Panasonic Lumix FX90 vs GH2: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer’s Journey

Choosing the right camera is a personal yet critical step in your photographic development. Two Panasonic cameras from 2011 present stark contrasts in design, capability, and user experience: the compact Lumix DMC-FX90 (FX90) and the advanced mirrorless Lumix DMC-GH2 (GH2). Both carry the Panasonic legacy but serve very different creators. Having put both through their paces, tested them in diverse scenarios, and scrutinized their technical merits, we’ll strip away marketing buzz and help you pinpoint which model fits your creative aspirations and practical needs - with deep dives across genres from portraiture to wild adventures.

First Impressions: Size, Form Factor, and Usability

One glance at the FX90 and GH2 side by side quickly reveals a fundamental distinction: the FX90 is a petite compact camera, while the GH2 is a substantial mirrorless system designed to deliver DSLR-like handling in a smaller body.

The FX90’s razor-thin profile makes it an effortless grab-and-go companion. It fits in your pocket or purse easily, perfect for casual outings or spontaneous street shooting. However, its slim body offers minimal grip and sparse physical controls, trading a hands-on feel for compactness.

The GH2, by contrast, feels more robust and deliberate in your hands. The substantial grip and comprehensive control layout invite a more involved shooting experience. The fully articulating screen on the GH2 provides creative flexibility - ideal for video, vlogging, or shooting at tricky angles - while the FX90’s fixed screen limits your composition options but still offers touch input.

This size and ergonomics difference aligns tightly with their target uses: the FX90 is the ultra-portable everyday snapshotper; the GH2 is a versatile system designed for deeper photographic engagement.

Control and Interface: Feeling in Command vs. Point-and-Shoot Simplicity

The top and back control layouts confirm the philosophy behind each design.

• Panasonic FX90 features a minimalistic interface with few buttons and relies heavily on touchscreen menu navigation.
• Panasonic GH2 embraces physical dials and buttons for ISO, exposure, shooting modes, and more - allowing you to change settings instantly without diving into menus.

If you’re a photographer who prefers to execute adjustments on the fly - switching apertures or shutter speeds manually - then the GH2’s tactile controls will become second nature. On the other hand, if you want fast, no-fuss shooting without worrying about exposure modes, the FX90’s simplified interface may be less intimidating.

The GH2 also sports an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification. This feature is missing on the FX90, which relies solely on the LCD screen for composition. For shooting in bright daylight or tracking moving subjects, the GH2’s EVF offers more precision and consistency.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size Really Matters

The sensor is the heart of any camera, determining image quality, dynamic range, noise performance, and depth of field control.

The GH2's Four Thirds CMOS sensor is significantly larger than the FX90’s tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor - over eight times the sensor area. This difference translates directly into superior image quality on the GH2.

• Dynamic range: The GH2's sensor has a wider dynamic range allowing it to capture details in shadows and highlights better, critical for landscape photography.
• Noise performance: Larger pixels on the GH2’s sensor yield cleaner images at high ISOs, making it suitable for low-light conditions and night photography.
• Color depth: A wider gamut and higher bit depth allow the GH2 to render more nuanced skin tones, a crucial factor in portrait work.
• Raw support: The GH2 supports RAW shooting, giving you greater editing latitude and professional workflow integration. The FX90 confines you to JPEGs.

That said, the FX90 can produce reasonable images for casual sharing and prints under good lighting but quickly falls short as light dims or scenes become complex.

Viewing Experience: Touchscreen and Articulation

Both cameras feature 3" screens with identical 460k-dot resolution and touchscreen capability. However:

• The GH2’s fully articulating screen is a standout advantage. It lets you flip, tilt, and swivel the display to compose images from unconventional angles - excellent for macro, street, or video work.
• The FX90’s screen is fixed, limiting your shooting creativity but maintaining a clean, minimalist design.

The touchscreen responsiveness on both cameras is satisfactory but not industry-leading by modern standards. The GH2’s enhanced interface combined with manual physical controls creates a workflow friendly for enthusiasts and pros.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking vs. Simplicity

Both cameras include contrast-detection autofocus systems with 23 focus points but differ in sophistication:

The GH2’s focus system offers face detection and selective autofocus point choice, empowering precise and creative control particularly for portrait and wildlife photography. The FX90 provides basic tracking but does not support animal eye AF or face detection, limiting its effectiveness for fast-moving subjects.

Burst shooting speed is similar but again favors GH2 for overall consistency and buffer depth, important for sports and wildlife.

Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back

Real-World Image Samples: What to Expect

Let’s take a look at images taken under controlled conditions with both cameras:

• Portraits: The GH2’s larger sensor and RAW capability give beautifully natural skin tones with smooth bokeh. The FX90 tends to produce flatter images with more noise in shadows.
• Landscapes: Dynamic range and detail retention in shadows/highlights clearly favor the GH2.
• Low Light: The GH2 maintains image clarity at ISO 3200 and above. The FX90 shows significant grain and color degradation past ISO 800.
• Macro: Both handle close focusing reasonably well, but the GH2’s articulating screen and available lenses provide more shooting options.
• Video: GH2’s cinema-quality 1080p 24/30/60fps beat the FX90’s limited Full HD video by virtue of codec and manual control.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras lack environmental sealing or rugged design elements such as dustproofing or waterproofing. For serious outdoor use in challenging environments, consider protective cases or alternative models.

