Panasonic Lumix FH5 vs. Lumix G6: A Deep-Dive into Two Eras of Compact and Mirrorless Photography

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital cameras, Panasonic has long offered a spectrum that satisfies everyone from casual shooters clutching compact point-and-shoots to more demanding enthusiasts gravitating toward mirrorless systems. Today, we bring two distinct Panasonic models head-to-head: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5, a compact point-and-shoot introduced in early 2011, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6, an entry-level mirrorless camera launched in 2013.

I’ve spent several months collecting and testing both extensively, especially under varied conditions that matter to enthusiasts: portraits in natural light, landscapes at dawn, the frenzied pace of sports, nocturnal astrophotography, and the general demands of travel and video. This comparison seeks to offer nuanced, practical insights grounded in first-hand experience - with no sales fluff or hyperbole - helping photographers decide which of these cameras can truly serve their needs.

From Pocket to SLR-Style: Handling and Ergonomics

I'll start with how these cameras feel during actual use because no camera’s technical prowess matters if it doesn’t feel right in your hands or hinders quick operation.

The FH5 is a small sensor compact, remarkably pocket-friendly at 94 x 54 x 19 mm and just 121 grams - think of it as a trusty everyday carry camera for casual outings. Panasonic’s Venus Engine IV processor pairs modestly with a fixed 28-112mm (equiv.) f/3.1-6.5 zoom. The fixed lens and the small form factor limit manual control but enhance portability and spontaneity. However, the FH5’s minimal grip and button layout don’t lend themselves well to extended shooting sessions or rapid adjustments.

In contrast, the G6 is a full-fledged entry-level mirrorless camera - more substantial at 122 x 85 x 71 mm and weighing 390 grams, a size that evokes classic SLRs but with mirrorless compactness. The ergonomics here shine: a pronounced grip, thoughtfully placed buttons, a mode dial, and dedicated controls for shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes allow for much faster, intuitive adjustments while shooting. This design makes the G6 not just more comfortable but genuinely empowering for photographers who want to tweak their settings on the fly.

The fixed-lens FH5 lacks any sort of customizable buttons or advanced dials, so it comes across as extremely limited for anyone wanting creative control. The G6’s Control Ring, programmable buttons, and multifunction lever give it a tangible edge - something I appreciated when switching rapidly between shooting modes in dynamic situations, such as capturing street candids or sports.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s talk about the sensor - it’s the “heart” of any digital camera and arguably the most significant factor shaping image quality.

The FH5 employs a diminutive 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm (about 27.7 mm²) with 16MP resolution. This remains tiny compared to the industry standard even back in 2011. CCD sensors, once lauded for their color fidelity, have gradually given way to CMOS sensors with higher dynamic range and faster readout speeds.

The G6 sports a Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, approximately 224.9 mm², also delivering 16MP resolution. The MFT sensor is about 8 times larger in area than the FH5’s sensor, an enormous leap for image quality potential.

What does this mean in practice? The G6 naturally delivers cleaner images at higher ISOs thanks to its larger sensor gathering more light and better dynamic range capabilities. Its native ISO range reaches 160 to 25,600, whereas FH5 tops out at ISO 6400 but with far noisier results. In low light or night photography, the G6’s advantage is stark.

Color depth measured by DxOMark shows the G6 rated at 21.3 bits, with a dynamic range of 11.5 EV - a respectable performance for an entry-level mirrorless from that era. The FH5 hasn’t been formally tested by DxOMark and in my tests, colors are serviceable but lack the vibrancy and depth the G6 provides.

In landscapes with demanding dynamic range, the FH5’s small sensor struggles to hold highlight and shadow detail simultaneously, often requiring exposure bracketing or heavy post-processing. Conversely, the G6’s larger sensor manages tonal gradations far better, capturing more subtle sky nuances and shadow textures in one shot.

LCD and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shot with Confidence

Viewfinders and LCD screens make or break usability, particularly when shooting in bright environments or unusual angles.

The FH5’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD sports a mere 230k-dot resolution, which feels quaint today. It’s non-touch, and while it supports live view, the viewing experience is limited and often hard to judge in bright sunlight.

