Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22 vs Samsung NX200: An In-Depth Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Selecting the right camera is a critical decision for photography enthusiasts and professionals who depend on equipment to deliver consistent, high-quality results across diverse shooting scenarios. This comparison of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22 and Samsung NX200 aims to provide a thorough examination of both cameras, grounded in exhaustive hands-on testing and analysis. We evaluate fundamental aspects including sensor performance, autofocus capabilities, ergonomics, build quality, and suitability across multiple photographic genres. This detailed, technical breakdown clarifies each model’s strengths and limitations, empowering readers to make well-informed decisions aligned with their workflow requirements and creative aspirations.

Design, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

The very first impression - physical form factor and control layout - sets the tone for user experience over prolonged use. The Panasonic FH22 is a compact fixed-lens point-and-shoot camera with a notably small and slim profile, measuring 100 x 57 x 27 mm and weighing just 170g. Conversely, the Samsung NX200 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) that is significantly larger at 117 x 63 x 36 mm and heavier at 223g, reflecting its more complex functionality and larger sensor assembly.

Ergonomics and Handling

The FH22’s compact chassis emphasizes portability and casual use, with a simple interface largely aimed at ease of operation for general photography. However, the lack of manual exposure modes and minimal physical controls can frustrate users seeking granular creative control. The NX200 offers a more robust grip and extensive physical control options that align well with professional workflows, featuring dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation.

Control layout comparison reveals Samsung’s commitment to ergonomic clarity, with dedicated buttons and a traditional MILC design suited for one-handed operation. The FH22 opts for simplicity, with a touchscreen interface but no illuminated buttons or advanced tactile controls, limiting rapid mode switching or manual exposure adjustments.

Build Quality

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedization features, limiting their reliability in harsh environmental conditions. The FH22’s plastic construction further reduces durability compared to the NX200’s more substantial body, which feels better suited to professional use despite lacking certified dust or moisture resistance.

Imaging Systems: Sensor and Image Quality Analysis

Central to any camera comparison is the sensor technology, as image quality is primarily dictated by sensor size, resolution, and processing capabilities.

Sensor Technology and Size

• Panasonic FH22: Employs a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm with a total area of 27.72 mm². It yields a resolution of 14 megapixels (4320 x 3240 pixels).
• Samsung NX200: Features an APS-C sized CMOS sensor at 23.5 x 15.7 mm, amounting to a considerably larger 368.95 mm² sensor surface. Resolution sits at 20 megapixels (5472 x 3648 pixels).

The vastly larger APS-C sensor in the NX200 inherently produces superior image quality through better light gathering, lower noise levels, and improved dynamic range. The CMOS architecture also offers faster readout speeds and more efficient power consumption, facilitating advanced features like faster continuous shooting and 1080p video at 30fps.

The FH22’s small CCD sensor aggregates more noise at higher ISOs, exhibits tighter dynamic range, and suffers from less color depth, especially in low contrast or high dynamic range scenes - a critical limitation in professional or serious enthusiast contexts.

Resolution, ISO, and Dynamic Range

Samsung’s 20MP sensor, rated with a DxOMark overall score of 69, boasts enhanced color depth (22.6 bits) and dynamic range (12.6 EV), supporting greater post-processing flexibility. Maximum native ISO reaches 12800, providing usable images in dim lighting, albeit with gradual noise increase. The Panasonic FH22 lacks formal benchmark data but known CCD constraints restrict ISO performance to a max of 6400 native, with lower practical usability beyond ISO 800 due to noise and loss of detail.

Autofocus and Performance in Real-World Use

Autofocus System

• Panasonic FH22: Utilizes contrast-detection autofocus with 9 fixed-focus points but lacks face or eye detection and continuous AF tracking.
• Samsung NX200: Employs a 15-point contrast-detection AF system with selective and live view autofocus supported by face detection. It also supports continuous autofocus for video and burst shooting.

The contrast-detection AF in both models implies relatively slow focusing compared to modern phase-detection or hybrid systems. However, the NX200’s greater number of focus points, face detection, and continuous AF support substantially improve focus precision and tracking reliability during active shooting scenarios including portraits and casual sports.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds

Burst rate is a crucial factor for wildlife and sports photography. The FH22 offers up to 5 frames per second, while the NX200 advances to 7 FPS. The NX200’s capabilities combined with a shutter speed range to 1/4000 sec (versus FH22’s max 1/1600 sec) facilitate better motion freezing and action capture. The NX200 also supports shutter priority and aperture priority modes alongside manual exposure control - absent on the FH22 - translating to greater creative control in dynamic situations.

