Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 vs. Pentax Optio E70: A Detailed Comparison of Small Sensor Compact Cameras

In today’s photography landscape, the compact camera segment might seem overshadowed by the meteoric rise of smartphones and mirrorless systems, yet these pocket-friendly tools remain a vital option for casual shooters, travelers, and anyone prioritizing convenience without the bulk. Two contenders in this realm, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 and the Pentax Optio E70, present interesting choices for buyers seeking an affordable, easy-to-use compact camera with decent image quality. Launched within a couple of years of each other, both offer small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors and aimed squarely at entry-level consumers.

Having personally tested both cameras extensively in controlled environments as well as real-world shooting scenarios (including portrait sessions, landscapes, and street outings), this comparison seeks to dissect their strengths, weaknesses, and nuances. We’ll look beyond spec sheets and marketing jargon, diving into ergonomics, image quality, autofocus performance, and more. Let’s see which compact delivers more bang for your buck, and who should consider either model in today’s market.

Hands-On Feel and Ergonomics: Size Isn’t Everything, But It Helps

First impressions matter. Handling a camera influences whether you’ll enjoy photography or find yourself fumbling or frustrated. Both the Panasonic FH27 and the Pentax E70 fall in the compact category - pocketable, but with some meaningful differences in physicality.

The Panasonic FH27 measures 99 x 57 x 28 mm and weighs about 152 grams, making it surprisingly light and slim for an 8x zoom compact. Its body employs a simple, plastic build that is typical for cameras in this price range but has a reassuringly balanced feel in my hand. The tactile grip area on the right side provides a bit of security, especially when shooting one-handed on walks or during casual trips.

In contrast, the Pentax E70 clocks in at 94 x 61 x 26 mm and is heavier at 175 grams, largely due to its AA battery power source. Its somewhat boxier shape isn’t as ergonomic, especially for users with larger hands. The grip area feels less contoured, which leads to occasional slips when shooting prolonged sessions. On the upside, the AA battery system lends versatility on power, especially for travel scenarios where spare AAs are easy to source.

Both cameras use straightforward control layouts, but ergonomics lean in Panasonic’s favor for daily comfort and handling.

Control Layout and User Interface: Simplicity vs. Functionality

Since these cameras cater mostly to beginners and casual shooters, Panasonic and Pentax kept controls streamlined. However, there are subtle distinctions that affect usability.

The Panasonic FH27 features a small but surprisingly intuitive top control dial paired with a power button, shutter release, and zoom toggle. Its 3-inch, 230k-dot TFT touchscreen LCD supports touch focus and menu navigation, which quickly becomes invaluable during shooting - tapping on subjects for focus is much faster here, especially with face detection enabled.

On the other hand, the Pentax E70’s smaller 2.4-inch LCD with only 112k resolution lacks touchscreen capabilities entirely. Controls are mostly button-based with no dedicated custom function buttons or dials. The menu system can feel sluggish, and it doesn’t offer face detection autofocus - a surprising omission for a 2009 model when face detection was becoming common.

The touchscreen interface on the FH27 adds a layer of convenience, making it easier for new users to operate the camera with minimal fuss. Meanwhile, the E70’s traditional button-driven approach may appeal to users who prefer tactile feedback or those unfamiliar with touch controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: Examining the Heart of the System

Sensor technology often sets cameras apart, even within the same class. Despite both cameras using a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with identical measured dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm, their sensor resolutions and processors differ notably.

The Panasonic FH27 packs a 16-megapixel sensor, which benefits from Panasonic’s Venus Engine VI image processor. The increased resolution comes with trade-offs - potential noise at higher ISO settings - but the processor does a decent job at noise reduction and color rendition for this compact segment. The aperture range spans F3.3-5.9 across the long 28-224 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range, allowing versatility in framing distant subjects.

In comparison, the Pentax E70 features a 10-megapixel sensor paired with an unlisted processor, likely an older generation given its 2009 launch. Its lens covers a shorter, 35-105 mm (3x) zoom range with aperture F3.1-5.9. The base ISO can go as low as 64, beneficial for daylight shooting, but in practice, low-light performance suffers more than the Panasonic.

Both cameras apply an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré but thus slightly soften fine detail. Neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing latitude - a significant caveat for enthusiasts looking to extract maximum image quality.

Autofocus Performance and Face Detection: Speed and Accuracy on Demand

Autofocus speed and reliability can make or break spontaneous shots, especially in dynamic settings. My testing reveals clear differences between these cameras’ AF systems.

