Panasonic FZ28 vs Samsung EX2F: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Contenders

In the dense jungle of compact cameras, two models stand out in my archives for their distinctive approaches and loyal followings: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 and the Samsung EX2F. Both aimed at enthusiasts seeking quality beyond smartphone snapshots, yet they carve their niches in markedly different ways. Having tested these cameras extensively across portrait studios, wild landscapes, and dim city streets over many years, I’m well positioned to break down their strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between.

Let’s pop the hood and explore the real-world impact of their design choices, sensor technologies, and usability features - not just specs on paper but nuanced insights to guide your choice.

First Impressions: Size, Shape, and Handling

Starting with ergonomics, the Panasonic FZ28 is a typical superzoom compact - chunky but purposeful. Measuring 118x75x89 mm and tipping the scales at 417 grams, it stakes its claim with a DSLR-esque grip and a beefy, protruding zoom lens. This sizeable footprint caters well to users who prefer longer focal ranges while retaining some control comfort.

Contrast this with the Samsung EX2F, a leaner, more pocket-friendly package at 112x62x29 mm and 294 grams. Samsung’s design leans toward maximum portability with a sleek, minimalist profile. The EX2F’s fully articulating 3-inch AMOLED screen (we’ll talk more about that soon) complements this light build, cementing its appeal for discreet shooting on the go.

In my hands, the FZ28 feels more like a tool crafted for extended sessions, while the EX2F invites spontaneous shooting excursions. If you crave flexibility in zoom range and a heftier grip, the Panasonic will be more comfortable. For travelers prioritizing compactness without sacrificing control, the Samsung is a clear winner.

Design Philosophy and Control Layout

Not just size, but control placement influences shootability and speed. The FZ28 presents a classic design with dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. Buttons are well-spaced, and the overall layout, shown below in our top-down comparison, favors quick adjustments reminiscent of entry-level DSLRs.

The Samsung EX2F, however, trades some of this tangible control for a cleaner aesthetic. The absence of a built-in viewfinder (only optional EVF available) nudges reliance on its touchscreen interface and rear buttons. The fully articulated AMOLED screen compensates for this, offering versatile shooting angles and improved visibility in bright conditions.

From testing, the FZ28’s physical dials lend confidence during dynamic shoots, like wildlife or street photography, where quick exposure tweaks help capture fleeting moments. The EX2F’s design seems optimized for deliberate, composed photography emphasizing quality over speed.

Sensor Technology: The Heart of Image Quality

This is where the gap widens significantly. The FZ28’s 1/2.3" CCD sensor, sized at approximately 27.7 mm² with 10 megapixels, was common in 2009 compact superzooms. While capable of decent daylight performance, this sensor struggles with noise at elevated ISOs and has a limited dynamic range.

On the other hand, the EX2F’s 1/1.7" BSI CMOS sensor is markedly larger at roughly 41.5 mm² and offers 12 megapixels resolution. The backside illumination (BSI) technology dramatically improves low light sensitivity and noise control - critical advancements for modern compact cameras aiming to deliver usable images in challenging lighting.

Quantitatively, DXOMark scores reinforce this disparity: the EX2F achieves an overall score of 48, far exceeding the FZ28’s 27. Color depth (20 vs 17.9 bits) and dynamic range (11.5 vs 10.1 EV) also favor the Samsung, promising richer tones and more detail retention in shadows and highlights.

In practice, shooting at ISO 800 indoors or during twilight, I observed the FZ28’s images noticeably grainier with softer detail compared to the cleaner, crisper results from the EX2F. If low light or high dynamic range scenes are in your rotation, the EX2F’s sensor pays dividends more than worth its slight size and weight advantage.

Viewing Experience: Displays and Finders

Neither camera boasts a high-resolution viewfinder, but their approaches differ. The FZ28 relies on an electronic viewfinder with limited info on specs and effectiveness - more a basic framing aid than a substantive EVF.

Samsung smartly offers an optional EVF for the EX2F but expects most use to be via its standout feature: the fully articulated 3-inch AMOLED screen. This screen not only rotates infinitely but provides superior contrast and color reproduction compared to the FZ28’s fixed, modest 2.7-inch LCD with only 230k dots resolution.

During outdoor shooting, the EX2F’s AMOLED panel proved invaluable in bright sun, retaining visibility and color accuracy without the glare issues that plagued the older Panasonic. For street or candid photography, the articulating screen also allows low-angle or overhead shots with ease - a definite boon for creative compositions.

Zoom and Optics: Range vs Aperture

Here’s where the FZ28 and EX2F swim against the current in different ponds. The Panasonic offers an 18x superzoom from 27mm wide to a hefty 486mm equivalent telephoto. This extensive reach is rare outside DSLRs with dedicated tele lenses and immensely valuable to wildlife or sports photographers on a budget who want closer framing without swapping glass.

Conversely, the Samsung’s zoom range is modest at 24-80mm (3.3x zoom), focusing on wide to short telephoto focal lengths but compensating with impressively bright optics - an F1.4 max aperture at the wide end and F2.7 at telephoto. These wide apertures let in much more light, enhancing low light capabilities and enabling shallower depth-of-field effects.

Depending on your shooting style, this trade-off matters tremendously. The FZ28 is a practical workhorse for reach beyond smartphones but is never-going-to-win-optics in low light or bokeh finesse. The EX2F excels in image quality and creative control with fast optics but lacks the long reach for distant subjects.

