Canon SX60 HS vs Panasonic FZ70: The Definitive Small-Sensor Superzoom Showdown

Choosing a bridge camera with a superzoom capability means balancing a variety of factors - from image quality and zoom reach to autofocus performance and ergonomics. The Canon PowerShot SX60 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 (also known as the FZ72 in some markets) are two stalwarts in this category, both boasting impressive zoom ranges and feature sets that cater to enthusiasts craving versatility without the hassle of lens swaps.

I’ve spent extensive hands-on time with both cameras, testing them across multiple photography genres - portraiture, wildlife, landscapes, sports, macro, and even video. In this comparison, we will dissect the strengths and limitations of each model, scientifically analyze their capabilities, and explore how these translate in real-world use. Strap in, because this deep dive will equip you to pick the better camera for your artistic and technical needs.

Sizing up the Contenders: Ergonomics and Handling

When handling bridge cameras, physical comfort and intuitive control layouts greatly affect shooting endurance and enjoyment.

The Canon SX60 HS has a slightly more compact body footprint (128x93x114 mm) compared to the Panasonic FZ70 (130x97x118 mm), yet it feels marginally heavier at 650g (with battery and card) versus Panasonic's 606g. Both cameras replicate the SLR-like grip profile, but the Canon’s grip is chunkier and rubberized, lending more confidence during extended handheld shooting sessions.

Control-wise, the Canon emphasizes ergonomics with a well-positioned rear dial and clearly labeled buttons. It's easier to adjust settings quickly without diving into menus, which I found beneficial during action shoots. The Panasonic’s smaller buttons and less pronounced grip make for a slightly fiddlier experience, especially for those with larger hands, though it remains perfectly usable.

In terms of build quality, neither camera sports weather sealing - standard for this category - which is a factor to consider if you intend to shoot in harsh conditions.

Design and Control Layout: Where Form Meets Function

A camera’s usability deepens once you factor in control placement and interface design.

Looking at the top view, we see clear divergences: Canon’s mode dial offers the standard PASM modes plus handy shortcuts for movie mode and creative shots. The shutter button rings the zoom control, which is smooth and responsive, ideal for one-handed zoom adjustments.

Panasonic offers a similar dial with PASM and full auto, but the zoom lever feels noticeably stiffer and less refined. However, Panasonic makes up for it with faster burst shooting (9 fps vs Canon’s 6.4 fps), likely catering to fast-action photographers.

Neither camera incorporates touchscreen functionality, but the Canon features a fully articulated 3-inch LCD (922k dots), whereas the Panasonic’s 3-inch screen is fixed with lower resolution (460k dots) - more on this later when we discuss image review and live view.

Sensor and Image Quality Analysis: The Heart of the Matter

At the core, both cameras use the ubiquitous 1/2.3” sensor format - this is typical for bridge cameras and compels honest expectations regarding noise and low-light capabilities.

Both sensors measure roughly 6.17x4.55 mm with a sensor area of about 28mm² - small compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors, which limits dynamic range and depth of field control. They each offer 16MP resolutions (Canon’s maximum 4608 x 3072 px, Panasonic’s slightly taller 4608 x 3456 px), which balance detail with manageable noise levels.

Lab tests from DxOMark assign Canon SX60 HS a score of 39 overall and Panasonic FZ70 a slightly better 41. Panasonic also takes a small edge in color depth (19.4 vs 19.2 bits), dynamic range (10.8 vs 10.1 EV), and low-light ISO performance (171 vs 127), consistent with Panasonic’s Venus Engine image processor optimizations.

What this means practically: the Panasonic is marginally better at preserving highlight and shadow details and managing noise at higher ISOs, say above ISO 800. For outdoor daylight shooting, both perform more or less equally, capturing pleasing colors and detail, albeit with the usual softness typical of small sensors at full telephoto zoom.

Focus and Autofocus Performance: Hunting Accuracy Versus Speed

Autofocus can make or break quick capture moments, be it wildlife or street street scenes.

Canon’s SX60 offers 9 contrast-detection focus points, with face detection and tracking available. It also provides continuous, single, and tracking AF modes, but its slower burst rate and fewer focus points mean it struggles a bit with fast-moving subjects.

