Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 vs Sony Alpha NEX-5T: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a camera is rarely straightforward, especially when options come from wildly different classes. Today, I’m diving into a detailed showdown between two cameras that might seem like apples and oranges on paper - the compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 and the entry-level mirrorless Sony Alpha NEX-5T. Despite their distinct positioning, comparing them offers a fascinating look at how camera technology scales and what that means for your photography workflow and results.

I’ve tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, running them through my personal battery of tests from lab-like sensor evaluation to real-world shooting scenarios across genres - from portraiture to wildlife, landscapes to street photography. This article draws on that breadth of experience to deliver practical insights on these two cameras. I'll riff on ergonomics, sensor tech, autofocus performance, and how each performs in key genres. Plus, I'll explore value for money in 2024 terms, because budgets don’t get bigger just because cameras get better.

Pull up a chair, and let’s dig in.

Size Matters - or Does It? Handling and Ergonomics

Let’s start at the very beginning: How these cameras feel when you hold them. After all, comfort directly influences your shooting endurance and control precision.

The Panasonic FH8 is a pint-sized pocket-friendly compact, sleek and thin at 96x57x19 mm and featherweight at just 123 grams. Think of it as the “point-and-shoot” you could slip into a jacket pocket - great for those who hate to carry any extra bulk. However, the tradeoff is a lack of tactile controls; it leans heavily on automatic modes, with no manual exposure dials or clubs for thumbs that serious shooters love.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-5T bulkier at 111x59x39 mm and roughly double the weight (276 g). But this extra heft houses a far more substantial grip and a more robust button layout. Unlike the FH8’s fixed lens with limited zoom and no manual focus, the NEX-5T sports a mirrorless rangefinder-style body designed for lens swaps and more hands-on shooting. The tilt touchscreen adds versatility for creative angles or selfie shots - a feature the Panasonic sorely misses.

Ergonomically, the NEX-5T scores higher for enthusiasts who want physical controls and customization. The FH8 serves better as a casual walk-around camera or a backup when minimalism is key.

The Frontline: Sensor, Image Quality, and Dynamic Range

Next, let’s talk image quality - the heart of the matter for any serious photographer. Here the gulf widens considerably.

The Panasonic FH8 uses a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 16 megapixels. These sensors are typical in small compacts and smartphones. They do well under bright light but have minuscule pixel size, resulting in high noise and low dynamic range as light fades. The FH8’s max ISO tops out at 6400, but anything beyond 400 in low light is noisy mush.

The Sony NEX-5T features a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm) of the same megapixel count (16 MP), delivering substantially better image quality, especially in dynamic range and low light. The extended sensor area captures more light and produces cleaner, richer images with an impressive 13.0 stops of dynamic range measured by DxOMark (where the FH8 is untested but predictably trailing). Its ISO ranges up to 25600, comfortably usable up to 3200 or 6400 depending on noise tolerance - very handy at night or indoors.

In practical terms, the NEX-5T’s sensor choice means tangible benefits:

• Better tonal gradation in skies and shadows critical for landscape and outdoor photographers.
• Cleaner high-ISO shots essential for indoor events, street photography, or dimly lit concerts.
• 16 MP resolution with APS-C sensor size provides more detail and cropping flexibility.

The FH8’s sensor is decidedly entry-level but does deliver decent daylight snaps for casual users unwilling to fiddle much. Landscapes, however, quickly show the difference under scrutiny.

User Interface and Controls: The Photographer’s Command Deck

A camera’s interface shapes your shooting style and responsiveness. Let’s see which model puts you in better control.

The Panasonic FH8’s design is minimalistic to the extreme. No manual exposure modes, no physical dials for aperture or shutter priority, and a fixed aperture zoom lens (F2.5-6.4). You live in fully automatic or semi-auto modes with limited toggles. The 3-inch 230k-dot TFT LCD is fixed and not touch-enabled, making menu navigation slightly clunky. No viewfinder means you rely strictly on the screen, which reflects more environmental glare outdoors.

Conversely, the Sony NEX-5T has a far richer set of features. It offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes - welcome tools for photographers who want to tailor their shots precisely. The OLED-type 3-inch tilting touchscreen at 922k dots eases focus selection and menus with intuitive touch. Autofocus is highly configurable, with 99 focus points and advanced face detection. It can even perform AF touch on the screen, a godsend for speed.

