Panasonic Lumix FH27 vs Samsung NX200: A Comprehensive Real-World Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Navigating the diverse camera market to find the right tool for your photography needs can be overwhelming, especially when comparing fundamentally different systems like the Panasonic Lumix FH27 and the Samsung NX200. Both released within a year of each other, these cameras target markedly different segments - the FH27 is a compact point-and-shoot device, while the NX200 is an entry-level mirrorless camera.

Drawing from extensive hands-on testing and technical insights garnered over 15 years of rigorous camera evaluations, this comparison explores their core capabilities, performance nuances, and suitability across common photographic disciplines. Beyond dry specifications, we illuminate their practical strengths, limitations, and workflow implications, helping you make an informed choice aligned with your photographic pursuits and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Understanding physical ergonomics often sets the tone for longer-term shooting comfort and usability. The FH27 presents an ultra-compact footprint, measuring just 99 x 57 x 28 mm and weighing a featherlight 152 grams, thanks to its integrated optics and compact sensor platform. In contrast, the NX200’s rangefinder-style mirrorless mirrorless design bumps the size up to 117 x 63 x 36 mm with a heftier 223 grams body weight.

The NX200’s larger form factor allows for a more substantial grip, physical control layout, and lens interchangeability - with room to accommodate larger sensors and more conventional DSLR-style handling. The FH27’s portability is impressive, ideal for pocketable travel or casual snaps, but compromises ergonomic finesse and physical control options.

Looking down from the top, the NX200’s control dials and buttons provide dedicated access to shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation settings, enabling rapid adjustments. The FH27, by contrast, opts for a minimalist approach with limited external controls, relying heavily on a simple touchscreen interface for operations.

In sum, the NX200 is poised for more deliberate shooting sessions with tactile responsiveness, while the FH27 prioritizes compactness and ease-of-use for spontaneous shooting.

Sensor Technologies and Image Quality: Compact CCD vs APS-C CMOS

Arguably the most consequential hardware difference lies in the sensor design and size. The FH27 employs a 1/2.3 inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm) CCD sensor with 16-megapixel resolution, yielding a sensor area of roughly 27.7 mm². In contrast, the NX200 houses a significantly larger APS-C-sized CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.7 mm, delivering 20 megapixels on a 368.9 mm² active area.

Larger sensor area and more modern CMOS architecture translate directly into superior image quality on the NX200. Expect notably better dynamic range (12.6 EV compared to the untested but inherently more limited CCD), reduced noise at higher ISO settings (up to ISO 6400 native max on FH27 vs 12800 on NX200), and improved color fidelity, confirmed by DxOMark’s 22.6 bits color depth rating for the NX200.

The FH27’s CCD sensor, while decent for casual snapshots under good lighting, shows increased noise and earlier dynamic range compression as ISO increases. Its image processor, the Venus Engine VI, offers basic noise reduction but lacks the advanced multi-frame noise handling and high-ISO performance evident in the NX200’s newer processing engines.

Practically, landscape and studio photographers will reap clear benefits from the NX200’s sensor for sharper, cleaner, and more editable RAW files (FH27 offers no RAW support). Conversely, the FH27’s JPEG pipeline and anti-alias filter favor straightforward, sharp images with minimal post-processing, ideal for casual users.

Display and Interface: Touchscreen Convenience vs OLED Clarity

Both cameras feature a fixed 3-inch rear LCD, but with important differences in resolution and technology. The FH27’s touchscreen is a 230k-dot TFT display, which provides intuitive pinch-to-zoom and basic menu navigation, a rarity for compact cameras of its era.

The NX200 boasts a 614k-dot Active Matrix OLED display, offering markedly better contrast, color accuracy, and visibility under various lighting conditions, albeit without touchscreen functionality.

For photographers who prioritize user interface responsiveness and quick operation, the FH27’s touchscreen is a welcome feature. However, for accuracy and image preview fidelity, the OLED panel on the NX200 provides significantly more detail and reliable color rendition, a point that can impact critical framing and focus checking in the field.