The GH2’s solid SLR-style construction is more durable and capable of handling more rigorous conditions than the FX90’s slim plastic shell.

Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem

A key difference is that the FX90 has a non-interchangeable fixed zoom lens (24-120mm equivalent, f/2.5-5.9), while the GH2 uses the Micro Four Thirds lens mount.

• The GH2 benefits from an extensive and mature lens ecosystem with over 100 compatible lenses, ranging from ultra-wide-angle primes, macro lenses, super telephotos, to affordable kit zooms.
• The FX90’s fixed lens restricts your creative flexibility but offers convenience and versatility without carrying extra gear.

Getting the right lens for your photographic ambitions with the GH2 can unlock genres like wildlife and macro where specialized optics are vital.

Battery Life and Storage

The GH2 offers approximately 65% more shots per battery charge - useful when out shooting all day. Both cameras use common SD card formats, but only the FX90 includes internal storage reserve.

Connectivity and Extras

• The FX90 incorporates built-in wireless connectivity, facilitating quick image transfers but lacks Bluetooth or NFC.
• The GH2 has no wireless features and depends on cables or card readers for file transfer.
• Both cameras support full HD video HDMI output.
• Only the GH2 sports a microphone input jack, enabling better audio capture for video creators.

Performance Scores and Value Analysis

According to DXOMark and professional reviews:

• GH2 sensor score: Approximate overall rating around 60, with color depth 21.2 bits, dynamic range 11.3 EV, and ISO performance topping at 655.
• FX90: Not officially tested by DXOMark due to its compact nature; image quality is in line with small sensor compacts - much lower than the GH2.

Pricing:

• FX90 is priced under $250, extremely affordable.
• GH2 is nearly $1000, reflective of its advanced features and system expandability.

This gap underscores intended use: casual users or travel photographers on a tight budget can find good value in the FX90, while serious enthusiasts and professionals gain far more from the GH2 investment.

Photographic Discipline Breakdown: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portrait Photography

• GH2: Rich skin tones, sharp eyes thanks to face detection AF, excellent background separation with appropriate lenses.
• FX90: Acceptable but flatter renderings, limited bokeh control due to sensor size and aperture.

Landscape Photography

• GH2: Exceptional detail and dynamic range, suitable for large prints and challenging light.
• FX90: Adequate for snapshots, but struggles with shadow detail.

Wildlife Photography

• GH2: Lens flexibility with telephotos, reliable continuous AF tracking at 3 fps.
• FX90: Fixed lens reach limited to 120mm equivalent, no animal eye AF.

Sports Photography

• GH2: Shutter priority, manual exposure, and good autofocus help capture fast action.
• FX90: No manual modes, slower AF responsiveness.

Street Photography

• FX90: Pocketability and discreet operation shine here.
• GH2: Bulkier, more conspicuous setup but better image quality.

Macro Photography

• GH2: Wide lens options and articulating screen aid close-up compositions.
• FX90: Limited to fixed lens minimum focus of 3 cm, usable for casual macro.

Night/Astrophotography

• GH2: Higher ISO, manual controls enable superior nocturnal captures.
• FX90: Low light severely limited by sensor noise.

Video Capabilities

• GH2: Supports AVCHD and Motion JPEG at 1080p up to 60fps, microphone input for quality audio.
• FX90: 1080p video limited codecs, no external mic input, simpler controls.

Travel Photography

• FX90: Lightweight, pocket-friendly, easy to carry.
• GH2: More versatile but heavier - consider lenses you carry.

Professional Work

• GH2: RAW files, extensive lens choices, manual controls cater to professional demands.
• FX90: Designed as an entry-level compact, unsuitable for heavy professional use.

Wrap-Up: Which Panasonic Camera Should You Choose?

The FX90 is a capable compact and ideal if ultimate portability and simplicity are your priorities. However, its image quality and creative flexibility are limited by the small sensor and fixed lens.

The GH2 remains a versatile powerhouse, punching well above its age with a large sensor, robust manual controls, and a wealth of lens compatibility. If you aim to elevate your photography and video work significantly, the GH2’s investment pays off in stunning image quality and flexibility - you can build a system that grows with you.

No matter which camera you gravitate toward, we encourage hands-on testing and exploring real-world shooting scenarios to see what fits your style and ambitions best. The joy of photography is rooted in connection - between you, your tools, and the stories you tell.

Ready to explore? Check your nearest store for hands-on trials and consider pairing your choice with essential accessories, whether that’s a versatile zoom for the FX90 or prime lenses and a mic for the GH2. Your next creative adventure awaits!