Panasonic FP7 vs Sony RX100 IV: An Expert Comparison of Two Different Compact Cameras

In the world of compact cameras, two models often pique interest for very different reasons - the entry-level ultracompact Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 and the enthusiast-grade Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV. Though both cameras fall under “compact” categories, the technology, target users, and photographic performance they offer are worlds apart. Having put both cameras through rigorous hands-on testing across multiple photography disciplines, I’m excited to guide you through a detailed comparison that cuts through marketing jargon to reveal what each camera truly delivers.

This article draws on hours of real-world usage, sensor tests, autofocus assessments, and image quality examinations to help you understand whether the well-priced Panasonic FP7 or the feature-packed Sony RX100 IV fits your needs, style, and budget best.

Size and Handling: Pocketability Versus Practicality

A significant factor when choosing a compact camera is its physical size and ergonomics - something often overlooked in spec sheets but fundamental during use. The Panasonic FP7 fits the “ultracompact” moniker perfectly: its diminutive dimensions of 101 x 59 x 18 mm and featherweight 147 grams make it incredibly pocket-friendly. This is a camera you may forget you’re carrying, ideal for casual users or travelers prioritizing minimalism.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 IV weighs roughly twice as much (298 grams) and has a thicker body at 102 x 58 x 41 mm due to a larger 1-inch sensor and more complex internals. Its build feels more robust and substantial in hand, with more pronounced grip contours and button placement designed for intuitive operation by serious enthusiasts - though it won’t slip unnoticed into a slim jeans pocket.

The Panasonic's ultra-thin chassis and lightweight design make it a perfect choice for street photography and snapshots, where discretion and minimal bulk are priorities. The Sony, albeit larger and heavier, offers an ergonomic advantage with a well-laid control layout and a tilting LCD for shooting from various angles, appreciating users who demand more control and versatility during shoots.

Top-Down: Control Layout and Interface Differences

Handling comparisons must include an analysis of each camera’s control scheme. The Panasonic FP7’s interface reflects its entry-level status: a fixed 3.5-inch, relatively low-resolution TFT touchscreen LCD (230k dots) dominates the rear, and physical buttons are minimal. No dedicated exposure controls like aperture or shutter priority modes are available, making the camera almost fully automatic with only basic options such as ISO and white balance adjustments. This streamlines operation but limits creative control.

Meanwhile, the Sony RX100 IV sports a smaller 3-inch screen with a much sharper 1229k-dot resolution. Its screen tilts upwards for selfies or low-angle shots - a notable bonus for vloggers and creative compositions. Though it lacks a touchscreen, the camera compensates with a comprehensive array of buttons and dials, including a dedicated exposure compensation dial, manual focus ring on the lens, and customizable function buttons - all hallmark traits of a camera aiming to satisfy enthusiast and professional needs.

You'll also find the RX100 IV features a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36 million dots resolution and 100% coverage, which enhances eye-level shooting - a missing feature on the FP7, which relies solely on its LCD.

This distinction clarifies that if intuitive touchscreen-only operation with minimal buttons sounds ideal to you, the FP7 could be attractive. Yet, if you crave manual exposure modes, fine-tuned autofocus controls, and an EVF, Sony’s RX100 IV is the clearly superior interface.

Sensor and Image Quality: Where Big Sensor Compact Shines

One of the most critical aspects to analyze is sensor technology and resulting image quality - a domain where these two cameras diverge sharply.

The Panasonic FP7 is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor - typical for point-and-shoot cameras from its era - featuring a resolution of 16 megapixels. This sensor size is quite small, with a sensor area around 27.7 mm². While this allowed Panasonic to shrink the camera’s physical size, the compromises in image quality are substantial: low dynamic range, limited low-light sensitivity (ISO cap at 6400 native max), and mediocre color depth.

By contrast, Sony’s RX100 IV sports a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, roughly four times the surface area (~116 mm²) of the Panasonic sensor, delivering a higher native resolution of 20 megapixels. This sensor leap translates directly into superior dynamic range (over 12 stops), greater color fidelity with a DxO Color Depth rating around 22.9 bits, and better low-light performance, as noted by its excellent DxO low light score of 562 equivalent ISO.

The 1-inch sensor also allows Sony to produce images with richer gradations, cleaner shadow details, and higher overall image quality, especially when pushing ISO sensitivity beyond 800. The FP7’s CCD sensor, despite being 16MP, cannot match the RX100 IV in noise handling or dynamic range fidelity.

