Panasonic FH8 vs Samsung NX1100: A Detailed Camera Showdown for Every Photographer’s Journey

Choosing the right camera for your creative needs can feel daunting. Today, we’re diving deep into a hands-on comparison between two distinct cameras aimed at different users - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 and the Samsung NX1100. Having rigorously tested thousands of cameras across genres, we’ll unpack the technical specs, real-world performance, and value propositions to guide you toward the best fit for your photography style and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Build & Handling Comfort

When comparing these two cameras, you’ll immediately notice the Panasonic FH8’s ultra-compact pocketable design versus the Samsung NX1100’s more substantial mirrorless body.

• Panasonic FH8 measures just 96 x 57 x 19 mm and weighs only 123 grams. It’s ideal if you want a lightweight carry-along camera for spontaneous shots.
• Samsung NX1100, at 114 x 63 x 37 mm and 222 grams, offers a firmer grip and more presence. It’s designed for users who want the benefits of an interchangeable lens system with added control.

This size difference drastically impacts ergonomics and long shooting comfort: the FH8 might feel cramped for extended use especially with manual adjustments limited, while the NX1100 strikes a balance between portability and handling.

Controls and User Interface: How Intuitive Are They?

The Panasonic FH8’s minimal control layout prioritizes simplicity for point-and-shoot operations with no manual exposure modes or shutter/aperture priority. The top layout is sparse, reflecting its casual user orientation.

In contrast, the Samsung NX1100 adopts a DSLR-style control approach, offering:

• Dedicated dials and buttons for aperture/shutter speed
• Manual exposure and shutter/aperture priority modes
• Exposure compensation and more customizable settings

From our hands-on testing, the NX1100’s control scheme feels more natural for photographers advancing beyond auto mode, while the FH8 suits beginners who want instant shooting without the fuss.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of Every Good Camera

Sensor technology largely determines image quality, and here’s where these two cameras diverge.

Feature	Panasonic FH8	Samsung NX1100
Sensor Type	CCD	CMOS
Sensor Size	1/2.3" (6.08 x 4.56 mm)	APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm)
Sensor Area	27.72 mm²	368.95 mm²
Resolution	16 MP	20 MP
Max ISO	6400	12800
RAW Support	No	Yes

The Panasonic FH8 uses a small 1/2.3” CCD sensor, common in compact cameras. While it may produce acceptable images for casual use, especially in bright light, limitations emerge in low light, dynamic range, and fine detail. Noise becomes apparent above ISO 400.

The Samsung NX1100 boasts a much larger APS-C sized CMOS sensor, approximately 13 times the surface area of the FH8’s. This translates to:

• Better low-light capabilities with higher native ISO range
• More nuanced color rendering and dynamic range (DXO-like scores confirm)
• RAW file support, essential for post-processing professionals

If image quality is paramount to your craft, especially for portraits, landscapes, or professional work, the NX1100 is the clear winner.

Seeing Your Shots: LCD Screens and Viewfinders

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, so the rear LCD is your primary composition tool.

Feature	Panasonic FH8	Samsung NX1100
Screen Type	Fixed TFT Color LCD	Fixed TFT LCD
Screen Size	3 inches	3 inches
Resolution	230k dots	921k dots
Touchscreen	No	No

The NX1100's LCD offers roughly four times the resolution compared to the FH8, resulting in crisper image preview and more accurate manual focusing assistance. This difference is highly appreciable when reviewing your shots outdoors or zooming in for fine focus checks.

Lens Systems and Flexibility

The Panasonic FH8 features a fixed zoom lens covering 24-120mm equivalent with f/2.5-6.4 aperture. This lens suits:

• Casual travel snapshots
• Family photos
• Occasional macro (focus as close as 4cm)

However, this setup constrains creative versatility - you cannot swap lenses to suit different scenes or stylistic needs.

Conversely, the Samsung NX1100 supports the Samsung NX mount, compatible with 32 lenses ranging from:

• Wide-angle primes
• Telephoto zooms
• Macro lenses
• Fast apertures for creative bokeh and low light

This lens ecosystem enables you to grow your toolkit as your skills and shooting preferences evolve.

