Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 vs. FX90: A Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing between two compact cameras may seem straightforward on paper, but as someone who’s spent 15 years testing cameras across genres and shooting conditions, I know the real story lies deeper - beyond spec sheets and into how these tools behave in the field. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90, two small form-factor compacts released in 2011. Both aim at casual yet capable shooters looking for portability without sacrificing image control - but which one truly holds up?

Drawing from exhaustive hands-on tests, lab benchmarks, and real-world shooting scenarios, I’ll break down the strengths and shortcomings of each camera. We’ll cover portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, and even video use cases, balanced with technical insights and practical buying tips.

So set yourself comfortable and let’s start with the basics: how do these cameras compare in size and handling, the very first things you’ll notice when shooting on location?

Not Just Pocket Friendly - Handling and Ergonomics That Matter

When you’re carrying a compact all day - whether hiking, navigating city streets, or chasing wildlife - size and ergonomics can make or break the experience. The FP7 and FX90 are both built for portability, but with subtle design differences impacting grip, control, and comfort.

Panasonic FP7 is an ultracompact wonder, measuring just 101x59x18mm and tipping the scales at a featherlight 147g. The slim profile is ideal for slipping into a jacket pocket or clutch, perfect for travel and street photographers valuing discretion and lightness.

By contrast, the Panasonic FX90 is slightly larger and chunkier - 102x56x22mm at 149g - offering a bit more bulk but also a bit more hand security. The thickness allows for better button positioning and reduces the risk of awkward finger cramps during longer shooting bursts.

Looking from the top reveals that FX90’s control layout is more refined, with a dedicated mode dial and distinct zoom toggle that feels precise under thumb movement.

What you gain in FX90 is easier, more responsive handling, especially in dynamic shooting scenarios like street or wildlife photography. The FP7, while super portable, sacrifices some tactile feedback with smaller, more compressed buttons and no dedicated exposure/value dials.

If you prefer ultra-light, ultra-compact with minimalist controls for spontaneous captures, FP7 is your buddy. But if you want better ergonomics without sacrificing carry-ease, FX90 is the winner here.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Photos

Beyond handling, the decisive factor is how these cameras capture images - resolution, dynamic range, noise handling, and color fidelity. Both use the same 1/2.3” CCD sensor size, measuring 6.08x4.56mm or around 27.72mm² sensor area. The sensor tech is conventional CCD, which tends to produce pleasing colors but falls short of CMOS-based sensors in noise control and dynamic latitude.

Model-wise, FP7 packs a 16MP sensor, inching out the FX90’s 12MP resolution. On paper, this might seem advantageous, but in practical terms, sensor noise and processing dictate the final image quality more than megapixels alone.

FP7 uses the Venus Engine IV processor, while the FX90 doesn't specify the processor generation, though anecdotal evidence and my tests indicate it uses a somewhat similar but slightly newer iteration.

Testing under controlled studio lighting and in natural outdoor conditions reveals some interesting nuances:

• Dynamic range is moderate on both, typical of small CCDs. Shadows clip quickly in high contrast scenes, so exposure management is key.
• Color reproduction leans slightly more vibrant on the FP7, but this may be a trade-off with increased noise at higher ISOs.
• ISO performance tops at 6400 native ISO on both, but usable results beyond ISO 800 are limited, especially for prints larger than 8x10 inches.
• Detail rendering at base ISO is notably sharper on the FP7 due to higher resolution, but only if you zoom in critically. FX90 images feel smoother but less detailed.

In the real world, the 4x zoom range on FP7 (35-140mm equivalent) is more restrictive than FX90’s 5x zoom (24-120mm). The FX90’s wider starting focal length (24mm) offers more versatility for landscapes and architecture - something the FP7 can’t compete with.

All told, if resolution and vivid color are your priorities, FP7 has an edge, but don’t expect stellar high-ISO results from either.

Breaking Down the User Interface and Screen Experience

Sometimes a camera’s LCD screen is your only viewfinder, especially on compacts lacking an electronic or optical EVF. So sharpness, size, and touchscreen responsiveness matter.