Panasonic’s FZ70 features 23 contrast-detection points, with face detection and center-weighted AF modes, and also supports continuous and single AF. The more abundant focus points generally translate to more accurate subject acquisition, particularly in live view.

In field testing, the Panasonic’s autofocus was nimbler when tracking birds in flight or kids sprinting on the playground. The Canon lagged slightly, occasionally hunting during bursts or challenging light. However, the Canon’s lens with its longer 65x zoom (up to 1365mm equivalent) offers unmatched reach, great for distant wildlife or lunar shots, albeit at the cost of autofocus responsiveness.

Display and Viewfinder Experience: Eye on Framing and Review

Both models employ electronic viewfinders (EVF) and offer LCD screens for framing and playback.

Canon’s EVF resolution is 922k dots, providing a crisp and detailed preview that’s easy to compose with even for spectacle wearers, while Panasonic’s EVF is much less clear at only 202k dots, resulting in a more pixelated image that can cause eye strain with prolonged use.

The Canon’s fully articulated 3-inch rear LCD (922k dots) enables shooting from tricky angles - over the head, waist level, or low to the ground. This is a significant advantage for macro and street photography creativity. Meanwhile, the Panasonic’s fixed LCD with lower resolution is less flexible and less pleasurable under bright sunlight.

For reviewing shots on the go, the Canon’s high-res screen and EVF combo makes a noticeable difference in quickly assessing sharpness and exposure, especially when shooting raw files.

Lens and Zoom: How Far Can You Go?

Superzoom is the name of the game here.

Canon’s SX60 HS sports an impressively massive 21-1365mm (65x zoom) with a maximum aperture range from f/3.4 to f/6.5. This reach is extraordinary and appeals to those who want one-lens versatility to cover everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife.

Panasonic’s FZ70, while boasting a shorter 20-1200mm (60x zoom), offers a brighter aperture in the wide end at f/2.8, which translates to better low-light performance and shallower depth of field possibilities at 20mm equivalent. The telephoto end maxes out at a slightly brighter f/5.9 than Canon's f/6.5, aiding in handheld stability in certain lighting.

Where Canon swings for ultimate reach, Panasonic delivers slightly better optics at the wide angle and early telephoto range. For those focused heavily on wide-open apertures or indoor shooting, the FZ70's lens has the edge.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Duration and Flexibility

Long shooting days demand durable and efficient power solutions.

Panasonic’s FZ70 edges ahead here with a battery life rated at 400 shots per charge, compared to Canon's 340 - both using proprietary rechargeable packs. The difference can be critical on trips where charging options are limited.

Both cameras accept the now-standard SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, but the FZ70 adds internal storage, a minor convenience safety net for quick saves. Neither supports dual card slots or faster USB 3.0 transfers, which is standard for the category and price tier.

Connectivity and Wireless Capabilities: Sharing and Control

While connectivity features may not be a dealbreaker for some, they can greatly enhance usability.

Canon’s SX60 HS incorporates built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing for easy pairing with smartphones and remote control via Canon’s app. This functionality enables photographers to preview, transfer, and share images seamlessly without removing memory cards - a boon for social media enthusiasts or pro shooters needing rapid sharing.

Panasonic’s FZ70 lacks wireless functionality entirely - a notable omission that might require additional accessories for remote shooting or image transfer.

Image Stabilization: Keeping It Steady

Both cameras employ optical image stabilization, essential given their massive zooms.

Canon’s Image Stabilizer works well up to about 1/60s at full telephoto, allowing relatively sharp images handheld. Panasonic’s system operates similarly, though testers report slightly more jitter when zoomed fully in.

Neither offers in-body stabilization; all corrections come from the lens assembly.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

The ability to shoot video remains a sought-after feature in bridge cameras.

Canon’s SX60 HS records Full HD 1080p video at 30 and 60 frames per second in MP4 (H.264) format and includes a microphone input port - critical for better audio capture via external mics. 720p and VGA are also supported for low bandwidth or storage.

Panasonic’s FZ70 supports 1080p at 50i/60i and 25p/30p in AVCHD or MP4, but lacks a microphone jack. It offers smooth video but can struggle with autofocus noise picked up by the built-in mic.

For videographers wanting a robust hybrid experience, Canon’s allowance for external microphones makes it far more appealing.

Real World Image Gallery: Visual Proof of Performance

Seeing is believing, so here are several side-by-side sample images from both cameras, spanning landscape, portrait, and telephoto wildlife.