Autofocus and Defining Image Sharpness in Various Contexts

Autofocus capability underpins successful capture, particularly in dynamic scenes such as wildlife or sports. The FH27 uses a contrast-detection system with 11 focus points and supports touch AF and face detection. However, it lacks manual focus rings or aperture controls, limiting creative control. Continuous AF and tracking exist but with noticeable lag and hunting in low light.

The NX200, though employing contrast detection only (no phase detection), provides 15 focus points with center-weighted metering and face detection, alongside full manual focus ability linked to interchangeable lenses, enabling precise creative focus control including depth-of-field effects.

In real-world wildlife and sports scenarios, the NX200’s higher burst rate - 7 fps vs 4 fps on FH27 - combined with broader aperture lens options provides advantages in capturing decisive moments with better subject isolation and sharper focus.

Lens Systems: Flexibility vs Fixed Convenience

The fixed 28-224 mm f/3.3-5.9 lens on the FH27 covers an 8x zoom range, adequate for casual shooting and travel snapshots, but is constrained by relatively slow maximum apertures and the inability to change perspectives or specialty optics.

Panasonic FH27 screen back Samsung NX200 screen back

By contrast, the Samsung NX system features an extensive native lens mount with over 32 lenses spanning ultra-wide angles, primes with fast apertures (f/1.4-f/2.8), macro, telephoto zooms, and specialty glass, opening vast creative and genre possibilities - macro, portraits with shallow depth, sports telephoto reach, and wide landscapes.

This lens flexibility, in conjunction with APS-C sensor advantages, steers the NX200 clearly toward enthusiast or professional use seeking greater artistic control and optical performance across genres.

Burst Rate, Shutter Range, and Exposure Control

The FH27’s shutter speeds range from 60 seconds minimum to 1/1600 seconds maximum, with no manual exposure modes or aperture/shutter priority modes, restricting the photographer’s ability to precisely control motion capture or depth of field.

The NX200 extends shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/4000 seconds, supports manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and exposure compensation, essential tools for more advanced photographic expressions and challenging lighting situations.

Continuous shooting at 7 fps with the NX200 facilitates action and sports photography better than the FH27’s modest 4 fps. While neither supports electronic shutter speeds or silent shooting, the NX200’s manual overrides deliver more professional exposure finesse.

Video Recording Capabilities

While both cameras offer HD video, their capabilities diverge notably.

• FH27 records up to 1280 x 720 pixels at 24 fps in Motion JPEG format, suitable for casual video but limited in codec efficiency and frame rate versatility.

• NX200 supports full 1080p at 30 fps and 720p up to 60 fps, encoded using MPEG-4 and H.264, providing higher quality footage and smoother motion capture. An HDMI port enables external recording, a feature absent on the FH27.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, limiting professional audio input and monitoring possibilities.

For casual travel videos, the FH27 suffices, but content creators seeking sharper, more flexible video will favor the NX200.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance is critical for extended shoots. The FH27 uses a proprietary battery pack rated for approximately 250 shots per charge, reasonable for a compact camera but limited in long outdoor sessions without spare batteries.

The NX200’s BC1030 battery improves longevity to around 330 shots, benefiting from a larger body and more power-efficient components despite a bigger sensor.

Both cameras rely on single SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, simplifying storage management - a crucial consideration for photographers shooting high-resolution RAW files (NX200) versus JPEG-only files (FH27).

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither the FH27 nor the NX200 offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing, making them vulnerable to harsh external conditions. The FH27’s plastic, lightweight chassis gives it pocket-friendly usability but lower durability expectations.

The NX200’s metal alloy body offers a more robust feel and better long-term reliability but still requires care in challenging weather.

Neither camera is shockproof or freezeproof. Photographers operating in demanding environments should consider additional protective accessories or higher-tier bodies.

Connectivity, Wireless, and Workflow Integration

Surprisingly, both cameras lack built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS modules, limiting wireless transfer, remote control, or geotagging functionality natively - a shortcoming in today’s increasingly connected workflows.

The NX200 offers USB 2.0 and HDMI output (useful for tethering or external monitors), whereas the FH27 provides USB 2.0 only with no video output options.

For professionals or enthusiasts integrating comprehensive post-processing pipelines, the NX200’s RAW file support, tethering readiness, and HDMI output better align with advanced workflows.