Autofocus and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Both cameras employ contrast detection autofocus, but with different sophistication:

• Panasonic FH8: 23 AF points, including face detection. Limited continuous shooting at 1 fps restricts capturing fast action.
• Samsung NX1100: 15 AF points with face detection, selectable AF areas, continuous AF in live view, and a burst rate of 8 fps at 20 MP resolution.

For genres demanding speed and focus accuracy such as wildlife, sports, or street photography, the NX1100's performance is markedly more capable.

Real-World Image Quality Comparison

In our field tests:

• Portraits: NX1100 renders natural skin tones with smooth bokeh using fast lenses. FH8 struggled to separate subject/background except in ideal lighting.
• Landscapes: NX1100 delivers sharper details, wider dynamic range preserving shadows/highlights. FH8 images looked slightly flat and noisier in shadows.
• Wildlife/Sports: NX1100’s burst mode and fast AF lock moving subjects better. FH8 rarely caught decisive moments.
• Street & Travel: FH8’s compact size favors discreet shooting and portability, while NX1100’s larger body requires more presence but rewards with image quality.
• Macro: NX1100 lenses offer superior magnification and critical focusing control compared to the FH8’s fixed lens macro mode.
• Night & Astro: NX1100’s superior high ISO and noise control enable usable images under challenging conditions; FH8’s images were noisy and grainy.
• Video: NX1100 shoots Full HD 1080p compared to the FH8’s HD 720p, plus offers more codec options. Neither supports 4K.

Durability, Battery Life & Connectivity

Both cameras are designed for consumer use with no weather sealing or rugged features. Battery life leans in favor of NX1100 (320 shots vs. 260 for FH8) - typical for mirrorless systems versus compact cameras.

Connectivity:

• FH8 lacks wireless options entirely.
• NX1100 includes built-in Wi-Fi, valuable for instant image sharing and remote control.

Storage in both uses SD cards, with NX1100 supporting SDXC standard for larger files (RAW).

How Each Camera Performs by Photography Genre

Genre	Panasonic FH8	Samsung NX1100
Portrait	Entry-level, limited bokeh	Strong color, skin tones, bokeh
Landscape	Acceptable, limited dynamic range	Excellent details, wide DR
Wildlife	Poor autofocus, slow burst rate	Fast AF, good burst rate
Sports	Not suitable	Capable continuous shooting
Street	Ultra-compact, inconspicuous	Bulkier but better IQ & speed
Macro	Basic 4cm macro mode	Superior lens options, focus control
Night & Astro	Noisy high ISO shots	Better low light, higher ISO usable
Video	720p, limited codecs	Full HD, versatile codecs
Travel	Lightweight, easy carry	More versatile, better IQ
Professional	No RAW, limited exposure control	RAW support, advanced modes

Putting It All Together: Who Should Choose Which?

Feature / Need	Panasonic FH8	Samsung NX1100
Beginner looking for simple point-and-shoot	✅ Easy to use, compact size	❌ Requires more learning curve
Budget-conscious buyers	✅ Affordable (~$150)	❌ More expensive (~$600)
Enthusiasts seeking growth and manual control	❌ Fixed lens, limited control	✅ Manual modes, interchangeable lenses
Need for the best image quality	❌ Small sensor limits IQ	✅ Large sensor with RAW
Video creators wanting HD video	❌ Only 720p	✅ Full HD recording
Wildlife/Sports shooters	❌ Slow burst, slow AF	✅ Fast burst, better AF
Travelers wanting pocket portability	✅ Ultra-compact	❌ Larger, weighs almost double

User Interface & Day-to-Day Shooting Experience

Get ready for different philosophies in how you interact with these cameras:

• The FH8 keeps settings simple - no manual aperture or shutter priority, no RAW files for editing flexibility, and a modest 230k-dot LCD. This appeals to casual shooters prioritizing ease.
• The NX1100, though lacking touchscreen, offers a vibrant 921k-dot display and full exposure control. Menus, though somewhat dated, allow deeper customization once you invest time learning.

The FH8’s optical image stabilization helps mitigate camera shake for beginners. The NX1100 lacks in-camera stabilization, but you can use stabilized lenses or tripods.

