Panasonic Lumix FH8 vs. Sony Cyber-shot WX70: Compact Cameras Put to the Test in 2024

When you’re on a budget yet craving a pocket-friendly camera to cover everyday moments, it’s tempting to rummage through older models that promise simplicity and decent shots without breaking the bank. Today, I’m comparing two compact shooters announced in early 2012 - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX70. Both promise lightweight portability and user-friendly controls but differ in nuances that can sway your buying decision.

Having manhandled both cameras extensively, tested their sensors, autofocus systems, and usability under real-world shooting scenarios (from a beginner’s backyard landscapes to quick urban street snaps), I’ll walk you through their strengths and weaknesses, explaining which might serve your photographic passions best. Along the way, I’ll offer candid commentary on build, image quality, and that all-important value-for-money factor.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling in Your Hands

Before pixels and autofocus wizardry, how a camera fits in your pocket and feels when you hit the shutter can make or break its appeal.

Both cameras are decidedly compact - the Panasonic FH8 measures 96x57x19 mm, while the Sony WX70 is slightly smaller at 92x52x19 mm, and lighter by 9 grams (123g vs. 114g). While the differences sound trivial on paper, in the hand, the FH8’s slightly larger footprint provides a tad more grip surface, which can be easier for folks with average or large hands. The WX70 slips into your palm more snugly but can feel a bit cramped under longer sessions.

Neither camera sports a dedicated grip or textured clubs for thumbs, so you rely on careful handling to avoid slips. The build quality is typical of budget compacts - plastic bodies with modest rigidity, rather than the robust weather-sealed construction we see in pricier models.

In terms of buttons and controls, the Panasonic keeps things very basic - no touchscreen, no top display, just the essentials. The Sony, however, steps it up with touchscreen capabilities (a big plus), making menu navigation and focusing more intuitive for those used to smartphone-style tapping. For rapid adjustments in the field, though, neither model is a rally car; expect to fuss with small buttons on the back.

Ergonomically, I found the Sony’s interface more modern and software-friendly, especially with its sharper 922k-dot 3-inch screen (vs. the FH8’s 230k-dot TFT LCD). More on that shortly.

For travelers or casual shooters prioritizing sheer pocketability, Sony’s WX70 wins marginally. Panasonic’s FH8 trades off a bit of compactness for a slightly more confident hold.

Peering into the Heart: Sensor Technologies, Resolutions & IQ

Under the hood is where subtle but impactful differences come to light.

Both cameras feature the popular 1/2.3” sensor size common in small-sensor compacts, with nearly identical physical dimensions (around 6.1x4.5 mm sensor area). Resolution sits at 16 megapixels for both - a sweet spot for daily snapshots without overwhelming file sizes.

Sensor Type:

• Panasonic FH8: CCD sensor
• Sony WX70: BSI-CMOS sensor, paired with Sony’s BIONZ image processor

This difference is significant. CCD sensors, like Panasonic’s, tend to produce natural colors with pleasing skin tones but at the expense of lower sensitivity and more noise at high ISOs. CMOS sensors, especially back-illuminated (BSI) designs in the WX70, handle low light better, offering higher maximum ISO (up to 12,800 on Sony vs. 6,400 on Panasonic) and improved dynamic range. That’s a big stall in favor of Sony when shooting indoors, in shadows, or night scenes.

Image Quality Realities:

When I test compact cameras, I shoot controlled test charts followed by real-life scenarios - portraits, landscapes, and quick wildlife shots (even urban pigeons count). Panasonic’s FH8 delivers respectable daylight images with pleasing colors but struggles in dim lighting. You’ll notice stronger noise and smudging past ISO 400.

Sony’s WX70, equipped with a more modern sensor and processor, shows cleaner files with better shadow detail. Even with JPEG-only output (sadly, neither supports RAW), Sony’s noise reduction is more efficient without robbing the images of detail as aggressively as Panasonic does.

In real-world portrait shots, Panasonic’s slightly warmer tone reproduction feels comfortable on skin, but exposure latitude is narrower, making it tricky to recover highlights. Sony’s higher ISO ceiling and better dynamic range give it an edge in shooting under challenging light.

The Viewfinder and Screen Experience: Seeing is Believing

Compact cameras live and die by their LCD screens, especially since neither model has electronic viewfinders.

Sony’s WX70 sports a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with a crisp 922k-dot resolution, boasting XtraFine TFT technology for vivid colors and sharp detail. This screen offers a noticeably better preview experience - you can review focus, zoom effortlessly, and change settings with a quick tap.

The Panasonic FH8’s 3-inch fixed TFT LCD feels dated, with a lowly 230k-dot resolution that renders images somewhat pixelated and dull. This can be frustrating when checking focus or composing shots. There’s no touchscreen, so menus are navigated via buttons only.

