Casio EX-10 vs Panasonic ZS60

Casio EX-10 vs Panasonic ZS60: The Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When chasing the perfect compact camera, balances of size, versatility, image quality, and advanced features often define your choice. Here, we put two intriguing models through their paces - the Casio EX-10 and Panasonic ZS60 - to help you uncover which aligns best with your creative ambitions. Both represent distinct compact concepts: Casio’s EX-10 aims to combine bright optics with manual control in a pocketable package, while Panasonic’s ZS60 leans into superzoom versatility and 4K video functionality.

With over 15 years of hands-on camera testing experience, including thousands of compact and bridge cameras, we dive deep into their specifications, real-world performance, and use cases. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer, a vlogger, or someone stepping up from a smartphone, this comparison will clear the fog on what these cameras really deliver.

Size and Handling: Pocketability vs. Grip and Controls

The initial impression you get on picking up a camera can determine your comfort over hours of shooting. Both cameras present compact solutions, but they target slightly different ergonomics and handling priorities.

• Casio EX-10: With dimensions of 120 x 68 x 49 mm and a weight of 384 g, the EX-10 is relatively compact but heavier due to its robust build and a fast-aperture lens. The tactile rubber grip and clean lines make it comfortable for one-handed operation. The 3.5-inch tilting touchscreen - quite generous for this class - encourages shooting from unusual angles.

• Panasonic ZS60: Slimmer and lighter at 112 x 64 x 38 mm and 282 g, the ZS60 excels in portability. It slips into smaller pockets effortlessly, a boon for travel and street photography. The fixed, smaller 3.0-inch touchscreen balances visibility with compactness but lacks tilting mechanics, which might limit creative framing.

In practical use, the EX-10's bulk offers more stable hold especially with longer exposures or telephoto reach, whereas the ZS60’s sleekness favors spontaneous and subtle shooting. If absolute portability is your top priority, ZS60 fits the bill; if comfort and control get precedence, EX-10 pulls slightly ahead.

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive Operation Makes a Difference

A camera's control scheme defines how quickly you adjust settings and react to shooting moments. In either street or wildlife photography, swift access to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO is critical.

• Casio EX-10: The top view reveals a minimalist design. While it sports dedicated control dials for shutter and aperture priority modes, many settings depend on touchscreen navigation. Its lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) nudges you toward using the rear screen exclusively, which may hinder composition in bright daylight.

• Panasonic ZS60: Here, Panasonic tucks in a compact EVF with 1166k-dot resolution and 0.46x magnification - a rarity for small compacts. Physical buttons and a mode dial provide rapid manual adjustments, and touch controls add versatility. The EVF lends usability outdoors, making it easier to track subjects than relying solely on the LCD.

If you value precise, tactile control and an EVF for bright light composing, the Panasonic ZS60 clearly offers more. The Casio EX-10’s touchscreen emphasis leans towards intuitive menus but may frustrate traditional shooters used to physical controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: Bigger Isn’t Always Better, but It Helps

Image degradation in compact cameras is often linked to sensor size, lens quality, and processing engines. Let’s break down their sensors and how that translates to real-world image quality.

• Casio EX-10’s 1/1.7” sensor is physically larger than the ZS60’s 1/2.3” sensor. Larger sensor surface area generally means better light gathering, improved dynamic range, and cleaner images, especially evident at higher ISOs.

• Panasonic ZS60’s 18 MP resolution delivers finer detail at base ISO but at the cost of smaller pixels, which can introduce noise in low light.

From direct shooting tests, the EX-10 offers smoother tonal transitions and more natural skin tones, which is ideal for portraiture. The ZS60’s images sharpen nicely but show more noise past ISO 800. Landscapes captured with EX-10 benefit from the sensor’s improved dynamic range but the ZS60’s greater pixel count helps pull more out of fine detail-rich scenes.

For photographers prioritizing low-light performance and gradation quality, the Casio EX-10 has an edge. However, if you need high-resolution cropping or large prints, ZS60’s pixel count is attractive.

LCD and Viewfinder: Choosing Your Framing Tool

Clear visibility for composition and menus impacts your shooting flow significantly, especially in different lighting situations.

• Casio EX-10 has a large 3.5” 922k-dot Super Clear LCD with 180° upward tilt, perfect for selfies, vlogging, or shooting over obstacles. The touchscreen aids menu navigation but the lack of an EVF means in bright scenarios, viewing can be challenging.

• Panasonic ZS60 provides a 3.0” 1040k-dot fixed screen with touchscreen capability plus a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). This EVF’s 100% coverage and high resolution make it excellent for precise composition and tracking, especially outdoors.

Hands-on, we found the EX-10’s bigger and tilting screen advantageous for video bloggers and those experimenting with creative angles. The ZS60’s EVF is a strong plus for traditional photographers or street shooters who prefer eye-level composing to stabilize their stance.

Lens and Zoom: Aperture Priority vs Incredible Reach

Lens optics directly influence what photography styles best suit a camera and how image quality holds across focal lengths.

