Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A700: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

When shopping for a camera, the biggest question often comes down to purpose, budget, and the type of photos you want to create. Today, I’m putting side-by-side two very different cameras from Panasonic and Sony - the cheerful, pocket-friendly Panasonic Lumix FH7, and Sony’s old-but-still-respected Alpha DSLR-A700. These two don’t just differ in brand; they represent distinct photographic philosophies: ultra-portable simplicity versus mid-level DSLR versatility.

After years of testing thousands of cameras across genres, I can say this: there’s no one-size-fits-all. But that’s exactly why digging into the real-world differences between cameras like these is so crucial. I’ll guide you through the specs, tech, handling, and real shooting experience to help you decide which aligns with your creative ambitions and wallet.

Let’s start by seeing how these two contenders stack up at first glance.

Getting Physical: Size, Ergonomics & Build

Here’s a classic case of David vs. Goliath - but reversed. The Panasonic FH7 is a lightweight, tiny 95x56x19 mm compact weighing just 126 grams. In contrast, the Sony A700, a mid-size DSLR, is a considerably heftier 768 grams with dimensions of 142x105x80 mm.

Why does this matter? If you’re the kind of photographer who hates lugging gear, appreciates discretion (hello, street photography!), or just wants a simple grab-and-go, the FH7’s slim profile and featherweight body make it a definite winner. It slips into even a small jacket pocket with ease.

On the other hand, those extra grams in the Sony belong to a robust, weather-sealed body built for real endurance. The Panasonic is decidedly a compact shooter - not designed to survive a downpour or harsh terrain. The Sony can handle more abuse in the field, which is critical for travel, adventure, or professional uses where reliability is non-negotiable.

Ergonomically, the DSLR feels more substantial in hand, with clubs for thumbs and more pronounced grips. The FH7’s small form means the controls are correspondingly smaller, impacting handling and quick access to settings.

So for pure portability, the FH7 edges out hands down. But if you value solid construction and a confident grip during serious shoots, the A700 shows its DSLR heritage.

Design & Control: How Do They Feel to Operate?

Looking at the top panels, the difference in complexity is obvious. The Sony A700 offers dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture priority, ISO adjustment, and exposure compensation. It encourages you to engage creatively with exposure settings on the fly. Plus, optical viewfinder data overlays make manual tweaking straightforward.

The Panasonic FH7’s top layout is minimalist by comparison, leaning heavily on point-and-shoot ease. Without dedicated manual controls or shutter/aperture priority modes, it targets beginners or casual users who prefer an ‘auto-first’ approach. While it does have exposure compensation and custom white balance options, tweaking feels less fluid.

Both cameras have built-in flash, but Sony’s external hot-shoe accommodates powerful off-camera lighting setups. This is a big factor for studio or event photographers considering future system expansion.

Bottom line: The A700 caters to those who want camera clubs for thumbs - buttons and wheels geared for creative control without diving into menus. The FH7 suits those who would rather tap their way through a touchscreen without fuss.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size Matters

If there’s a single magic bullet in digital photography, it’s sensor size. The Sony A700 sports an APS-C sized CMOS sensor measuring 23.5x15.6 mm, an image area over 13 times larger than the FH7’s 1/2.3" CCD sensor at just 6.08x4.56 mm.

Why is that a game changer? Larger sensors gather more light, yield better dynamic range, less noise at high ISOs, and richer color depth. It’s no coincidence that this translates into superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting.

Sony’s sensor resolution is a modest but practical 12 MP, prioritizing pixel quality over sheer megapixel count, whereas Panasonic’s FH7 offers 16 MP from a much tinier area. The result? The FH7 struggles with noise at anything above ISO 400, limiting low-light usability more than the A700, which performs respectably up to ISO 1600 and beyond.

DxO Mark’s unofficial benchmarking (not available for FH7, but Sony A700 scored a 66 overall) shows it delivers excellent color depth and dynamic range for its generation.

If landscapes with sweeping tonal gradations or professional portraits demanding skin tone accuracy are your priority, the bigger sensor makes a visible difference - sharpness, bokeh quality, and tonal transitions all improved.

Still, for casual snaps and web-sharing, the FH7’s sensor can produce pleasant images under good daylight. Just keep expectations in check.

Getting the Shot: Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Performance

The Sony A700 employs a phase-detection autofocus system with 11 focus points, all selectable, including cross-type sensors for better accuracy. It supports continuous autofocus, tracking moving subjects, and manual focus override - tools critical for sports, wildlife, or any action photography.