The FH27 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 11 focus points and includes face detection with the ability to track up to three faces simultaneously. It supports touch AF and shows good, consistent performance in daylight and moderately dim environments. Tracking moving subjects can sometimes falter due to the system’s inherent limitations and modest processor speed, but it outperforms the E70 in almost every scenario.

By contrast, the Pentax E70 adopts a simpler 9-point contrast-detection AF system with no face detection or tracking abilities. Focus acquisition is noticeably slower, especially in lower light or for close subjects. The absence of continuous AF further limits its utility for moving subjects.

In practical terms, the FH27 is the better camera for casual portraits and street photography, where locking onto faces fast matters.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Scenes and Reviewing Shots

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF), meaning composition relies solely on their LCD screens. This is typical in compact cameras but comes with drawbacks in bright outdoor conditions.

The Panasonic FH27’s 3-inch touchscreen LCD stands out with higher resolution and capacitive touch technology, enhancing preview clarity and menu navigation responsiveness. Its 230k-dot resolution delivers sufficient detail to evaluate sharpness and exposure on the spot. This is particularly useful when reviewing images or framing shots in landscape or close-up photography.

The Pentax E70’s 2.4-inch screen is lower resolution and non-touch, making it challenging to discern fine image details, especially outdoors in bright sunlight. Interface lag occasionally occurs when cycling through menus or shots.

For photographers who value immediate visual feedback and ease of use, the FH27’s screen offers a notably more pleasant experience.

Zoom Range and Lens Capability: Reaching Your Subject

A compact’s lens range often dictates its core appeal. The Panasonic FH27’s lens boasts a very versatile 8x optical zoom spanning 28-224 mm (35mm equivalent). This breadth accommodates wide-angle landscapes as well as telephoto subjects like wildlife or candid street shots.

The Pentax E70, with its 3x, 35-105 mm zoom, offers a closer traditional range, good for portraits and general shooting but falls short for distant subjects.

When combined with the FH27’s optical image stabilization system, handheld telephoto shots become more practical, counteracting shake and enabling sharper photos. The E70 misses image stabilization entirely, impacting sharpness at longer focal lengths or lower shutter speeds.

In terms of macro focusing, the Panasonic achieves as close as 5 cm compared to Pentax’s 10 cm, facilitating more detailed close-ups of flowers and textures - a subtle but meaningful advantage for macro fans.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

Neither camera targets the high-speed action market, but it is still worth examining their burst rate capabilities.

The FH27 supports continuous shooting at 4 frames per second (fps), which is relatively brisk for a compact camera in its class, albeit limited to shots without continuous AF. The shutter speed range spans 1/60 to 1/1600 seconds, covering most casual shooting scenarios but falling short for freezing very fast motion.

On the contrary, the E70 has no specified continuous shooting mode and offers a wider shutter speed range of 4 seconds to 1/2000 seconds. The longer slow shutter setting could be useful for some night photography, but without image stabilization, handheld long exposures become challenging.

Overall, Panasonic’s advantage in burst rate helps photographers capture fleeting expressions or moments on the street, though neither camera will satisfy serious sports or wildlife shooters in speed terms.

Video Capabilities: Basic Motion Recording for Memories

Both cameras stick to basic video specs typical of their era, providing modest HD recording but little else.

Panasonic FH27 records 720p video at 24 frames per second using Motion JPEG codec. The images are serviceable for casual video with relatively smooth motion. However, the lack of microphone and headphone jacks means audio quality is basic, and no in-body stabilization benefits video either - though optical stabilization helps somewhat with handheld footage.

The Pentax E70 features similar 720p resolution at 30 fps, also Motion JPEG, without advanced controls. No touch focus or continuous AF during video limits usability, and the smaller screen hampers framing precision.

Neither camera suits vloggers or videographers seeking professional quality but will do fine for occasional family clips or travel records.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance in Everyday Use

Battery and storage convenience is often underrated, but crucial for real-world shooting.

The Panasonic FH27 utilizes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack rated around 250 shots per charge, which aligns with typical compact camera endurance. The fixed battery design may require carrying spares or a charger but keeps weight down.

The Pentax E70 draws power from two AA batteries, offering pragmatic benefits - spares are cheap and available worldwide, perfect for extended travel without charging facilities. The downside is added weight and bulk.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC cards, with the Panasonic expanding compatibility to SDXC for higher capacity cards - a plus for users shooting many photos or videos.

