Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 vs. DMC-TS10: A Thorough Comparison for Cameras in the Entry-Level Compact Segment

When considering entry-level digital cameras, particularly from Panasonic’s Lumix range, two models stand out from the early 2010s for their distinct market positioning and feature sets: the Lumix DMC-FH27 (FH27) and the Lumix DMC-TS10 (TS10), also known as the FT10. Both cameras are compact, easy-to-use options but target subtly different user profiles. The FH27 leans toward everyday casual shooters wanting a straightforward zoom and touch interface, whereas the TS10 is constructed ruggedly for adventurous users needing waterproof durability and shock resistance.

Drawing on industry-standard evaluation methodologies and extensive hands-on testing experience with compact cameras, this comparison inspects every critical element - from sensor technology and ergonomics to shooting modes and real-world performance - providing photographers a clear, trustworthy guide for making their next purchase.

A Tale of Two Compacts: Design and Handling First Impressions

Understanding how a camera feels in hand - is it comfortable, ergonomic, and portable? - is paramount, especially for compact models, which often prioritize ease of use and mobility.

Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

Both cameras are pocketable but show notable differences in dimensions and build aimed at their respective use cases. The FH27 measures 99 x 57 x 28 mm and weighs a mere 152 grams, whereas the TS10 is slightly larger and thicker: 99 x 63 x 24 mm, with a weight of 188 grams - reflecting its ruggedized construction. The extra bulk of the TS10 accommodates the environmental sealing necessary for water, dust, shock, and freeze resistance.

Ergonomically, the FH27 favors a slender profile with touchscreen capabilities, contributing to a minimalist button layout, while the TS10 foregoes touchscreen to enhance water resistance, relying on physical controls instead. The grip on the TS10 features textured rubberized surfaces, offering exceptional confidence when shooting in wet or demanding environments. Conversely, the FH27’s body is smooth plastic, designed primarily for casual everyday photography.

Control Layout and Top Plate

Panasonic’s design philosophies are evident when comparing the control schemes. The FH27 provides a modern top plate featuring essential dials and buttons optimized for touch-assisted menu navigation, while the TS10 offers a more tactile approach with larger controls that remain usable when wearing gloves or underwater.

Both cameras omit advanced manual controls like aperture or shutter priority modes - a typical limitation of compact sensor cameras in this price bracket - making them beginner-friendly but limiting creative exposure adjustments. Nevertheless, each provides a simple shutter button coupled with zoom toggles and a mode dial geared for point-and-shoot convenience.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The cornerstone of photographic capability lies in sensor performance. The FH27 and TS10 both utilize Panasonic’s 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor platform but differ slightly in resolution and processor generation.

Sensor Size, Resolution, and Image Processing

Both cameras employ a 1/2.3” CCD sensor sized approximately 6.08 x 4.56 mm, resulting in an active sensor area of roughly 27.7 mm² - standard for compact cameras aimed at casual use rather than professional quality.

• FH27: 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456), paired with Panasonic’s newer Venus Engine VI processor.
• TS10: 14 megapixels (4320 x 3240), running on the preceding Venus Engine IV.

While the difference between 14MP and 16MP is minor, the FH27’s updated processing engine typically yields improved noise reduction and color reproduction. However, both cameras lack capability for shooting RAW files, restricting post-processing flexibility.

Image Quality Assessment

Real-world image testing under controlled lighting reveals:

• Both cameras demonstrate typical compact CCD sensor limitations: moderate dynamic range and suboptimal high ISO noise performance beyond ISO 400.
• The FH27’s higher resolution results in slightly crisper fine detail rendition with more room for cropping.
• Sharpness across the zoom range is respectable on both, though the TS10’s shorter zoom (35-140mm effective) delivers less reach but slightly better corner sharpness.
• The FH27 offers a longer optical zoom range (28-224 mm equivalent), lending versatility, albeit with narrower maximum apertures toward the telephoto end - resulting in slower lenses and more reliance on optical stabilization.

Color depth and tonal rendition favor the FH27 slightly, thanks to the superior Venus Engine VI processing, which more accurately reproduces skin tones - a crucial factor for portrait users.

