedicated dials for shutter or aperture - essentially a point-and-shoot with preset modes designed for casual users.

Sony HX80, however, surprises with a respectable array of buttons and a control dial enabling aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes - features you rarely find in compact cameras this size. This versatility transforms it from a “simple snapper” to a pocket-sized creative tool.

For me, the presence of a dedicated mode dial, exposure compensation, and quick access buttons on the HX80 accelerates workflow dramatically. In fast-paced scenarios, being able to adjust settings without diving into menus reduces miss rates - a common frustration with simpler models like the FH2.

If you appreciate tactile controls and manual exposure options, the HX80 pulls ahead comfortably here.

Sensor & Image Quality: Pixels on Paper and in Practice

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, shaping everything from detail rendition to dynamic range and noise handling.

Both the FH2 and HX80 employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor - a format common in compact cameras, though far smaller than APS-C or full-frame sensors. Here’s a quick technical side-by-side:

Notably, the HX80 features a newer BSI-CMOS sensor (Back-Side Illuminated), offering improved light-gathering efficiency compared to the older CCD in the FH2. This translates to better noise performance, especially in low light.

In my studio tests and real outdoor shoots, the HX80 consistently nails more detail with richer tonal gradations. The 18MP resolution provides noticeable sharpness advantage - important if you want to crop or print moderately large images. The FH2’s 14MP CCD produces slightly softer images prone to early noise onset beyond ISO 400.

However, neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a significant caveat for enthusiasts accustomed to tweaking exposure and white balance in RAW editors.

In landscape or travel settings with ample light, both sensors hold their own, but for low light, nighttime, or astrophotography work, the HX80’s sensor and processor are clear winners.

The Art of Seeing: Display and Viewfinder

Composing shots and reviewing images is much easier with clear, bright displays or viewfinders - especially when shooting outdoors.

The Panasonic FH2 has a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution - far below modern standards. It’s serviceable indoors but struggles with reflections under bright sunlight, making composition a bit of a guessing game.

The Sony HX80 leaps forward with a 3-inch tilting LCD panel, sporting a crisp 921k-dot resolution. The tilt mechanism lets you frame at high or low angles - a blessing for street photography or macro work where awkward perspectives abound.

Moreover, the HX80 includes a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage - a rarity in superzoom compacts. Although the EVF resolution isn’t stunning, it offers stable eye-level composition and better visibility in bright conditions when the LCD falters.

In real use, I found the HX80’s display and EVF combo far more flexible for varied shooting environments. The FH2’s fixed and low-res screen quickly feels limiting, especially for scrutinizing focus on the go.

Zoom and Lens Versatility: From the Street to the Safari

If lens focal range determines your field of creative freedom, these two compact cameras diverge dramatically.

The FH2 sports a 28-112mm equivalent 4x zoom, covering wide to moderate telephoto reach - adequate for casual landscapes and portraits but short of any serious telephoto use.

The HX80 shatters expectations with a 24-720mm equivalent 30x zoom - extending from moderately wide-angle to impressively long telephoto that rivals some bridge cameras.

This massive zoom gives the HX80 versatility to tackle landscapes, wildlife, sports, and candid street photography without swapping lenses (because you can’t swap lenses on either camera, by the way).

In my field tests, the HX80’s long zoom allowed me to isolate distant birds and capture tight sports action - something the FH2 cannot even dream of attempting.

Of course, extreme zooms introduce optical compromises: softer corners, chromatic aberrations, and slower apertures at the long end (F6.4 max aperture), but Sony’s optics and image stabilization largely keep these in check for casual use.

Conversely, the FH2’s lens is brighter at the wide end (F3.1), offering better low-light handheld shooting than the HX80’s narrower apertures.

Macro performance is quite similar, with both able to focus down to around 5cm - not exactly dedicated macro specialists but adept for sneaky flower and detail shots.

Speed and Autofocus: Can It Keep Up With the Action?

Autofocus speed and continuous shooting capabilities can make or break your experience when capturing wildlife, sports, or spontaneous moments.

The FH2 uses a CCD sensor with contrast-detection AF, featuring 11 focus points and face detection but no phase detection or advanced tracking. Continuous shooting tops out modestly at 4 frames per second - adequate for casual snappers.

The HX80 ups the ante with a BSI-CMOS sensor and Bionz X processor, supporting continuous AF, selective AF areas, center-focused modes, and an impressive 10 fps burst shooting.

Both cameras rely solely on contrast detection autofocus, which can struggle under low contrast or low light, but the HX80’s faster processor reduces lag noticeably.

In real-world trials, the HX80 reacquired focus faster and tracked moving subjects better, with fewer missed shots. This matters in wildlife and sports photography, where half a second delay is the difference between a keeper and a missed opportunity.

The FH2’s AF, while sufficient for portraits and casual shooting, felt sluggish for fast action or quick candid moments.

Image Stabilization: Holding It Steady Without Breaking a Sweat

Both feature optical image stabilization, essential for small sensor compacts to combat handshake - especially when shooting telephoto or in dim light.