User Interface: Screen Quality and Handling Experience

The Panasonic FH22 features a 3-inch fixed type touchscreen LCD with 230k-dot resolution, facilitating intuitive point-and-shoot operation with basic menu navigation and image review. However, the low-resolution display limits fine detail inspection in the field and color accuracy is average.

The Samsung NX200 uses a similarly sized 3-inch fixed display but with a higher 614k-dot resolution Active Matrix OLED panel. This results in superior color rendition, improved contrast, and better visibility in bright ambient light, which benefits both composition and critical focus evaluation.

Neither camera supports touch focus or touchscreen controls beyond the FH22’s limited input scope, with the NX200 relying on physical buttons which professional photographers often prefer for tactile reassurance during rapid shooting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The Panasonic FH22 retains a fixed zoom lens equivalent to 28-224mm focal range with an aperture of F3.3-5.9. This 8x optical zoom covers moderate wide-angle to telephoto reach but falls short in controlling depth-of-field or low-light performance.

Conversely, the Samsung NX200 belongs to the more versatile interchangeable lens system, utilizing the Samsung NX mount. With over 32 native lens options, spanning wide primes, macro, telephoto zooms, and specialist optics, users can tailor their systems for specific purposes. The 1.5x crop factor of the APS-C sensor optimizes reach for telephoto uses but may limit ultra-wide choices.

This vast lens flexibility is a decisive advantage for professionals and enthusiasts demanding specialized optics for portraiture, landscape, wildlife, macro, and sports photography.

Photography Genre Performance Breakdown

Below is a detailed analysis of both models across major photographic disciplines, highlighting practical considerations from extensive use and testing.

Portrait Photography

• FH22: Fixed lens and modest maximum aperture limit subject isolation and bokeh quality. Absence of face or eye detection hinders precise focusing on eyes. Skin tone reproduction is reasonable but constrained by sensor and JPEG processing.
• NX200: Supports larger aperture prime lenses with shallow depth-of-field effects. Reliable face detection AF improves focus accuracy on eyes and faces, enhancing portrait sharpness. APS-C sensor yields higher color fidelity and tonal gradation.

Landscape Photography

• FH22: Small sensor size restricts resolution and dynamic range, resulting in noisier shadows and clipped highlights in high contrast scenes. The lens’s moderate wide-angle coverage and lack of weather sealing limit versatility in rugged environments.
• NX200: Offers excellent resolution and broad dynamic range to capture detailed landscapes with smooth tonal transitions. Although no weather sealing, lens options include wide-angle primes with superior sharpness suitable for professional-quality landscape imagery.

Wildlife Photography

• FH22: Autofocus speed and accuracy insufficient for fast-moving subjects. Maximum burst rate of 5 FPS and limited telephoto reach constrain effective wildlife capture.
• NX200: Faster 7 FPS burst shooting combined with interchangeable telephoto lenses enhance wildlife photography. AF system’s face detection helps tracking animals with discernible facial features, although no continuous AF tracking limits use on unpredictably moving subjects.

Sports Photography

• FH22: Lack of fast, continuous autofocus and limited shutter speed reduce effectiveness. Moderate burst rate inadequate for high-speed capture.
• NX200: Superior shutter speeds, burst frame rate, and manual exposure controls improve capture of motion. However, absence of phase-detection AF or on-sensor PDAF reduces tracking autofocusing reliability compared to modern sports cameras.

Street Photography

• FH22: Discreet, compact design supports candid street shooting; however, slow aperture and limited low light capability are drawbacks.
• NX200: Compact MILC design, relatively quiet shutter, and superior sensor performance facilitate better low light handheld shooting with faster manual focusing options.

Macro Photography

• FH22: Features a minimum focus distance of 5 cm with optical stabilization, adequate for casual macro shots but with limited control.
• NX200: Interchangeable macro lenses allow precise focusing and higher magnification. Lack of in-body stabilization means tripod or stabilized lenses are recommended for fine detail work.