LCD Screens and User Interface: Clarity and Responsiveness

For composing and reviewing shots, the LCD display quality and interface responsiveness are vital.

Screen Technology and Resolution

• FH27: 3.0-inch TFT touchscreen with 230k dot resolution.
• TS10: 2.7-inch fixed screen with 230k dot resolution, no touchscreen.

The FH27’s touchscreen capability allows intuitive menu navigation and focus point selection, enhancing ease of use, especially for beginners or casual shooters. However, the low resolution and limited brightness can pose challenges outdoors. The TS10’s lack of touchscreen might be felt as a shortcoming in day-to-day interaction but remains a rational trade-off for the camera’s rugged promise.

Lens and Optics: Versatility vs. Toughness

Lens performance shapes real-world capability - optical zoom range, aperture speeds, and macro features all contribute to the versatility of a compact camera.

Zoom Range and Aperture

• FH27 lens: 28-224 mm equivalent (8× optical zoom), max aperture F3.3-5.9.
• TS10 lens: 35-140 mm equivalent (4× optical zoom), max aperture F3.5-5.6.

The FH27’s longer telephoto reach offers greater framing flexibility, ideal for portrait and casual wildlife shots within limitation, especially where carrying larger lenses isn’t practical. The TS10’s shorter zoom is less flexible but benefits photographers who prioritize waterproof features over reach.

Macro Capabilities

The FH27 has a macro focus range starting at 5 cm, which surpasses the TS10’s 10 cm minimum, facilitating closer detail shots useful for still-life or macro enthusiasts working within entry-level sensor constraints.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Performance

Precision and responsiveness in autofocus are crucial parameters when choosing a digital camera, impacting success across genres such as wildlife, sports, or street photography.

Autofocus Types and Focus Points

Both cameras feature contrast-detection autofocus, the only technology available widely in compact cameras at the time.

• The FH27 incorporates 11 focus points with face detection and AF tracking, making it superior for portrait photography and subjects in motion.
• The TS10 defaults to 9 focus points, with center-weighted AF but lacks face detection, reflecting its hardier, more rugged use case but reduced smart focusing features.

Neither camera offers phase-detection AF or continuous AF tracking modes - significant concessions for users intending to capture fast action reliably.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds

• The FH27 offers 4 frames per second continuous shooting.
• The TS10 records 2 frames per second.

In both cases, the limited burst speeds and relatively modest maximum shutter speed of 1/1600 sec constrain sports or fast wildlife photography capabilities, confirming the cameras’ amateur-focused target audiences.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Specialization in Outdoor Environments

One decisive factor distinguishing the TS10 from the FH27 is its environmental robustness.

Rugged Specifications

The TS10 boasts:

• Full water resistance rated to 3 meters.
• Dustproof, shockproof up to 1.5 m drops.
• Freeze-proof down to -10°C.
• Dust sealing for harsher conditions.

The FH27 lacks any form of weather sealing, wilting under adverse conditions and requiring careful handling - fine for everyday or studio shooting but limiting for adventurous travel or outdoor use.

Video Functionality: HD Recording and Media Support

Video capabilities, even on entry-level compacts, are often decisive for buyers seeking multimedia versatility.

Resolution and Frame Rates

Both cameras support HD video recording at 1280x720 pixels.

• FH27: 720p at 24 fps.
• TS10: 720p at 30 fps.

The TS10’s higher frame rate slightly improves video smoothness. Both cameras record in Motion JPEG format, a dated codec offering ease of editing but resulting in larger file sizes and limited color grading potential.

Neither supports external microphone inputs, HDMI output, or advanced stabilization beyond optical image stabilization, restricting their suitability for serious videography.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

Power Efficiency

• FH27 claims a battery life of approximately 250 shots per charge.
• TS10’s battery figures are unspecified and likely similar, given common battery packs.

For longer outings, both cameras require spare batteries given their compact battery capacity, typical of small sensor compacts during that period.

