Panasonic Lumix FH27 vs Sony Cyber-shot WX150: A Detailed Compact Camera Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera can be surprisingly nuanced. With myriad models boasting multi-megapixel sensors and zoom ranges that seem to stretch forever, it’s easy to get lost in specs without understanding their real-world impact. Today, I’m putting two small-sensor compacts head-to-head: Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FH27 and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-WX150. Both launched in the early 2010s, these cameras target the casual enthusiast, blending portability with some handy features. But beneath the surface, their capabilities diverge in meaningful ways that matter depending on your style of shooting.

Drawing on my years of personal testing, sensor analysis, and hands-on use across genres - from portraits to wildlife - I’ll break down their design, performance, and image quality. Along the way, I’ll pepper in real-life impressions, explain technical trade-offs, and provide recommendations to match your photographic ambitions.

First Impressions & Handling: Size, Ergonomics, and Control Layout

Compact cameras live or die by ergonomics - how they feel in your hand, and how intuitive the controls are when you need to snap fast.

The Panasonic FH27 is on the bulkier side of “compact,” measuring 99x57x28 mm and weighing 152g, while Sony’s WX150 trims down to 95x56x22 mm and a lighter 133g. The difference might seem minor on paper, but in-hand, the WX150’s slimmer profile makes it easier to slip into a jacket pocket or purse, a big plus for street or travel photographers prioritizing portability.

Looking at the control layout from above:

Neither camera sports a swivel or articulating screen, nor an electronic viewfinder, which is typical for this class. The FH27, however, adds a touchscreen interface, albeit a simple 230k-dot resolution panel, whereas Sony opts for a higher-res 461k-dot ClearPhoto TFT but no touch support. In practice, I found Panasonic’s touchscreen useful for quick focus selection and menu navigation, especially in bright outdoor environments where precise button pressing can be fiddly.

Sony makes up for no touch with a slightly more refined button layout and a dedicated exposure compensation dial, which the FH27 lacks entirely - this is a subtle but real advantage if you like to adjust exposure on the fly without diving into menus.

In summary: If pocketability and easier manual exposure adjustments are priority, Sony’s WX150 edges ahead. If you value touchscreen ease for quick focusing and menus, Panasonic’s FH27 is a fine contender.

Sensors and Image Quality: Who Shoots Cleaner Photos?

Both cameras use the common “1/2.3 inch” sensor form factor, which means the sensor diagonal hovers around 6.1 mm. Panasonic uses a CCD sensor with 16 megapixels, while Sony packs an 18-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor.

From personal experience and technical testing, Sony’s BSI (backside-illuminated) CMOS sensor generally outperforms older CCDs in noise handling and dynamic range. BSI architecture improves low-light sensitivity by reducing on-chip circuitry shadowing, allowing photons a cleaner path to photodiodes. This advantage shows up in everyday shooting as cleaner ISO 800 and above images with less interference.

The Panasonic FH27 maxes out its native ISO at 6400, but I rarely recommend pushing CCD-based compacts beyond ISO 400 without noticeable noise. Sony’s WX150 can boost up to ISO 12800, though practical usable range tops around 1600-3200 in daylight scenes.

With their fixed lenses and compact designs, resolutions here aren’t primarily about pixel count - it’s about noise control, sharpness, and color fidelity. The Sony’s slightly larger sensor surface area and newer tech yield better dynamic range and richer colors, especially in tricky lighting.

Launcher of compact cameras need to manage the tradeoff between resolution and sensor noise - Sony’s 18 MP resolution is cramped into nearly the same sensor area as Panasonic’s 16 MP CCD, potentially increasing pixel-level noise but Sony’s BSI tech mitigates that well. In uncontrolled tests, photos from the WX150 displayed slightly better detail retention and less noise shadowing, especially past ISO 400.

Bottom line: For image purity - critical if you want to crop or print larger - the WX150’s sensor and processing pipeline have the edge.

Optics and Zoom: Which Lens Pulls Its Weight?

