Panasonic Lumix FH8 vs. Sony Alpha DSLR-A850: A Practical Comparison for Serious Photographers

Choosing your next camera can be a daunting affair, especially when contrasting something as different as a petite point-and-shoot compact with a heavyweight full-frame DSLR. Today, we're taking a detailed, hands-on look at two rather distinct beasts: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8, a modest 2012 compact with a fixed lens and basic functionality, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850, a more professional, yet now vintage (2010 announcement) full-frame DSLR aimed at enthusiasts and semi-pros.

Why these two? Because comparing them highlights just how far camera technology can vary depending on user needs - from casual snapshots to professional workflows. I’ve personally tested thousands of cameras, and what follows is a no-hype, experience-backed rundown that’ll help you figure out if you want the slick portability of the FH8 or the robust imaging power of the A850.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Ergonomics and Size Matter

Before diving into specs, look at this:

Right off the bat, the Panasonic FH8 is a tiny, lightweight pocket camera weighing just 123 grams and measuring a compact 96x57x19 mm. Ergonomically, it’s designed for ease of casual use with one hand, but don’t expect much grip or weather sealing here. It’s literally the kind of camera you shove into your jeans pocket and forget about - until you need it.

The Sony A850, in contrast, is a substantial DSLR with a solid magnesium alloy body tipping the scales at 895 grams and measuring 156x117x82 mm. This size and heft translate to a serious in-hand presence and durability. Plus, it sports environmental sealing - a feature critical for professional shooters needing reliability under less-than-ideal conditions (rain, dust, temperature swings).

Looking from above, the A850’s button and dial layout scream professional control. You get dedicated dials for ISO, exposure compensation, drive modes, and a top LCD panel showing key shooting info at a glance. The FH8’s controls are simplified, streamlined for novices, with none of that granular exposure dialing.

Bottom line: if portability and simplicity are paramount, FH8 is your friend. If you want solid ergonomics and weather toughness for demanding sessions, A850 is the way to go.

The Imaging Engine: Sensor Size and Quality - Why Bigger Often Means Better

Photography aficionados know this mantra well: sensor size impacts image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance significantly. Feast your eyes on this comparison:

The Panasonic FH8 uses a 1/2.3″ CCD sensor (6.08x4.56 mm), with a resolution of about 16 megapixels. This sensor size is typical for compact cameras and carries inherent limitations - higher noise at elevated ISOs, limited dynamic range, and lower sharpness compared to larger sensors. The fixed lens provides a 24-120 mm equivalent zoom range with max apertures from F2.5 to F6.4 - a decent start for casual shooting but nothing to write home about in terms of low light or bokeh.

On the flip side, the Sony A850 boasts a large full-frame 35.9x24 mm CMOS sensor delivering a whopping 25 megapixels, paired with the Bionz processor - a proven workhorse. This sensor is nearly 31 times larger in surface area than the FH8’s, offering vastly superior performance in low light, finer detail rendition, and greater dynamic range. Sony’s sensor also supports ISO up to 3200 natively, expandable to 6400, enabling much freer shooting in dark or high-contrast environments.

From a technical testing standpoint, high dynamic range and color depth metrics (DxOMark scores: 79 overall for the A850) underscore this sensor’s prowess. The Panasonic, lacking DxO testing, nonetheless falls into the entry-level compact category - sharp and vibrant in good light but outclassed in demanding scenarios.

In other words, if image quality and creative control over depth are priorities, the A850’s sensor trounces the FH8 hands down.

Viewing and Composing Shots: Screens and Viewfinders

When it comes to composing your shots, both cameras offer a 3-inch LCD screen, but their functionality differs:

The Panasonic FH8 has a fixed TFT color LCD with 230k resolution. It gets the job done for framing and playback but offers limited brightness and quality, especially outdoors. No touchscreen capabilities here, which - given the compact’s simplicity - is not surprising.

Sony’s A850 sports a 3” TFT Xtra Fine LCD with 922k-dot resolution, delivering a crisp and bright preview. While it’s not touch-sensitive, which by today’s standards feels archaic, the better resolution aids in checking focus and image detail immediately.

Importantly, the A850 includes a central optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 98% of the frame with 0.74x magnification. This gives direct, lag-free composition with excellent clarity - a huge plus for precise manual focus and action shooting. The FH8 offers no viewfinder at all, relying entirely on the rear screen.

Pro tip: In bright conditions, optical viewfinders remain unbeatable for composing and tracking moving subjects.

Performance in the Field: Autofocus, Burst, and Handling

Let’s get practical. Autofocus and shooting speed significantly impact your ability to capture fleeting moments.

• Panasonic FH8 features contrast-detection AF with 23 focus points and face detection, but sadly no eye or animal AF. It shoots at a glacial 1 frame per second and lacks continuous AF in video. Tracking fast-moving subjects will be a test of patience.

• Sony A850 employs a phase-detection AF system with 9 focus points and cross-type sensors, supporting continuous AF (albeit with some limitations). Burst speed is 3 fps - not blazing but respectable for the sensor size and target users.

From my experience, the FH8 is fine for portraits, landscapes, and casual snapshots but struggles with wildlife, sports, or high-action street photography. The Sony’s AF, while not state-of-the-art by today’s standards, still provides solid tracking capability and manual focus assisters like focus peaking (through external optics or on-screen aids via HDMI).

Who Wins for What Photography Style?

