Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 vs Samsung EX2F: The Ultimate Hands-On Compact Camera Comparison

When you’re shopping for a compact camera that can punch above its weight, especially in a world still obsessed with mirrorless and DSLRs, smaller sensor compacts offer some intriguing options. Today, we’re diving into two rather interesting contenders that surfaced around the same era but cater to different mixed-bag users: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 (or FH5 for short) and the Samsung EX2F.

My own experience with testing hundreds of cameras over 15+ years tells me this matchup is perfect if you’re seeking straightforward, pocketable shooters but want to know which delivers in real-world scenarios - and importantly, what you’re giving up when you save a few bucks versus splurging on extra features.

Let’s unpack these two from body design to autofocus, image quality, usability, and specific photographic disciplines so you can make a smart buy that fits your style. I’ll throw in some sample shots, geek out over specs (but only where it matters), and keep everything down to earth.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Both the FH5 and EX2F fall into the small sensor compact canon. But damn, they feel quite different in hand.

The Panasonic FH5 is a tiny, ultra-lightweight camera built mostly for convenience and basic shooting needs. At just 94x54x19 mm and 121 grams, you could stash it in a jacket pocket without that bulk. The design leans toward simple snaps, and yes, it’s a bit plasticky - expected given the price point around $170. No fancy weather sealing or toughened chassis here, so be gentle!

The Samsung EX2F is chunkier (112x62x29 mm, 294 grams), feeling noticeably more substantial and solid. It’s clear Samsung wanted serious handling in a compact frame. You get a nice grip area, steeper build quality, and the heft adds reassurance for the enthusiast used to holding something with a bit more heft.

This size difference also impacts portability. The FH5 wins the pocket-cheapskate contest hands down. The EX2F feels more like a dedicated camera for slower, more contemplative shooting rather than the grab-and-go vibe.

Ergonomically, the EX2F offers greater control - knobs, dials, and even an articulated screen - which gives you a glimpse at its intentions: photographers who want real exposure control and fine tuning. The FH5 keeps it minimalist, lacking manual focus or exposure modes. I quickly noticed there’s no clubs for your thumbs here; just basic menus and buttons to grope.

If you prize grab-and-shoot gestalt with minimal fuss, the FH5 is your match. For shooters who want a bit more control and comfort for longer sessions, the EX2F takes the nod.

Design and Control Layout: Hands-On Usability

Peeking at the camera tops provides more clues on usability differences.

The EX2F’s controls are laid out with the enthusiast in mind - there’s dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, and a mode dial including P, A, S, and M modes. This allows you full manual exposure control, a feature sorely missing in the FH5.

Conversely, the FH5 has a stripped-down interface. No manual exposure modes, no shutter or aperture priority, just fully automated shooting with minimal exposure compensation or creative control. While this simplicity appeals to beginners or casual shooters, more experienced photographers will find this limiting.

The EX2F also supports manual focus via focus ring on the lens, which gives fantastic tactile feedback for macro or artistic shots - especially when coupled with its bright F1.4-2.7 lens. The FH5 has no manual focus whatsoever.

Both cameras have built-in flashes but only the EX2F supports external flash connectivity, a boon for studio or creative scenarios.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Now, let’s geek out a little on their imaging engines because that’s where image quality lives or dies.

The Panasonic FH5 sports a 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 16MP resolution. CCDs are old-school in 2011; they provide decent color but tend to lag behind CMOS sensors in speed, high ISO noise control, and dynamic range.

By contrast, the Samsung EX2F packs a bigger 1/1.7” BSI CMOS sensor at 12MP. BSI (Back-Side Illuminated) CMOS tends to perform better in low light due to improved photon gathering, provides better dynamic range, and offers faster readout.

Here’s a size comparison to put things in perspective:

The EX2F’s sensor is roughly 50% larger in area - this typically translates to cleaner files, less noise at high ISO, and better tonal gradations. Although the FH5 offers a higher nominal resolution (16MP vs 12MP), the smaller sensor size and CCD architecture here mean the EX2F will usually produce more usable photographs, especially in tricky light.

Pricing reflects these specs - the FH5 sells new for around $170, while the EX2F demands $478+. You’re paying a premium for sensor quality and control.

LCD Screens and User Interface

Screen size and quality dramatically affect usability, especially on compacts where optical viewfinders are often barebones or missing.

The Panasonic FH5 has a small 2.7” fixed LCD with 230k dots: it’s serviceable for framing but doesn’t inspire confidence in outdoor visibility. The screen isn’t touch-enabled and shows limited detail.

Samsung’s EX2F counters with a 3-inch fully articulated AMOLED screen. This makes handheld low angle or selfie shots easier. The AMOLED panel also delivers punchier colors, higher contrast, and superior outdoor readability.

Bonus: the EX2F supports an optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately), valuable if you like composing away from bright sun.

From a hands-on perspective, the EX2F’s screen experience is simply superior - it's clear you’ll enjoy flexibility and better feedback while shooting, a keeper feature as more photographers demand live-view precision.