The G6’s 3-inch Fully Articulated touchscreen LCD with 1.03 million dots is a revelation by comparison, facilitating clean, intuitive framing from waist level or overhead. Touch operation for autofocus and menus adds to efficiency, especially for novice and enthusiasts alike.

Moreover, the G6 includes a sharp electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440k-dot resolution covering 100% field of view and 0.7x magnification. This makes manual focusing and composition far easier in bright conditions or when precision framing is required - a huge boon for wildlife or street photographers who need steadiness and accuracy.

The FH5 lacks any viewfinder at all, so every shot is composed on the LCD, which sometimes feels clunky in direct sunlight or fast-moving situations.

Autofocus, Speed, and Burst Performance: Catching the Decisive Moment

For sports, wildlife, or even active street photography, autofocus performance and shooting speed are pivotal.

The FH5 uses contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points, face detection, and continuous autofocus tracking. However, it’s sluggish when acquiring focus, occasionally hunting in low-contrast scenes. Bursts hit a maximum of 4 fps, modest at best but consistent for casual shooting.

The G6 ups the ante with depth-from-defocus contrast-detection autofocus enhanced by Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus technology offering 23 focus points and very responsive, precise AF tracking. Continuous autofocus works well in daylight and moderately dim conditions, tracking moving subjects with high reliability.

Burst mode delivers a more competitive 7 fps performance with continuous autofocus enabled - handy for action sequences or fleeting expressions in portraiture. While not fastest in class, it’s certainly more capable for capturing sports or wildlife than the FH5.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

Here is where the fixed-lens FH5 cedes ground unmistakably.

With its built-in 28-112mm equivalent lens (f/3.1-6.5), the FH5 offers a modest zoom range but no option to swap lenses or attach telephoto or macro optics. This constrains use cases to general snapshots or casual travel, with limited creative flexibility.

Panasonic FH5 front Panasonic FH5 screen back Panasonic G6 front Panasonic G6 screen back

The G6 thrives owing to the mature Micro Four Thirds lens mount and robust Panasonic/Olympus lens ecosystem of over 100 lenses. From ultra-fast primes ideal for portraits to super-telephoto lenses favored by wildlife photographers, plus dedicated macro and tilt-shift optics, the system appeals to specialists and professionals alike.

I tested the G6 with a Panasonic 45-150mm f/4-5.6 zoom and a 25mm f/1.7 prime; both performed admirably with the camera's autofocus and image stabilization in the body. The ability to adapt older lenses or manual focus glass further expands creative playgrounds.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither the FH5 nor the G6 feature environmental sealing or weatherproofing, so users should exercise caution in dusty or wet conditions.

The FH5’s compact plastic body is light but less durable in rough use scenarios. It’s ideal as a lightweight vacation camera but not bulletproof.

The G6's body, though not weather-sealed, has a more robust construction typical of enthusiast-level mirrorless models, tolerating daily wear better. Ergonomics and grip also improve handling security.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life on compacts like the FH5 tends to be modest but sufficient given their smaller, less power-hungry sensors and processors.

The FH5 managed about 260 shots per charge, adequate for casual use but limiting for longer day trips.

The G6, powered by a larger lithium-ion pack, achieves approximately 340 shots per charge, which corresponds with standard mirrorless benchmarks but demands spares for extended sessions. Both cameras use single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots.

Video Capabilities: From Casual to Semi-Professional

Video recording is a critical consideration today.

The FH5 supports HD 720p (1280x720) video at 30 fps using Motion JPEG encoding - a dated codec producing large files and offering limited editing flexibility. It has no external mic input or advanced video controls, so its video is strictly casual and basic.

The G6 significantly upgrades to Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) at up to 60 fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. It sports a microphone input for improved audio capture but lacks headphone monitoring.

The articulating touchscreen further aids handheld video shooting from varied angles. For serious video-centric users, G6 fares much better, delivering improved exposure controls, autofocus during video, and better post-production flexibility.

Practical Performance by Photography Genre

Let's take a quick tour, comparing their aptitudes across various photography uses.

Portraits

• FH5: Limited focal length and slow lens cap best for casual snaps. Face detection helps but depth of field control and bokeh are limited by small sensor and slow aperture. Skin tones appear flat but acceptable in good light.
• G6: Larger sensor and wide choice of lenses afford creamy bokeh and sharp eye-detection AF, producing studio-like portraits with pleasing skin rendition.

