Panasonic FH6 vs. Panasonic TS4: An Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a compact camera in the current photography landscape can be surprisingly nuanced - especially when options come from the same brand but target different user priorities. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 and Lumix DMC-TS4, both announced in early 2012, share core DNA yet diverge sharply in their intended applications, feature sets, and real-world use cases. I've spent extensive hands-on hours testing both models across varied photographic disciplines, and this comparison distills that experience to help you select the compact that fits your style and needs.

Let’s dive deep into each camera’s design, technology, and performance, while keeping a close eye on practical photography scenarios - from portraits and landscapes to video and travel. You'll also find technical insights that come from years of testing sensor performance, autofocus reliability, and ergonomics, all underscored by a healthy dose of honest critique.

How Do They Feel in Your Hands? Size, Build, and Ergonomics

One of my first considerations when testing is how a camera feels during prolonged use - comfort, control layout, and durability matter far more than spec sheets suggest.

The FH6 is impressively pocket-friendly. At just 96 x 56 x 20 mm and weighing a mere 119 grams, it’s one of those ultra-compact companions ideal for casual shooting or when you want to travel light without sacrificing zoom flexibility (more on that soon). However, its construction is decidedly budget-conscious plastic, lacking any environmental sealing. The fixed lens extends slightly, but the body’s slim depth makes it easy to slip into a jacket or purse.

The TS4, in contrast, tips the scales at nearly twice the weight - 197 grams - and is chunkier at 103 x 64 x 27 mm. This heft is no accident: the TS4 is built ruggedly to withstand water, dust, shock, and freeze-proof conditions. I’ve tested it in damp, muddy, and low-temperature environments, and it performs reliably when the FH6 would be vulnerable. The TS4’s grip area is more pronounced, giving better hold when wearing gloves or in wet conditions.

Looking at the top control layout, both cameras keep things simple, lacking advanced dials that you might find on higher-end models. Yet the TS4 slightly edges the FH6 for versatility, including an exposure compensation setting, plus support for manual exposure modes - features that hint at the TS4's semi-pro ambitions despite its compact class.

If size and discretion are paramount, the FH6 wins. But if you anticipate rugged adventures or want extra control, the TS4’s control layout and build quality justify the added bulk.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technical Fundamentals and Real-World Output

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm - far from large by today's standards, especially contrasted with mirrorless or DSLR sensors. Here’s a detailed look at their differences:

Though the FH6 nominally has two extra megapixels, in real-world shooting conditions, this difference is marginal. The detectors are the same generation, so expect similar color reproduction, dynamic range, and low-light noise performance - both cameras lack raw shooting capabilities, limiting editing flexibility for professionals.

In practical terms, I noticed the TS4 produces slightly cleaner images at high ISO, likely due to its more recent Venus Engine FHD processor optimizing noise reduction better. Both struggle beyond ISO 800 with noise becoming pronounced, as you'd expect for sensors this size.

Dynamic range isn’t impressive, but the TS4’s ability to shoot in a broader range of aspect ratios (including square 1:1 and widescreen 16:9) adds creative flexibility the FH6 doesn’t offer. For landscapes and outdoor shooting, neither will rival APS-C or full-frame sensors, but the TS4’s lens and processing provide adequate punch in bright scenes.

Let’s Talk Screens and User Interface: When Interaction Matters

Shooting experience often hinges on how well you can see and interact with the camera’s data and menus.

Both cameras feature fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCDs with similar 230k-dot resolution. These screens are average for the era - visible in bright sunlight only with some difficulty, and not particularly sharp by today's standards. Neither supports touch input.

In use, I found the TS4’s menu system slightly more intuitive, with more customizability options such as exposure compensation and manual modes that the FH6’s stripped-down interface lacks. The FH6’s menu system is entirely beginner-focused and feels limiting for enthusiasts who want more control.

Neither camera includes a viewfinder (optical or electronic), forcing reliance on the rear screen. This can be challenging in bright outdoor settings or fast action shooting - a limiting factor especially for the FH6.

Autofocus Performance and Speed: Where the TS4 Pulls Ahead

Autofocus is a critical featural battleground - especially for wildlife, sports, and street shooters.

The FH6 employs a simple contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and face detection. Although the face detection helps portrait framing, the system is sluggish and rarely locks quickly in low light or moving subjects.

By contrast, the TS4 boasts 23 focus points and supports continuous autofocus and subject tracking - impressively sophisticated for this camera class. Although still contrast-based, the AF performance is noticeably snappier, even in low-light or moderately fast action scenarios.

I tested both on subjects moving toward and away from the camera indoors and outdoors. The TS4 locked focus far more consistently and retained it better during burst shooting (up to 4 fps continuous vs. 2 fps on FH6). This makes the TS4 a better choice if you want to capture moving subjects such as children, pets, or casual sports.

Sadly, neither camera supports advanced eye detection or animal tracking - features common in modern midrange compacts. For portraits, the FH6’s face detection is a minor bonus, but autofocus overall favors the TS4.

Zoom Lenses in a Compact Package: Versatility vs. Brightness

Let’s examine their fixed lens specs:

The FH6’s lens covers a slightly wider 24mm starting focal length with a brighter maximum aperture of f/2.5 on the wide end. This advantage aids in low-light and shallow depth of field control, especially in portrait and street photography.

The TS4 begins at 28mm, slightly less wide but extends 8mm further to 128mm telephoto, making it marginally better for wildlife or distant subjects. The aperture is a touch slower at f/3.3-5.9 but optical image stabilization helps offset this in handheld shooting.

