Comparing the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic FZ60: Which Superzoom Suits Your Photography?

When diving into the world of superzoom cameras, enthusiasts often seek a balance of zoom range, image quality, and versatile features packed into a compact form or a bridge-style body. Two contenders in this category, both launched in 2012, stand out for their compelling specs and reputation: the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60 (also known as the FZ62 in some regions). Having personally tested and scrutinized these models side-by-side over extended shooting sessions, this in-depth comparison aims to guide you - whether amateur, enthusiast, or professional looking for a travel secondary - through the nuances that separate these two superzooms.

Throughout this article, I’ll unpack details from sensor technology to ergonomics, autofocus capabilities to video functionality, and address how they perform across popular photography genres like portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and more. I’ve included real-world sample images and metric-backed conclusions to help you decide which camera fits your creative style and technical needs.

Physical Design and Handling: Compact Simplicity vs SLR-like Control

First impressions matter - how a camera feels in your hands strongly affects your shooting comfort and efficiency. Both cameras feature fixed lenses with powerful zoom ranges, but their body styles differ drastically.

• Canon SX500 IS: This model is a classic compact superzoom. Its small footprint (104x70x80 mm) and light weight (341 g with battery) make it very pocket-friendly in larger coats or bags. Its fixed lens extends from a slender barrel, emphasizing portability. Controls are minimal, geared toward casual point-and-shoot users but with manual exposure modes available for enthusiasts. The grip is modest but secure for the size.

• Panasonic FZ60: The FZ60 sports a bridge-style “SLR-like” body measuring 120x81x92 mm and weighing 493 g. The more robust grip, dedicated buttons, and longer zoom barrel telegraph a shooter-focused design. It’s less pocketable but more comfortable for extended handheld sessions, especially with manual focusing and exposure adjustments. Think of it as a DSLR alternative when budget or size constraints prevent carrying multiple lenses.

Why This Matters: If portability and travel convenience top your priorities, the Canon’s compactness wins. For photography sessions demanding better tactile control and ergonomics, especially wildlife or sports, Panasonic’s layout fares better.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3-inch sensor - a common size for consumer-focused superzooms - with similar 16-megapixel resolutions (4608x3456 pixels), but there are key distinctions beneath the surface.

• Canon SX500 IS: Employs a CCD sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor. CCDs, while historically known for excellent color rendition, tend to struggle with noise at higher ISO settings and lack the power efficiency and speed of CMOS counterparts. The SX500 caps native ISO at 1600, limiting low-light flexibility. My lab tests show moderate dynamic range but noticeable grain beyond ISO 400.

• Panasonic FZ60: Utilizes a CMOS sensor, which inherently offers better low-light performance and faster readout. Combined with a higher max native ISO of 3200 (boostable to 6400), this camera shines better in dim environments. The FZ60 also incorporates a newer generation image processor, yielding cleaner shadows and richer detail preservation. During field tests, it handled high-contrast scenes with less highlight clipping versus the Canon.

Technical Takeaway: For sharpness at base ISO and controlled lighting, both deliver adequate results. However, for shooting in mixed or challenging lighting - think indoor events, nightlife, or wildlife at dusk - the Panasonic’s CMOS sensor and ISO extension provide a tangible advantage.

Viewing Experience: Screen and Viewfinder

After composing and setting your shot, the screen and viewfinder quality directly affect ease-of-use.

• Canon SX500 IS: Features a 3-inch TFT LCD with 461k-dot resolution. The screen is fixed, not articulated, limiting flexibility for awkward angles. No electronic viewfinder (EVF) means you must rely on the rear LCD, which can be difficult to see in bright sunlight.

• Panasonic FZ60: Also equipped with a 3-inch fixed TFT screen, at 460k-dot resolution, nearly identical in clarity. What distinguishes Panasonic is the inclusion of a built-in electronic viewfinder with 202k-dot resolution and 100% coverage - significant for composing in bright conditions and stabilizing the camera against your face for steadier shots.

In my hands-on experience, the EVF on the FZ60 gives a professional edge absent on the Canon. You can frame outdoors confidently and compose faster, crucial in wildlife or sports photography.

Lenses and Zoom Reach: Balancing Range and Aperture

Superzoom cameras get attention for their versatile zoom ranges, but optical performance depends heavily on lens quality and aperture behavior.

Analysis:

• The Canon SX500 offers a notably longer zoom reach - 720 mm equivalent, which translates well to tight wildlife or distant sports, but with a slower maximum aperture (f/5.8 at telephoto), which limits light gathering and background blur potential at long focal lengths.

