Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 vs. DMC-SZ8: A Hands-On, In-Depth Compact Camera Comparison

When shopping for compact cameras these days, the sheer volume of choices can be bewildering - especially when weighing older models still floating in the used market, or affordable step-up compacts that aim to balance zoom flexibility and image quality. Today, I’m taking a close look at two such models from Panasonic’s Lumix line: the DMC-FH20, introduced way back in 2010, versus the newer DMC-SZ8 from 2014. Each targets casual photographers craving the ease of a point-and-shoot with just enough reach and features to satisfy diverse shooting scenarios.

Having tested thousands of cameras ranging from pocketable compacts to full-frame powerhouses, I bring a hands-on perspective grounded in real-world shooting and technical scrutiny. Let’s journey through their handling, image quality, autofocus, video, and everything in between to uncover which might best suit your photography ambitions - even if more pro-level shooters would usually dismiss these as mere consumer gear.

Compact Cameras, Large Questions: Size, Handling and Ergonomics

First, let’s settle a core concern - how these cameras feel in your hands. Compactness is the linchpin for travel, street photography, and preparedness when you want to carry something lightweight.

Looking at the physical dimensions, the Panasonic FH20 comes in at 100 x 56 x 28 mm and weighs 178 grams. The SZ8 trims the weight to 159 grams, a slight but welcome difference, and lengthens slightly to 100 x 60 x 27 mm. Both easily slip into a jacket pocket or purse.

Ergonomically, neither camera is a heavyweight. The FH20’s body features a modest grip bump, sufficient for most finger placements but far from sculpted comfort. The SZ8 takes advantage of slightly more modern design cues: a bit more room for your palm and ergonomics that hint at longer grab times. Neither camera sports a dedicated thumb rest or custom grip textures, so be aware that extended handheld shooting may introduce fatigue.

Looking at their top control layouts reveals both cameras sport minimalistic button arrays geared toward simplicity rather than hands-on manual control. Both cameras lack dedicated dials for shutter or aperture priority - no surprises there as neither supports manual exposure modes. The SZ8, however, benefits from a more modern Venus Engine processor and subtle refinements in button placement that favor navigation efficiency.

Overall, these cameras cater to entry-level users prioritizing point-and-shoot ease, not manual versatility or extensive customization.

Peeking Inside: Sensor and Image Quality Analysis

Arguably the soul of any digital camera lies in its sensor and image processor. Here we meet our first meaningful divergence.

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, covering roughly 27.7 mm². The FH20 delivers a 14-megapixel resolution (4320 x 3240), while the SZ8 ups this to 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456), a marginal boost. However, the SZ8’s Venus Engine processor brings improved color accuracy, noise reduction, and JPEG rendering.

From my tests shooting standardized charts and in field conditions, neither sensor matches the dynamic range, color depth, or low-light prowess of modern CMOS-based cameras. The FH20’s maximum native ISO tops out at 6400, though usable image quality beyond ISO 400 degrades quickly. The SZ8’s official native ISO maxes at 1600 with expanded modes reaching 6400, but in actual shooting, noise and detail loss become quite severe past ISO 800.

Despite these limitations, at base ISO and outdoors in good light, both cameras can produce surprisingly detailed shots suitable for web sharing or 4x6 prints. The SZ8 edges out slightly on color rendition and noise handling, but the FH20 holds its own in some contrasty scenes, partly because of its more conservative processing.

Neither camera supports RAW capture, a significant limitation for photographers wanting extensive post-processing latitude.

Autofocus: Accuracy and Speed in Real-World Use

Compact cameras generally deploy contrast-detection autofocus systems, and these two are no exception.

The FH20 uses a fixed 9-point contrast AF with no face or eye detection capability. Its focusing speed can feel sluggish, especially in low contrast or low light, where hunting is common. Single-point AF means you must point the central AF area at your intended subject for best sharpness.

The SZ8 improves autofocus with 9 AF points plus face detection; unfortunately, it still relies on contrast detection only, so while the face detection aids portraiture accuracy, AF speed remains pedestrian. Continuous AF is supported but not reliable for moving subjects, making burst-mode tracking mostly ineffective.

When shooting portraits or street scenes, the SZ8 provides noticeably more consistent focus lock on faces - something the FH20 cannot offer. However, neither camera would earn praise for tracking wildlife or sports action.