Real-World Shooting Across Genres: What Each Camera Offers

Now, let’s put these cameras through the paces across photography types most relevant to enthusiasts.

Portrait Photography

The Panasonic FH27 excels with face detection autofocus, good color rendition, and slightly better resolution enabling pleasant skin tones and decent bokeh at longer focal lengths. The 8x zoom lets users quickly switch between flattering headshots and environmental portraits without changing lenses.

The Pentax E70’s lack of face detection and lower resolution result in softer images. Its shorter zoom range makes tighter framing challenging without cropping.

Landscape Photography

With nearly identical sensors, both cameras deliver acceptable dynamic range for casual landscapes, though the FH27’s updated processor better handles shadow and highlight detail retention. Its longer zoom also supports framing distant vistas.

Neither camera is weather sealed or robust enough for extreme outdoor conditions.

Wildlife Photography

Neither compact strongly targets wildlife shooters, but Panasonic’s longer zoom and image stabilization provide an edge for casual animal portraits or birdwatching. The Pentax’s shorter zoom and slower AF discourage this use case.

Sports Photography

Both cameras fall short here; slow burst rates, laggy AF, and limited shutter speeds hinder tracking fast movement. Panasonic’s modest 4 fps burst is better than Pentax’s absence of continuous shooting but still behind dedicated sports cameras.

Street Photography

Compact body, quiet shutter, and face detection autofocus give the Panasonic FH27 an upper hand for street shooters wanting quick, undemanding operation. Its touchscreen aids speedy focus acquisition.

Pentax E70 is less discreet and slower to focus but benefits from AA batteries for prolonged urban wandering.

Macro Photography

Panasonic’s closer focusing distance (5cm vs. 10cm) and image stabilization ease close-up shots with greater detail. Pentax requires more care and tripod use to capture precise macro images.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras struggle with high ISO noise and lack manual exposure modes, reducing their usefulness here. The E70’s longer shutter speed may help in tripod conditions but noise levels remain a limiting factor.

Video and Travel Photography

Limited video functionality in both; Panasonic takes a slight lead with a larger screen, touchscreen focus, and image stabilization helping handheld recording.

For travelers, Panasonic’s lighter weight, rechargeable battery, and broad zoom range outweigh Pentax’s expandable AA battery advantage.

Image Samples Speak Volumes

Comparing real images from both cameras reveals the practical impact of their specs.

Panasonic FH27 screen back Pentax E70 front Pentax E70 screen back

The FH27’s images showcase greater detail, better dynamic range, and more vibrant yet natural color reproduction. Zoomed shots maintain clarity due to optical stabilization helping reduce blur.

Pentax pictures, while respectable, show flatter colors, less sharpness, and more noise in shadows and low light.

Ratings and Value: Weighing Performance Against Price

Affordability is key for buyers in this class. Currently priced around $229 for the Panasonic FH27 and approximately $140 for the older Pentax E70, the question becomes one of value for money.

Given the FH27’s superior image quality, faster autofocus, touchscreen usability, and versatility, it rates higher overall despite the higher price. However, the Pentax E70’s cost savings and AA battery flexibility may suit budget-conscious users with modest expectations.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

For a closer look by photography type, here are simplified scores out of 10 based on testing:

These nuanced ratings reflect the cameras’ clear lean toward casual and travel use rather than professional or specialized photography.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 emerges as the better-rounded compact camera for casual photographers wanting versatility, quicker operation, and better image quality. Its 8x zoom, touchscreen, and face detection autofocusing equip users to capture a wide array of scenes from portraits to landscapes and street photos with relative ease. The absence of RAW shooting and limited ISO range constrain some enthusiast ambitions, but within its price and class, the FH27 impresses.

Conversely, the Pentax Optio E70 serves best as a budget fallback or travel camera where AA battery availability and minimum cost are paramount. Its performance is solid but dated, and you trade image quality, autofocus speed, and usability for price and simplicity.

If your photography goals encompass portraiture, travel, or everyday snapshots, the Panasonic FH27 is the smarter pick. For rare use, budget constraints, or battery flexibility, consider the Pentax E70.

Ultimately, these cameras reflect an era just before smartphones firmly locked down casual photography - useful to revisit for their simplicity, but unlikely to satisfy newer needs demanding speed, quality, or creativity.

By sharing hands-on experiences, detailed specs, and practical evaluations, I hope this comparison helps photographers make purposeful decisions when choosing between these two small sensor compacts.

Happy shooting!

End of review