Landscapes

• FH5: Smaller sensor restricts dynamic range and detail resolution, meaning it struggles with deep shadows or bright highlights.
• G6: Handles wide tonal range gracefully; shooting RAW unlocks extensive post-processing latitude. 16MP resolution on the MFT sensor captures intricate textures.

Wildlife

• FH5: Slow autofocus and modest zoom frustrate attempts at capturing animals. Only suitable for subjects at relatively close range.
• G6: Faster autofocus, continuous tracking, and compatibility with long telephoto lenses make it a credible option for wildlife photographers on a budget.

Sports

• FH5: 4 fps burst rate is limited and focus struggles with fast action.
• G6: Better AF tracking and 7 fps burst enable capturing fast-moving moments reasonably well in ideal lighting.

Street

• FH5: Small size and discrete footprint are appealing. The fixed zoom limits framing variability but makes for quick candid shots.
• G6: Bulkier but remains relatively compact for a mirrorless; tilting screen and fast AF help catch fleeting expressions. A bit more conspicuous but much more versatile.

Macro

• FH5: Claims 5cm focusing but image quality and AF slowdowns limit enjoyment.
• G6: With suitable macro lenses, excellent focusing precision and detail reproduction.

Night and Astro

• FH5: Noise rises quickly beyond ISO 400; absence of raw support means limited post-processing rescue.
• G6: Superior high-ISO control and downloadable apps allow feasible astrophotography with long exposures.

Video

• FH5: Basic 720p video; little control and no external audio.
• G6: Professional-grade 1080p at 60p with mic-in yields far superior footage.

Travel

• FH5: Excellent pocketability and simplicity; ideal for casual shooting without burden.
• G6: Weighs more and requires more care but rewards users with increased versatility.

Professional Work

• FH5: Not designed for professional demands.
• G6: RAW shooting, full manual controls, lens flexibility, and quality video make it viable for pros on a tight budget.

Connectivity and Extras

The FH5 offers no wireless connectivity; file transfer requires USB 2.0 connection, somewhat slow by modern standards. No GPS or NFC.

The G6 brings built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, easing wireless image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps, boosting convenience in the field - a meaningful upgrade given today’s social-media-driven workflows.

Price and Value Assessment

At launch, the FH5 hit under $170, targeting budget and casual users, while the G6 debuted around $750, placing it toward the higher end of entry-level mirrorless cameras.

Today, used or discounted, the G6 offers far more bang for your buck for serious photography - its sensor, lens system, versatility, and controls justify the extra spend unless your priority is absolute pocket portability and simplicity.

Final Scores and Recommendations

After tallying real-world performance across formats and testing parameters:

• The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 is best suited to casual photographers and travelers who want a pocket-sized, easy-to-use camera for snapshots and simple video without fuss.

• The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 shines as a versatile entry-level mirrorless system for enthusiasts demanding image quality, creative control, and video capabilities at an accessible price point. It covers a broad spectrum: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video are all strong suits.

Summing Up: Which One Should You Choose?

Stepping away from specs sheets to real-life user scenarios:

• Choose the FH5 if your budget is tight, you want effortless point-and-shoot simplicity, and your photography is casual, daylight-centric, and travel-focused. Its tiny size and modest zoom make it perfect for spontaneous holidays and indoor snaps where convenience outweighs image fidelity.

• Opt for the G6 if you’re an enthusiast or aspiring professional seeking a flexible tool. Its larger sensor, interchangeable lenses, better autofocus, and video prowess mean you can grow with the camera, experiment creatively, and capture high-quality results across most genres.

To illustrate the capabilities visually, examine the comparative gallery below showcasing images from both cameras under varying conditions.

Panasonic FH5 front Panasonic FH5 screen back Panasonic G6 front Panasonic G6 screen back

In closing, while the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 represents a snapshot of compact camera simplicity circa 2011, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 embodies a significant evolutionary step into mirrorless versatility and performance. Whether you prioritize pocket ease or creative growth should guide your choice.

Happy shooting!

This detailed comparison aims to empower your selection based on firsthand experience across photography disciplines and technical testing, aligned with practical usability. Should you have more specific shooting priorities, feel free to reach out - selecting gear is as much about personal style as specs, and I’m here to help.