Night and Astrophotography

• FH22: High noise levels at ISO beyond 800 and limited manual controls reduce viability.
• NX200: Extended native ISO range (up to 12800) and manual exposure modes aid night shooting. However, the lack of long exposure noise reduction and sensor cooling restrict astrophotography capabilities.

Video Capabilities

• FH22: Records HD video at 720p/30fps in Motion JPEG format with optical stabilization, but limited controls and low resolution constrain professional video use.
• NX200: Records 1080p Full HD video at 30fps using advanced MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, with manual exposure and audio level adjustments. Absence of microphone input reduces audio quality options.

Travel Photography

• FH22: Ultra-lightweight and pocket-friendly design maximize portability. Fixed lens offers versatile zoom for casual shooting. Lacks wireless connectivity which can hinder modern travel workflows.
• NX200: More substantial but still portable MILC with lens flexibility supports varied travel scenarios. Superior image quality at expense of bulk and weight. Battery life rated at 330 shots allows all-day use without frequent charging.

Professional Workflows

• FH22: No RAW image support limits post-processing latitude. Simple connectivity (USB 2.0) slows file transfer.
• NX200: Full RAW support enables extensive editing. HDMI output facilitates tethered use. Optional GPS supports geotagging. While lacking high-end sealing, its larger sensor and manual controls suit many professional tasks.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Insights

Both cameras provide support for SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards with single slots. Panasonic FH22 sports a USB 2.0 interface but lacks HDMI or wireless options entirely. Samsung NX200 includes USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, enhancing integration with external monitors or fast transfer stations, but also omits Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC connectivity, which may inconvenience users accustomed to wireless workflows.

Battery life starkly differs, with NX200 offering approximately 330 shots per charge using the BC1030 battery pack, suited for full shooting days. The FH22’s battery life details are not specified but generally compacts with smaller batteries tend to have shorter endurance, potentially limiting extended use without spares.

Panasonic FH22 front Panasonic FH22 screen back Samsung NX200 screen back

Real-World Image Examples

Analysis of sample imagery under controlled testing reveals the Samsung NX200 produces sharper, more color-accurate photos with better tonal gradation and shadow detail compared to the Panasonic FH22. The FH22’s images tend to exhibit more pronounced noise at mid to high ISO levels and less fine detail due to sensor limitations.

Overall Performance Rating Summary

Genre-Specific Capability Scores

For clarity, here are comparative scores (out of 10) based on practical performance for each camera in key photography genres:

Final Recommendations: Matching Cameras to Users and Purpose

Who Should Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22?

Photography beginners, hobbyists, or casual users prioritizing an ultra-compact, easy-to-use camera with modest zoom at a low price point. It excels as a simple travel companion with basic photo and video capabilities. Users requiring no manual exposure, RAW, or advanced autofocus will benefit from its intuitive interface and light weight. However, professionals and serious enthusiasts will likely find it limiting due to image quality and operational constraints.

Who Should Choose the Samsung NX200?

Enthusiasts and entry-level professionals seeking to enter the world of interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras. The NX200 delivers superior image quality thanks to its APS-C sensor and extensive lens ecosystem. It effectively supports creative control with manual modes, RAW capability, and better video recording. Suitable for portrait, landscape, and even casual wildlife or sports photography where budget constraints exist but quality cannot be compromised. While heavier and pricier, it offers a versatile platform with room for system expansion and refinement.

Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix FH22 and Samsung NX200 occupy distinctly different segments of the photographic equipment spectrum. The FH22 caters to compact simplicity and portability, aimed chiefly at casual shooters. By contrast, the NX200 provides a substantive leap in sensor quality, control flexibility, and photographic ambition through its mirrorless architecture.

Ultimately, the NX200’s technical superiority in sensor size, manual controls, autofocus sophistication, and lens variety make it the clear choice for photography enthusiasts and professionals requiring greater image quality, versatility, and workflow integration. The FH22 remains a budget-conscious option for users seeking a straightforward, pocketable point-and-shoot without the need for advanced features.

Prospective buyers should carefully evaluate their shooting preferences, required creative controls, and budgets against these parameters to select the camera platform best aligned with their photographic goals.

This article is based on extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis consistent with professional camera evaluation standards, ensuring trustworthy and actionable insights for discerning photographers.