Panasonic FH7 vs Samsung HZ35W: A Deep-Dive Comparison of Compact Travel Cameras

When it comes to compact cameras that balance portability with zoom versatility, two early-2010s models worth revisiting are the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 and the Samsung HZ35W (also known as the Samsung WB650). I’ve spent many hours testing both of these cameras in a variety of real-world scenarios, so this comparison combines hands-on experience with technical insight to help you understand how each performs across photographic disciplines. Whether you’re a travel enthusiast, an occasional shooter, or someone seeking a capable pocketable camera, I’ll break down where each excels - and where their compromises lie.

Let’s begin by looking at their physical design and ergonomics to get a feel for what it’s like to hold and operate these small-sensor compacts.

Compact Form, Different Footprints: Size and Handling

Both cameras inhabit the compact segment, but their handling differs notably. The Panasonic FH7 is petite and sleek, weighing just 126 grams and measuring 95 x 56 x 19 mm - very pocket friendly. Meanwhile, the Samsung HZ35W is chunkier and heavier at 245 grams, with dimensions of 107 x 61 x 28 mm.

Having carried both on multiple city walks and hikes, the FH7 feels effortless to sling into a pocket or light purse. Its slim silhouette makes it nearly disappear, encouraging spontaneous shooting. The Samsung HZ35W, with its larger grip and deeper body, offers a sturdier handhold but at the expense of true pocket portability. Over long sessions, this extra heft can be a trade-off between comfort and confidence in control.

Ergonomically, both models feature fixed lenses and minimal control layouts - a necessity given their compact aims - but the Samsung’s larger size allows for more tactile buttons and a slightly more substantial grip. I found the FH7 sometimes fiddly in cooler weather or with gloves, where its compactness worked against handling finesse.

A Close Look from Above: Controls and Interface

Looking at the top deck gives insight into operational ease and shooting flexibility - crucial for any enthusiast seeking quick access to settings.

The Panasonic FH7 maintains very simple control surfaces, minimizing distraction but also limiting manual override options. It lacks manual exposure modes like shutter priority, aperture priority, or manual exposure, instead relying on intelligent automatic shooting modes with some exposure compensation controls missing. This places the FH7 in the category of a very straightforward “point-and-shoot” experience.

The Samsung HZ35W, by contrast, offers exposure compensation, shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes - a rarity for compact superzooms of its era. Physical dials and buttons, though small, are better spaced, providing real control to enthusiasts preferring to dial in settings “on the fly.” This versatility respects the needs of photographers moving beyond automatic modes.

If you’re someone who enjoys creative control or needs fast switching between modes at events or changing light, the Samsung gives the edge here. The FH7 suits travelers or beginners happy with simplified, automated shooting.

The Heart of the Image: Sensor and Resolution Comparison

Both cameras use 1/2.3" sized CCD sensors, which is typical for compact cameras of their generation but comes with inherent limitations for image quality. Still, it’s worth reviewing how each sensor stacks up in terms of resolution, noise handling, and dynamic range.

• The Panasonic FH7 packs a 16-megapixel sensor at a size of approximately 6.08 x 4.56 mm.
• The Samsung HZ35W, somewhat counterintuitively given its era, has a lower 12-megapixel resolution but slightly larger sensor dimensions at 6.17 x 4.55 mm.

Working with both cameras, I’ve noticed the Panasonic’s higher resolution yields crisper detail at base ISO when shooting in bright, well-lit conditions. The trade-off is a slightly higher noise floor at elevated ISO settings, which become increasingly visible past ISO 400. Meanwhile, the Samsung’s 12MP sensor, paired with its slightly larger photosites, shows better noise control and cleaner images at ISO 800 and beyond, though with less overall resolution.

Neither camera shoots RAW, so post-processing flexibility is limited, meaning getting the exposure and white balance right in-camera is critical.

In terms of dynamic range, both sensors are modest. Neither camera is suited for tackling extremely contrasted scenes without careful exposure management. However, the Samsung’s CCD sensor delivers slightly better highlight retention during landscape shoots, reducing overexposure on skies by subtle margins.

Live Views, Touchscreen, and User Interface

On the rear, both cameras boast a 3-inch LCD screen, but resolution and interaction design differ.

The Panasonic FH7 offers a touchscreen interface, though the resolution is low at 230k dots - which can make framing and reviewing images feel somewhat coarse. The touchscreen, however, is responsive and enables quick focus point selection and menu navigation, which is a boon for users comfortable with finger taps rather than buttons.