Let’s unpack how these two cameras stack up across popular photography genres, bearing in mind each’s class and intended usage.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Background Blur

• Panasonic FH8: The small sensor limits true background separation; F2.5 at the wide end can produce decent bokeh indoors, but F6.4 towards telephoto is restrictive. Face detection AF helps nail focus on faces, but no eye AF.

• Sony A850: Big sensor + full-frame lenses = glorious creamy bokeh, superb skin tone rendition, and excellent control over depth of field. Manual aperture controls and faster max shutter speeds also aid creative expression.

Verdict: Serious portrait shooters will favor the A850 hands down; the FH8 is a casual portrayer at best.

Landscapes: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Weather Seal

• FH8’s limited dynamic range and sensor size restrict details in highlights and shadows. Also, no weather sealing.

• A850 shines with 25 MP resolution capturing fine detail and wide 12.2 EV dynamic range. Weather sealing lets you shoot comfortably outdoors in varied conditions.

Verdict: For landscapes, full-frame is king. The A850 offers significantly better image quality and durability.

Wildlife and Sports: Tracking Speed and Zoom Reach

• The FH8’s fixed 5x zoom offers 24-120 mm equivalent range - not enough reach for most wildlife or sports. Plus, contrast-detection AF and 1 fps shooting make capturing action challenging.

• The A850 allows interchangeable lenses - including super-telephotos - paired with phase-detection AF, making it more capable. 3 fps burst speed is modest but workable.

Verdict: Neither excels by 2024 standards, but the Sony is a much more flexible platform for telephoto wildlife/sports; FH8 is ill-suited.

Street and Travel: Discreteness, Portability, Versatility

If you want to travel light or need a camera for spontaneous street candid shots:

• FH8’s small size and light weight are big pluses. Easy to carry and discreet.

• A850 is bulky and attracts attention but shines in image quality and adaptability with many lenses.

Verdict: The FH8 wins for pocketability, but the A850 serves serious travel photographers who can lug weight for higher fidelity.

Macro and Close-Up: Focusing Precision and Magnification

FH8 has a macro focus range as close as 4 cm - surprisingly decent for casual macro shots with image stabilization. The A850 relies on dedicated macro lenses (available in the vast Sony/Minolta mount lineup) for sharpness and magnification.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure

Thanks to its small sensor and CCD technology, the FH8’s image quality degrades quickly beyond ISO 400-800. The Sony A850’s full-frame CMOS sensor extends crisp detail and minimal noise past ISO 3200, making it a solid choice for night sky and long exposure work.

Video Capabilities: What Can They Shoot?

• Panasonic FH8 delivers basic 720p at 30 fps in MPEG-4 format - note the lack of manual exposure in video and no external microphone input. This is casual video with no bells or whistles.

• Sony A850 offers no video recording, which is a dealbreaker for some - but not a surprise given its DSLR design period.

Handling and Usability: Button Layout, Display, and Battery

Control surfaces on the A850 facilitate professional shooting techniques, including exposure compensation, bracketing, and custom white balance. The FH8 is minimalist: no manual exposure modes, no shutter/aperture priority - just auto and a few scene modes.

Battery life favors the A850 massively: rated around 880 shots per charge, compared to FH8’s 260 shots. Storage options also differ: FH8 uses the universally standard SD card, while A850 accepts CompactFlash, Memory Stick Duo, with dual slots increasing capacity and backup options.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity or GPS - reflecting their era. The A850 supports HDMI and USB 2.0 for tethered shooting; the FH8 includes USB 2.0 but lacks HDMI or external flash support. Built-in flash on the FH8 is handy but limited, while A850 requires external units.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

Of course, specs tell part of the story. I tested these cameras side by side, shooting the same scenes under various conditions.

Panasonic FH8 front Panasonic FH8 screen back Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back

Notice the incredible detail, low noise, and rich tonal gradations in full-frame Sony images compared to FH8 shots, which tend to look softer - especially in shadows and highlights. Colors are punchier on the A850 with better white balance consistency.

Final Comparison Summary: Scores and Ratings

For a data-driven snapshot, here’s an overall performance review based on testing criteria including image quality, autofocus, handling, and features:

…and for a breakdown by photography genre:

What I Recommend: Matching Camera to User Needs

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FH8 if:

• You want a super simple, compact camera for casual snapshots and travel without fuss.
• Portability is priority - carrying a DSLR is not your thing.
• Your budget tops out low (around $150 or less), and you don’t need RAW files or manual control.
• You’re mainly photographing in good light, focusing on family or vacation photos.

Choose the Sony Alpha DSLR A850 if:

• You’re looking for excellent image quality with full-frame performance on a modest budget (if buying used or refurbished).
• You want professional controls, interchangeable lenses, and robust build quality.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or work requiring higher dynamic range and versatility.
• You can handle a heavier rig and plan to invest in quality glass and accessories.
• Video isn’t a priority.

Parting Thoughts: Different Cameras for Different Missions

Comparing the Panasonic FH8 and Sony A850 is a bit like comparing a sprint car and a freight train: both vehicles for moving forward, but built for dramatically different terrain.

The FH8 is a cheerful, no-fuss friend for anyone who wants easy photography without technical headaches. The A850 is a capable, full-frame toolkit that rewards patience and skill with dazzling results.

No one should expect the same from both: compact convenience versus DSLR control and quality. Knowing where you fit on this spectrum is the biggest step to choosing the right camera for your craft and joy.

Hopefully, my years testing cameras and this side-by-side practical analysis help clarify your choice. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with either camera - photography is, after all, as much about community as gear.