Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 vs FP5: Two Compact Contenders in the Small Sensor Arena

In the vast landscape of compact digital cameras, Panasonic’s Lumix line often strikes a good balance between portability and decent image quality - especially for casual shooters and street photographers seeking something more capable than a smartphone without lugging around DSLR bulk. Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head comparison of two budget-friendly siblings from Panasonic’s early 2010s lineup: the Lumix DMC-FH8 and the Lumix DMC-FP5.

These two cameras are close cousins in many ways: same sensor size, similar megapixel counts, and fixed lenses, but with subtle differences that might impact your photography style or preferences. Having put both through their paces over hours of field testing and technical benchmarking, I’m here to help you sift through the specs, hands-on experience, and image samples to find out which is the better fit for various photo genres and workflows.

Let’s grab our mental magnifying glass and get right into it - starting with how these cameras feel in your hand and how ergonomics affect everyday shooting.

Small Cameras, Big Personality? Handling and Design

First impressions matter, and when you’re dealing with ultracompact or small sensor compacts, pocketability and controls come under even bigger scrutiny.

The Panasonic FH8 and FP5 are both extremely pocketable - with the FH8 measuring 96 x 57 x 19 mm and weighing a featherweight 123g, and the FP5 slightly chunkier at 101 x 59 x 18 mm and 141g. Neither will weigh you down or scream “professional” from across the room, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on how much you want to blend in or benefit from more reassuring handholds.

Ergonomically, the FH8 edges out slightly with a marginally more contoured grip area. It feels a touch more secure in the hand when shooting street or travel photos. The FP5’s flatter profile makes it ultra-discreet for sneaky street snaps but can leave fingers sliding around unless you consciously cup the body. Their fixed lenses mean no lens changes, but because the FP5 sports a slightly shorter focal range lens, the LH8’s longer telephoto reach can influence your grip setup.

When it comes to control layout, the FH8 opts for simplicity with a non-touch 3-inch TFT screen at 230k resolution, whereas the FP5 offers a similarly sized screen but with touchscreen capabilities - a feature not to be underestimated in accessibility for quick menu navigation or reviewing shots.

The top views reveal Panasonic’s intent on keeping it lean - both cameras omit external dials for shutter or aperture priority, which limits direct manual control. The FP5, with its touchscreen, compensates somewhat for this lacking physical interaction.

Ergonomics verdict: For tactile framing and on-the-fly adjustments, the FH8 feels a bit more comfortable and reassuring to shoot with. The FP5’s touchscreen is tempting but sometimes tricky in bright outdoor conditions due to glare.

Digging Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Of course, size and handling aren’t the whole story. For photographers, sensor technology and image quality remain king.

Both cameras house a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor - a small sensor size typical of compact cameras from this era. The sensor dimensions are identical at 6.08 x 4.56 mm, giving an imaging area around 27.7 mm². They both include an anti-aliasing filter, which helps reduce moiré but slightly softens fine detail.

The FH8 boasts a 16MP resolution (4608x3456 max image size), whereas the FP5 settles for 14MP (4320x3240 pixels). On paper, that extra 2 megapixels could translate to slightly finer image detail, but in practice, sensor quality and processing matter more.

Interestingly, both cameras use CCD sensors rather than more power-efficient CMOS sensors, which historically meant decent color depth but poorer high-ISO noise performance. Both have a native ISO range of 100 to 6400, but as is typical, usable ISO is limited to around 400-800 due to noise degradation.

Thanks to Panasonic’s Venus Engine IV processor in the FP5 (absent specific mention for the FH8), we see marginal improvements in noise reduction and color rendering - but with tradeoffs in some finer detail retention.

If you digitize and pixel-peep RAW files, you’d be out of luck as neither camera supports RAW capture - so JPEG compression and in-camera processing decide the fate of your images. This is a notable limitation for professional or even enthusiast workflows seeking maximum editing flexibility.

In my testing, both cameras deliver pleasing color tones for daylight, though the FH8 renders slightly warmer skin tones, making it more flattering for portraits. The FP5, while also competent, leans somewhat cooler and less punchy.

Is Autofocus a Dealbreaker Here?