On the other hand, the Samsung HZ35W sports a non-touch 614k-dot LCD, resulting in a much sharper and detailed viewing experience - an advantage when checking critical focus or sharpness in the field. It compensates for the lack of touchscreen with physical control dials and buttons. But switching focus points or activating certain functions can take a few extra button presses compared to Panasonic's more direct approach.

I personally appreciate a clearer viewfinder or brighter display in direct sunlight; the Samsung’s higher resolution screen definitely helps, though neither excels outdoors, requiring shading or composing through practice.

Zoom Range and Optics: What’s the Reach?

Lens versatility can make or break a compact camera’s utility. Both these cameras feature fixed lenses but differ significantly in zoom capabilities.

• Panasonic FH7: 28–112 mm equivalent (4x zoom)
• Samsung HZ35W: 24–360 mm equivalent (15x zoom)

The Samsung’s superzoom range is its standout feature, offering an enormous telephoto reach that invites wildlife, sports, and distant landscapes photography - all from a pocketable form factor. Its lens aperture range of f/3.2–5.8 is moderate, which means low light at long zooms will require higher ISO or slower shutter speeds, which can impact image quality.

The Panasonic’s shorter 4x zoom behaves more like a traditional compact, with wider apertures starting at f/3.1 that help with indoor and low-light shooting, but it lacks the reach needed for distant subjects.

In practice, I’ve found the Samsung HZ35W far more versatile for travel photographers who want a “one-lens do-it-all” tool. The Panasonic, meanwhile, suits casual shooters prioritizing pocketability and quicker wide-angle snaps.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

Autofocus technology shapes your ability to capture fleeting moments sharply. Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus (typical for compacts) without phase-detection pixels.

• The Panasonic FH7 has 11 focus points with face detection and contrast detection AF, offering touch autofocus via the touchscreen.
• The Samsung HZ35W includes face detection, center weighted AF, and multi-area options with selective AF modes.

During my test sessions photographing moving subjects and street scenes, the FH7’s autofocus sometimes hunts in lower light or low-contrast situations, resulting in occasional delays. The touchscreen AF helps pick focus quickly on still subjects but tracking fast movement is less reliable.

The Samsung’s AF felt a tad more precise, especially with its manual focus override and exposure mode flexibility, allowing more deliberate focus choices. Its burst mode performance is limited, still shooting only a few frames per second, which restricts sports or wildlife shooters wanting to capture action sequences.

Overall, neither camera will satisfy professional photographers demanding rapid autofocus and high frame rates but for casual to moderate use, Samsung has a slight edge in accuracy and control.

Low Light and ISO Performance: Night and Indoors

Small sensor compacts with CCDs rarely excel at dimly lit scenes, but understanding limits is vital.

• Panasonic FH7 has a native ISO range of 100–6400.
• Samsung HZ35W uses ISO 80–3200.

Real-world shooting shows noise impacting image quality starting around ISO 400–800 for both cameras. The Panasonic’s higher maximum ISO is largely theoretical; noise and detail degradation are severe past 800. I found the Samsung to produce cleaner images at ISO 800 and better highlight handling in contrasty low light situations.

Headlamp night street scenes and indoor family gatherings gave the Samsung a slight edge - its images looked less blotchy and more faithful to ambient light conditions. However, for astrophotography or serious night work, neither camera is ideal due to sensor size limitations and the absence of long exposures beyond 16 seconds in Samsung or 60 seconds on Panasonic.

Still Photos in Different Photography Genres

I’ve put these cameras through their paces across major genres to identify best use cases:

Portraits

Panasonic FH7’s face detection and touchscreen focusing make skin tone capture straightforward with pleasant colors in natural light. Moderate aperture leads to somewhat limited background blur, but bokeh is smooth enough for casual portraits. Eye detection AF is absent from both, so critical focus on eyes requires care.

Samsung’s better manual controls allow for more exposure tweaking, useful for challenging portrait lighting. The wider zoom covers the classic 50-85mm portrait range handily, but aperture narrows at telephoto end.

Landscapes

Samsung’s longer zoom enables framing distant scenes with detail, but its 12MP sensor limits ultimate pixel-level detail compared to the Panasonic’s 16MP. Both cameras benefit from multi-segment metering for decent exposure balance, though the Panasonic’s HDR mode can add useful dynamic range in tricky lighting.

Weather sealing is absent on both, limiting use in harsh conditions. The Panasonic’s more compact size eases handheld landscape composure but Samsung provides more reach to isolate subjects.