Data Transfer and Wireless Capabilities

Neither camera includes wireless features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, requiring wired USB 2.0 to transfer files, a potential inconvenience for modern mobile workflows.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Disciplines

To assist readers in selecting based on photographic interests, this section examines each camera’s strengths within varied genres.

Portrait Photography

• The FH27’s higher resolution sensor, face detection AF, and touchscreen make it superior for capturing accurate skin tones, soft bokeh effects at longer focal lengths, and subject tracking.
• The TS10’s ruggedness suits outdoor portraiture in challenging weather but its lack of face detection limits focusing precision on eyes or faces.

Landscape Photography

• Both perform modestly with limited dynamic range characteristic of their sensor size.
• FH27 edges out due to finer resolution beneficial for printing landscapes.
• TS10’s weather sealing enables shooting in challenging environments such as mist, rain, or snow.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is ideal for serious wildlife or sports photography due to slow, contrast-based autofocus, limited burst rates, and narrow aperture ranges. However:

• FH27’s face tracking and faster burst may capture casual wildlife better.
• TS10’s rugged build covers extreme outdoor sports but with a greater risk of missed shots owing to autofocus lag.

Street and Travel Photography

• FH27’s compactness, lightweight design, and touchscreen interface facilitate discreet shooting and spontaneous creativity.
• TS10’s bulkier but sturdy housing suits adventurous travel to harsh climates and activities like snorkeling.

Macro Photography

The FH27 wins here, with a closer focusing distance allowing detailed capture of small subjects, important for hobbyists and nature photographers.

Night and Astro Photography

CCD sensors in both cameras are not renowned for low-light prowess. Limited ISO range (max 6400) and lack of long exposure/manual controls restrict astrophotography. The FH27's image processing slightly mitigates noise at higher ISO, yet both models remain challenged in this domain.

Comprehensive Image Samples and Comparative Review

Visual assessments provide the final litmus for real-world image performance.

Panasonic FH27 screen back Panasonic TS10 front Panasonic TS10 screen back

Both deliver vibrant color reproduction typical of Panasonic’s CCD sensors, but the FH27’s images reveal marginally better sharpness and less chromatic aberration near image edges. The TS10’s images, while robust, sometimes exhibit minor softness at telephoto settings, likely due to lens trade-offs for durability.

Summing Up Performance: A Quantitative Overview

Synthesizing the above evaluations into combined performance ratings shows nuanced strengths and weaknesses mapped against contemporary peers.

Which Camera Excels in Specific Photography Genres?

Different photography subfields demand distinct performance metrics, summarized here for clarity and decision-making ease.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27: Best For…

• Casual enthusiasts seeking greater image resolution and zoom reach.
• Users valuing touchscreen operation and face detection autofocus.
• Those engaging primarily in portrait, landscape, and macro photography under controlled conditions.
• Photographers who prioritize a lightweight, portable form factor compatible with standard daily use.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10: Best For…

• Adventurous photographers needing rugged, waterproof cameras for outdoor, underwater, or harsh conditions.
• Users who accept trade-offs in resolution and zoom range for durability and weather sealing.
• Situations where shockproof and freeze-proof construction is non-negotiable, such as hiking, skiing, or snorkeling excursions.
• Casual shooters prioritizing reliability over advanced autofocus features or touchscreen navigability.

Final Verdict: Balancing Features and Use Cases

While both Panasonic models fulfill discrete niches in the entry-level compact camera market, the Lumix FH27 stands out for image quality and usability enhancements suitable for general photography and videography. Conversely, the TS10’s robust design and environmental protections uniquely position it as an ideal choice for rugged outdoor use.

If you prioritize conventional photographic quality and a richer feature set, the FH27 represents better value. For photographers requiring near-professional ruggedness in a compact form, the TS10’s capabilities justify its modest price premium, despite certain limitations.

Neither camera caters directly to advanced still photographers or videographers but serve well as affordable, accessible solutions for specific user profiles. Selecting between these two depends chiefly on your anticipated shooting environment and feature priorities.

This hands-on comparative analysis is grounded in practical testing, detailed technical evaluation, and user-centric insights to assist purchasing decisions blending reliability, performance, and real-world utility.