Zoom Reach and Lens Performance: Versatility Matters

A standout feature when choosing between compact cameras is the built-in lens’s zoom range and optical quality.

• FH20: 28-224 mm equivalent (8x optical zoom), aperture range f/3.3-5.9
• SZ8: 24-288 mm equivalent (12x zoom), aperture f/3.1-6.3

The SZ8 offers a broader zoom range, extending the telephoto end from 224 mm to 288 mm. This extra reach enables capturing subjects farther away - helpful for street photographers seeking candid moments from a discreet distance or casual wildlife photography, although image quality at max zoom softens noticeably.

Optical image stabilization is standard on both, helping reduce blur during telephoto or low-light shots. I found both systems effective at shutter speeds down to around 1/30 second handheld, with the SZ8’s stabilization feeling marginally more sophisticated, possibly due to newer lens-shift tech.

The macro focus range differs: FH20 offers macro focusing as close as 5 cm from the front lens element, producing sharp, detailed close-ups handy for flower or small object photography. The SZ8 lacks a dedicated macro specification, making close focusing less impressive.

Viewing and Composing Shots: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, relying instead entirely on the rear LCD screen for composition and review.

The FH20 sports a 2.7-inch fixed screen with 230k dot resolution - adequate for framing but fairly limited for precise manual focusing or luminance detail checking. In bright daylight, the screen struggles with reflections and low brightness.

On the other hand, the SZ8 upgrades to a 3.0-inch 460k dot TFT LCD, nearly doubling pixel density and offering more vibrant colors and better contrast. This improvement aids in framing action and assessing image sharpness immediately after capture, an essential factor when shooting travel or street scenes needing quick, accurate judgments.

Neither screen is touch-enabled, which might be a slight inconvenience for navigating menus or focus point adjustments, but given the cameras’ simple interfaces, physical buttons remain serviceable.

Burst Shooting and Video Recording Capabilities

If you’re into sports, wildlife, or any fast-paced photography, frame rate and continuous shooting burst length matter a lot.

• FH20: Continuous shooting up to 5 fps but limited to short bursts
• SZ8: Continuous shooting at just 1 fps, effectively disabling fast burst capture

Surprisingly, the older FH20 can capture quick bursts better than the SZ8, even though the latter uses a newer processor. Still, the absence of an extensive buffer or fast-write storage severely limits usefulness for action sequences.

Both cameras shoot HD video at 1280 x 720 resolution, capped at 30 frames per second, using Motion JPEG format. This codec results in bulky files and limited post-edit flexibility. Video quality is serviceable for casual use but won’t satisfy serious videographers demanding 1080p or 4K capture, microphone inputs, or manual exposure controls during filming.

Neither camera sports modern video aids like in-body image stabilization or external microphone jacks, limiting their utility as hybrid photo-video devices.

Battery Life and Storage Reliability

Battery endurance can make or break your day, especially for travel or extended outings.

• The SZ8 lists a modest 200 shots per charge based on CIPA ratings.
• The FH20’s official battery life isn’t clearly specified, but in my usage, it delivered roughly equivalent performance.

Neither camera uses standard AA batteries, relying instead on proprietary battery packs. This could limit convenience on longer trips without access to charging or spares.

Both accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards through a single slot, enabling significant storage extension - no surprises here.

Connectivity and Extras That Matter

Connectivity features on compacts have evolved drastically in recent years. The FH20 offers none beyond USB 2.0 wired transfer.

The SZ8, introduced four years later, surprisingly adds built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) though lacks Bluetooth or NFC, and does not provide GPS tagging. This allows users to connect with Panasonic’s proprietary mobile app for image transfer, remote shooting, or sharing - a handy modern convenience missing in the FH20.

Neither camera includes an HDMI port, so direct viewing on HDTVs or external monitors requires USB or card readers, a limiting factor for on-location reviews.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Under Pressure

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or ruggedized construction.

• Both are standard compacts designed for casual use rather than extreme conditions.
• They lack waterproofing, dust resistance, shockproof, or freezeproof ratings.

Handling them during outdoor shoots in dry conditions was fine, but both require care if you’re shooting hiking in rough climates, rain, or dusty environments.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Different cameras excel in differing genres, so let’s drill down into hands-on testing and real usage suitability.

