Panasonic FP7 vs Samsung NX1

Comparing the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 and Samsung NX1: A Practical Guide for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to choosing the right camera, the sheer variety of models and specs can be overwhelming. Today, I’m taking a close look at two very different cameras: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7, an ultracompact point-and-shoot from 2011, and the Samsung NX1, a pro-grade mirrorless camera launched in 2014. While they hail from different categories, comparing them side-by-side offers valuable insights into what you get at distinct price points and use cases. Drawing from hands-on testing of both systems over years of experience, I’ll walk you through their real-world performance, technical capabilities, and where each shines or falls short. Plus, I’ll suggest who each camera suits best.

Let’s get started - and for a quick physical context, here’s how the two differ in size and ergonomics, a fundamental factor in daily handling:

Panasonic FP7 is pocketable with a slim ultracompact body, whereas the Samsung NX1 is definitely a serious tool for photographers looking for control and durability.

First impressions: Body design, controls, and handling

Starting with the Panasonic FP7, it’s a camera designed with portability front and center. Measuring just 101x59x18 mm and weighing only 147 grams, it slips easily in pockets or small bags. Its fixed lens and minimal button layout keep things straightforward and user-friendly - perfect for casual shooters or travelers who prioritize convenience. The 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen is a major plus for intuitive framing and menu navigation, although its 230k resolution is quite modest by today’s standards.

Contrast that with the Samsung NX1’s robust body. It follows an SLR-style mirrorless design with a deep grip and extensive physical controls that cater to enthusiasts and pros. At 139x102x66 mm and 550 grams, it’s a solid piece of gear but still more compact than a DSLR of the same caliber. The NX1 sports a tilting 3-inch touchscreen with a crisp 1036k resolution, plus a bright, detailed electronic viewfinder (EVF) at 2360k resolution covering 100% of the frame. For me, using a good EVF makes a huge difference in shooting accuracy and comfort.

The control layout on the NX1, seen from the top here, reveals comprehensive dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO, and dedicated buttons for autofocus modes - a boon when shooting fast-paced events.

The FP7 lacks manual exposure and advanced controls, relying heavily on auto modes and simple adjustments, which limits its appeal for photographers who want creative exposure control.

Sensor technology, image quality, and real-world performance

Going beyond looks, image quality is where these cameras truly separate themselves. The Panasonic FP7 features a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 16 megapixels. This sensor size is quite small by today’s standards, meaning it’ll struggle more in low light and lacks the dynamic range sought by professionals. Most images will be fine for casual social media sharing or vacation slideshows, but expect limited sharpness and more noise at higher ISOs.

In contrast, the Samsung NX1 packs a large APS-C sized 28MP BSI-CMOS sensor - a serious upgrade in terms of size and performance. This sensor, measuring 23.5x15.7mm, delivers excellent detail even in challenging light, with solid noise control up to ISO 6400 and beyond. It also foregoes an anti-aliasing filter, which sharpens images at the expense of a bit higher risk of moiré - a trade embraced by many professionals who want maximum resolution.

To put areas like dynamic range into perspective, DxOMark scores of the NX1 (though not available for the FP7) place it in a competitive range typical of high-end APS-C cameras. Color depth and tonal gradation on the NX1 are far superior, lending themselves well to post-processing flexibility.

You can see the dramatic difference in sensor size and resolution here:

During real-world testing, the NX1’s images exhibit richer color tones, sharper details, and far better high ISO performance. This makes a huge difference especially for event, portrait, and wildlife photographers who often shoot in varied lighting conditions.

LCD and viewfinder: framing your shot with clarity

Both cameras feature touchscreens, but they differ vastly in quality and versatility. The FP7 has a fixed 3.5” TFT touchscreen with low resolution, suitable for basic composition but not ideal for critical focusing or detailed menu navigation. Meanwhile, the NX1’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen (1036k dots) is bright, responsive, and well-suited for creative angles.

The NX1’s addition of an excellent electronic viewfinder (2360k dot, 100% coverage) gives it a professional edge. EVFs allow precise framing irrespective of ambient lighting, and they also provide exposure previews, an invaluable aid.