Autofocus and Performance in Real Life

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems without phase-detection sensors. The FZ28 offers single AF with live view focus assistance but lacks advanced AF features like tracking or face detection. Its continuous shooting tops out at 3 FPS, making it less suited to fast action.

The EX2F is similar in autofocus simplicity but improves responsiveness in well-lit conditions, aided by the faster lens aperture and sensor. Continuous shooting specs are oddly missing from official docs, but in hands-on tests, it delivered moderate speed, enough for casual bursts rather than sports-level rapid fire.

Neither camera is ideal for fast-paced wildlife or sports but both manage portraits and street photography adequate for enthusiasts who prioritize image quality over speed.

Image Stabilization and Macro Capability

Both models incorporate optical image stabilization to reduce blur from handheld shake, critical given their slower lenses and high zoom factors.

The FZ28 features macro focus down to 1 cm from the lens, impressively close for the era and favored for detailed close-ups of flowers or insects. The EX2F macro focusing range isn’t provided, but its bright lens can make macro shooting easier in less light.

If macro photography is a priority, the FZ28’s predictable close focusing coupled with stabilization makes it a practical choice, though neither camera supports focus stacking or other modern macro aids.

Video Functionality: Capabilities and Limitations

Video remains a secondary focus for both cameras but worth noting. The FZ28 maxes out at 720p HD recording at 30 fps with limited codec options and no external microphone support.

Samsung raises the bar with full HD 1080p at 30 fps in H.264 format, plus HDMI output and built-in wireless connectivity for easier file transfer. However, neither offers advanced video features such as 4K, log profiles, or headphone jacks for audio monitoring.

In straightforward video capture scenarios - holiday footage, casual interviews - the EX2F delivers noticeably better quality and convenience.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery specifics aren’t fully documented for the FZ28; the EX2F uses the SLB-10A battery. Real-world shooting sessions suggest the Panasonic’s larger body accommodates a bigger battery, yielding longer usage per charge, essential for daylong trips or event coverage.

Both cameras use SD card formats, with Samsung supporting SDXC for larger capacities. Storage-wise, neither imposes limitations, but users shooting RAW files (supported by both) should ensure ample card space.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is an area the EX2F leads comfortably. It boasts built-in wireless transfer capabilities and HDMI output, while the older FZ28 lacks wireless, GPS, and HDMI altogether.

Neither supports Bluetooth or NFC, which is expected given their respective release eras. The lack of GPS on both is a mild limitation for travel or nature photographers who want location-tagged images.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Real World Use

To ground all the above, here are summary scores compiled from multiple benchmarks and field tests:

The EX2F outperforms the FZ28 overall, reflecting its newer technology, improved sensor, and better optics. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. When we look by photography genres, subtle nuances emerge:

• Portrait: The EX2F’s bright lens and superior sensor deliver more pleasing skin tones and background blur.
• Landscape: EX2F again leads with higher resolution and dynamic range, though FZ28’s ultra zoom is less useful.
• Wildlife & Sports: FZ28’s long reach helps, but slow continuous shooting and AF hinder action shots.
• Street: EX2F’s compactness and articulating screen excel for agility and discretion.
• Macro: FZ28’s close focusing wins out here.
• Night & Astro: EX2F is clearly the better low-light performer.
• Video: EX2F takes the prize for HD quality and feature set.
• Travel: EX2F’s lightweight design with wireless connectivity edges ahead.
• Professional: Neither truly targets professional workflows but EX2F’s RAW support and image quality fit prosumer standards better.

Sample Images Showcase: Side-by-Side Comparisons

Seeing is believing, so here’s a gallery of paired samples from both cameras under various conditions: early morning landscapes, portraits staged under studio lights, and nocturnal cityscapes shot handheld.

Panasonic FZ28 front Panasonic FZ28 screen back Samsung EX2F front Samsung EX2F screen back

The subtle improvements in color fidelity and noise control with the EX2F stand out, though the FZ28 holds its own in ultra-zoom framing, capturing details that the Samsung simply cannot reach.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras emerged as thoughtfully constructed products for their time and audience, but today’s buyers should weigh their primary photographic goals carefully.

• Choose the Panasonic FZ28 if you value extreme zoom without interchangeable lenses or if macro close-ups are your passion. Its robust handling and DSLR-like controls offer familiarity to amateurs upgrading from simpler compacts, especially when subjects are distant or static.

• Opt for the Samsung EX2F if you prioritize image quality, low-light performance, and portability. This camera is an excellent companion for travel, street, and portrait photography where sharpness, vibrant colors, and flexibility with angles are paramount.

Summing Up with a Photographer’s Lens

Reflecting on these cameras is a lesson in trade-offs:

• The FZ28 embodies “reach trumps everything” amid older technology constraints.
• The EX2F represents a refined, sensor-centric approach with a premium lens and more modern conveniences.

As someone who’s conducted hundreds of comparative tests and field assignments with gear spanning the compact spectrum, I appreciate both cameras’ roles: the FZ28 for zoom-hungry observers and the EX2F for aesthetes valuing nuance and color fidelity.

In 2024, these old guards may no longer lead in specs or features, but they still demonstrate how design choices translate into the photographic experience. Your final choice should balance what you shoot, how you shoot, and where you shoot.

Happy clicking. This dog is a good boy.

Summary Table of Key Specs:

If you want an extra deep dive or hands-on samples tweaked for your genre, reach out. Always happy to share more photos, settings, or real-world use cases from my extensive Panasonic and Samsung compact shooting archives.