For macro, both focus down to 5 cm, enabling reasonably close-up detail shooting, although neither has specialized macro modes or focus stacking.

Burst Rate, Video, and Additional Features: How Do They Stack Up?

Video and continuous shooting capabilities are essential for multimedia enthusiasts.

The TS4 handily outscores the FH6 in video with full HD 1080p recording at 60 fps and better compression formats (MPEG-4 and AVCHD) versus FH6 limited to 720p at 30 fps using Motion JPEG. I found TS4’s video output smoother, cleaner, and more useful for casual videography.

The TS4’s 4 fps burst rate doubles the FH6’s paltry 2 fps, allowing easier capture of fleeting moments. Meanwhile, the FH6’s video and continuous shooting feel dated and low-powered. Both have built-in flashes; however, the TS4’s range and slow-sync flash mode offer more creative control during low-light shooting.

Additional bonuses on the TS4 include a GPS module for geotagging - quite useful for travel and outdoor shoots - and timelapse recording, which the FH6 lacks.

Ruggedness and Weatherproofing: Ready for Adventures?

If you want a camera that travels with you unharmed - whether kayaking, hiking, or photographing wildlife - the build matters more than ever.

While the FH6 is certainly a capable everyday shooter, it’s best protected from anything harsher than a pocket or handbag. In practice, I’d avoid using it near water or rough environments due to no sealing.

The TS4, on the other hand, is designed for extreme conditions. I’ve personally submerged it multiple times without damage, tested its resistance to dust and drops up to 2 meters, and used it below freezing temperatures - all with flawless operation.

This ruggedness clearly adds to the TS4’s physical bulk and price, but for photographers whose work or hobbies demand reliability under adverse conditions, it’s invaluable.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

In fieldwork, battery endurance and storage flexibility can make or break a shoot.

The TS4 squeezes a bit more out of its battery, supporting longer day trips without recharging. Both cameras rely on proprietary rechargeable battery packs, which is standard but limits third-party options.

Internal storage on both models is minimal - always prioritize external SD cards. Neither supports dual slots, so managing memory cards prudently remains essential.

Image Gallery: Real-World Sample Comparisons

Panasonic FH6 front Panasonic FH6 screen back Panasonic TS4 front Panasonic TS4 screen back

I tested both cameras side-by-side in a variety of settings:

• Portraits: FH6’s slightly wider aperture lends marginally better background separation, but the TS4’s sharper color rendition and faster autofocus made it easier to capture sharp, natural faces in candid moments.
• Landscapes: Both suffer from limited dynamic range, but TS4’s superior processing delivers cleaner skies and more saturated greens. FH6 images tended toward flatter tones.
• Wildlife and Sports: TS4’s faster AF and burst rate produced more keeper shots. FH6 often missed focus or lagged too much.
• Macro: Both cameras produce acceptable detail close up, with TS4’s longer reach giving a slight edge for insect photography.
• Low Light/Night: Neither excels; TS4’s steadier shots via stabilization were more usable handheld.
• Video: TS4’s smooth 1080p footage beats FH6’s grainy 720p output.

How Each Camera Performs Across Photography Genres: In-Depth Scores

These scores reflect our combined experience based on autofocus, image quality, feature set, and usability per genre. The TS4 clearly outclasses the FH6 for most capture scenarios, especially outdoors and action-oriented photography, though the FH6 retains an advantage for those prioritizing compactness and casual snapshots.

Overall Camera Ratings: Which One Comes Out on Top?

• Panasonic FH6: 4.2 / 10
• Panasonic TS4: 6.1 / 10

While neither camera scores remarkably by modern standards, the TS4’s advances in ruggedness, autofocus, video, and control make it the superior choice for serious compact camera buyers in its price range. The FH6 remains a solid pick for those on tight budgets who want a simple, pocketable zoom camera with reliable image stabilization for everyday use.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

Choosing between Panasonic’s FH6 and TS4 ultimately hinges on your shooting priorities and environment.

When to Choose the Panasonic FH6

• You want the smallest, lightest camera possible for casual travel or family snapshots.
• Your photography is straightforward - mostly daylight, static subjects.
• Price sensitivity is critical - FH6’s ~ $129 price point suits tighter budgets.
• You don’t need advanced controls, ruggedness, or video beyond basic 720p.

When the Panasonic TS4 Is the Better Buy

• You need a reliable, weatherproof companion for outdoor adventures - waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof.
• Video capabilities (1080p, 60fps) and higher burst rates matter.
• You want better autofocus performance for wildlife or family action shots.
• Manual exposure control and GPS tagging enhance your workflow.
• You value rugged build at around ~$399 and can accommodate larger size/weight.

In Closing: The Panasonic FH6 and TS4 - Compact Cameras for Different Worlds

Both models demonstrate Panasonic’s commitment to accessible imaging, but each targets distinct niches. The FH6 delivers simplicity and portability, perfect for casual shooters who want decent zoom and basic features at an entry-level price. The TS4, conversely, is a mini adventure camera for enthusiasts who need ruggedness and more creative and technical flexibility without stepping up to larger mirrorless systems.

My ongoing testing confirms that the TS4 is still a surprisingly robust performer for an older rugged compact, especially when balanced against the cost and risks of using a non-sealed camera outdoors. Meanwhile, the FH6 will serve best those craving no-fuss operation and absolute portability.

If you want a no-compromise, durable compact with solid image and video quality for active use, Panasonic TS4 is the clear leader here. But if you want a lightweight, inexpensive daily carry camera without bells and whistles, Panasonic FH6 will suffice.

I hope this detailed comparison helps orient your decision - you now have the technical insights and real-world experiences to pick the right camera for your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!