Pricing and Value Proposition

At launch, the FH27 retailed around $229, positioning it as an affordable, everyday compact camera for casual users prioritizing portability and simplicity.

The NX200, priced significantly higher at approximately $818, targets entry-level mirrorless buyers desiring greater creative control, superior image quality, and lens system expandability.

While the price differential reflects the hardware leap, buyers must balance their photographic ambitions against budget realities - the FH27 is a budget-friendly option for snapshots and travel convenience, whereas the NX200 resonates with serious hobbyists or professionals in need of a versatile system camera.

Evaluating Genre-Specific Performance

Let’s dissect the usability and efficacy of each camera across key photography genres, guided by our comprehensive testing and benchmarks.

Portrait Photography

• NX200: Excels with its APS-C sensor enabling smooth skin tones, excellent bokeh capability using fast lenses, precise face detection AF, and full manual control enhancing creative portraiture.
• FH27: Limited by fixed slow zoom lens and lack of manual aperture, resulting in flatter skin rendering and limited background separation; touch AF and face detection are basic but functional for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

• NX200: Superior resolution, dynamic range, and compatibility with ultra-wide and specialized lenses make it ideal for expansive scenes and demanding tonal gradations.
• FH27: Suits snapshot landscapes in good daylight but sensor and lens limitations constrain quality, especially under challenging light.

Wildlife and Sports

• NX200: Faster burst rate, larger sensor noise control, and lens interchangeability, especially with telephoto zooms, provide the responsiveness and reach needed.
• FH27: The slower burst and long zoom are handy but lack autofocus speed and precision, limiting action capture.

Street Photography

• FH27: Compactness, low weight, and touchscreen ease offer discretion and portability, suiting street casual shooters.
• NX200: Larger form factor less discreet though superior image quality and control benefit serious street photographers willing to carry extra gear.

Macro Photography

• NX200: Ability to mount specialized macro lenses and manual focus control gives it the edge in close-up fidelity.
• FH27: Macro mode with focus down to 5 cm but lacks manual focus and optical flexibility.

Night and Astro Photography

• NX200: Higher ISO capabilities and longer shutter options suit low light and astro with less noise interference.
• FH27: Longer shutter available but ISO performance and noise impede usable night shots.

Video Capabilities

• NX200: Full HD 1080p with higher frame rates, better codecs, and HDMI output fulfill enthusiast videography needs.
• FH27: Basic HD video for casual use, without advanced controls.

Travel and General Use

• FH27: Ultra-portable and user-friendly, ideal for travel snapshots.
• NX200: Offers more creative possibilities with a compromise on size/weight.

Professional Workflows

• NX200: RAW support, manual exposure, lens interchange, superior sensor, and better integration make it suitable for professional workflows.
• FH27: Primarily a point-and-shoot tool, unsuitable for professional use.

Summing Up: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

The Panasonic Lumix FH27 and Samsung NX200 occupy distinctive niches, their capabilities reflective of their design intent and target audiences.

• Choose the Panasonic FH27 if you want a lightweight, pocketable camera for everyday snapshots, travel convenience, and minimal fuss. Its touchscreen interface and built-in zoom lens make casual shooting straightforward, though at the cost of sensor size and manual control.

• Select the Samsung NX200 if you demand higher image quality, extensive creative control, and system expandability through interchangeable lenses. Its superior sensor, manual exposure capabilities, and better video handling cater well to enthusiasts and emerging professionals who prioritize versatility and quality.

Panasonic FH27 screen back Samsung NX200 screen back

Both cameras have inevitable compromises dictated by their categories, but in a direct technical and practical comparison, the NX200 offers greater long-term value for serious photographers who can invest in mastering manual controls and lens systems, whereas the FH27 is a capable, budget-friendly compact for those who prize simplicity and portability.

The choice between these cameras ultimately pivots on your priorities - do you seek the lightweight spontaneity of the FH27 or the creative empowerment of the NX200? This detailed evaluation equips you with nuanced knowledge drawn from meticulous testing to select accordingly.

Disclaimer: This analysis is based on direct testing experiences, standardized technical benchmarks, and real-world shooting scenarios to deliver an impartial, comprehensive comparison grounded in photographic expertise.