This sensor advantage makes the RX100 IV the obvious choice for landscape photographers demanding wider tonal ranges, portrait shooters who want pleasing skin tones, and anyone shooting in tricky lighting conditions or dim environments.

Tailoring Your Shot: Autofocus and Exposure Control

Assessing autofocus (AF) and exposure controls in real shooting situations is paramount. The Panasonic FP7 comes with a relatively simple contrast-detection AF system featuring 11 focus points and face detection capabilities. However, it lacks phase detection, shutter or aperture priority modes, and even manual focus options - meaning it struggles with rapid focus changes or fast-moving subjects.

In hands-on tests involving wildlife, sports, or street photography where quick subject acquisition and tracking are critical, the FP7's autofocus was noticeably slower and less reliable, often hunting or lagging behind action. Continuous AF and AF tracking are either basic or unavailable. This limits the camera largely to static or slow-moving subjects.

On the other hand, the Sony RX100 IV impressed with a 25-point contrast-detection AF system featuring eye detection, selective AF modes, tracking, and manual focus capability. Combined with a max burst speed of 16 fps and electronic shutter options reaching 1/32000 s, it handles fast action, sports, and wildlife with much greater competence. The RX100 IV’s continuous AF stays locked on moving subjects, and in low light, it maintains sharpness far better.

Exposure-wise, Sony offers full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and exposure compensation from -3 to +3 EV in 1/3 stops - essential for professional and enthusiast photographers wishing to control depth of field and shutter effects precisely. Panasonic’s FP7 provides none of these, relegating users to mostly auto exposure settings.

Display Quality and User Interaction

The rear LCD plays an important role in composition and review. The Panasonic FP7’s 3.5-inch touchscreen (230k dots) is large but low resolution and washed out under harsh lighting conditions. Its touch interface allows basic menu navigation and some focusing controls, but brightness and color reproduction disappoint in outdoor shooting.

The RX100 IV compensates with a 3-inch display of over 1.2 million dots - five times the resolution - delivering a crisp, detailed, and vibrant viewing experience. While it lacks touchscreen capability, the sharpness, color accuracy, and tilt mechanism provide versatile framing options and confidence when reviewing images in bright conditions.

From my extensive testing across bright daylight street scenes and dim indoor parties, the RX100 IV’s display is much easier on the eyes and superior for critical focus assessment and composition fine-tuning.

Real-World Photography Disciplines Put to the Test

Portrait Photography

Both cameras employ face detection, but the Sony RX100 IV adds eye detection auto-focus, providing sharp focus on subjects’ eyes, a boon for flattering portraits. The RX100 IV’s larger sensor and fast, bright lens (F1.8-2.8) also enable creamy bokeh and excellent subject separation - something the FP7’s smaller sensor and slower zoom lens (F3.5-5.9) cannot replicate.

Skin tones rendered by the RX100 IV are noticeably more natural and nuanced thanks to better sensor color depth and image processing. The FP7 tends toward flatter, less dynamic skin tones that could require more post-processing.

Landscape Photography

Here the RX100 IV’s resolution and dynamic range shine through - capturing fine details up to 5472 x 3648 pixels with strong shadow detail retention and highlight protection. The Panasonic, while adequate for casual travel snapshots, clearly suffers from limited detail and dynamic range due to its smaller sensor.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so protection during harsh outdoor use remains limited. Yet, the RX100 IV’s image quality and zoning of the zoom lens from 24-70 mm offer more versatility for landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The RX100 IV’s quick autofocus, high frame rate (up to 16 fps), and shutter speed options support shooting fast subjects effectively. The RX100 IV’s lens is 24-70 mm, making it less ideal for distant wildlife compared to Panasonic’s 35-140mm equivalent zoom - but the RX100’s AF speed and accuracy largely offset the focal length disadvantage for opportunistic shooting.

The FP7’s slower continuous shooting (4 fps), modest AF system, and limited control modes significantly constrain sports and wildlife applications.

Street Photography

The Panasonic FP7’s compactness and quiet operation suit candid street captures. Its light weight and thin profile allow for quick snaps without drawing attention. However, its lower low-light sensitivity and slower AF may miss spontaneous moments.

The RX100 IV, though bulkier and louder, offers more low-light capability and faster focus - ideal for photographers seeking quality over stealth.

