Panasonic FX90 vs FZ70: Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera is a pivotal step in your creative journey, whether you’re expanding your gear or upgrading your kit. Panasonic’s compact FX90 and superzoom bridge-style FZ70 both offer enticing features tailored to different shooting styles. We’ve put these two distinctly different cameras side by side to help you understand their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases. This thorough comparison merges technical analysis, real-world performance, and user-focused insights to help you select the camera best suited for your photography ambitions.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Design and Handling

Panasonic FX90

• Category: Small Sensor Compact
• Body Style: Pocketable, sleek compact
• Dimensions: 102 x 56 x 22 mm
• Weight: 149g (lightweight and highly portable)
• Controls: Simple, touchscreen interface; no manual dials
• Viewfinder: None (reliant on LCD)
• Screen: 3" fixed TFT LCD, 460k dots, touchscreen enabled

The FX90 is designed for portability and convenience. Its slim profile fits easily in a pocket or small bag, making it a natural choice for travel or casual street photography on the go. The touchscreen offers intuitive control, but the lack of physical buttons and manual dial controls limits direct handling customization, something you may miss if you prefer tactile operation.

Panasonic FZ70

• Category: Small Sensor Superzoom (Bridge style)
• Body Style: SLR-like grip and size
• Dimensions: 130 x 97 x 118 mm
• Weight: 606g (substantial, DSLR-style handling)
• Controls: Extensive physical buttons, dedicated exposure and manual mode dials
• Viewfinder: Electronic (EVF), 202k dots, 100% coverage
• Screen: 3" fixed TFT LCD, 460k dots, no touchscreen

The FZ70 mimics DSLR ergonomics with an extended grip, multiple control dials, and a useful electronic viewfinder - vital for bright-light shooting when LCDs struggle. It feels much more like a traditional camera and supports manual exposure modes, giving you full creative control.

While considering handling, it’s important to think about how these cameras fit your workflow and shooting style. If you value pocketability and quick operation, the FX90 shines; if control and viewfinder use are priorities, the FZ70 holds an edge.

Sensor and Image Quality: What Lies Beneath

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor size, which is common in compact and bridge cameras but relatively small compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors. Despite similar physical dimensions of roughly 27.7 to 28 mm², their sensor technologies and processing differ significantly, influencing image quality.

The FX90’s CCD sensor is an older technology that tends to produce pleasing color rendition and smooth noise characteristics at low ISOs but lacks the dynamic range and versatility of CMOS sensors in varied lighting. The FZ70’s CMOS sensor paired with the Venus Engine processor offers improved image processing efficiency, better noise control at higher ISOs, and allows RAW shooting - critical for photographers wanting to push image edits professionally.

Real-World Impact:

• Portraits: The FZ70’s higher resolution captures more detail, beneficial for large prints or heavy cropping. While the FX90 delivers decent skin tones, the inability to shoot RAW limits post-processing flexibility.
• Dynamic Range: FZ70 wins for landscape shooters requiring separation between highlights and shadows.
• Low Light: FX90 can shoot up to ISO 6400, but quality degrades quickly; the FZ70 maintains usability better due to CMOS architecture.

For photographers focused on image quality and editing control, the FZ70’s sensor system offers stronger performance, especially when fusion with RAW files is desired.

Lenses and Zoom Versatility

Lens focal length and aperture vitalize a camera’s personality. Panasonic made different choices for the FX90 and FZ70 to address distinct photographic goals.

Lens Considerations by Use Case:

• Travel and Street: FX90’s 24mm wide-angle is versatile, offering wide landscapes and environmental portraits. The bright f/2.5 aperture allows for subject separation and reasonable low-light capability.
• Wildlife and Sports: The FZ70’s astounding 1200mm reach offers extreme telephoto reach without lugging multiple lenses. Though aperture narrows at longer reaches, the built-in OIS and fast continuous shooting (9 fps) help capture distant fast action.
• Macro: The FZ70’s ability to focus down to 1 cm beats the FX90’s 3cm minimum, making it better for detail-rich macro photography.

Overall, the FZ70’s superzoom lens appeals to hobbyists and enthusiasts needing all-in-one versatility. In contrast, FX90 suits those who prioritize portability and image quality at shorter focal lengths.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Modern photography hinges on a reliable autofocus (AF) system and shooting responsiveness. Here’s an in-depth look:

Practical Performance Notes:

The FZ70’s higher burst rate and face detection AF help capture moving subjects with more precision - particularly helpful for wildlife and sports photography.

Without manual focus, the FX90 limits creative control, especially for tricky macro or low-contrast scenes. The shutter speed ceiling and floor on the FX90 are somewhat better for long exposures or freezing action, though the FZ70 compensates with manual exposure options.