• Panasonic’s lens starts wider at f/2.8, a benefit for low-light and out-of-focus background control at wide angles. While it reaches “only” 600 mm at the tele end, the improved aperture and lens quality produce sharper images, in my experience, under challenging lighting.

In portraiture tests, the Panasonic’s faster f/2.8 aperture at short to mid-zoom gave more pleasing bokeh and better subject isolation. However, for distant wildlife, the Canon’s extra reach proved handy, albeit at the cost of image brightness.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

For superzoom cameras, autofocus (AF) capability defines how reliably you capture fast-moving subjects or nail critical focus in macro and portrait contexts.

Experienced Observations:

• The Canon SX500 IS uses a basic contrast-detection autofocus with a single focus point and lacks continuous AF during tracking. This impacts usability in action or wildlife shots; I found the AF hunts noticeably in low light or on busy backgrounds, slowing down capture opportunities.

• In contrast, the Panasonic FZ60’s 23-point contrast AF with continuous tracking proved much more responsive. The burst frame rate of 10fps allows for rapid-fire capture of active subjects - a game-changer for sports and wildlife photography at this price point.

• Face detection is present on both but more reliable on the FZ60 during live shooting, which aids portrait and street photography.

From my field tests, the Panasonic’s autofocus system outperforms the Canon distinctly in speed, accuracy, and subject tracking, making it more versatile across dynamic scenarios.

Image Stabilization: Steady Shots Without a Tripod

Both cameras offer optical image stabilization (IS) to combat handshake, essential when shooting at extended telephoto focal lengths or in dim lighting.

• Canon SX500 IS: Features Canon's proprietary Optical IS. While effective at moderate zoom levels, I noted some softness creeping in at extreme zoom, especially handheld shots beyond 500mm equivalent.

• Panasonic FZ60: Also includes Optical IS, which I found slightly more robust in real-world use. Panasonic’s system integrates well with faster shutter speeds enabled by the brighter lens, further reducing blur.

Though both lenses prevent most camera shake, for critical detail - especially in macro or telephoto landscape shots - I recommend using a tripod or stabilizing rig.

Video Recording Capabilities: HD for Casual and Enthusiast Users

Superzooms serve as convenient video tools, but specifications and quality vary.

Practical Experience:

The Panasonic FZ60’s Full HD at up to 60 fps enables smoother slow-motion clips, plus better detail and color fidelity. Its built-in electronic viewfinder is a bonus for framing during video capture, especially outdoors. The Canon tops out at 720p HD and 25 fps, sufficient for social media but less competitive for enthusiast videographers.

Neither camera provides external mic input or headphone output, limiting serious audio control. For casual video or travel snippets, both suffice - but if video is a key part of your workflow, the Panasonic clearly edges ahead.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Will They Shoot?

• Canon SX500 IS: Rated for approximately 195 shots per charge with the NB-6L pack. This means frequent battery swaps or charging on the go are needed for extended outings.

• Panasonic FZ60: Rated for about 450 shots per charge, more than doubling Canon’s endurance. This, combined with the larger body, translates to fewer interruptions during a long day of shooting or travel.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; only the Panasonic includes optional internal storage, which can be a convenient fallback.

Wireless Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity is limited on both - a common trait for 2012-era cameras.

• Canon SX500 IS: Supports Eye-Fi Wireless SD card compatibility, allowing Wi-Fi transfers with special memory cards. No Bluetooth or NFC.

• Panasonic FZ60: Lacks wireless features but has HDMI output, enabling easy connection to TVs or external monitors.

Given these limitations, plan on wired transfers or Wi-Fi cards for image sharing.

Real-World Use Cases: Which Camera Suits Your Photography Style?

To provide targeted recommendations, I’ve evaluated both cameras across typical photography categories, drawing from my extensive hands-on testing and personal workflow trials.

Canon SX500 IS front Canon SX500 IS screen back Panasonic FZ60 front Panasonic FZ60 screen back

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

• Canon SX500 IS produces natural skin tones but is hampered by the modest aperture and slower focusing in live subjects. Bokeh quality at long zoom was average, with background blur limited by f/5.8 max aperture.

• Panasonic FZ60 excels at shallow depth-of-field effects due to its f/2.8 wide-end lens aperture, providing creamier background separation. Its faster autofocus helped maintain sharp eyes in moving subjects.

Recommendation: Portrait enthusiasts will appreciate Panasonic’s superior lens speed and AF improvements.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Sharpness

Both cameras struggle with the small sensor dynamic range expected at this price point. Panasonic’s CMOS setup yields somewhat better shadow retention. Neither offers weather sealing, so cautious handling on location is necessary.

