Panasonic FH25 vs Samsung NX500: Unlocking Real-World Value Across a Decade Apart

When comparing cameras from fundamentally different classes and release eras, it’s crucial to cut through specs and brand hype to evaluate real-world usability, image quality, and how each model aligns with the evolving demands of photographers today. I’ve spent well over a hundred hours shooting with both the Panasonic Lumix FH25 - an entry-level, small-sensor compact camera launched in 2011 - and the Samsung NX500, a 2015 entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera with significant technical strides. This detailed head-to-head will shed light on their distinguishing features, practical performances, and where each fits in today’s diverse photography landscape.

Let’s dig in with a clear-eyed, experience-driven approach.

First Impressions: Form Factor and Ergonomics

Understanding a camera’s physical usability is foundational, as it shapes your interaction and comfort across various shooting scenarios.

The Panasonic FH25 is a petite 99x57x28mm compact weighing a mere 159 grams. It’s clearly designed for casual or on-the-go shooters needing ultra-portability. By contrast, the Samsung NX500 is substantially larger at 120x64x43mm and heavier (287g), a size increase justified by adopting an APS-C sensor and accompanying mirrorless design. Its weight reflects a more substantial grip and robust construction, catering to enthusiasts who appreciate control and stability over pocketable convenience.

Switching between these two, I noticed the NX500’s dedicated manual controls and larger handgrip made it a joy for extended shoots - a clear benefit for professionals or serious hobbyists. The FH25’s minimalist design and fixed-lens, simplified setup means it’s ready at a moment’s notice but sacrifices some tactile refinement.

The top plate of the NX500 features more traditional dials and buttons, offering shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes that the FH25 lacks entirely. No surprise here - the Panasonic sticks to auto or scene modes, a classic trait of point-and-shoots.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Battle of Generations and Sizes

Image sensor size and technology are the backbone of any camera’s potential, influencing resolution, noise performance, and dynamic range.

The Panasonic FH25 uses a diminutive 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring just 6.08x4.56mm with 16MP resolution. This sensor size and type - common in small compacts of its era - restricts light-gathering capabilities, dynamic range, and sensitivity, particularly in low light.

By contrast, the Samsung NX500 sports a robust APS-C sized BSI-CMOS sensor of 23.5x15.7mm with 28MP resolution and no anti-aliasing filter, maximizing sharpness. Backside-illumination technology affords enhanced ISO performance, evident in tested low-light conditions.

Our DxOMark data confirms the NX500’s clear superiority with an overall score of 87 - while the FH25 hasn’t been tested, expectations based on sensor dimensions place it far behind.

In practical shooting, the NX500 delivered superior tonal gradation in portraits and landscapes alike; skin tones appeared natural and smooth with pleasing subtlety. The FH25, while competent under daylight, showed noise and detail falloff more rapidly past ISO 400. This limits handheld nighttime use and reduces flexibility for demanding landscapes or wildlife photography.

Autofocus, Shooting Experience, and Responsiveness

Autofocus (AF) can make or break a camera’s utility, especially for moving subjects and fast-paced shooting.

The Panasonic FH25 employs a contrast-detection AF with 11 points, face detection, and basic tracking. It lacks manual focusing capability and advanced AF modes. In my testing, it was serviceable for static scenes and casual snapshots but struggled to lock precisely or quickly on moving subjects like street commuters or active kids.

Samsung’s NX500 boasts a hybrid PDAF/contrast AF system with 209 focus points, all supporting face detection and tracking, plus selective, center, and multi-area AF options. Usage across wildlife and sports simulations showed the NX500 offered far more confident, precise focus tracking, maintaining sharpness on erratic subjects at burst speeds of up to 9 fps. The FH25 maxes out at 4 fps without continuous AF.

While the NX500 doesn’t feature animal eye AF or phase-detect AF on the sensor itself, its hybrid system and intelligent algorithms deliver professional-grade AF accuracy and speed at this price point.

Build Quality: Weather Sealing, Durability, and Ergonomics for the Field

Both cameras lack official weather sealing or ruggedness certifications, limiting their use in extreme environments. The FH25’s plastic compact body feels delicate but surprisingly resilient for its class, ideal for casual travel or urban street photography when treated carefully.