• Casio’s bright f/1.8 aperture at wide and relatively fast telephoto f/2.5 lets more light in, aiding low-light shooting and delivering appealing background blur (bokeh). This feature suits portraits, low-light street, and creative shallow-focus photography.

• Panasonic’s 30× superzoom (24-720mm) gives you extraordinary reach to capture distant wildlife, sports, or landscapes without changing lenses. However, the slower aperture means less ideal low-light performance and less background separation.

If your style demands versatility across very long distances and you prioritize zoom reach, the Panasonic ZS60 reigns supreme. For artistic portraits, street low-light work, or all-around brighter fixed zoom ranges, the Casio EX-10’s lens wins.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Subjects and Burst Performance

Faster, more accurate autofocus (AF) and burst shooting define your success in auto mode, especially for unpredictable action or wildlife.

The ZS60 offers more AF points and zoom-assisted focus modes, useful when working at full telephoto zoom for wildlife or sports. Both cameras lack phase-detect AF, so contrast detection AF results in slower focus acquisition compared to modern hybrid systems.

In practice, both cameras deliver solid autofocus for casual shooting, but the ZS60 feels more confident in tracking distant moving subjects owing to extra AF points zone spread. Burst rate parity (10 fps) allows for decent action sequences, though buffer depths restrict number of consecutive shots.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Frame Rates, and Stabilization

Video is increasingly integral, and your choice here may hinge on 4K support and image stabilization technologies.

The Panasonic ZS60 is notably more capable: its 4K UHD video expands creative options for detailed footage and cropping flexibility. The post-focus and 4K photo modes further add multi-shot framing versatility.

Casio’s EX-10 settles for Full HD only; however, its sensor-shift stabilization compensates well in handheld video, providing smooth footage. Both cameras lack external mic ports, limiting serious audio recording potential.

For vloggers or videographers wanting higher resolution video and creative 4K features, the ZS60 is the clear winner. Photo enthusiasts shooting casual video may appreciate EX-10’s stable Full HD but miss 4K capability.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Connected

Convenience and longevity in field use matter when shooting travel or extended sessions.

Casio EX-10 surprises with excellent battery life for a compact, giving you more shooting time per charge - a significant plus for travel or event photography.

Panasonic’s ZS60, while slightly less enduring, still delivers reasonable battery stamina, especially in conjunction with its superzoom and EVF demands. Both cameras feature reliable WiFi for image transfer, aiding instant social sharing or remote shooting.

Durability and Build Quality: Weather Sealing and Robustness

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized features. Both are best kept dry and protected against dust and shocks. Their sturdy builds suit normal daily usage but not extreme environments.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Types

Let’s contextualize these specs into practical shooting scenarios:

Casio EX 10 front Casio EX 10 screen back Panasonic ZS60 front Panasonic ZS60 screen back

Scoring the Cameras: Overall and by Genre

To summarize performance with an evidence-supported scoring reflecting key user priorities:

Genre-Specific Ratings:

Who Should Choose Which? Tailored Recommendations

Choose Casio EX-10 if:

• You prioritize image quality, natural skin tones, and bokeh for portraits.
• Low-light and night photography are important, leveraging the fast F1.8 aperture and sensor-shift stabilization.
• You value a large tilting screen for vlog-style shooting or unusual angles.
• Longer battery life supports your shooting habits, like travel or event work.
• You prefer manual exposure control in a compact without excessive zoom demands.

Choose Panasonic ZS60 if:

• You want extreme zoom flexibility (24-720mm) for wildlife or sports.
• You value having an electronic viewfinder for composing in bright conditions.
• 4K video capture and 4K photo modes are key to your creative work.
• Compact size and low weight are top priorities for street or traveling light.
• You want a versatile all-rounder capable of decent image quality and advanced video features at a budget-friendly price.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Pocket Compromise

Both the Casio EX-10 and Panasonic ZS60 are compelling options in the small sensor compact segment. The EX-10 excels in optics, image quality, and manual control with a user-friendly, large tilting screen. The ZS60 pushes versatility with an impressive 30x zoom, EVF, and 4K video capabilities that punch above its weight class.

Your choice hinges on what matters most in your photography toolkit:

• Bright, beautiful images and low-light performance? Casio EX-10 is a stellar pick.
• Zoom range, video prowess, and outdoor composing flexibility? Panasonic ZS60 is unmatched here.

We encourage you to try hands-on tests if possible, paying special attention to whichever ergonomics and image styles inspire you to create more. Every photographer’s journey is different, and both cameras represent solid stepping stones towards mastering compact creativity.

Helpful Links and Accessories to Explore Next

• Check out fast prime lenses or filters if off-camera add-ons are possible.
• Explore dedicated camera bags sized for compact ecosystems.
• Invest in high-speed SD cards to optimize burst and video shooting.
• Consider portable power banks for extended battery life outdoors.

We hope this detailed comparison helps clarify your options confidently. Choose the compact camera that sparks your passion and equips you best on your photographic adventures.

Happy shooting!