The Panasonic FH7’s contrast-detection AF also has 11 points and face detection. It offers continuous autofocus but no manual focus option. It works well for static subjects or casual snapshots but lacks the speed and tracking accuracy for quick-moving scenes.

Burst speeds paint a similar story: Sony manages 5 shots per second, ideal for capturing moments in sports or wildlife. Panasonic maxes out at 4 fps - adequate for some sequences but less suited for rapid-fire shooting.

If you want a camera that “keeps up” with dynamic subjects, the A700’s autofocus system and burst performance give it the upper hand.

Display and User Interface: Touchscreen vs. Traditional LCD

The Panasonic FH7 features a 3-inch fixed touchscreen LCD with only 230k-dot resolution - adequate but somewhat grainy by modern standards. The touchscreen interface lets you tap to focus and navigate menus quickly, which is a boon for beginners or the casual shooter.

In contrast, the Sony A700’s 3-inch LCD is non-touch but sports a much sharper 920k-dot resolution, offering a clearer view for critical image review and menu navigation via buttons/dials. The absence of touch controls is typical for DSLRs of this era but might feel dated for today’s tap-happy users.

The lack of an electronic viewfinder on the FH7 means composing in bright sunlight can be tricky, while A700’s bright, pentaprism optical viewfinder covers 95% frame coverage for precise shot framing.

In bright or fast-shooting scenarios, having an optical viewfinder remains a significant ergonomic and practical advantage.

Lens Ecosystem: How Far Can You Go Creatively?

One of the biggest leaps between these two is lens flexibility.

The Panasonic FH7’s fixed zoom lens covers 28-112 mm equivalent in 35mm terms, with an aperture range of f/3.1-6.5. It can’t swap lenses, which limits versatility. It does have optical image stabilization - which helps with handheld shots, particularly at the telephoto end - but the slow aperture means low light performance and shallow depth-of-field control are limited.

On the other hand, the Sony A700 accepts Sony/Minolta Alpha mount lenses, with over 140 compatible optics ranging from ultra-wide 10mm fisheyes to massive 600mm super-telephotos. This broad lens ecosystem supports macro to wildlife to professional portraiture with exquisite bokeh and background compression.

This is where the DSLR shines - if you’re invested in growing your photographic toolkit or want the freedom to customize your setup for various genres.

Battery Life and Storage: On Location Considerations

The Panasonic FH7 runs on a proprietary Battery Pack with a CIPA-rated 260 shots per charge. It supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards - standard, easy-to-find storage types.

Sony’s A700 uses the NP-FM500H battery, capable of much longer shooting sessions (exact official CIPA numbers vary but are generally more than double a compact’s capacity). Its dual slots support CompactFlash Type I or II and Memory Stick Duo formats - a versatile but slightly dated storage arrangement.

For travel or long days shooting events, the A700’s superior battery life is a game changer. Having two card slots also provides on-the-fly backup, critical for pros shooting weddings or corporate gigs where losing images isn’t an option.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Field-Ready or Desk Toy?

Good news for adventurous photographers - the Sony A700 features weather sealing to resist dust and light moisture, adding peace of mind for outdoor shooting in challenging conditions.

The Panasonic FH7 lacks any environmental sealing or ruggedization features. It’s a camera to handle with care, primarily indoors or fair-weather outings.

If you’re serious about traveling or nature work, that durability combined with the A700’s robust build makes it a reliable companion.

Video and Connectivity: Multimedia Integration

The Panasonic FH7 records video at up to 720p/30fps in Motion JPEG format. It offers touchscreen focus during video but lacks modern HD codecs, external mic inputs, or advanced video features.

The Sony A700, launched before the serious video boom, doesn’t support video recording.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, GPS, or Bluetooth - expected given their ages.

So if video capability is on your wish list, the Panasonic has the modest edge, but neither competes with modern hybrid shooters.

Real-World Performance: Sample Images and User Experience

Panasonic FH7 front Panasonic FH7 screen back Sony A700 front Sony A700 screen back

In daylight, both cameras capture decent images, but the Sony A700’s photos show noticeably richer tonal gradations, finer detail, and less noise compared to the Panasonic FH7’s more “digital” look with harsher highlights and shadows.