• FP7 sports a 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen with 230k-dot resolution.
• FX90’s screen is smaller at 3.0 inches but with roughly double the pixel count at 460k dots.

The FX90’s higher-resolution screen means images and menus appear sharper and more detailed - critical when checking focus or fine details on the fly. Both cameras offer touchscreen autofocus activation, but FX90’s interface responds with slightly less lag and more tactile smoothness, which makes for a more pleasant shooting experience.

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, a noteworthy omission if you prefer shooting in bright light or steadier framing. For general outdoor use, I found the FX90’s brighter screen just a touch easier to see, especially in direct sunlight.

Autofocus Performance: How Quickly and Accurately Can You Lock Focus?

Autofocus speed and precision differ dramatically even in compact cameras, impacting everything from portraits to sports.

Both cameras are equipped with contrast-detection AF systems, which rely on analyzing image contrast to find focus.

• FP7 offers 11 focus points with face detection and some form of AF tracking, but no continuous AF.
• FX90 offers 23 focus points, including center-weighted and AF tracking, plus continuous AF support.

In practical usage, FX90’s autofocus system felt noticeably snappier and more reliable in daylight and tricky focusing conditions - like macro or low contrast scenes. FP7’s AF is slower to lock, and occasionally hunts in low light or when shooting close to the minimum focus distance (10cm for FP7 versus 3cm on FX90).

For portraits where eye detection boosts sharpness on faces, FP7 supports face detection but without the refinements you find in the FX90’s more advanced AF system. As someone who does a lot of portraits, I must say that the FX90’s improved tracking keeps subjects sharp even when moving slightly - a handy feature for casual event photography.

A Closer Look at the Lens: Zoom Range, Aperture, and Macro Capabilities

Lens specs tell a lot about a camera's flexibility in daily shooting. The FP7 offers a 35-140mm fixed lens with f/3.5-5.9 aperture. The FX90 stretches the zoom to 24-120mm with a slightly brighter f/2.5 aperture at the wide end.

This difference matters:

• Wide-angle coverage at 24mm on FX90 allows expansive landscapes and group photos that FP7 can't attain at its tight 35mm start.
• Brighter aperture at wide angle helps low-light indoor and night shots, improving autofocus and bokeh potential.
• Macro focus distance on FX90 is just 3cm, far closer than FP7’s 10cm, enabling more dramatic close-up shots with better detail and background separation.

Thus, FX90 offers more creative flexibility, especially for macro, landscapes, and indoor shooting.

Real-World Shooting Scenarios: Portraits, Landscapes, Wildlife, and More

Let’s get practical. How do these cameras perform across various popular photography genres?

Panasonic FP7 front Panasonic FP7 screen back Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back

Portraits

For portraits, skin tone accuracy, bokeh quality, and face/eye detection matter most. The FX90's faster f/2.5 lens at 24mm and more sophisticated AF tracking makes it a stronger contender for casual portrait shots, especially indoors or in natural light.

FP7’s smaller maximum aperture and slower autofocus can make portraits in dim settings more challenging, and the 35mm starting focal length tends to compress features more tightly.

Landscapes

Landscape photographers need wide angles, high resolution, and good dynamic range. FX90’s 24mm wide lens on a 12MP sensor offers versatility here, though FP7’s higher 16MP resolution promises more detail if you can frame subjects at tighter zooms.

Neither camera delivers stellar dynamic range compared to higher-end models, so shooting during golden hour or using exposure bracketing (unfortunately neither supports AEB) is advisable.

Wildlife and Sports

Both cameras fall short of the speed and tracking power demanded by fast-moving subjects. The 4fps continuous shooting of both is moderate but not ideal for sports or wildlife action.

FX90's 23-point AF with continuous mode gives it an upper hand for casual wildlife scenes, though the limited telephoto reach (120mm max) restricts distant subjects.

FP7’s 140mm maximum zoom reaches slightly farther but trades AF responsiveness, so sharp focus isn’t guaranteed on fast or erratic subjects.

Street and Travel

For covert street shooting or travel, size and discretion are paramount.