Look closely at the focal ranges:

• Panasonic FH27: 28-224 mm equivalent, 8x optical zoom, aperture F3.3-5.9
• Sony WX150: 25-250 mm equivalent, 10x optical zoom, aperture F3.3-5.9

Sony offers a longer reach at the telephoto end, while Panasonic starts a touch wider on the wide end. Portraits and landscapes benefit from wider focal lengths, wildlife and sports from longer telephotos.

Both lenses have identical max apertures, so in terms of light gathering their low-light potential is similar. However, Panasonic’s lens shows a slight edge in optical image stabilization (OIS) performance - important for stills and video, especially at full zoom.

Macro-wise, both focus down to 5 cm, letting you get close for flower or product shots. Panasonic offers optical image stabilization which can help maintain sharpness during these close-ups, a subtle advantage if you don’t have a tripod handy.

In practical shooting, I noticed that Panasonic’s 8x zoom, while shorter, rendered images with slightly better central sharpness and less distortion at wide angles. Sony’s 10x zoom offers extended reach but with marginal softness at extreme telephoto and more visible chromatic aberrations on the edges.

If you want the most telephoto reach in a compact body, Sony is your pick. For slightly better sharpness and stabilization at everyday focal lengths, Panasonic’s optics are competitive.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Nailing the Moment

Autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break candid, wildlife, or sports photography.

The Panasonic FH27 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 11 focus points and face detection. It also offers touch AF via its touchscreen. It provides af tracking as well, but no continuous AF during bursts.

The Sony WX150 uses a contrast-detection AF with 9 points. It includes face detection and center-weighted focus with spot metering. Interestingly, it supports single AF only (no continuous or touch AF), but counters with a faster 10 fps burst speed compared to Panasonic’s 4 fps.

In real-life use, the FH27’s touch AF and face detection options add a layer of control for portraits and street photography. However, its AF speed is noticeably slower and struggles in low contrast or dim environments compared to WX150.

Sony’s WX150 boasts snappier autofocus locking times - very useful when tracking fast-moving subjects like kids or pets - and the 10 fps burst rate, despite only single AF mode, can capture fleeting moments effectively.

Neither camera incorporates phase-detection AF uncommon for compacts at the time, so autofocus occasionally hunts in low light or tricky contrast, but Sony’s BSI sensor helps with speed in these cases.

If you prioritize tracking fast subjects or sports shots in a compact, Sony’s WX150 is more responsive. For casual portraits with touch-and-select convenience, Panasonic’s FH27 still performs admirably.

Displays and User Interface: How You See Matters

On the rear LCD, Panasonic’s 3-inch TFT touchscreen sports just 230k dots, while Sony offers a higher resolution 461k-dot screen without touch capability.

I tend to prefer higher resolution displays when composing and reviewing images - the sharper Sony screen renders EXIF info and menus more crisply, making it easier to judge focus and exposure on the fly.

That said, Panasonic’s touchscreen adds a significant boost in user experience. You can tap focus points, swipe through menus, and pinch-zoom images intuitively. For those accustomed to smartphone interfaces, this is a compelling plus.

Neither display is particularly bright by today’s standards, so shooting outdoors can demand shading your hand or screen to verify composition.

As an enthusiast, I appreciate Sony’s cleaner, more detailed LCD for checking images before committing to shots, but for fast focus adjustments, Panasonic’s touchscreen wins.

Build Quality and Battery Life: How Long Can You Shoot?

Both cameras use plastic-bodied compact form factors, common in this class. Neither offers weather sealing or robust ruggedness, so careful handling is advised outdoors.

Panasonic FH27 uses a rechargeable battery pack rated for about 250 shots per charge, while the Sony WX150 offers roughly 240 shots - both modest but typical for compacts. You’ll want to carry spares for longer outings.

Interestingly, Sony supports both SD and Memory Stick formats, increasing versatility at the cost of compatibility confusion, while Panasonic restricts itself to the ubiquitous SD family.

No wireless connectivity on Panasonic FH27, but Sony supports Eye-Fi card wireless features - handy if you want to automatically transfer photos to a mobile device without cables. Neither camera has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or HDMI output on Panasonic (Sony provides HDMI).