Canon SX60 HS front Canon SX60 HS screen back Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back

In daylight scenes, both cameras deliver crisp detail and accurate color, though Panasonic’s images look a tad sharper, likely due to sensor optimization. In telephoto wildlife shots, Canon’s extended reach identifies distant subjects with more framing flexibility. Portraits reveal similarly pleasant bokeh from both, though the shallow depth effect remains limited given the sensor sizes.

Low-light shots via the Panasonic show cleaner shadows and less noise, consistent with lab scores.

Performance Ratings Overview: Breaking Down the Numbers

After extensive testing, here are the overall ratings based on image quality, speed, usability, and features.

Panasonic FZ70 marginally surpasses Canon SX60 HS, mainly due to superior sensor performance, autofocus accuracy, better battery life, and faster continuous shooting.

Canon holds advantages with its larger zoom range, articulated screen, microphone jack, and wireless capabilities, which make it a versatile tool for multimedia storytellers.

Genre-Specific Strengths and Weaknesses: Pick Your Battle Horse

Each camera shines differently depending on your photography interests.

• Portrait Photography: Canon’s articulated screen and face detection aid framing, but Panasonic’s sharper images and slightly better noise control earn it a narrow win.

• Landscape Photography: Both are evenly matched; Panasonic’s wider max aperture and better dynamic range help in tricky lighting, while Canon’s wider aspect ratio options offer framing flexibility.

• Wildlife Photography: Canon's longer reach is critical for distant subjects; however, Panasonic’s superior autofocus and faster burst rate can better capture decisive moments.

• Sports Photography: Faster burst and AF tracking put Panasonic ahead, but neither matches DSLR or mirrorless high-end sports cameras.

• Street Photography: Canon’s silent shutter mode (though limited) and articulated screen make candid shots easier; Panasonic’s size and quieter zoom are advantages too - this category is a draw.

• Macro Photography: Panasonic’s 1cm focusing distance beats Canon’s fixed zero macro range, facilitating closer detail shots.

• Night/Astro Photography: Panasonic’s better noise handling and longer exposure capability (minimum shutter 8 sec vs 15 sec Canon) give it an edge.

• Video: Canon dominates thanks to full HD at 60fps, external mic support, and Wi-Fi streaming.

• Travel Photography: The Canon’s bigger zoom versatility edges ahead, but Panasonic’s slightly lighter and longer battery life make it a travel-friendly pick.

• Professional Workflow: Canon’s wireless connectivity and raw support support a smoother digital pipeline, but both cameras fall short of professional bodies in terms of robustness and overall image quality.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 stand as powerful superzoom bridge cameras with unique appeal. Your final choice depends heavily on your priority genres and feature preferences.

• If you need extreme zoom reach and multimedia flexibility (video mic input, Wi-Fi), prioritize Canon SX60 HS. It’s an all-arounder with extended framing options and superior ergonomics suited for multimedia enthusiasts who shoot a bit of everything, from wildlife to street to video projects.

• If you prefer faster autofocus, better low-light image quality, longer battery life, and a brighter lens at wide angles, go for Panasonic FZ70. It's an excellent choice for action shooters and landscape photographers who value speed and sharpness over extreme zoom. Macro enthusiasts will also appreciate the close focusing capacity.

Neither camera will supplant higher-end DSLRs or mirrorless systems, especially in demanding professional scenarios, but both offer compelling, budget-friendly versatility for hobbyists and enthusiast photographers who want impressive reach without the lens changing dance.

Having reviewed thousands of cameras over the years, I can vouch that both of these models deliver solid, trustworthy performance at their price points. For practical advice: if you shoot mostly outdoors in broad daylight and shoot wildlife or long-distance subjects, Canon SX60 HS’s extended zoom is almost indispensable. Conversely, if you require speed, sharpness and a brighter lens coupled with longer battery life, Panasonic FZ70 makes a lot of sense.

Choosing between them boils down to whether you emphasize zoom range and connectivity (Canon) or autofocus speed and low-light prowess (Panasonic). Either way, you’re acquiring a solid tool to expand your photographic horizons.

Happy shooting!

This expert comparison article synthesizes technical specs, lab-tested metrics, and firsthand in-the-field shooting evaluations to help you make a well-informed investment.