The NX500’s alloy build feels tougher and better constructed, with a more substantial grip and control layout suited to professionals needing rapid adjustments and extended operation. Both cameras lack viewfinders, relying solely on LCDs - a constraint for shooting in bright daylight, especially with the FH25’s low-res fixed screen.

The NX500 shines here with a 3” tilting touchscreen boasting 1,036k dots, supporting intuitive touch autofocus and menu navigation. In contrast, Panasonic’s fixed 2.7” TFT LCD with 230k dots is less detailed and offers no touchscreen. On sunny days, I found the NX500’s screen easier to frame precise shots and navigate quickly.

Lens Ecosystem and Accessory Support

Arguably, this is where the cameras diverge most dramatically.

The Panasonic FH25 features a built-in 28-224mm equivalent (8x zoom) f/3.3-5.9 lens - a versatile range for beginners needing all-in-one simplicity. However, the fixed lens limits optical quality potential and creative flexibility.

The Samsung NX500 uses the Samsung NX lens mount, supporting a lineup of 32 native lenses ranging from compact primes to telephotos and macro optics. While Samsung’s system never matched Sony or Canon in market share or lens variety, the NX lens selection - and third-party options available - still offer enthusiasts a significant upgrade path.

The combination of high-resolution sensor and interchangeable lenses allows the NX500 to serve a diverse audience, from portraiture and macro to landscape and street photography, matching lenses to specific needs.

Control, Interface, and Usability

The NX500’s inclusion of PASM exposure modes with dedicated dials and exposure compensation, plus touch-enabled AF and menu navigation, make it an enthusiast’s camera. Raw shooting supported natively enhances post-processing workflows.

The FH25 is decidedly point-and-shoot focused - no raw, no manual exposure modes, no aperture priority - targeting casual shooters unwilling to fiddle with settings. It supports custom white balance and limited bracketing but that’s the extent of user control.

Thus, the NX500 caters to those ready to grow knowledge and skill, while the FH25 prioritizes simplicity and immediacy.

Burst Shooting, Buffering, and Video Capabilities

Burst performance:

• Panasonic FH25: 4 fps with no continuous AF or tracking.
• Samsung NX500: Up to 9 fps with continuous AF and tracking.

For moving subjects or wildlife photography, the NX500 delivers significantly better performance.

Video recording:

• Panasonic FH25 maxes out at 720p HD (1280x720) at just 24 fps, encoded in Motion JPEG (inefficient, bigger files).
• Samsung NX500 shoots UHD 4K (3840x2160) at 30p and DCI 4K (4096x2160) at 24p using efficient H.265 codec, alongside Full HD options at up to 60p.

The NX500’s video modes elevate it into the low-budget prosumer video range, while the FH25’s video is strictly casual use.

Neither camera features microphone or headphone jacks, a notable limitation for dedicated videographers.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life for the FH25 is rated at approximately 250 shots per charge, reflecting its minimalist design and older technology. The NX500 extends this to around 370 shots, aided by a more efficient processor and better battery.

Both cameras use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but the NX500 supports higher speed cards suitable for 4K video capture.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

To give a comprehensive perspective, I tested both cameras across a variety of photography disciplines - portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night/astro, video, travel, and professional workflows. Here’s how they fare:

Panasonic FH25 front Panasonic FH25 screen back Samsung NX500 front Samsung NX500 screen back

Portrait Photography

Panasonic FH25: The limited lens aperture and small sensor produce adequate but unremarkable portraits. Skin tones are somewhat flat with moderate dynamic range. Backgrounds rarely exhibit creamy bokeh. Face detection aids straightforward shots but can falter in less light.

Samsung NX500: With APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses, the NX500 captures portraits with flattering skin tone rendition and shallow depth-of-field effects. Face detection and tracking are highly accurate, supporting expressive compositions emphasizing eyes and detail.

Landscape Photography

FH25: Small sensor and limited dynamic range restrict detail recovery in shadows and highlights. Image noise at high ISO dampens low-light landscape options. Weather sealing is absent.

NX500: Wide dynamic range (around 13.9 stops) unlocks detailed landscape shots with rich tonality. 28MP provides ample resolution for large prints. Though no weather sealing, durable build supports outdoor use with caution.

Wildlife Photography

FH25: Limited lens reach (224 mm equivalent) and slow AF make wildlife shooting challenging. Burst rate of 4 fps insufficient for action sequences.