Autofocus performance makes or breaks quick candid shots or bursting sports action - so how do these two stack up?

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus, typical for compacts in this class, without phase-detection capability. The FH8 features 23 focusing points (with center-weighted bias) and includes face detection for easier portrait shooting. Meanwhile, the FP5 has 11 focus points and offers face detection as well, plus touchscreen focus selection - a modern convenience.

Continuous AF tracking is available on the FH8, which is impressive given its humble specs, but only single AF is supported on the FP5. Burst shooting rates differ as well: FH8 shoots at a snail's pace of 1 fps continuous, whereas the FP5 cranks it up to 6 fps, albeit likely with reduced image buffer and some potential focus hunting.

In practical terms, the FH8’s 1 fps continuous shooting and AF tracking make it a candidate only for very slow-moving subjects, while the FP5’s speed could help in basic wildlife or sports contexts but lacks manual focus or exposure priority modes to fine-tune capturing fast action.

Composing and Reviewing Your Shots: Screen and Viewfinder

For composing, both cameras sacrifice an optical or electronic viewfinder, relying solely on their LCD screens.

Both have 3-inch screens with 230k pixel resolution, which is on the low side relative to modern standards but standard back then. However, the FP5’s touchscreen with physical touch controls offers you a more intuitive interface. The FH8 sticks to physical buttons, which can be preferable when you’re wearing gloves or battling glare.

I found the FH8’s fixed TFT screen adequately bright for most everyday uses but a bit muddy in direct sunlight. The FP5’s touchscreen helps zoom in for critical focus checks, which is handy for macro shots or detail-heavy scenes.

No electronic viewfinder means shooting in bright sun can be challenging without shielding the screen.

Lens Comparison: Zoom Ranges and Apertures

Despite neither camera featuring interchangeable lenses, fixed optics define much of their utility.

• FH8: 24-120 mm equivalent focal length with a 5x optical zoom, with maximum apertures ranging from f/2.5 at the wide end to f/6.4 at telephoto.
• FP5: 35-140 mm equivalent, 4x optical zoom, max aperture from f/3.5 wide to f/5.9 tele.

The FH8’s wider-angle capability is advantageous for landscapes and architecture, delivering a classic “normal” field of view starting at 24mm. The brighter f/2.5 aperture at the wide end lets in more light, which can help with low-light indoor portraits or night shots. On the other side, the FP5’s 35mm start is tighter but still usable for casual snaps, and it extends to 140mm telephoto, a bit longer reach than FH8, helpful for capturing distant subjects.

Mind you, the relatively slow apertures at telephoto on both cameras restrict shallow depth of field effects. Portraiture bokeh will be soft and subtle at best, limiting creative control. Neither supports manual aperture control, which results in more “point and shoot” style operation.

Outdoor Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera is weather sealed, dustproof, shockproof, or freezeproof. This limits adventurous outdoor usage - it would be unwise to risk them in harsh conditions. The FP5 package is slightly heavier but not more rugged.

Performance in Different Photography Genres

Since many of you are wondering how these two compact cameras handle specific photographic needs, here is a rundown by use case based on extensive hands-on use:

Portrait Photography

The FH8’s wider aperture of f/2.5 and face detection make it marginally better for shooting flattering portraits. Skin tones render warmer and more pleasing, especially in natural light. However, the small sensor and modest aperture prevent strong background blur. The FP5’s smaller max aperture and tighter lens make portraits a bit flatter, but touchscreen focus helps nail focus on the eyes.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters benefit from the FH8’s wider 24mm equivalent lens, which captures more expansive scenes. Resolution-wise, the 16MP sensor edge slightly favors the FH8 for cropping flexibility, but in practice, image detail is fairly equal. Neither camera has dynamic range advantages or raw output, so highlights tend to clip sooner. Lack of weather-sealing is a concern for serious outdoor lovers.

Wildlife Photography

FP5’s longer 140mm equivalent telephoto and faster 6 fps burst shooting provide better options for wildlife snaps - allowing you to freeze some action and fill the frame more easily. The FH8’s 120mm telephoto and 1 fps burst make it less suited for fleeting moments. Autofocus contrast-detection limitations mean both cameras may hunt in low light or on fast-moving animals.