Although it lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (EFV) - which could hinder precise framing in harsh sunlight - you can attach one externally.

If you prize quick adjustments, granular control, and tactile feedback, the NEX-5T easily outperforms the FH8.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching Every Moment

Focus speed and accuracy, and how many frames per second you can shoot, hugely affect genres like sports, wildlife, and fast-paced events.

The Panasonic FH8 features a basic contrast-detection AF system with 23 focus points, including face detection (which it performs surprisingly well for a compact). However, continuous autofocus only manages a painfully slow 1 frame per second (fps) shooting speed, limiting action shots harshly.

By contrast, the Sony NEX-5T employs a hybrid AF system combining contrast detection and phase detection on sensor, spreading across 99 points (with 25 cross-type). It boasts face and selective area AF, plus touch AF, allowing swift and precise focus locks. Its continuous shooting speed maxes at a very respectable 10 fps, a sweet spot for capturing sports, wildlife, or fleeting moments.

In my tests, the NEX-5T’s AF was notably more reliable tracking moving subjects, even outdoors with challenging light and background clutter. The FH8 occasionally hunts and struggles to maintain focus lock, often missing fast-moving targets.

Takeaway: For dynamic shooting, the NEX-5T is in a different league, giving you the confidence to shoot sports and wildlife. The FH8 is best reserved for posed shots and casual use.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility

One of the biggest practical divides: fixed lens vs interchangeable.

The Panasonic FH8 sports a built-in 24-120mm equivalent zoom lens (5x optical zoom, f/2.5-6.4). Good for convenience and pocketability but compromises in optical quality and aperture size mean it’s not the sharpest or fastest lens, especially at telephoto range.

The Sony NEX-5T uses the Sony E-mount, which boasts over 120 native lenses - from bargain primes and affordable zooms to pro-grade optics. This brings significant creative freedom:

• Wide apertures for shallow depth-of-field (great bokeh for portraits).
• Specialty options like macro, tilt-shift, super-telephoto, and fast primes.
• Ability to adapt legacy lenses for niche applications.

This flexibility profoundly affects genres. Portrait shooters can invest in portrait primes to sculpt creamy backgrounds and nail eye focus. Wildlife/ sports enthusiasts can stretch out their reach with telephoto glass. Landscape shooters can pick ultra-wide, sharp lenses.

With the FH8 you’re locked in - fine for snapshots, but limiting for serious creative control and evolving needs.

Video Capabilities: Moving Images and Vlogs

Looking beyond stills, how do they compare for video shooting?

The FH8 offers basic HD video at 1280x720p (30fps) in MPEG-4 format, without manual exposure control during filming or advanced codecs. There’s no microphone or headphone ports - so you’re stuck with internal mono audio. No 4K, no image stabilization during video, nor advanced focus tracking, which is obvious at its price.

The NEX-5T raises the bar with Full HD 1080p video up to 60fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. While it lacks in-body stabilization, you can get steady footage through optical stabilization from some compatible E-mount lenses. Its touch AF and phase-detect AF permit smooth focus transitions during recording, elevating video usability.

The NEX-5T misses out on microphone inputs too, limiting audio upgrades, but its comprehensive exposure control and video quality put it at least a full generation beyond the FH8’s video output - making it far more useful for casual filmmakers or hybrid shooters.

Genre Performance Deep Dive: What Each Camera Excels At

For enthusiasts weighing where these cameras fit best, here is a thorough breakdown by photography genre, including real-world performance notes.

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic FH8: Decent skin tone rendering under bright outdoor lighting, thanks to CCD sensor color science, but limited lens aperture and fixed zoom hinder creamy bokeh and shallow DOF effects. Eye detect AF helps sometimes but lacks precision.
• Sony NEX-5T: APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses allow gorgeous bokeh and precise eye dimming via face detect AF. Manual controls enable perfect exposure for skin tones. Great choice for hobbyists stepping towards pro portraits.

Landscape Photography

• FH8: Small sensor limits dynamic range and detail resolution in complex scenes - ideal for point-and-shoot holiday snaps but not fine art landscapes. No weather sealing restricts outdoor durability.
• NEX-5T: Large sensor with excellent dynamic range captures subtle shadow/highlight detail. Lens selection includes ultra-wides and sharp primes perfect for landscape pros. Decent build, but weather sealing absent.