Sony’s slightly lighter and smaller body complements its more flexible connectivity options, ideal for travel photographers wanting quick sharing.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Usability

For casual video, Panasonic FH27 records HD at 1280x720 at 24 fps in Motion JPEG format, while Sony WX150 can shoot full HD 1920x1080 at 60 fps in MPEG-4 or AVCHD.

Panasonic FH27 screen back Sony WX150 front Sony WX150 screen back

Though neither camera offers advanced video features like microphone input or 4K recording, Sony’s higher resolution and smoother frame rates make it a better choice for occasional home movies or YouTube clips.

Motion JPEG on Panasonic is more data-heavy with lower compression efficiency, resulting in larger file sizes and less professional latitude in post-processing.

Neither camera features modern video stabilization technologies beyond optical IS - which helps, but don’t expect perfect smoothness.

If video is part of your creative toolkit, Sony’s WX150 is the stronger option.

Genre-Specific Performance: Tailoring to Your Photography Style

Now for the real meat. How do these cameras perform across popular photography disciplines?

• Portraits: Panasonic’s touchscreen AF and face detection are handy, but Sony’s higher resolution and better sensor yield finer detail and cleaner skin tones, especially indoors.

• Landscape: Sony edges out with superior dynamic range, higher resolution sensor, and longer zoom. Panasonic’s lens distortion at wide end holds up well but is less versatile.

• Wildlife: Sony’s faster autofocus and 10 fps burst best Panasonic’s slower 4 fps, crucial for capturing moving critters.

• Sports: Burst rate advantage makes Sony more appropriate; however, neither is ideal for serious high-speed sports photography.

• Street: Panasonic’s touch AF helps quick focus point shifts, but Sony’s compactness and faster AF make it slicker for candid street shots.

• Macro: Both focus to 5 cm with stabilized optics favoring Panasonic slightly.

• Night/Astro: Sony’s BSI sensor harnesses lower noise at higher ISO, making it preferred for low-light nighttime shots.

• Video: Sony’s Full HD recording and frame rate lead Panasonic.

• Travel: Sony’s size, weight, HDMI output, and wireless Eye-Fi connectivity edge it ahead.

• Professional work: Neither is suited for demanding pro workflows due to lack of RAW support and limited manual controls, but Sony’s better exposure compensation and manual mode are welcome.

Final Ratings and Value Assessment

When tabulated across multiple criteria:

Sony’s WX150 consistently ranks higher - particularly for image quality, autofocus speed, and video. However, brand new, the Panasonic FH27 was priced around $229 USD, while Sony commanded nearly $300, reflecting the differences in performance and features.

Buying used or discounted would shift value considerations accordingly.

Who Should Buy the Panasonic FH27?

• You want a simple, affordable compact with touchscreen AF.
• Portability is valuable, but not paramount.
• Videos are casual and at 720p are sufficient.
• You prioritize easy macro with optical image stabilization.
• Touchscreen operation is a must-have for quick focusing and menu control.

Who Should Opt for the Sony WX150?

• You demand better image quality with cleaner low-light performance.
• Need longer telephoto reach at 10x zoom.
• Require Full HD 1080p video, preferably at 60 fps.
• Appreciate faster continuous shooting and snappier autofocus.
• Want more compact size and better sharing workflows with Eye-Fi compatibility.
• Interested in precise exposure compensation and basic manual controls.

Final Thoughts: Compact Cameras With Purpose

While neither camera can rival today's mirrorless or smartphone cameras, both serve distinct niches well in their price and era.

Panasonic’s FH27 offers intuitive touchscreen simplicity, solid stills, and decent optics, making it an easy choice for entry-level photo lovers focused on portraits, macros, or everyday snapshots.

Sony’s WX150, meanwhile, raises the bar with superior sensor tech, faster AF, and video options, making it a versatile travel companion or casual wildlife shooter’s tool.

Hope this detailed comparison cleared the fog around these two compacts. For my money, and based on years of testing, the WX150 remains the better-packed performer - but depending on your priorities, the FH27’s strengths shouldn’t be overlooked.

Happy shooting! And as always, pick a camera that matches your style, not just specs.

If you want to dive deeper or see side-by-side sample shots and full performance data, don’t miss my video demo and image review linked above.

Panasonic FH27 screen back Sony WX150 front Sony WX150 screen back