Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 vs. DMC-FS15: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Powerhouses

When I first picked up both the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 and the Lumix DMC-FS15, I couldn’t help but notice their similar ultracompact appeal - two cameras seemingly crafted for casual shooters who want decent zoom reach without lugging around club-size gear bags. But beyond this superficial likeness, these two offerings, despite their close release dates (2011 for the FP7 and 2009 for the FS15), reveal markedly different strengths and compromises once you dig deeper.

I’ve spent ample time shooting, analyzing, and squinting at side-by-side results from these cameras, and here’s my take to help you decide which one is truly worth your hard-earned money.

Size, Build, and Handling: Pocketability Meets Functionality

Let's tackle the first thing most of us judge: how they feel in the hand and fit in a pocket. The FP7 dims just a little heavier at 147g compared to the FS15’s featherweight 136g, yet their physical dimensions tell a more nuanced story.

The FP7’s 101 x 59 x 18 mm frame stretches longer and thicker than the FS15’s more compact 97 x 54 x 22 mm. The FP7 prioritizes a larger, smoother grip; the FS15 feels a bit boxier but is arguably easier to stash in tight spaces due to its slimmer width.

Ergonomically, the FP7 sports a 3.5-inch fixed TFT touchscreen - a real boon for exploring menus or adjusting focus areas with your fingertips. The FS15, meanwhile, sticks to a smaller 2.7-inch non-touch screen, which feels dated given the FP7’s more modern interface. If you’re someone who likes to jam around menus quickly or tap to focus, the FP7’s touchscreen capability might sway you.

Buttons, however, don’t get fancy on either model - no illuminated controls or advanced dials here. If you’re used to DSLR-style clubs for thumbs, you might find both a bit utilitarian, with the FP7 slightly edging out the FS15 thanks to its more intuitive touchscreen menus.

Sensor Specs & Image Quality: Tiny Sensors, Big Tradeoffs

Both cameras pack the same small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor sized at 6.08 x 4.56 mm, roughly 27.7 mm² of surface area. That means both will struggle with low-light situations and noise compared to larger-sensor alternatives (APS-C or full-frame, anyone?). However, Panasonic’s Venus Engine IV processor onboard the FP7 provides a subtle edge in noise reduction and color accuracy compared to the FS15’s unspecified older processor.

Resolution-wise, the FP7 takes the lead with 16 megapixels (4608 x 3456), while the FS15 settles for 12 megapixels (4000 x 3000). From my testing under well-lit conditions, the extra pixels on the FP7 help when you want to crop or print moderately large photos, though the marginal resolution bump isn’t a game-changer for casual shooters.

Sharpness and detail rendition are pretty close, but the FP7’s newer sensor and image pipeline yield slightly richer colors and better handling of skin tones in portraits. The FS15 has a warmer color bias, which can be flattering for landscapes but less accurate for true-to-life skin rendering.

Both cameras include a low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter, which helps prevent moiré but softens fine detail. Something to keep in mind depending on your priorities.

Zoom, Lens, and Optical Stabilization: Reach and Crispness in the Frame

The lens specifications reveal subtle but important differences. The FP7 offers a 35–140 mm equivalent zoom (4x optical) with a max aperture range of f/3.5 to f/5.9. The FS15 slightly outguns it on the wide end with 29–145 mm (5x zoom), starting a bit wider at f/3.3 and tapering to the same f/5.9 tele end.

In practice, the FP7’s slightly narrower zoom range feels less versatile, especially for sweeping landscapes or tight crowd shots. The FS15’s 29 mm wide-angle provides more room for capturing environmental context, perfect for travel or street photography.

On stabilization, both resort to optical image stabilization (OIS), which is a must-have given their small sensors and long zooms. Panasonic’s OIS works well for handheld shots up to moderate zoom levels, and I found the FP7’s implementation smooth and reliable. The FS15’s OIS is competent but less forgiving in low-light or longer zoom ranges. Neither will replace a tripod for slow shutter speeds, but they significantly help to reduce blur from shaky hands.

Autofocus Performance: Fast Enough or Too Slow for Action?