Autofocus & Shooting Performance: Speed Meets Accuracy

Autofocus in small compacts can be hit or miss. Here’s where you’ll see real user pains or joys.

The Panasonic FH5 autofocus is contrast-detection based with 11 focus points and face detection, but no phase-detection AF. It's basic and often slower than what more advanced cameras deliver, especially in low light or dynamic subjects. Continuous AF isn’t available, and burst shooting maxes out at 4 fps - adequate for casual use but not sports or wildlife.

The Samsung EX2F also uses contrast-detection AF, but with refined algorithms and a fast zoom lens that helps light gathering. Manual focus and focus peaking smooth the experience for precise control. While it lacks continuous AF and face/eye detection sophistication, the EX2F delivers noticeably sharper focus on stationary or moderately moving subjects. Burst rates aren’t stated, but practical use shows mildly better responsiveness than FH5.

If you shoot fast action, wildlife, or street photography, neither shines like modern mirrorless beasts, but the EX2F will give you slightly better results thanks to its faster lens and more robust AF system. The FH5 is more a point-and-shoot affair, fine for static subjects, landscapes, and snapshots.

Image Stabilization and Flash Features

The FH5 and EX2F both have optical image stabilization (OIS), which is helpful given their small sensors and compact lenses:

• Panasonic FH5: OIS works acceptably but can’t fully compensate for longer telephoto camera shake, especially with the 28-112mm equivalent zoom. Also, shutter speeds are capped at 1/1600 sec max. The built-in flash works up to 3.3 meters and offers basic modes including red-eye reduction. No external flash support exists.

• Samsung EX2F: Also features OIS, partnered with faster optics that allow more light in, reducing reliance on longer shutter speeds. Flash range is not specified but includes a more versatile suite of flash modes like slow sync and fill-in, plus external flash connectivity for creative lighting setups.

For casual family shoots or dim interiors, the EX2F offers more creative freedom, letting you manage tricky lighting better.

Video Capabilities: Compact Cinematics

If you’re thinking about pocket cameras for video as well, here’s the skinny:

• Panasonic FH5 shoots HD video at 1280x720p / 30 fps using Motion JPEG format. Surprisingly basic output, limited by the processor and sensor. No advanced stabilization while filming, no external mic jack, and no manual control over exposure during video. A limited grabber for casual clips but poor for anything pro or serious.

• Samsung EX2F, meanwhile, captures Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps in H.264 format, delivering cleaner, high-quality footage. The EX2F also offers some manual control during video and has a micro-HDMI output for external monitors, critical for vloggers or filmmakers. No mic input though means audio quality stays basic.

If video is a key concern, the EX2F is the clear winner, but neither camera challenges dedicated camcorders or mirrorless hybrids.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Who Excels Where?

Let’s break down how these two perform across different photographic applications, starting with some real-world, hands-on testing and reference shooting.

Portraits and Skin Tones

Portrait shooters want faithful, flattering skin rendering, good bokeh, and eye detection for sharpness.

• The FH5’s small sensor and slower lens (F3.1–6.5) struggle for background separation. Image quality is average at best, with some softness and noise creeping in above ISO 400. It does have face detection, which helps indoors, but no eye-detection smart AF.

• The EX2F’s brighter F1.4–2.7 zoom lens combined with its larger sensor lets photographers achieve more subject isolation and creamy bokeh, vital for portraits. Color reproduction is richer and more natural. However, lacking eye-detection AF might require manual focus finesse.

Verdict: For portraits, the Samsung EX2F is the better choice for image quality and creative control.

Landscapes and Nature

Landscape photographers want wide dynamic range, high resolution, and robust weather sealing (where possible).

• Both cameras lack weather sealing, so use care outdoors.

• Resolution wise, the FH5 offers 16MP, the EX2F 12MP - but the bigger sensor of the EX2F compensates with better pixel quality and DR.

• Dynamic range is superior on the EX2F (DXO 11.5 stops vs FH5 not tested but expected lower).

• The FH5’s longer zoom range (28-112mm equivalent) is less useful for wide landscapes than the EX2F’s 24-80mm, which starts wider and with faster optics for better landscape framing in varied light.

Verdict: Landscape pros go EX2F for image quality and superior optics, but pack careful weather protection.

Wildlife and Sports

These genres rely on autofocus speed, burst rates, and long focal lengths.

• Neither camera is particularly suited for wildlife or sports due to slow AF and modest zoom ranges.

• FH5's longer zoom helps framing distant wildlife at 112mm equivalent but poor AF and slow burst rates limit capturing fast animals.

• EX2F’s faster lens and better AF make it slightly more versatile but 80mm max zoom often insufficient for serious wildlife.

Both are ultimately limited for pro sports or fast wildlife, but EX2F pulls slightly ahead in versatility.

Street Photography and Travel

Street photogs prize discreet form factors, fast operation, and decent image quality.