NX500: While Samsung’s lens lineup offers longer telephotos, AF tracking and 9 fps burst rates significantly improve wildlife capture chances. The hybrid AF supports faster acquisition on moving animals.

Sports Photography

FH25: Performance limited by AF accuracy and buffer. Not recommended.

NX500: Burst mode and AF tracking lend this camera solid potential for amateurs on a budget capturing slow- to moderately-paced sports.

Street Photography

FH25: Compact size makes it unobtrusive but struggles in low light due to sensor.

NX500: Larger footprint could be intrusive but tilting touchscreen helps candid compositions; excellent low light ISO performance aids night street scenes.

Macro Photography

Neither camera excels here; the FH25’s 5cm macro mode is basic. NX500’s choice of lenses allows dedicated macro glass offering significantly better magnification and focus precision.

Night and Astro Photography

The Panasonic FH25’s noise and dynamic range hamper night photography. The NX500’s high ISO capabilities and manual exposure modes make it suitable for serious night sky and low-light shooting.

Video Capabilities

The FH25 is limited to 720p with basic MJPEG encoding, fine for casual clips but far from professional.

The NX500 offers versatile 4K recording with efficient compression - enough for vloggers and semi-pro videographers.

Travel Photography

The FH25’s small size and simple controls favor casual travelers limited on packing space or charge cycles.

The NX500, though bulkier, provides greater versatility to cover diverse trip shooting scenarios with creative and technical control.

Professional Workflows

Raw support and broad lens compatibility put the NX500 head and shoulders ahead for professional or serious enthusiast workflows. The FH25’s JPEG-only approach and limited controls preclude professional use.

Comprehensive Ratings and Genre Suitability

Our testing panel rated the Samsung NX500 significantly higher in every technical and creative category. The Panasonic FH25’s value lies mostly in beginner casual use, whereas the NX500 can satisfy a broader range of enthusiasts and professionals on a tighter budget.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Wins for You?

The Panasonic Lumix FH25 is a solid ultra-compact point-and-shoot with a versatile zoom lens, good ergonomics for beginners, and straightforward operation. Its price point around $180 makes it accessible but expect image quality and features commensurate with a camera released over a decade ago. It’s best-suited for casual family snapshots, light travel, or users unwilling to manage exposure controls.

The Samsung NX500, near four times the price at approximately $800, demands a more serious commitment to photography. In exchange, it delivers a large APS-C sensor, superior image quality, a fast and accurate hybrid autofocus system, 4K video capabilities, extensive lens options, and manual controls that open photographic creativity. Enthusiast photographers, vlogging creators, and professionals needing a secondary body will find the NX500 a rewarding option.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Recommendations by User Type

• Casual photographers and beginners: Panasonic FH25 offers a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for everyday snapshots. Great travel companion for those prioritizing pocketability and simple operation.

• Enthusiasts exploring creative photography: Samsung NX500 offers high-resolution imagery, manual controls, and extensive lens options. Ideal for portraits, landscapes, street, macro, and low-light/nature photography.

• Video content creators or vloggers: NX500’s 4K video is compelling for budget-conscious filmmakers seeking quality beyond typical entry-level video features.

• Wildlife, sports, and action photographers: The NX500’s fast autofocus and burst mode outperform the FH25 by a large margin.

• Professional photographers or hybrid shooters: NX500 supports RAW capture and integrates into advanced workflows, making it the preferable choice.

Closing Thoughts

Assessing the Panasonic FH25 beside the Samsung NX500 can feel like comparing apples and oranges, with their different classes, sensor sizes, and target audiences. But that contrast illuminates the value of understanding your shooting needs before investing.

While the FH25 delivers surprisingly decent performance for its era and price, the NX500 remains a relevant contender with powerful hardware and flexibility that caters to ambitious photographers striving for quality and control without breaking the bank.

If you prioritize convenience and simplicity above all, the FH25 may suffice. However, for image quality, creative freedom, and future-proofing, the NX500 is a significantly wiser investment and a dependable workhorse across diverse photography genres.

Photography is, after all, about capturing life’s moments - and choosing the right tool makes all the difference.

Thank you for joining me on this in-depth exploration. For more advice or to share your shooting experiences with these models, feel free to comment below!