Technical Deep Dive: Why Sensor Size and Controls Matter

The sensor size disparity cannot be overstated: A small 1/2.3” sensor like in the FH8 collects much less light, resulting in noisier high-ISO images, less dynamic range, and limited creative depth of field control.

The NX1100’s APS-C sensor is roughly the same size as in many entry-level DSLRs, allowing you to:

• Shoot in dim conditions with acceptable noise
• Generate shallow depth of field for professional-looking portraits
• Produce high-resolution prints without loss of detail

Manual controls also matter because they empower you to fine-tune settings on the fly rather than relying on automation, which can misinterpret complex scenes. The NX1100 also lets you shoot RAW, giving full control over image editing.

Lens Ecosystem and Future Proofing

Lens choice is crucial. The FH8’s built-in lens covers a decent zoom range but offers nothing beyond that.

The Samsung NX lens mount, although discontinued, still provides a decent variety of lenses from wide to telephoto and even adapters for other mounts. This allows new photographers to transition their kit as their skills advance.

Remember, investing in a mirrorless system with a large sensor and interchangeable lenses is a step toward flexibility and expanding creative horizons.

Video Capabilities In-Depth

If video is a priority:

• The FH8 records at 1280 x 720p 30fps with MPEG-4 format, lacks external mic input, and no stabilization - adequate for casual clips but limited in quality and control.
• The NX1100 shoots Full HD 1080p at 30fps plus 24fps in 1920x810, supporting both MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs. Although no mic input, HDMI port allows live feed to external recorders.

For serious video endeavorers, neither is ideal, but the NX1100 provides a more flexible starting point.

Battery Life and Portability Compared

The FH8’s 260 shots per charge vs NX1100’s 320 shots are fairly typical for compact vs mirrorless cameras of their era. Take spare batteries if you plan long outings.

Although the FH8 excels at portability, the NX1100 is not overly bulky and still travel-friendly with creative rewards.

Price and Value Considerations

Market prices show a massive gap with FH8 around $150 and NX1100 about $600 used or new.

• The FH8 is a low-cost gateway to digital photography, ideal for beginners or those wanting a handy pocket camera.
• The NX1100 is targeted toward amateurs ready to learn manual control and shoot higher quality photos and videos.

Final Thoughts - Which Camera Helps You Capture Your Vision Best?

• If you want ease and pocket portability with simple snapshots for everyday moments, the Panasonic FH8 remains a convenient option. It’s budget-friendly and very beginner-friendly.
• But if you’re serious about improving your image quality, using manual controls, shooting a variety of genres with creative lenses, and need better autofocus and video specs, the Samsung NX1100 emerges as a far more capable and flexible system.

Both cameras have their place, but our tests and technical insights show the NX1100 is best suited for enthusiasts and semi-professionals needing growth and performance, whereas the FH8 is strictly for casual users.

Your photography journey is personal - whether you seek compact simplicity or creative control, knowing how features translate into real-world results makes all the difference. We encourage you to check out both cameras hands-on, explore lens options for the NX1100, and start shooting in different situations to see what matches your style.

Happy shooting and keep creating amazing images with whichever tool matches your vision!

Summary Tables for Quick Reference

Aspect	Panasonic FH8	Samsung NX1100
Sensor	1/2.3” CCD	APS-C CMOS
Resolution	16 MP	20 MP
Lens	Fixed 24-120mm F2.5-6.4	Interchangeable (32 lenses)
Manual Controls	No	Yes (P, A, S, M modes)
Autofocus	Contrast AF, 23 points	Contrast AF, 15 points, selective area AF
Burst Speed	1 fps	8 fps
Video	720p HD	1080p Full HD
Display	3” 230k dots TFT LCD	3” 921k dots TFT LCD
Weight	123 g	222 g
Battery Life	260 shots	320 shots
Price	~$150	~$600

| Physical compactness difference
| Layout & ergonomics
| Sensor technical analysis
| LCD display and interface

| Sample photos comparison
| Overall camera performance metrics
| Genre-specific camera strengths

Feel free to explore further - your best camera is the one that inspires you to get out and create. Whether that’s the pocketable Panasonic FH8 or the versatile Samsung NX1100, both cameras have stories to tell through your lens.