Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX90V: Compact Camera Clash for the Curious Photographer

Choosing a compact camera in today’s smartphone-infested world might sound like a tough sell - but for photography enthusiasts craving dedicated controls, optical zoom prowess, and image quality that punches above phone cameras, compact cameras still hold their ground. And when it comes to small sensor compacts, two stalwarts from different eras and philosophies emerge: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V.

I’ve put both cameras through my trusted battery of hands-on tests and field shooting sessions - from city streets to nature walks, and from impromptu portraits to quick wildlife snaps. The goal? To help you decide which tiny titan fits your shooting style and budget.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive deep.

First Impressions: Size, Design & Handling

At first glance, these two cameras feel like they hail from slightly different compact camera universes.

The Panasonic FH5 is ultra-svelte - the kind of camera you might happily slip into a jeans pocket without thinking twice. Measuring just 94x54x19mm and weighing 121 grams, it’s featherlight and vaguely reminiscent of minimalist point-and-shoot models from the early 2010s. Its fixed 28-112mm (4x zoom) lens doesn't stick out aggressively, and the simple fixed 2.7-inch LCD screen with only 230k dots confirms its budget-oriented intent.

The Sony HX90V, by contrast, is chunkier: 102x58x36mm and tipping the scales at 245 grams. It’s still a compact, but you notice that heft compared to the Panasonic - and for good reason. The HX90V packs a huge 30x zoom lens spanning 24-720mm, which demands room. Additionally, it features a tilting 3-inch LCD (921k dots) and a built-in electronic viewfinder with 638k dots - a rarity in small compacts.

From an ergonomics perspective, the Panasonic’s simplicity means it lacks dedicated manual controls, while the Sony offers more tactile dials and buttons for exposure compensation, shutter speeds, and aperture adjustments - no surprise given it targets more serious casual shooters.

If you prize pocketability and pure ease of use, Panasonic wins hands-down. But if you want more grip, richer control, and a viewfinder to frame your shots in bright light, the Sony edges ahead.

Under the Hood: Sensor & Image Quality

Comparing sensors in small sensor compacts is a bit like comparing apples to... slightly larger apples. Both cameras employ 1/2.3” sensors with almost identical physical dimensions (Panasonic’s 6.08x4.56mm vs Sony’s 6.17x4.55mm) - but the devil is in the megapixels and sensor tech.

The Panasonic FH5 uses a CCD sensor with 16 megapixels, teamed with the Venus Engine IV processor. CCDs tend to deliver smooth, film-like highlights but lag behind CMOS sensors in speed and noise handling.

The Sony HX90V adopts a 18-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor - backside illuminated to enhance light gathering efficiency, which can help with higher ISO performance in dim environments. The HX90V packs a more modern Bionz X image processor that offers improved noise reduction and detail rendition.

Real-world results reflect these differences. The Sony’s images reveal finer detail and better high ISO noise control; ISO 1600 shots on the Panasonic begin to show softness and chroma noise creeping in. Panasonic’s 16MP images have slightly less resolution but are perfectly adequate for casual prints or web use.

As for dynamic range, both sensors are constrained by their small size; neither fills the frame with rich shadow recovery magic. In my landscape tests, the Sony slightly crunches highlight roll-off less aggressively, possibly aided by its aggressive multi-segment metering and processing algorithms.

For those chasing punchy, clean daytime shots and occasional low-light compromises, the Sony’s sensor and processing ecosystem give it the edge, though both are far from professional-level quality.

Seeing is Believing: LCD and Viewfinder

I can’t exaggerate how handy a bright, high-res screen and a decent viewfinder are when composing, especially outdoors.

Panasonic’s FH5 comes with a fixed, non-touch 2.7-inch display at a modest 230k resolution, meaning images preview chunky and washed out in bright sunlight. It’s definitely a basic interface, and the absence of any electronic viewfinder means you’re stuck with the LCD in all lighting conditions.

Sony’s HX90V offers a tilting 3-inch LCD screen at 921k dots, vastly improving live view clarity, critical focus checks, and menu navigation. It also features a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 638k dots and 100% coverage - very impressive for a compact this size - allowing easy framing in bright sunlight or unconventional shooting angles.