Here’s a look at their back screens side-by-side:

For me, having a high fidelity EVF combined with a tilting touchscreen offers unsurpassed flexibility - the kind professional work demands.

Autofocus systems and shooting speeds: catching the moment

The FP7 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 11 points and face detection. While serviceable for casual photography in good light, it is not the fastest or most reliable system, especially when tracking moving subjects. Importantly, it doesn’t offer manual focus or advanced AF modes, which limits creative or challenging shooting scenarios.

Conversely, the NX1 boasts an advanced hybrid AF system with 209 focus points (153 cross-type), combining phase and contrast detection. It supports eye detection, face detection, selective AF area, and continuous AF tracking enabled at 15 frames per second shooting speeds. This makes it ideal for sports, wildlife, and any action photography. Continuous AF with tracking is buttery smooth in practice, and the responsiveness is noticeable compared to many mirrorless cameras I’ve tested.

Such sophisticated AF systems underpin professional confidence - you can rely on the NX1 to nail focus shots that an ultracompact cannot hope to capture.

Lens ecosystems: fixed versus interchangeable

One major decision point: The Panasonic FP7 has a fixed 35-140mm equivalent lens with a modest aperture of f/3.5-5.9 and a macro mode starting at 10cm. While convenient and relatively versatile for casual snapshots and travel, you are locked into the lens’ capabilities - no upgrades, no brighter primes, no specialized optics.

The Samsung NX1 uses the Samsung NX mount which supports a diverse range of 32 lenses, including fast primes, macro lenses, super-telephotos, and ultra-wide zooms. This lens ecosystem, while less expansive than giants like Canon or Sony, still covers almost every photography genre pragmatically.

This directly affects your creative options for portraits, landscapes, macro, wildlife, or specialized work. Need creamy bokeh for portraits? Fast primes are available. Shooting birds? Telephoto zooms deliver reach. It’s a hugely significant advantage for any serious photographer.

Performance across photography genres

Let’s talk about how these cameras perform in real photographic disciplines - because specs alone don’t tell the whole story.

Portrait photography:
FP7’s fixed lens restricts control over depth of field, and the slow maximum apertures limit bokeh quality. Face detection is available, but eye detection is absent. Skin tones appear somewhat muted due to the smaller sensor and simple image processing. By contrast, NX1’s large sensor, fast lenses, and advanced face and eye AF deliver sharper focus, richer colors, and superior background blur, making it better suited for portraitists.

Landscape photography:
Landscape shooters prize resolution and dynamic range. The NX1’s 28MP sensor provides ample detail, and its wide ISO range combined with excellent DR produce better shadow and highlight rendition. Weather-resistant sealing on the NX1 body offers some protection for outdoor conditions. The FP7, with smaller sensor, lower resolution, and no sealing, works best in clear, stable conditions but lacks the tonal latitude professionals need.

Wildlife photography:
You want fast autofocus, high burst rates, and long focal lengths. The FP7’s contrast AF and 4 fps burst are limiting, plus its zoom tops out at 140mm equivalent, too short for wildlife specialists. The NX1 shines - with 209-point hybrid AF, 15 fps burst, and access to powerful telephoto lenses, it’s a strong candidate for wildlife enthusiasts.

Sports photography:
Again, rapid AF and high frames per second matter. The NX1’s 15 fps burst with continuous AF tracking wins hands down. The FP7’s 4 fps burst and simpler AF don’t meet the demands of fast action sports. Low light performance on the NX1 is also notably better.

Street photography:
Here, discretion, portability, and responsiveness count. FP7 is pocketable and unobtrusive but lacks manual controls and an EVF, which can challenge framing precision. NX1 is larger and heavier but offers fast AF, a bright EVF, and versatile lenses, making it a viable street camera for those prioritizing image quality and control.

Macro photography:
Focusing precision and lens compatibility matter most. FP7 offers a simple macro mode at 10cm, adequate for casual shots but limited. NX1’s extensive lens options include dedicated macro lenses with superb sharpness and close focusing. The precision AF helps nail critical focus on tiny subjects.

Night and astrophotography:
The FP7’s small sensor and limited ISO range mean noisy, low-detail images in dark conditions. The NX1’s excellent high ISO handling and ability to shoot long exposures or bulb mode, aided by manual controls, make it far better for night scenes and astro work.