From a practical point of view, the Sony wins hands-down in usability and enjoyment just from the display angle alone. If you shoot a lot outdoors, however, both screens suffer in bright sunlight, with modest anti-reflective coatings.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

A camera’s AF is a fundamental performance indicator, especially for subjects in motion or fleeting moments.

Panasonic FH8 uses a 23-point contrast detection AF system supplemented by face detection. It supports continuous autofocus during burst shooting, although the FH8’s burst rate maxes out at a leisurely 1 fps due to processing constraints.

Sony WX70 employs contrast detection with unknown focus point counts (manufacturer undisclosed) but integrates face detection and continuous autofocus features. Crucially, Sony’s WX70 offers a much snappier burst speed of 10 fps, making it more agile in capturing moving subjects.

In practical tests, Sony’s autofocus locked on noticeably faster and maintained tracking better, especially in good light and medium contrast scenes. Panasonic’s AF felt sluggish, hunting more and prone to missing fleeting movements.

Neither camera offers manual focus or focus bracketing - no surprises in this class. Both rely on contrast detection only, lacking the speed advantages of phase detection. But Sony’s processing horsepower makes it relatively quicker.

For wildlife or sports photography, the Sony WX70 is the modest winner here. Panasonic’s FH8 might frustrate users trying to capture active kids or birds.

Zoom and Lens Practicalities: The Fixed Lens Tug-of-War

Both cameras sport fixed 5x optical zoom lenses:

• Panasonic FH8: 24-120 mm equivalent, aperture F2.5–6.4
• Sony WX70: 25-125 mm equivalent, aperture F2.6–6.3

These nearly identical zoom ranges are versatile, covering wide-angle to moderate telephoto - perfect for travel, street photography, and casual wildlife or portrait photos.

A slight edge goes to Panasonic’s wider 24 mm (vs. Sony’s 25 mm), beneficial for landscapes and confined interiors. Panasonic also has a somewhat closer macro focus range (4 cm vs. 5 cm), meaning you can get closer physically for those flower or insect shots, though the differences are minor.

Neither lens features optical power zooming beyond 5x or fast apertures in the tele end. Expect soft bokeh and limited subject isolation due to small sensor size and slow aperture near zoom maximums. Optical image stabilization is present and effective on both, crucial for handheld zoom shots at slower shutter speeds.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Keeping the Shoot Alive

Both cameras rely on proprietary battery packs:

• Panasonic FH8: Rated for approximately 260 shots per charge
• Sony WX70: Rated for about 240 shots per charge

Neither target power users. Your mileage will vary with LCD usage and standby, but generally expect a full day’s casual shooting, maybe a few hundred shots, before charging.

On storage, Panasonic supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and internal memory. Sony broadens compatibility further, adding support for Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats alongside SD variants, offering flexibility if you’re invested in Sony’s ecosystem.

Connectivity options are limited - no Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, or GPS on either. The Sony boasts an HDMI output port for easy HDTV playback; Panasonic lacks this, which may disappoint some wanting direct video output (more on that next).

Video Capabilities: What to Expect Beyond Stills

Surprisingly for compact cameras from 2012, there’s a marked difference in video tech.

• Panasonic FH8: Max video resolution is 1280x720 (720p) at 30 fps, MPEG-4 format
• Sony WX70: Goes up to Full HD 1920x1080 at 60 fps, AVCHD and MPEG-4 output formats

Sony clearly leads in video specs, shooting smoother, higher resolution clips with frame rates beneficial for casual slow-motion playback. If you dabble in hybrid photo/video capturing, Sony wins hands down here.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, so audio is fixed to internal mics, which limits professional-level control. Neither supports 4K or advanced video features.

What about Special Features?

• Stabilization: Both cameras use optical image stabilization, effective and necessary given small sensor and longer zoom range.
• Flash: Built-in flash with similar reach (~5.3-5.6 meters), Panasonic includes red-eye reduction; Sony supports slow-sync flash for creative exposures.
• Exposure Modes: Both are fully automatic with minimal manual controls; neither offer aperture-shutter priority or full manual exposure modes - understandable given their entry-level design.
• Custom White Balance and Bracketing: Both support custom white balance and white balance bracketing, handy for difficult lighting.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Now that we have a solid technical foundation, let’s assess how these cameras serve specific photographic endeavors based on my field tests and experience.

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic FH8: Delivers pleasing skin tones thanks to the CCD sensor’s natural color rendering. The 24-120 mm lens covers flattering portrait focal lengths. However, limited bokeh and slower AF can hamper expression capture.
• Sony WX70: BSI-CMOS sensor produces slightly cooler but sharp images, better low light performance lets you shoot indoors or in dim cafes with fewer artifacts. Faster AF and face detection improve decisive moments capture.