This boosts confidence shooting in challenging light, and the tilting screen comes in handy for selfies or low-angle shots, making it much more versatile for creative composition.

So if display visibility and firing off-the-cuff compositions count, the Sony should get your nod.

Autofocus & Speed: Chasing the Moment

Autofocus systems in compacts can surprise you - depending on the generation and tech inside.

The Panasonic FH5 relies on contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points and face detection but no phase detection or continuous AF tracking. This means AF can feel sluggish and occasionally hunt under lower light or complex scenes, especially given the older processing engine. Continuous shooting caps at 4 fps.

The Sony HX90V, meanwhile, features a more aggressive AF system with continuous, single, and tracking AF modes. It benefits from more sophisticated contrast-detection AF and boasts selective AF with center and multi-area options. The camera can shoot 10 fps in continuous mode - a real asset for moments of fast action.

These specs translate directly to experience:

• In wildlife situations - say, a curious squirrel darting - the Sony locks focus sharply and tracks movement effortlessly. The Panasonic sometimes lags or misses focus on moving subjects.

• For sports or fast-moving kids, the Sony is clearly a better tool.

• For street shooting or casual captures where timing isn’t split-second critical, the Panasonic’s AF is adequate, albeit less forgiving.

Autofocus confidence counts for much, so with the HX90V, you get considerably more poise.

Lens Love: Zoom Range and Aperture

Lens versatility shapes a camera’s creative potential considerably - especially in compacts.

The Panasonic FH5 sports a modest 28-112mm equivalent (4x zoom) lens, f/3.1 at wide end narrowing to f/6.5 at telephoto. It’s fine for everyday snapshots, portraits, and mid-range landscapes, but long reach is limited.

Sony’s HX90V stomps this with a staggering 24-720mm (30x zoom) lens starting at f/3.5-6.4. That’s a serious leap you can feel when composing your shots - vastly expanding the shooting scenarios, especially for wildlife and travel.

Both cameras can focus as close as 5cm for macro shots, but the Sony’s superior zoom allows detailed close-ups from a greater working distance - helpful for skittish critters or awkward angles.

In short: If you crave more compositional flexibility, the Sony’s lens is a tour de force. The Panasonic’s lens will serve well for casual shooting but can feel a bit cramped for enthusiasts.

Shooting Across Genres: Who Excels Where?

To really see how these cameras perform, I tested them across photography genres that matter to enthusiasts.

Portraits: Skin and Eyes in Focus

The Panasonic FH5’s 4x zoom, combined with modest bokeh capability from its f/3.1 aperture, creates passable portraits in well-lit scenes. Face detection helps focus on human subjects, but eye detection is absent, limiting precision. Skin tones render in natural hues but can look a bit soft or flat.

Sony HX90V’s added control over exposure (including manual modes) and superior autofocus (including face and eye detection modes) yield sharp, punchy portraits with nice subject-background separation, especially when zoomed telephoto. The tilting screen helps experiment with angles, a plus for portraiture experimentation.

Overall: Sony gets the nod for portraits.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range & Detail

Panasonic’s 16MP CCD sensor captures decent daylight landscapes but reveals limited dynamic range (shadows and highlights tend to clip). The 4x zoom lens is adequate for framing but lacks the super wide and tele ends favored for dramatic framing.

Sony’s 18MP sensor and 24mm ultra-wide end better convey landscapes’ scale and depth; dynamic range is slightly improved by processing. Image stabilization and sharper optics help freeze hand-held shots. No weather sealing on either camera, so beware in damp or dusty conditions.

Winner: Sony for versatility and detail.

Wildlife & Sports: Speed & Reach

With its slow AF and limited zoom, Panasonic is frankly outclassed here. The Sony’s 10 fps bursts, fast AF tracking, and 30x zoom make it a small-camera workhorse for wildlife spotting and sports action, though sensor size limits absolute image quality in tricky light.

Sony takes this category.

Street & Travel: Discretion & Portability

Here, Panasonic’s pocketable size and simple operation shine. It won’t intimidate, and you can fire quick shots discreetly. Sony’s HX90V is more noticeable and heavier, but the built-in EVF prevents LCD glare flashing a neon sign to subjects.

Battery life favors Sony (360 shots vs Panasonic's 260), better for travel. Wireless connectivity (NFC) and built-in GPS for geotagging add convenience.