For shooters requiring responsiveness and precise AF, the FZ70 is markedly superior, while the FX90 serves casual shooting needs.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shot

The user’s connection to the camera through the viewfinder and LCD screen can make or break the shooting experience:

While the FX90 offers a touchscreen which simplifies menu navigation and focusing, its lack of a viewfinder can hamper usability in bright daylight. The FZ70 features a modest electronic viewfinder, which may feel coarse compared to modern EVFs but greatly improves stability and visibility outdoors.

If you frequently shoot in sunlight or prefer composing with your eye to the viewfinder, the FZ70 is a clear winner here.

Video Capabilities and Connectivity

Video is increasingly important for content creators. Both cameras support Full HD recording but have differing interfaces and connectivity:

• Panasonic FX90

  • Resolutions: Full HD 1080p at 60/30 fps, 720p 60/30 fps
  • Formats: MPEG-4, AVCHD
  • Microphone port: None
  • Wireless connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi (basic)
  • HDMI: Yes
  • USB: 2.0

• Panasonic FZ70

  • Resolutions: Full HD 1080p at 50i/60i, 25p/30p
  • Formats: MPEG-4, AVCHD
  • Microphone port: None
  • Wireless connectivity: None
  • HDMI: Yes
  • USB: 2.0

The FX90’s built-in Wi-Fi can help you rapidly transfer images or control the camera remotely, a helpful perk for casual shooting and social media sharing. Neither camera offers external mic ports, limiting audio quality upgrades.

While the FZ70 offers exposure control useful in video, its lack of touchscreen makes menu navigation less fluid compared to FX90.

Build Quality, Battery, and Storage

These practical considerations often impact day-to-day use:

The FZ70’s substantially longer battery life is a significant advantage for day trips or extended shoots, reducing the need to carry multiple batteries. Both cameras lack weather sealing - a consideration for serious outdoor photography.

Sample Images and Image Quality in Real Use

Examining actual images reveals much about each camera’s practical performance. The FX90 produces well-saturated colors and pleasing subject separation in good light but softness increases in telephoto and low-light shots. The FZ70’s higher resolution and lens versatility capture sharper, more detailed images across its zoom range, though it struggles somewhat with noise at max ISO.

Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back

Genre-Specific Strengths and Scores

When choosing a camera, your primary photography style matters. Here’s how these cameras line up across key photography types:

Overall Performance and Value Assessment

Based on our comprehensive evaluation:

The FZ70 sits slightly higher in terms of performance and feature set, particularly in sensor image quality, zoom versatility, AF speed, and controls. The FX90 offers a more budget-friendly and ultra-portable solution but with compromises on manual control, sensor technology, and zoom reach.

Who Should Choose the Panasonic FX90?

• Casual photographers wanting a pocketable, easy-to-use camera for everyday snaps and travel.
• Those prioritizing a touchscreen interface and wireless image sharing.
• Beginners exploring photography with a no-fuss tool.
• Anyone valuing portability above zoom reach or manual exposure control.

Who Should Go for the Panasonic FZ70?

• Enthusiasts requiring extensive zoom range for wildlife or sports.
• Photographers wanting manual exposure modes and RAW shooting for creative control.
• Users for whom battery life and an electronic viewfinder are mission-critical.
• Macro shooters benefiting from fine focus control and close focusing distance.
• Videographers interested in manual video exposure control despite lacking external audio inputs.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Panasonic FX90 and FZ70 are niche products clearly shaped for different users:

• The FX90 excels as a daily-carry compact with decent image quality, approachable touchscreen, and handy Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s ideal for travel photographers valuing convenience and speed over versatility.
• The FZ70 is a feature-packed superzoom bridge camera with creative controls, superior zoom, and raw image capability, aimed at more dedicated photographers stepping beyond compacts but not ready to invest in interchangeable lens systems.

Making Your Choice:

• If you want light, simple, and pocketable, start with the FX90. It’s an excellent entry-level companion and social media sharer.
• If you crave a “do-it-all” with manual overrides and huge zoom, the FZ70 is your go-to. It’s versatile for multiple photography types and a great value for the features offered.

We encourage testing both cameras hands-on, especially to assess their ergonomics and autofocus responsiveness firsthand. Also, explore compatible accessories like extra batteries for the FZ70 or portable power banks for the FX90 to enhance your shooting sessions.

Photography is about capturing moments that matter. By understanding these cameras’ technical and practical nuances, you can choose gear that empowers your vision and creativity. Whether lightweight simplicity or zoom prowess fits your workflow, Panasonic’s FX90 and FZ70 stand ready to be trusted tools on your photographic adventures. Happy shooting!