Panasonic FH20
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
- Announced January 2010
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS30
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
93 Imaging
36 Features
21 Overall
30
Panasonic FH20 overview
Panasonic FH20 is Panasonic's Small Sensor Compact camera initially introduced on January of 2010. The camera features a 14MP, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a peak resolution of 4320 x 3240. The camera is also known as "Lumix DMC-FS30" in certain markets.
The FH20 places at #178 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and all round #1112 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. You can try our Smart camera search to get camera listings based on your custom criteria.
Below is a diagram of multiple criteria used in the scoring system.
Panasonic FH20 family
The Panasonic FH20 comes with a history of related cameras. Underneath, you can discover all previous and brand new models alongside main specs.
F3.3-5.914MP1/2.3"2010
Panasonic FH20 Gallery
You can see the FH20 from various angles in the gallery below.
Panasonic FH20 Pros and Cons
Below is a checklist of pros and cons of the Panasonic FH20 based on criterias that are generally seen as important in a camera.
Panasonic FH20 Sensor info
The sensor measurement in the Panasonic FH20 is 6.08mm x 4.56mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 4320 x 3240 pixels at aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera boasts Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is better than digital stabilization as the latter may cause cropping.
Photography GlossaryThe CCD sensor boasts 14 megapixels and includes a native ISO range of 80 - 6400. Unfortunately, RAW format is not saved which means that you have less room to maneuver in post.
The graphic below displays the FH20's sensor dimensions when compared to other common sizes. The FH20 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.9 and is pointed out in green.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneTo get an understanding of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.
Panasonic FH20 dimensions
Panasonic FH20 weighs around 0.39 lb (178 grams or 6.28 oz) and features external dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1"). The weight of general Small Sensor Compact camera is 174 grams so the Panasonic FH20 is very similar when compared with its rivals.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsBelow is a pic of the Panasonic FH20 alongside a softdrink so you're able to have a feel for its scale.
The top view below will provide the button layout on the FH20.
Panasonic FH20 Lens info
The FH20 comes with a built in lens and a focal range of 28-224mm making it a 8.0 x zoom which won't be perfect but it will probably be convenient in certain situations.
At the widest 28mm, the lens will have an aperture of f3.3 and that is kind of slow and not great in low light conditions and you will find it hard to capture a shallow depth of field. You will probably also have to up the ISO setting leading to noisy photographs. On the tele end, 224mm comes at f5.9 making it quite sluggish and you will need to use slow shutter speeds.
Panasonic FH20 Connectivity
The FH20 has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
Cameras that have NFC and Bluetooth connectivity are able to be controlled wirelessly by smartphones. You will be able to transfer photos and sometimes change camera settings without the hassle of connecting straight to the camera.
Many applications even enable a Liveview and press the shutter in case you aren't close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI out, it can easily be attached to an external monitor. Nearly all cameras will allow you to charge the battery through the USB socket.
Panasonic FH20 Video info
The highest video quality in the Panasonic FH20 is 1280 x 720 and it can capture in Motion JPEG format. 720p is awful by today's standards. You should really target at least FUll HD quality for good video. The camera doesn't include a mic and headphone port which means you get no control over your sound. It is probably best to shop for a different camera if you need better sound in your video clips.
Panasonic FH20 Weather Sealing
Panasonic FH20 doesn't include weather proofing so wet conditions may affect the camera.
Panasonic FH20 Display and Viewfinder
The Panasonic FH20 features a 2.7" fixed screen boasting a resolution of 230k dots.
Unfortunately the screen is not a touch screen.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe ViewFinder specs regarding Panasonic FH20 are as follows:
- ViewFinder None
Viewfinders are really useful in bright outdoor conditions which may make the camera display washed out and hard to view.
Panasonic FH20 Shutter info
Panasonic FH20 has the capability to shoot continuously at 5.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/1600s.
Panasonic FH20 Flash and Hot shoe info
Panasonic FH20 boasts only inbuilt flash without external flash ability.
Panasonic FH20 Autofocus info
Panasonic FH20 boasts just Contrast Based Auto Focus and doesn't have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is more faster and exact compared with Contrast Based autofocusing.
The AF system features 9 focus points to select from. Panasonic FH20 lacks manual focusing. Manual focusing option is useful in low light scenarios or you want more accurate control on focus.
Panasonic FH20 Battery life
The typical Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 has got the highest (470) battery life in this kind of cameras.
Here is a number of Small Sensor Compact cameras which have the best battery life:
Panasonic FH20 for specific types of photography
The following graph provides a overview of the Panasonic FH20 for specific types of photography. To read more, browse to the specific section below.
Panasonic FH20 Portrait photography factors
The Panasonic FH20 gets a points tally of 28 which is really bad, meaning that it is not appropriate for portrait images. Taking portraits favors heavily to sensor size, support for RAW files together with the potential to work with external lighting.
Panasonic FH20 Street photography information
Having a decent rating of 56, the Panasonic FH20 is reasonably appropriate to use in street photography. A decent street photography camera provides a perfect balance of picture quality and portability.
Panasonic FH20 Sports photography advice
A really bad sports photography points total of 34 means the Panasonic FH20 is not appropriate for photographing sports. A camera needs to have good autofocus plus fast continuous shooting for sports photography.
Panasonic FH20 Travel photography info
Weight is really important in choosing a camera for travel. On the whole, the Panasonic FH20 gets a nice 64 for a travelling camera which makes it a respectable fit for your holidays.
Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography advice
If you're planning to pick a digital camera for landscape photography, the most vital factor will no doubt be image quality. The Panasonic FH20 and it's really bad rating of 37 as a landscape camera is not appropriate amongst its competitors.
Panasonic FH20 Vlogging details
A vlogging camera really should offer a articulating display, microphone input and if possible IBIS. Taking all things in to account, the Panasonic FH20 is not appropriate for vlogging as it gets a really bad score of 28.
Panasonic FH20 Alternatives
If you need alternatives to the FH20, below is a collection of the highest scored cameras which fall in to the family of Small Sensor Compact.
The line graph underneath provides you a bird's eye view of the FH20 vs it's top scored competitors listed previously.
These are some more cameras you might see as alternative options. To review a complete comparison, go to the "compare" link.