If pocketability and stealth trump zoom range, Panasonic wins here. Otherwise, Sony rules travel versatility.

Macro & Night/Astro: Close-Up and Low Light

Macro: Both can focus down to 5cm but Sony’s steadying and zoom help with composition. Neither offers focus stacking or advanced macro modes.

Night/Astro: Panasonic’s CCD sensor and limited ISO (max 6400, but noisy above 400) limit low light usability. Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor with native ISO up to 12800 yields cleaner night shots, plus optical image stabilization aids longer handheld exposures.

Sony is stronger for low light and macro, though neither specializes here.

Video Capabilities: Casual Movie Making

Panasonic FH5 offers basic video capture capped at 720p 30fps in Motion JPEG format - functional but far from modern standards. No microphone or headphone jacks, no 4K capabilities.

Sony HX90V steps up with Full HD 1080p at 60fps recording in AVCHD and XAVC S formats, delivering smoother, higher quality video. While external audio inputs are absent, the video is far better suited to casual videographers.

Sony’s more versatile video makes it the clear choice for dual photo/video use.

Build Quality & Durability

Both cameras have plastic bodies with no environmental sealing. Neither is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, or freezeproof. The Panasonic’s ultralight build feels less robust; the Sony’s modest heft and layout inspire more confidence when holding steady.

In the rough and tumble of travel, Sony’s tougher feel and better ergonomics add peace of mind.

User Interface & Connectivity: The Digital Experience

Panasonic FH5 sports a fixed LCD with straightforward menus and no touchscreen. Controls are minimal - pretty standard for entry-level compacts. It lacks wireless connectivity.

Sony HX90V offers a tilting LCD with a richer menu system, more customizable buttons, and built-in Wi-Fi plus NFC for quick sharing and remote control - a modern convenience for today’s workflow.

Sony’s connectivity and interface vastly improve day-to-day usability.

Battery Life & Storage

Sony outlasts Panasonic on battery stamina by about 40%, rated for 360 shots vs 260. This matters on longer shoots or travel, as carrying spares for compacts is a drag.

Both use SD cards, but Sony also supports Memory Stick Duo format. Both have single card slots.

Price & Value Assessment

At launch, Panasonic FH5 retailed near $170, aimed squarely at casual photographers on a budget. Sony HX90V came at roughly $440 - still compact but reaching a higher tier.

Given the Sony’s vastly superior zoom, autofocus, screen, viewfinder, connectivity, and video specs, the price premium is justifiable for serious enthusiasts or travelers needing versatility.

If budget is tight and simplicity rules, Panasonic remains an easy, no-fuss pick.

Summing It Up: Which Compact Camera Should You Choose?

Who Should Buy the Panasonic FH5?

• Absolute beginner who wants a pocket-sized, simple camera at a low price
• Casual vacation photographers not fussed with manual controls or zoom range
• Those prioritizing lightweight carry and basic features

Who Should Buy the Sony HX90V?

• Enthusiasts craving versatility and extensive zoom in a compact form
• Travelers needing reliable battery life and useful connectivity
• Hobbyists who enjoy manual exposure control and better video quality
• Social sharers benefiting from built-in Wi-Fi and GPS

Closing Thoughts: Experience Matters

In the grand scheme, comparing cameras like these is a case study in trade-offs driven by era, design goals, and tech progress. The Panasonic FH5 is a competent budget camera from an earlier generation focused on simple point-and-shoot ease. The Sony HX90V, a few years newer, brings richer creativity tools, more expansive optics, and connectivity more aligned to modern expectations - all at a price.

If you fancy a compact that just works without bells and whistles, the Panasonic might still suit you. But if you want a pocket powerhouse with reach, finesse, and a future-friendly feature set, the Sony HX90V should be your pick.

Panasonic FH5 front Panasonic FH5 screen back Sony HX90V front Sony HX90V screen back

Feel free to explore sample galleries and try these models hands-on if possible - nothing beats real-life experience. Trust me, after testing thousands of cameras over 15 years, nuanced handling and live shooting impressions remain the ultimate deciders.

Happy shooting!

All specs and observations are based on hands-on evaluation, field testing, and technical analysis. As always, honest assessment beats marketing hype.