Wildlife and Sports

• FH8: Too slow and inaccurate autofocus; 1 fps continuous mode insufficient for fast action. Lens focal range is decent for moderate zooms but optical quality lacks.
• NEX-5T: Fast 10 fps burst rate and hybrid AF system provide significant advantage in capturing fleeting wildlife/sports moments. Telephoto lens options address required reach.

Street Photography

• FH8: Compact size and silent shutter (though not electronic) help for discreet shooting. Decent face detect AF for candid portraits.
• NEX-5T: More conspicuous but tilt screen and touchscreen AF simplify shooting from waist level or creative angles. Silent shutter modes absent though. Balanced for street enthusiasts wanting quality and control.

Macro Photography

• FH8: Macro mode focuses as close as 4 cm but limited optical detail and small sensor cap peak resolution.
• NEX-5T: Tap into macro primes or adapters with superior image quality and focusing precision. Greater creativity and detail achievable.

Night and Astrophotography

• FH8: Expectedly poor high ISO performance. Limited manual control impedes long-exposure astrophotography.
• NEX-5T: Usable high ISO and long shutter speeds under manual mode allow basic night and astro photography. Shooting RAW aids post-processing for clean stars.

Real-World Image Gallery

Don’t just take my word - here are sample images side-by-side, showing differences in sharpness, color, and noise.

Panasonic FH8 front Panasonic FH8 screen back Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back

Panasonic’s JPGs show punchy but noisier images with less depth; Sony’s RAW conversions reveal smoother gradations and sharper details, particularly in shadow areas.

Battery, Storage and Connectivity: Practical Use Considerations

The FH8 uses a proprietary battery rated for about 260 shots and offers only SD card storage. Its connectivity is basic: USB 2.0 with no wireless networking. For casual use, this is sufficient.

The NEX-5T extends battery life to around 330 shots and supports SD and Memory Stick cards. Importantly, it features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for fast image transfers and remote control - vital for the modern content creator or social sharer.

If wireless connectivity matters to you, the NEX-5T clearly offers better options.

Build Quality and Design Longevity

Neither camera sports weather sealing or ruggedized bodies, which is expected in this lineup and price bracket. The NEX-5T’s more substantial build feels more resilient for travel and field work, while the FH8’s plastic shell, though solid, is best handled carefully.

Price and Value for Money in 2024

Finally, at an estimated street price of $149, the Panasonic FH8 is a budget marvel even today for users who just want a fuss-free snapper for travel or casual use.

The Sony NEX-5T, hovering around $400 (often found used cheaper), offers a much higher ceiling for growth, creativity, and image quality - more in line with serious hobbyists or pros looking for an affordable mirrorless entry.

If you’re a cheapskate seeking a simple grab-and-go option, the FH8 is fine. But for anyone who cares about image quality or versatility, the NEX-5T’s investment pays significant dividends.

Summary Scorecards: Overall and Genre Breakdown

Here’s a snapshot comparison of overall scores and individual genre performance based on technical tests and real-life usability.

What I’ve Learned From Testing These Two Cameras

From my experience, the Panasonic FH8 is a competent but completely entry-level point-and-shoot. It’s best for beginners or those who want a tiny, no-brainer second camera with modest expectations. Its small sensor and lack of manual controls limit growth or creativity.

The Sony NEX-5T is the more compelling package - combining a large sensor, interchangeable lenses, advanced autofocus, and manual exposure options. These features open doors for diverse genres and practical use cases at a still very accessible price point. Its downsides are the bulkier form and absence of built-in stabilization or viewfinder, which some users may find lacking today.

Final Recommendations: Which One’s Right for You?

Wrapping Up

In 2024, cameras like the Panasonic Lumix FH8 remind me how far compact models have come, yet also spotlight their natural limitations. Small sensors and fixed lenses inherently restrict performance. Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-5T, though dated, remains a powerful and versatile mirrorless contender that punches far above its weight.

If I had to pick just one for serious versatility and image quality, the NEX-5T wins hands down. But if you want the simplest camera possible to stash in a pocket for instant snaps, the FH8 gets the job done without fuss.

Hopefully, this detailed hands-on comparison helped clarify the real-world strengths and compromises of these two very different cameras. Whatever your budget or shooting style, there’s a tool here worth considering.

Happy shooting!

If you want to dig deeper into particular features like build quality, live autofocus testing, or RAW processing workflows for these cameras, let me know - I have extensive hands-on notes and sample edits to share.