Here is one area where the two diverge noticeably.

The FP7 has 11 contrast-detection focus points, face detection autofocus, and supports AF tracking - albeit with no phase-detection AF system to accelerate focus lock. The FS15 offers 11 points as well, but no face detection and only single-shot AF mode.

I tested both in a variety of scenarios. The FP7 locks focus reliably on faces and track moving subjects with modest success in decent lighting. The touchscreen AF point selection also helps when you’re focusing on a specific subject off-center.

The FS15 feels more sluggish, especially in continuous AF focus or when switching focus between subjects. Without face detection, portraits are more hit-or-miss unless you rely on center AF.

Neither camera is suitable for sports or wildlife photography where split-second focusing and tracking matter, but the FP7’s autofocus system clearly performs better for casual action and street snapping.

Continuous Shooting & Burst Speeds: Not for the Sports Pro

Both cameras are no turbo sprinters.

The FP7 offers a respectable burst rate of 4 frames per second (fps), while the FS15 is a pokier 2 fps. Neither supports raw shooting, so you’re locked into compressed JPEGs - a limitation for photographers who want flexibility for post-processing.

In real-world tests, the FP7’s faster frame rate makes it more viable for capturing quick street moments or kid antics, but buffering is limited and continuous shooting time is short. The FS15’s glacial 2 fps quickly felt frustrating for dynamic subjects.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips Only

If video matters to you, the FP7 again nudges ahead with HD recording at 1280 x 720 pixels at 24 fps. The FS15 is limited to 848 x 480 px (standard definition) at 30 fps, a disappointment in an era where even budget smartphones record in HD.

Both cameras encode video as Motion JPEG, which creates large file sizes and limits creative control. No microphone inputs, headphone jacks, or modern codecs here - just basic clips for capturing memories, not filmmaking masterpieces.

If videography is a priority, be prepared for limitations with either camera, but the FP7’s HD recording could serve casual users better.

Screen and Interface: Touchscreen Triumphs Over Tiny Displays

The FP7’s 3.5-inch touchscreen with 230k resolution dominates the FS15’s aging 2.7-inch fixed non-touch display.

I found the FP7’s touchscreen remarkably responsive and intuitive for navigating menus, changing settings on the fly, and selecting focus points during shooting. The larger screen also offers a more pleasant playback experience, making photo review and sharing easier.

The FS15 feels cramped and archaic in comparison, especially when juggling settings or framing in live view. Neither has electronic viewfinders, so you’ll rely heavily on these LCDs in bright outdoor conditions, where screen glare can become problematic.

Battery Life and Storage: Modest Capacity but Ample Cards

Battery life isn’t Panasonic’s strongest suit here. The FP7 claims about 240 shots per charge, which is adequate for short outings but leaves you hunting for spares on multi-day trips. The FS15’s battery life isn’t clearly specified, but in my testing, it ran slightly longer.

Both accept SD cards and allow for internal storage, but I recommend investing in decent SDHC or SDXC cards for reliability and capacity. Neither has dual card slots for backup - a feature reserved for higher-tier cameras.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Features Are Sparse

Neither camera offers WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, or NFC connectivity. For 2011 and 2009 models this is unsurprising but worth noting for buyers wanting instant sharing or geotagging.

The FP7 lacks HDMI out, surprisingly, while the FS15 includes a basic HDMI port - handy if you want to display photos or videos on a TV but nothing more.

USB 2.0 support for both roughly means slow transfers compared to today’s standards, so prepare for some patience when moving big photo batches to your computer.

Shooting Disciplines: Which Camera Excels Where?

Now let’s consider photographic genres where these cameras would be put to work, based on their specs and hands-on performance.

Portraits: FP7’s Face Detection Stands Out

Panasonic’s face detection on the FP7 significantly improves portrait results, locking focus on eyes easily and rendering skin tones with subtle warmth but no unnatural tints. Its 16 MP resolution and better autofocus enhance the professional look compared to the FS15’s mushier, less reliable AF.

For casual family snaps or social media selfies, the FP7 is a clear winner.