Macro Photography

Close focusing distance is 10 cm for the FP7 and 5 cm for the RX100 IV. The Sony's shorter minimum focus and higher resolution sensor enable more detailed macro images, plus better stabilization reduces shake in high magnification shots

Night/Astro Photography

RX100 IV excels with higher max ISO sensitivity (12800 native, 25600 boosted) and better noise control for dim shooting. Its manual exposure modes allow long exposures critical for starscape photography - features missing on the FP7.

Video Capabilities

Video specs offer a clear distinction: Panasonic FP7 records 720p HD at 24 fps using Motion JPEG format, limiting video quality and editing flexibility.

Sony RX100 IV supports UHD 4K video at 30 fps, Full HD at 60 fps, higher frame rates (120p) for smooth slow motion, and MPEG-4/XAVC S codecs that retain more detail. Though no external mic input is available, the RX100’s video performance is robust for vlogging and casual filmmaking.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera features weather sealing, dustproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. The RX100 IV’s metal build and premium materials feel sturdier over time. The FP7’s plastic construction looks and feels less rugged - fine for casual use but less reassuring in tough conditions.

Connectivity and Storage

Connectivity options show the RX100 IV leading with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy wireless image transfers and remote camera control via smartphone. Panasonic FP7 lacks wireless links entirely, relying on USB 2.0 for transfers.

Both accept SD cards, but the RX100 IV also reads Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo format, expanding flexibility.

Battery Life and User Experience

The FP7’s 240-shot battery life is adequate but modest for a casual shooter; the RX100 IV slightly improves to 280 shots, but heavy use of EVF or video may reduce this.

Physical controls on the RX100 IV make for quicker setting adjustments, complemented by the high-resolution EVF - allowing shooting in bright conditions without relying on the LCD and conserving battery.

Price and Value: Entry-Level Budget Versus Enthusiast Investment

At launch, the Panasonic FP7 was priced around $227, making it accessible for beginners or those seeking a no-fuss travel camera. The RX100 IV’s $900 price tag reflects its advanced 1-inch sensor and pro-oriented feature set.

From a value perspective, the FP7 offers straightforward operation and pocketability at very low cost but sacrifices image quality and creative control. The RX100 IV demands a higher investment but rewards users with outstanding image quality, manual controls, and versatility across photography styles.

Panasonic FP7 front Panasonic FP7 screen back Sony RX100 IV front Sony RX100 IV screen back

How They Stack Up Overall

When we aggregate all testing dimensions - sensor, autofocus, image quality, handling, video, and connectivity - the Sony RX100 IV dominates the field in technical performance and flexibility.

Performance by Photography Type – A Quick Reference

Final Recommendations for Your Next Camera

Choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 if...

• You want a truly pocketable camera to carry everywhere with zero fuss
• Your photography is casual, focused on snapshots or travel where convenience overrides image perfection
• Budget constraints require an affordable compact camera
• You prioritize touchscreen ease of use and ultra-compact size
• Video and advanced photographic controls are not priorities

Choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV if...

• You need a high-performance compact to deliver near-DSLR image quality
• You shoot a broad range of subjects: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and low-light scenes
• You want advanced manual controls, fast autofocus, and excellent video features
• You value EVF for outdoor shooting and a versatile zoom lens encompassing wide-angle to short telephoto
• Connectivity and workflow integration with RAW files are important
• Budget allows a considerable investment for a camera that can double as a serious pocketable tool

Closing Thoughts

Both Panasonic FP7 and Sony RX100 IV represent intriguing entries in the compact camera category - but target completely different users. The FP7 excels as a simple, affordable point-and-shoot for beginners and travelers whose primary goal is convenience. Conversely, the RX100 IV is a technical powerhouse designed to fill the gap between smartphones and mirrorless cameras, giving advanced enthusiasts and professionals a compact yet potent tool.

Having tested both extensively, I’m convinced that an investment in the RX100 IV pays dividends for photographers seeking creative control, superior image quality, and versatile shooting. But for those prioritizing an inconspicuous camera to capture family moments or light travel photography, the FP7 remains a no-frills option.

Choosing between them depends on your photographic ambitions, budget, and workflow needs. Hopefully, this deep dive provides all the essential insights required to make a confident, informed decision.

Summary Tables and Image Recap

For a quick reference, please revisit the size comparison, sensor diagrams, control layouts, image samples, and score charts embedded throughout this article to visually anchor the technical distinctions and hands-on impressions shared.

Thank you for trusting this detailed expert comparison. Your next great camera choice starts with understanding the nuances - that’s what sets photographers apart from casual shooters.

Happy shooting!