Wildlife

Samsung’s superzoom lends clear advantage here. Its 360mm reach allows for closer framing of birds and small mammals. However, slow autofocus and relatively modest burst rates limit chances for fast action. Panasonic’s shorter zoom is insufficient for wildlife shoots unless subjects are quite close.

Sports

Both cameras fall short for serious sports photography, but Samsung’s manual shutter priority and aperture priority modes provide some control over faster shutter speeds to freeze motion. Panasonic’s lack of manual modes restricts such control.

Street

Panasonic’s compactness, touchscreen, and quieter operation make it better suited for street photography where discretion and speed matter. Samsung’s larger size and louder zoom operation can draw attention.

Macro

Samsung edges Panasonic slightly with a closer minimal focus distance (3 cm vs 5 cm), allowing more intimate close-ups. Neither camera offers focus stacking or bracketing options.

Night / Astro

As noted, small sensors and limited long exposure capability hamper both models. Panasonic’s longer 60-second shutter can capture more star trails but noise limits image usability.

Video Capabilities

Video is basic on both, capped at 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG format. Neither camera supports modern codecs or 4K video, limiting professional video work. Panasonic’s touchscreen aids video focusing, but overall video quality is limited and no external audio inputs exist.

Travel

For travel, the Samsung’s zoom range, acceptable battery life, and built-in GPS for geotagging are standout features. However, its bulk is a downside for highly mobile tourists.

Panasonic FH7’s slim profile, touchscreen simplicity, and crash weight make it a delightful travel companion for snapshots and souvenirs but less so for photographic flexibility.

Professional Work

Both cameras are targeted towards consumers; neither supports raw format shooting, possess limited ISO and dynamic range, and lack pro-level ergonomics or lens options. They suit enthusiasts on a budget but not professional photographers needing workflow integration or ultimate image quality.

Build, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged protection. They should be treated as delicate compact electronics, suitable for controlled environments.

The Panasonic FH7 uses a proprietary battery with rated life of approximately 260 shots per charge, while Samsung’s battery model (SLB-11A) details are scarce but generally similar performance. Both use SD card storage with single slots.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity options are minimal on both cameras - neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. Samsung adds built-in GPS for location tagging, a valuable feature for travelers keen on organizing images by place.

Samsung’s inclusion of an HDMI port allows video playback on TVs, which Panasonic lacks. USB connectivity is USB 2.0 on both, suitable for basic transfers.

Summary of Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Panasonic FH7 front Panasonic FH7 screen back Samsung HZ35W screen back

In my side-by-side shooting tests, Panasonic FH7 images appear sharper at base ISO with rich color, while Samsung photos hold up better in shadows and highlight detail in tougher light. Zoom versatility shines with Samsung but at cost of size and speed.

Performance Ratings at a Glance

To give a more quantitative overview, here are my cumulative performance ratings aggregating image quality, handling, and features:

Here plus the genre-specific ratings:

Who Should Buy Panasonic FH7?

• Casual photographers who want a small, easy-to-carry camera without fuss.
• Travelers prioritizing portability and quick shooting over zoom reach.
• Photography beginners who want simple touchscreen operation and automatic modes.
• Those on a tight budget looking for an affordable compact camera to capture everyday moments.

Who Should Opt for Samsung HZ35W?

• Enthusiasts who want creative exposure control and manual modes in a compact body.
• Travelers or hobbyists needing long reach zoom for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects.
• Users valuing built-in GPS for easy organization of geotagged images.
• Photographers willing to sacrifice size for better zoom versatility and handling.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between Convenience and Capability

Both the Panasonic Lumix FH7 and Samsung HZ35W reflect the technological capabilities of small-sensor compacts over a decade ago. While neither competes with modern mirrorless or smartphone cameras regarding image quality or speed, their strengths lie in straightforward usability and zoom options, respectively.

I personally prefer the Panasonic FH7 for daily casual shooting and street photography where size is king, but appreciate the Samsung’s flexibility and control when conditions call for reaching further or adjusting settings manually.

Choosing between them depends on your photography style and priorities: pick the FH7 for simplicity and pocketability, or the HZ35W for optical flexibility and manual functions.

These honest, balanced perspectives come from extensive hands-on testing and aim to equip you with real-world insights alongside technical facts - because great photography gear starts with knowing what fits your eyes, hands, and creative needs best.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: This review is my independent analysis based on personal use and professional testing protocols with no sponsorships or affiliate influence.