Winner: Sony WX70 for its AF and low light advantage, though Panasonic’s color tonality may appeal to portrait purists.

Landscape Photography

• Panasonic’s wider 24 mm does give it a slight edge on framing broad vistas.
• Sony’s superior dynamic range and higher resolution screen help compose better.
• Neither has weather sealing or RAW capture, limiting professional landscape work and post-processing flexibility.

Winner: Tie, with a nod to Sony’s image processing power for shadow retrieval.

Wildlife Photography

• Burst rate is critical. Panasonic’s 1 fps is painfully slow for moving subjects.
• Sony’s 10 fps burst and faster AF improve chances of sharp animal shots.
• Neither lens hits telephoto lengths needed for distant wildlife.

Winner: Sony WX70 by a mile, but limited zoom restricts serious wildlife efforts.

Sports Photography

Same logic applies as wildlife: Sony’s speed and tracking outperform Panasonic’s sluggish autofocus and frame rate. Both will be insufficient for fast-action sports but Sony covers casual sports better.

Street Photography

• Panasonic’s slightly bulkier build and lower-res screen make it less stealthy.
• Sony’s smaller size, quieter shutter, and touchscreen ease quick shots.
• Both lack viewfinders, requiring careful LCD use, which can be challenging in bright sun.

Winner: Sony WX70 for portability and interface ease.

Macro Photography

• Panasonic’s focus range of 4 cm is slightly better for close-ups.
• Neither camera’s lens aperture or sensor size will produce creamy bokeh or razor-sharp macro bellies.
• Image stabilization helps keep handheld shots crisp though.

Winner: Panasonic FH8 narrowly edges the macro-duty.

Night and Astro Photography

Neither camera is ideal here, but Sony’s higher max ISO and better noise control offers clearer night shots, albeit with limited exposures (shutter caps at 1/1600s min on Panasonic and 1/1600s on Sony).

Travel Photography

• Portability and battery life: Sony’s smaller body and acceptable battery life shine.
• Versatility: Both have similar zooms and features, but Sony’s video capabilities and screen give it an advantage.
• Storage compatibility and HDMI out again benefit Sony.

Winner: Sony WX70 for balanced travel-friendly features.

Professional Use

Both fall short for professional photographers, lacking RAW support, manual controls, robust build, or lens interchangeability. They serve better as backups or for casual behind-the-scenes snaps.

Value Analysis: Price Versus Performance

At the time of their prime, Panasonic FH8 came in at around $149, while Sony WX70 was about $241 - a noticeable price gap in budget territory.

Sony justifies the premium with better sensor tech, faster AF, richer video, touchscreen interface, and slightly improved ergonomics.

For cheapskates or beginners on strict budgets who want a no-fuss point-and-shoot primarily for daylight photos, Panasonic FH8 remains a decent option.

For those willing to invest a bit more for superior real-world performance, especially in autofocus, video, and low light, the Sony WX70 is the smarter buy with longer usability.

Summary Performance by Photography Type

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy What?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FH8 if you:

• Are an absolute budget shopper or first-time compact user
• Want simple, daylight-friendly point-and-shoot without fuss
• Prefer slightly warmer color rendition for portraits
• Need basic macro capability and very small close-focus distance
• Don’t require video beyond 720p or rapid shooter features

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot WX70 if you:

• Desire a better all-around image quality with cleaner files and higher ISO abilities
• Need faster autofocus, continuous shooting for action or wildlife
• Value a sharp, large touchscreen LCD for intuitive control
• Want superior Full HD video recording, including 60 fps option
• Appreciate a more compact, travel-friendly package with HDMI output

In Closing

Both the Panasonic FH8 and Sony WX70 represent typical early-2010s entry-level compact cameras with sensible but dated feature sets. Their strengths and weaknesses underscore the tech progress in small sensor cameras since then.

From a hands-on perspective, as someone who’s shot everything from vibrant street scenes in Paris to macro mushrooms lying in the forest floor, the WX70 simply performs better day-to-day and offers more enjoyable handling and video finesse. Own under $250, it remains a solid budget pick if you want decent versatility.

However, if you pinch pennies and mostly shoot in good light, the FH8 gets the job done for snapshots with a smile.

I hope this detailed comparison gives you confident footing as you choose your next compact companion. Budget or no, understanding how these cameras handle the real photographic journey always pays dividends.

Happy shooting out there!

Panasonic FH8 front Panasonic FH8 screen back Sony WX70 front Sony WX70 screen back