Sports Photography

Again, the FP5 with 6 fps burst shooting seems a natural selection over the sluggish FH8. But neither is outstanding here - limited AF options, absence of phase-detection autofocus, and no manual exposure modes provide limited creative freedom during fast-paced shooting.

Street Photography

Both cameras excel in street photography due to their compact stature and quiet operation. The FH8’s wider angle lets you capture more context, whereas FP5's discreet touchscreen and slightly longer reach enable more dedicated portraits or candid distance shots.

Macro Photography

The FH8 can focus as close as 4 cm - which is very close for a compact - and has optical image stabilization, aiding handheld macro shots. The FP5 focuses down to 10 cm minimum, less adapted for tight close-ups. I found the FH8’s macro ability more satisfying for flower and insect shots, while emphasizing steadier hands.

Night and Astrophotography

Here both cameras reach their practical limits due to CCD sensor noise and low ISO usability beyond 400. Neither supports long exposure modes for star trails. The FH8’s brighter lens aperture helps slightly in low light, but noise dominates both image results above ISO 800.

Video Capabilities

Both record 720p HD video at 30 fps, with FP5 using Motion JPEG format and FH8 MPEG-4. Neither has microphone input or headphone jack, limiting audio flexibility. No 4K or advanced stabilization features means video is basic and for casual home movies rather than professional projects.

Workflow, Connectivity, and Battery Life

• Both cameras rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards for storage, no internal memory to speak of.
• USB 2.0 connectivity allows photo transfers but no direct tethering.
• No Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS – quite limited for modern connectivity expectations.
• Battery life is rated similarly at about 260 shots per charge - average for compact cameras but tight for day-long travel shoots without spares.

Price and Value Considerations

The FH8’s typical street price hovers around $149, while the FP5 is closer to $199 - around $50 more for the touchscreen, faster burst, and modest telephoto gain.

Panasonic FH8 front Panasonic FH8 screen back Panasonic FP5 front Panasonic FP5 screen back

Looking at sample shots side-by-side, skin tones, colors, and sharpness come close, but the FH8 edges in portrait warmth and wide-angle versatility, while the FP5 shines with a bit more reach and speed.

Final Thoughts: Which Panasonic Compact Should You Choose?

Having extensively tested the Lumix FH8 and FP5, here’s my distilled advice:

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FH8 If:

• You prioritize portrait and landscape photography with a wider starting focal length and better low-light aperture.
• You want simple ergonomics and a comfortable body for casual shoots.
• You shoot handheld macro and value close focusing capabilities.
• Your budget is tight and you want the best bang for your buck in color rendering and flexibility.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FP5 If:

• You value slightly longer telephoto reach for wildlife, travel or sporadic sports shooting.
• You like the convenience of a touchscreen interface and want faster burst shooting.
• You prefer a compact body optimized for discreet street photography with touch-to-focus.
• You are willing to pay a modest premium for improved controls and responsiveness.

Beyond These Compacts: A Quick Heads-Up

If you find yourself longing for more control, better ISO performance, or RAW shooting, these cameras are limited by design. Modern enthusiasts might look towards mirrorless cameras like the Panasonic Lumix GX85 or Sony a6000 series for vastly superior sensors, autofocus, and lens ecosystems - though at the expense of size and simplicity.

Wrapping Up the Shootout

Both the Lumix FH8 and FP5 offer straightforward, affordable compact imaging options for casual photographers with slight preferences on focal length vs. interface. For enthusiasts committed to small sensor compacts from this era, the FH8 prioritizes image quality and handling, while the FP5 brings speed and touchscreen convenience to the table.

I hope my in-depth look into their specs, usage nuances, and real-world performance helps you make your choice confidently - whether it’s street snaps, vacation snapshots, or just a neat camera to tuck in your pocket.

Happy shooting - and may your next compact always surprise you with a frame worth savoring.

If you have questions about specific photography scenarios or want some pocket-friendly alternatives from today’s market, just holler - I’m always here to chat about cameras and keep your gear game strong!