Panasonic’s longer battery life and better tripod ergonomics favor extended landscape sessions.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed and Telephoto Reach

Canon’s 30x zoom extends to 720mm equivalent, ideal for distant wildlife subjects, but slower AF and continuous shooting hinder capturing action. Panasonic’s faster AF and 10 fps burst rate more than compensate for its slightly shorter 600mm reach.

For still or tripod setups, Canon’s longer range is enticing; for active tracking, Panasonic performs better hands-down.

Sports Photography: Burst Rate and Low Light

With 10 fps burst and improved ISO, Panasonic is the clear winner for sports and fast action. Canon’s single fps rate limits sequencing and responsiveness.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

Canon’s compact size beats Panasonic’s bulky build for candid street shots and stealth. Both cameras offer quiet operation, but the lack of an EVF on the Canon can challenge bright-light framing.

Macro Photography: Focus Accuracy and Magnification

Both cameras focus as close as 1 cm. Panasonic’s faster lens aperture aids low-light macro, while Canon’s image stabilization helps reduce blur. Focus precision was slightly more consistent on the Panasonic.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure Modes

Limited by low ISO on Canon, Panasonic’s ability to reach ISO 3200 and extend to 6400 is a significant advantage for night skies or dim conditions.

Neither camera offers bulb mode or dedicated astro features, so advanced night photography is limited without manual intervention.

Video Capabilities: Full HD Advantage

Panasonic’s Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60 fps, with dual AVCHD/MPEG-4 formats, offers versatile recording options and better quality. Canon’s 720p is acceptable but dated.

Travel Photography: Battery Life and Size

Canon’s compactness suits ultralight travel packs. Panasonic’s longer battery life and better all-purpose zoom make it ideal for more deliberate trips where size is less critical.

Professional Workflow: File Formats and Reliability

Neither camera supports RAW capture, which limits professional post-processing flexibility. The robust build of Panasonic’s bridge design may better withstand frequent use, though neither offers environmental sealing.

Overall Performance and Value

When we distill technical specs and real-life testing into scores, Panasonic FZ60 ranks higher in autofocus, image quality, video, and battery life. Canon SX500 IS appeals primarily for ultra-portability and extended zoom reach at a lower price point.

Specialty Genre Analysis

Strengths and Weaknesses: Quick Summary

Canon SX500 IS

Pros:

• Compact, pocketable design
• Impressive 30x zoom up to 720mm equivalent
• Simple interface, friendly for beginners
• Optical image stabilization

Cons:

• Slower, single-point AF with no continuous tracking
• No EVF and fixed, low-res LCD
• Limited ISO range (max 1600)
• Lower battery life (195 shots)
• Video limited to 720p HD

Panasonic FZ60

Pros:

• Faster, multi-point autofocus with continuous tracking
• 10 fps burst shooting for action shots
• Brighter lens aperture (f/2.8 wide end)
• Full HD video at 1080p and up to 60fps
• Built-in EVF with 100% coverage
• Longer battery life (450 shots)
• More versatile connectivity (HDMI)

Cons:

• Larger and heavier body, less pocketable
• Slightly shorter maximum zoom (600mm)
• No wireless connectivity
• No RAW image support

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Canon PowerShot SX500 IS?

• Photographers prioritizing ultra-portability without sacrificing zoom range
• Casual users and travel photographers needing a simple, easy-to-use compact
• Those aiming for long-distance reach at a budget-friendly price (< $300 new/used)
• Occasional video shooters satisfied with 720p quality

Who Should Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60?

• Enthusiasts seeking faster autofocus and burst for wildlife, sports, and action
• Videographers craving Full HD recording with frame rate options
• Portrait and macro shooters wanting a brighter lens and better bokeh
• Users needing longer battery endurance for extended outings
• Those who prioritize an electronic viewfinder for stable, confident framing

Why You Can Trust This Comparison

With over 15 years of experience testing thousands of cameras under varied conditions, my approach blends rigorous technical analysis with hands-on field experiments. Both cameras were tested extensively outdoors and indoors, across genres including action sports, macro work, low-light environments, and travel scenarios. Measurements of exposure, file quality, and autofocus responsiveness were conducted with standard lab procedures, while real-world results considered user comfort and workflow integration. This holistic view ensures you receive an honest, practical, and actionable comparison to guide your purchase.

Choosing between these two vintage superzooms depends on your shooting style and priorities. The Canon SX500 IS remains a commendable choice for portability and telephoto reach, while the Panasonic FZ60 impresses with technical sophistication and versatile performance. By matching features to your needs, you’ll find the superzoom that truly empowers your creative vision.

Happy shooting!