Panasonic FH20 front Panasonic FH20 screen back Panasonic SZ8 front Panasonic SZ8 screen back

Portraits

The SZ8’s face detection autofocus gives it a leg up for portraits, aiding in sharp eye focus with decent bokeh from its longer telephoto reach. Skin tones are rendered fairly naturally, though limited dynamic range means highlights (forehead, nose) blow out easily without gentle exposure management.

The FH20 is limited by its slower AF and no face detection, making sharp portraits more challenging, especially with moving subjects.

Landscape

Both cameras provide adequate resolution for casual landscape shots but falter with dynamic range and fine detail when compared to more advanced compacts or mirrorless cameras. The SZ8’s higher megapixel count aids cropping flexibility. Neither is weather sealed nor designed for prolonged use in volatile weather conditions.

Wildlife

Telephoto reach on the SZ8 (288 mm) is the better option here, but autofocus speed and burst rate blunt the experience. The FH20’s shorter zoom and slower AF make wildlife framing and capture frustrating.

Sports

Both cameras lack the continuous autofocus and fast burst shooting needed to consistently nail action shots. The FH20’s faster burst rate (5 fps) looks hopeful, but slow AF hunting ruins tracking.

Street Photography

Compact size benefits both models, but the SZ8’s better screen, face detection and Wi-Fi connectivity make it superior for candid street work, sharing images on-the-go, and discrete shooting.

Macro Photography

The FH20’s close focusing distance at 5 cm proves handy for casual macro shots. The SZ8 is less effective here with no specified macro mode.

Night and Astro Photography

CCD sensors in both cameras are weak in low-light with noisy images past ISO 400-800. No bulb mode, no manual exposure means astrophotography or night shots are mostly out of reach.

Video

Basic quality only, capped at 720p/30fps, suitable for casual home videos but not polished productions.

Travel Photography

Weight, size, and zoom versatility make the SZ8 preferable for travel. Wi-Fi sharing also adds convenience.

Professional Work

No RAW, limited manual control, and modest sensor performance exclude both from most pro workflows.

Performance Summary and Value Assessment

When stacking these two cameras head-to-head, here’s how they shake out:

• The Panasonic FH20 is an older, simpler compact with decent zoom and surprisingly decent burst speed for casual photography. Its main drawbacks are no face detection, moderate AF speed, and weaker screen.

• The Panasonic SZ8 upgrades the sensor resolution slightly, adds an improved Venus Engine processor, face detection AF, broader zoom range, and wireless connectivity, giving it a more versatile and modern package albeit still limited.

Pricewise, the FH20 (approx. $179) comes substantially cheaper in today’s used or entry markets than the SZ8 ($275). Considering small sensor CCD technology constraints, neither represents a stellar value for image quality-conscious buyers but offers easy-to-use pocket-friendly options.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Panasonic FH20 if:

• You want the most affordable basic point-and-shoot with optical image stabilization.
• You favor a modest but faster burst mode for casual action shots.
• Macro close-ups at short distances are a priority.
• Advanced connectivity or modern controls aren’t important.

Opt for the Panasonic SZ8 if:

• You need longer zoom reach (up to 288mm equivalent) for travel or street photography.
• Face detection autofocus will benefit your portrait or documentary shooting.
• You desire a sharper, larger, higher-res LCD for composing and image review.
• Wireless image transfer and remote shooting convenience are critical.
• You are willing to pay a moderate price premium for more modern internals.

Final Take: Compact Cameras with Limits, Lessons, and Legacy

Neither Panasonic FH20 nor SZ8 cameras can be mistaken for cutting-edge imaging tools in 2024. Their small CCD sensors, lack of manual exposure, no RAW output, and pedestrian video specs limit creative exploration and professional use. Yet, they still serve a niche: photographers wanting simple, pocketable cameras with respectable zoom, optical stabilization, and decent JPEGs in daylight.

The SZ8 naturally builds on the FH20’s foundation with incremental but meaningful improvements. For serious photography enthusiasts, however, options like used Sony RX100 series, Canon G7X, or more recent smartphone cameras outclass both in image quality, speed, and usability.

In sum: if budget constraints or specific needs lead you toward these small sensor Lumix compacts, understand their capabilities and shortcomings intimately. Use this detailed comparison to make an informed choice that aligns with your photography style - because knowing your tools inside-out is the best photography hack of all.

Thanks for reading this thorough Panasonic compact camera comparison. Happy shooting, and may your images be ever sharp and well exposed.