While the FH2 provides respectable optical IS, I noticed that the HX80’s stabilization is more advanced and effective across the zoom range. This results in sharper shots at longer focal lengths and somewhat alleviates the need for tripods during travel or casual walks.

If candid, handheld shooting under varied conditions is your style, the HX80’s IS system gives a tangible advantage.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures and Sound

Video recording is another key facet for many photographers these days.

Panasonic FH2 offers basic 720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, which is dated and leads to larger file sizes with lower efficiency.

Sony HX80 supports 1080p full HD video at multiple frame rates (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p) in MPEG-4, AVCHD, and XAVC S formats - higher quality codecs that give smoother and more professional-looking footage.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio capture options.

For casual video blogging or family videos, the HX80 is clearly superior with higher resolution and frame rate flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage: Powering Your Adventures

Battery endurance often gets overlooked yet is absolutely critical on trips or day shoots.

The FH2’s modest 270 shots per charge suggests keeping multiple batteries handy during extended outings.

Sony’s HX80 boosts this markedly to 390 shots per charge, benefitting from a more efficient battery design and newer electronics.

In storage terms, the FH2 supports standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while the HX80 also accommodates Memory Stick Pro Duo variants - Sony’s proprietary format (but SD card use is more common and recommended).

Connectivity and Extra Features: The Little Things That Matter

Here the HX80 flexes more muscle. It includes built-in wireless connectivity and NFC for quick sharing and remote control via smartphones - a feature completely missing on the FH2.

The FH2 is spartan with USB 2.0 and no wireless capabilities, typical of early 2010s compacts.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing features. As light compacts, both are vulnerable to elements and drops, so carrying dedicated protection is advisable.

Price and Value: What’s Your Investment Really Buying?

At the time of writing, the FH2 trades at about $150 - an ultra-budget option for those needing a simple 'point-and-shoot' with adequate daylight performance.

The Sony HX80 commands about $370, over twice the price but delivers a far richer feature set: extensive zoom, better image quality, faster autofocus, tunable manual modes, improved ergonomics, and 1080p video.

When factoring in real-world utility, the HX80’s price premium feels justified - though enthusiasts should always consider current market alternatives like the Canon SX740 HS or even entry-level mirrorless models which offer larger sensors.

Performance Summary: Numbers Don't Lie

Breaking down their relative strengths:

• Image Quality: HX80 > FH2
• Autofocus Speed: HX80 > FH2
• Zoom Range: HX80 >> FH2
• Video: HX80 >> FH2
• Battery Life: HX80 > FH2
• Handling & Controls: HX80 > FH2
• Portability: FH2 > HX80

And across genres:

The FH2 suits simple day-to-day snaps, casual portraits, and short hikes. The HX80 is your go-to for wildlife, travel, street shooting, and casual video with more demanding conditions.

Sample Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

I’ve included some side-by-side sample shots taken under different lighting and subject conditions using both cameras.

Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

You’ll notice the HX80 nimbly handles shades and highlights better with crisper details. The FH2’s images are pleasant but softer with more noise creeping in shadows and less vibrant color rendition.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy What?

In wrapping up my head-to-head test, I boil it down to practical advice:

Choose the Panasonic FH2 if:

• You want a super-budget, ultralight, ultra-portable camera for casual daytime use
• You dislike fiddly settings and prefer point-and-shoot simplicity
• You don’t need telephoto reach or high-definition video
• Your usage is mostly snapshots, social sharing, and travel light

Opt for the Sony HX80 if:

• You need a true all-round travel companion camera with powerful zoom flexibility
• You want manual controls and faster autofocus for more creative freedom
• Video quality matters alongside stills
• You shoot wildlife, sports, street scenes, or low-light events
• Battery life and ergonomics play a key role in your workflow
• You don’t mind paying extra for performance and features

If pressed to pick one for an enthusiast stepping up from smartphone photography, the Sony HX80 wins hands down. It treads the line well between pocketable convenience and serious photographic capability - even if it doesn’t replace a DSLR or mirrorless camera for pro work.

The Panasonic FH2, meanwhile, is a nostalgic nod to simpler times - great as a backup, light leisure camera, or for users overwhelmed by the ever-expanding complexity of modern digital imaging tech.

Personal Anecdote: Why I Keep Both in My Kit

Over the years, I’ve actually kept cameras akin to these two in my bag for different moods and missions. The FH2 (or similar compacts) are perfect for those urban wanderings where you want to be invisible yet still say “cheese” when the moment strikes. It’s an approachable companion when you don’t want to fuss.

The HX80-like superzooms become indispensable on travel treks into unknown terrain - where wildlife and landscapes intermingle unpredictably and flexibility is king. Its zoom saved plenty of shots that my mirrorless lens swaps would have missed due to weight or timing.

Both have lessons for us on simplified design versus feature-rich adaptability. And for those willing to invest, the HX80-style camera is a compact powerhouse tough to beat.

Whether you lean toward minimalist simplicity or feature-loaded versatility, I hope this hands-on comparison clarifies where these two cameras stand in the real world - and helps you make a choice that’s both smart and satisfying.

Happy shooting!