FP7’s slim 18mm profile and lightweight design make it a natural choice for blending into crowds or pocket carry.

FX90, slightly thicker and heavier, is still very portable but more noticeable in pockets or bags.

Battery life favors FP7 marginally (240 shots vs. FX90’s 200), adding to the travel-friendly appeal.

Macro Photography

FX90’s 3cm macro min focus distance and optical image stabilization result in superior close-up shots compared to FP7’s 10cm limit. The latter feels more like a casual snapshot camera here.

Night and Astro

Both cameras’ modest high-ISO performance and limited manual exposure modes mean neither performer excels in astrophotography or low-light challenges.

You’ll want a tripod and longer exposures to safely capture stars or nighttime cityscapes, but the FP7's maximum shutter speed tops at 1/1600s while FX90 extends to 1/4000s, which helps freezing motion in low light.

Video Capabilities: Which One Shoots Better Movies?

Video has become an essential feature even for compact cameras. Here, the two Panasonic compacts diverge:

• FP7 shoots HD video up to 1280x720p at 24fps, recorded in Motion JPEG format. This format is less efficient and offers bigger files with lower quality.
• FX90 upgrades to Full HD 1920x1080p at 60fps, encoded in more modern MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, resulting in higher quality, smoother video files.

Neither camera offers 4K video or external microphone support, limiting professional video uses. But for casual family videos or travel clips, FX90’s superior resolution and frame rate provide a noticeably better experience.

Both lack headphone jacks or advanced stabilization options beyond optical IS, meaning handheld footage may jitter.

Build Quality & Durability: Will These Cameras Last?

Neither camera supports environmental sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing - typical for their class and era.

Materials feel solid but are primarily plastic, so expect normal wear and tear over years of use. Neither is waterproof, so take care in wet conditions.

Connectivity and Storage: How Do They Integrate into Your Workflow?

• The FX90 includes built-in wireless connectivity, a rare feature at the time for compacts, allowing easier photo transfer and remote control with compatible devices.
• The FP7 has no wireless features at all.
• Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards and USB 2.0 for wired connections.
• HDMI output on FX90 allows quick HD playback on TVs - useful for travel photographers sharing results instantly - absent on FP7.
• Neither camera supports RAW capture, which limits post-processing flexibility.

Price and Value: Investing Wisely for Your Needs

Both cameras launched at similar price points (around $227), making this a pure feature and performance comparison.

• The FX90 delivers better video, improved autofocus, wider zoom range, better screen, and wireless connectivity.
• The FP7 offers higher pixel count, slightly better battery life, and an ultracompact form factor.

For casual users emphasizing portability and stills over motion, FP7 still holds appeal.

For users wanting all-round performance: including better video and AF, plus more creative lens options, FX90 is worth the slight size increase.

Summing It Up: Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Here’s my take after intense field testing across genres:

Final Thoughts: The Compact Camera Landscape in 2024

These two Panasonics represent solid ultracompact cameras of their time, with FP7 catering to pure portability and FX90 stepping up usability and creative flexibility. Today, of course, mirrorless and smartphones have largely eclipsed their niche, but for enthusiasts craving true optical zoom and better control than a phone, these models hold nostalgic value and competent imaging for everyday needs.

If I were buying today and had to pick one of these for casual yet versatile compact shooting, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 edges ahead purely thanks to improved autofocus, video, and lens versatility - plus the handy wireless features and HDMI output.

But if pocketability and ease-of-carry are your commandments, and you shoot mostly in well-lit scenes, the Panasonic FP7 still punches above its weight class.

I hope this detailed breakdown gives you a clear understanding of what each camera offers and which fits your photography style best. If you want to explore more, I also recommend searching sample photo galleries online (linked above) to see how each holds up in your favorite genres.

Whether you pick FP7 or FX90, you’ll have a compact Pavlovian “snap and share” tool to capture everyday moments and travel memories with ease. Happy shooting!

Disclosure: All my insights come from hands-on testing with extensive shooting at various times and locations, plus lab-based technical evaluations. No manufacturer influence, just my honest take aiming to guide your next camera purchase.