Portraits benefit particularly from the DSLR’s larger sensor and lens choices, yielding smooth skin tones and creamy bokeh that the FH7’s smaller sensor and fixed lens struggle to replicate.

In low-light environments, even with steady hands or tripod use, the Panasonic FH7 introduces noise and loses shadow detail quickly, whereas the Sony maintains usable image quality at higher ISOs.

Sports and wildlife shooters will appreciate A700’s faster autofocus and continuous shooting over FH7’s modest pace.

The Numbers Game: Performance Overview

If we distill the specs and my hands-on feedback into an overall performance score, the Sony A700 ranks clearly above the Panasonic FH7 in almost every meaningful category, except in size and simplicity.

Its sensor technology, build quality, lens adaptability, autofocus sophistication, and image quality make it a more versatile and lasting photographic tool.

Tailored to Your Genre: Which Camera Excels Where?

Breaking it down by photographic discipline:

• Portraits: Sony A700 dominates with larger sensor and lens options, delivering superior skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscapes: Sony’s dynamic range and higher resolution deliver punchier images with finer detail.
• Wildlife: Faster autofocus and telephoto lens support give Sony the edge.
• Sports: Higher burst rate and tracking autofocus make the A700 better suited.
• Street: Panasonic’s compact size offers exceptional discretion, though image quality is a tradeoff.
• Macro: Sony’s lens ecosystem allows for specialized macro optics unlike the FH7.
• Night/Astro: Larger sensor and high ISO performance clearly favor Sony.
• Video: Panasonic FH7 provides basic video support; Sony has none.
• Travel: Panasonic’s portability wins in casual travel; Sony’s robustness and flexibility suit serious expeditions.
• Professional Work: Sony is the only viable candidate here with RAW support, durability, and workflow compatibility.

Pros and Cons Recap

Panasonic Lumix FH7

Pros:

• Ultra-compact, lightweight, pocketable
• Easy touchscreen interface
• Optical image stabilization in compact body
• Basic 720p video capability
• Affordable price for casual shooters

Cons:

• Small sensor with limited dynamic range and high ISO performance
• Fixed lens with modest aperture and zoom range
• No manual exposure modes or extensive controls
• No weather sealing or rugged build
• No RAW files or advanced wireless connectivity

Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

Pros:

• Larger APS-C sensor with superior image quality
• Robust build with weather sealing
• Extensive lens ecosystem (over 140 lenses)
• Full manual, aperture, shutter priority modes
• RAW file support for professional workflows
• Optical viewfinder and high-resolution LCD
• Dual card slots for backup and versatility
• Better autofocus and continuous shooting performance

Cons:

• Considerably heavier and bulkier body
• No video recording capability
• Learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with DSLRs
• Older model with no touchscreen or wireless features
• More expensive than entry-level compacts

Who Should Pick Which?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FH7 if:

• You want a no-fuss, pocket-friendly camera for casual snapshots and travel where size and simplicity are paramount.
• You’re entirely new to photography and want to dip your toes without complexity or serious investment.
• Video at 720p and basic point-and-shoot features satisfy your needs.
• Budget constraints mean you prioritize affordability over image quality or creative flexibility.

Go for the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 if:

• You desire superior image quality with the ability to shoot in manual modes and raw format.
• You have or plan to build a lens collection and want a system supportable across genres.
• You shoot portraits, wildlife, landscapes, or action requiring fast autofocus and robust handling.
• You need a weather-sealed, reliable camera for professional or semi-pro work.
• You value expandable options like external flashes and better battery life.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Portability and Capability

Comparing these two is less about picking a "better" camera outright as it is weighing priorities. The Panasonic FH7 is a cheerful, competent compact where convenience trumps customization. The Sony A700, despite its age, remains a powerful DSLR offering image quality and versatility that plastic compacts simply can’t match.

If you are the budget-conscious enthusiast craving the thrill of photography with real exposure control, interchangeable lenses, and long-term investment, the A700 remains a bargain compared to contemporary DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

Conversely, if you want simplicity and portability above all, the FH7’s light footprint and intuitive interface will serve you well for everyday moments and casual travel shoots.

No matter your choice, always remember that the camera is just a tool - the real magic is in your creativity, practice, and passion behind the lens.

Happy shooting!

This comparison reflects hands-on testing and extensive experience with these models and their technology eras. Choosing the right camera should always consider your style, budget, and intended use for the fullest satisfaction.