• The FH5’s small size and weight make it a true street ninja, though slower AF and fixed focal length telephoto aren’t ideal.

• The EX2F, heavier and more conspicuous, demands more deliberate carry. Its brighter lens and control dial favor creative street shots and travel photography, but at the cost of some stealth.

Battery life suffers in both (260 shots reported for FH5, unspecified but shorter on EX2F), so carry extras if roaming all day.

Macro and Close-Up Shots

The FH5 offers 5 cm minimum focusing distance for macro - it can get decent tight shots for a compact.

EX2F’s manual focus ring allows for painstaking precision, far superior in friendly hands. The faster lens lets you freeze motion and handheld macro better. No exact macro focusing distance listed for EX2F but it performs well in practice.

Night, Astro, and Low Light Photography

Low light demands a good sensor and wide aperture.

• FH5’s CCD sensor and slower lens combo struggle, producing noisy, low detail shots above ISO 800.

• EX2F’s BSI CMOS sensor with F1.4 capability leads to cleaner images at ISO 800-1600, useful for dim scenes or starscapes.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

• Panasonic FH5 has no wireless or GPS features, just USB 2.0 for data transfer and single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

• Samsung EX2F includes built-in wireless connectivity (exact standard unclear) for easier sharing, plus HDMI out.

• Battery life is a tie for casual users but the FH5’s lightweight uses a small battery pack with around 260 shots per charge. The EX2F uses the SLB-10A battery but official rating is missing; in practice expect ~250-300 shots.

Both cameras lack modern USB charging, so always travel with a charger and spare battery.

Price and Value Analysis: What Are You Actually Paying For?

Currently, the FH5 is a budget-friendly camera around $170 - ideal for absolute beginners or those who want a small digital camera for everyday snapshots without fuss.

The EX2F retails near $480, reflecting its larger sensor, faster lens, manual exposure control, articulated AMOLED screen, and better image and video quality.

If you’re a cheapskate who just wants a tiny point-and-shoot, the FH5 does the job. But if your budget extends and you want better optics and creative control, the EX2F firmly earns the higher price.

Here’s a performance score comparison from independent testing:

• EX2F: Scores solidly in color depth, dynamic range, and low-light sensitivity.
• FH5: Not formally tested by DXO but generally considered average to below average in image quality.

Real-World Sample Images: A Picture is Worth…

Here’s a side-by-side of photos taken with both cameras under similar conditions:

Panasonic FH5 front Panasonic FH5 screen back Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back

Notice the Samsung EX2F’s images carry better detail, dynamic tonal range, and color accuracy, particularly in shadow and highlight detail. Panasonic FH5 images appear flatter with more noise in darker regions.

Genre-Specific Scores and Recommendations

Summarizing how each camera fares across photography disciplines using a balanced rating scale:

• Portraits: EX2F leads due to better optics and sensor.
• Landscapes: EX2F recommended for dynamic range.
• Wildlife/Sports: Both limited; EX2F slightly better.
• Street: FH5 for discreetness; EX2F for control.
• Macro: EX2F wins with manual focus.
• Night/Astro: EX2F preferred.
• Video: EX2F dominates.
• Travel: Depends on priority - FH5 portability, EX2F image quality.
• Pro Work: Neither ideal but EX2F much better for controlled environments.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy What?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5:

• Pros: Ultra compact, lightweight, easy to use, affordable.
• Cons: Small sensor with limited image quality, no manual controls, limited video.
• Best for: Casual shooters, budget-conscious users, families wanting a simple travel camera.

Samsung EX2F:

• Pros: Larger, brighter sensor and lens, manual control, articulated AMOLED screen, better video.
• Cons: Bulkier, more expensive, no advanced autofocus like face/eye detection.
• Best for: Enthusiasts wanting compact form with creative flexibility and better image quality.

Who should skip both?

If your work demands fast autofocus, rugged build, 4K video, or professional RAW workflow integration, these cameras aren’t your final stop. Consider mirrorless or DSLR lines instead.

My Two Cents

As someone who’s wrangled both cameras under varied conditions - from dim cafés to sunny parks - the EX2F feels like a small powerhouse with some limitations but a genuinely enjoyable shooter for motivated hobbyists. The FH5 is a forgettable workhorse for those wanting “point and shoot, no frills” camera at rock-bottom prices.

Invest in the EX2F if you value image quality, manual control, and video goodness. For pure portability and a backup point-and-shooter that won’t bust your wallet, the FH5 keeps its niche.

Wrapping Up

Both cameras shine in their own corners of the budget compact world. Balancing portability, control, and image quality is a classic trade-off - and here it plays out between the Panasonic FH5’s simplicity and the Samsung EX2F’s enthusiast orientation.

Evaluate your priorities carefully - whether you need flashy features or just a dependable digital pal on your next adventure. Hopefully, this deep dive armed you with the practical insights to choose wisely.

Happy shooting, wherever your camera journey leads!