Landscape Photography: FS15’s Wider Zoom Helps Composition

While the FP7 has higher resolution, the FS15’s 29 mm wide-angle lens more naturally suits sweeping landscapes. Both lack weather sealing or robust lenses, so shooting in harsh environments requires care.

Dynamic range on these CCD sensors is limited, so neither excels at capturing extreme highlights/shadows. Neutral density filters and shooting in RAW (unavailable here) would help, but neither camera supports raw output.

Wildlife & Sports: Neither Camera Is Built for Action

Their slow autofocus, lack of phase-detection, and low burst rates mean neither is a meaningful choice for wildlife or sports photography. The FP7’s slightly faster continuous shooting and focus tracking may allow occassional animal snaps at a distance, but performance is modest at best.

Street Photography: FP7’s Touchscreen and Zoom Favor Discretion

Small size, quiet operation, and rapid touchscreen AF make FP7 a decent compact stalker for street photography. The FS15’s smaller screen and slower AF limit quick response. The FP7’s 35 mm wide focal length is not ultra-wide but respectable enough to capture candid shots without too much intrusion.

Macro Photography: FS15’s Closer Minimum Focus Distance Wins

FS15’s 5cm macro focus distance beats FP7’s 10cm, allowing closer shots of flowers or small creatures for greater magnification. Neither includes dedicated macro modes or focus stacking features, so manual patience is essential.

Night and Astro Photography: Limited by Sensor and ISO

Both cameras’ small sensors and ISO caps (FP7 max 6400 native, FS15 up to 1600 native/6400 boosted) produce noisy results at higher sensitivities. Neither supports bulb mode or long exposure control, limiting astro photography potential. Optical image stabilization helps for handheld night shots but can’t replace tripods.

Video Uses: FP7’s HD Recording Edges FS15’s VGA

For casual video blogging or family clips, the FP7’s 720p 24fps mode provides acceptable quality. Limitations include lack of external mic input and dated codec (Motion JPEG).

Price and Value: What Money Buys You

As of their last street prices (circa $226 for FP7 and $180 for FS15), the FP7 carries a premium that seems justified by the improved touchscreen, higher resolution sensor, HD video, and contemporary autofocus features.

The FS15 serves as a budget alternative for those wanting longer zoom reach and closer macro but willing to sacrifice resolution, responsiveness, and interface polish.

Summary of Pros and Cons

My Practical Recommendations

If you’re buying today and want to balance modern features with compact convenience for everyday hiking, family, street, or travel shooting - the Panasonic Lumix FP7 is my preferred pick. It’s simply more pleasant to use, faster to focus, and produces slightly better image quality.

The FS15 holds appeal if you’re pinching pennies or craving a wider zoom for landscapes and closer macro shots, but be prepared for compromises in speed, UI, and video quality.

Panasonic FP7 front Panasonic FP7 screen back Panasonic FS15 front Panasonic FS15 screen back

Scoring and Objective Ratings

Here’s an overall look at their performance in key technical areas - summarized from lab tests and hands-on results:

How They Stack Up By Photography Genre

Wrapping Up: Is Panasonic FP7 or FS15 Your Next Pocket Camera?

These two Panasonic Lumix ultracompacts pack a surprising amount of functionality and convenience given their size, but neither can fully compete with today’s mirrorless or even smartphone cameras.

However, in the niche ultracompact zoom camera category, the FP7 clearly edges ahead with its higher-resolution 16 MP sensor, superior autofocus, practical touchscreen, and HD video recording. This makes it the better option for those who want a small, versatile camera that punches above its weight for general photography - especially casual portraits, travel, and street scenes.

The FS15 deserves a nod as a cheapskate option for landscape shooting or macro fans after a wider zoom range and closer focusing distance, but its older technology, slower operation, and weaker video output mean you get what you pay for.

If your budget and shooting style align with the FP7’s virtues, I think you’ll enjoy squeezing that touchscreen, shooting confidently with face detection, and packing a more capable ultracompact camera in your pocket.

If you need any more clarifications or comparisons with newer models, drop me a note - I’m always happy to nerd out over lenses and sensors!

Happy shooting!

• Your friendly neighborhood camera gear geek