Video capabilities:
FP7 records only 720p video at 24 fps in motion JPEG format - pretty basic. It lacks microphone or headphone ports and stabilization beyond optical lens stabilization. NX1 supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) at 30p, DCI 4K (4096x2160) at 24p, slow motion at 1080p, H.265 codec, and has both mic and headphone jacks for audio monitoring. Stabilization is lens-dependent since the body lacks IBIS. Video enthusiasts will find NX1’s capabilities far superior.

Travel photography:
If your priority is ultralight weight and simplicity, FP7 wins for sheer portability. Its compact size and touchscreen ease of use suit casual travel snapshots well. NX1’s bulk and weight may deter minimalist travelers, but those who value image quality and versatility will appreciate its rugged design and battery life (500 shots vs. FP7’s 240).

Professional workflow and reliability:
The NX1’s inclusion of manual exposure modes, raw file support, and robust connectivity (USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) cater to pros needing flexible workflows. Environmental sealing adds durability. FP7 lacks raw support and professional controls; its USB 2.0 connectivity is dated, and no wireless options limit tethering or quick sharing.

Here’s a gallery illustrating sample images from each camera under various conditions:

Panasonic FP7 front Panasonic FP7 screen back Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back

You can immediately spot the superior fine detail and color fidelity of the NX1’s images.

Technical deep dive: Build, battery, and connectivity

The Panasonic FP7’s CCD sensor may feel dated now, but in its day, CCDs offered pleasing color. Its Venus Engine IV processor is modest, contributing to average noise control. Battery life of 240 shots per charge is quite limited. No environmental sealing exists - no dust, water, or shock resistance, so handle with care.

The Samsung NX1’s BSI-CMOS sensor leverages backside illumination for improved low-light sensitivity. The DRIMe 5 processor underpins the high-speed performance and video prowess. A much larger battery capacity results in 500 shots per charge, solidly supporting long shoots and travel. The body is weather sealed against dust and some moisture, adding reassurance outdoors, although it is not fully waterproof.

Connectivity favors the NX1 as well - built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and USB 3.0 deliver fast data transfer, remote capture, and firmware updates. FP7 offers none of these, only USB 2.0.

Price vs. performance: assessing value

Let’s talk money. The Panasonic FP7 retails at around $227 new. For that, it’s an affordable, ultra-portable camera ready to snap decent pictures without fuss.

The Samsung NX1 launched near $1500 and remains pricier on the used market. While that’s a massive jump, you gain a professional-grade body, a huge sensor, manual controls, advanced AF, 4K video, and premium image quality.

Ultimately, it boils down to your needs - if you want point-and-shoot simplicity on a budget, FP7 suffices. But if you crave image excellence, pro features, and system expandability, the NX1 justifies its cost.

Here are their overall performance ratings based on extensive testing metrics:

And genre-specific strengths and weaknesses illustrate their ideal uses:

Final thoughts: which one should you buy?

It’s clear these cameras serve very different photographers.

Pick the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 if:

• You want an ultracompact, easy-to-carry camera for casual snapshots
• Budget constraints matter and you don’t require manual controls or raw files
• You prioritize convenience and simple touchscreen operation over customization
• Your use is mainly travel, street, or everyday photography in well-lit conditions

Opt for the Samsung NX1 if:

• Image quality and low-light performance are top priorities
• You seek advanced autofocus, manual controls, and 4K video
• You enjoy shooting multiple genres (landscape, portrait, sports, wildlife) with suitable lenses
• You need a reliable, weather-sealed body for semi-professional or professional work
• You want extensive connectivity and workflow integration

I hope this hands-on breakdown helps you better understand the practical differences between these cameras - it’s not just about specs on paper but daily shooting realities. Personally, while I admire the FP7’s portability, I find the NX1 much more rewarding and empowering for serious photography. Still, both have their place depending on your budget and priorities.

Remember, camera choice is as much about your shooting style and goals as hardware specs. If you’re curious to see the NX1 in action, check my detailed video review for in-depth real-use demonstrations and image comparisons.

Happy shooting!