Fujifilm F900EXR vs Panasonic ZS60: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Two Small-Sensor Superzooms

Choosing the right superzoom compact camera is like navigating a sprawling bazaar full of dazzling options, each with its appeal and quirks. Today, let me walk you through the ins and outs of two compelling contenders from the small-sensor superzoom world: the Fujifilm F900EXR and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60. Both pack punchy zoom ranges and compact bodies that’ll fit snugly in your jacket pocket. Yet, beneath their similar form factor lie distinct philosophies, features, and performance that can sway your pick depending on your photography style and budget (because hey, we all love value).

Having logged hundreds of hours testing cameras of this size and class, I’ll guide you beyond specs – into what really matters when you’re out in the wild, at family gatherings, or trekking landscapes far and away.

Size Matters - How These Two Feel in Your Hands

When it comes to small-sensor superzooms, portability is king. Both the Fujifilm F900EXR and Panasonic ZS60 are designed for on-the-go shooting, but subtle differences in size and ergonomics impact usability over prolonged shoots.

The Fujifilm F900EXR measures a svelte 105x61x36 mm and weighs 232 grams - featherweight for a 20x zoom beast. Its slim profile slips easily into a jacket pocket without bulging, making it ideal for travelers who value convenience above all. However, the slightly smaller grip area means you don’t get the kind of club for thumbs you’d desire during marathon shooting sessions. It feels more like a sleek point-and-shoot than a traditional camera.

By contrast, the Panasonic ZS60 is a bit chunkier at 112x64x38 mm and heavier at 282 grams. This added heft comes with a more robust grip and marginally better balance when fitted in hand, which can increase shooting confidence especially for wildlife and sports enthusiasts who rely on steady handling. For me, this extra bulk became a pleasant trade-off when shooting telephoto shots handheld for longer periods - my hands weren’t fighting the camera during bursts.

Both feature lightweight build plastics with no weather sealing; so if you’re roughing it in rain or dusty conditions, you’ll want to carry protective gear regardless. Summing up, if pocketability is your primary demand, the Fujifilm edges it slightly in size; if ergonomic comfort for longer shoots is your game, Panasonic offers a better grip experience.

Controls Up Top - Which One Puts You in the Pilot’s Seat?

A camera’s control layout can make or break the shooting experience - no matter how great the specs are on paper. Let’s take a peek at how these two fare on the control plane.

The Fujifilm F900EXR opts for a minimalist approach with basic dials and buttons. It offers essential modes including manual exposure, shutter priority, and aperture priority, which is rare in compact superzooms. However, its controls are tightly packed and lack dedicated customizable buttons, so you might find yourself digging through menus during rapid-fire shooting - not ideal when capturing fleeting wildlife or sports moments.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic ZS60 delivers a more thoughtful user interface: it includes a touchscreen LCD (we’ll cover the back screen later), a dedicated mode dial, and intuitive button layout that I found friendly even during fast action photography. Touch-to-focus and touch-to-shoot capabilities add modern convenience. Plus, added options like post-focus, manual focus rings simulated through buttons, and exposure adjustment wheels grant more flexibility to advanced users.

For photographers who like to tweak things on the fly without fumbling, I recommend the Panasonic ZS60’s control setup over the Fujifilm’s more barebones layout.

Sensor and Image Quality - The Heart of the Matter

If you’re serious about your photos, sensor technology and resulting image quality are paramount. Both cameras cling to small sensors (approx. 1/2-inch class), but subtle differences impact your image outcomes in real-world shooting.

The Fujifilm sports a 16MP EXRCMOS sensor measuring 6.4x4.8 mm (area ~30.7 mm²). Fujifilm’s EXR II processor, while dated, promises efficient noise management and decent dynamic range for a sensor this size. However, it lacks continuous live-view autofocus capabilities and focuses primarily using a phase detection system - a rarity in compacts of its era.

On the other side, the Panasonic ZS60 employs an 18MP 1/2.3” CMOS sensor (about 6.17x4.55 mm, ~28.1 mm² area), paired with the Venus Engine processor. Despite slightly smaller sensor area, it makes up with more advanced image processing, improved noise reduction, and has 49 autofocus points leveraging contrast detection and touch AF for accurate targeting.

Pragmatically tested, Fujifilm holds its own at base ISO up to 800 with punchy colors and decent detail in daylight. However, shoot beyond ISO 800 and noise rapidly becomes a concern. Panasonic’s newer sensor and processor combo let you push ISO a little further (up to 1600 usable in some cases) with smoother gradations and better shadow retrieval. Also, Panasonic edges out better handling of high-contrast scenes due to improved dynamic range (~10.6 EV at base ISO per DxOmark testing), leading to richer landscapes and urban shots.

So in terms of image quality, Panasonic ZS60 shows a modest but meaningful improvement especially when lighting is less than ideal.

Peeking at the Back - Screens and User Interface

The LCD is your window to framing, reviewing, and menu navigation. Here, I found differences that highlight Panasonic’s forward-thinking design.

Both cameras sport a 3-inch LCD, but Panasonic’s screen boasts a higher resolution at 1040k dots versus Fujifilm’s 920k dots, lending a crisper preview experience. Additionally, the ZS60 features touch capability, which is a huge plus for navigating menus, selecting focus points, and even firing the shutter remotely.

The Fujifilm’s screen, though non-touch and fixed, performs solidly outdoors with good visibility, but relegates you to buttons for navigation, which can slow down operation.

Most notably, Panasonic ZS60 throws in an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1166k dots and 100% coverage - something the Fujifilm lacks entirely. For bright daylight or fast-moving subjects, having an EVF makes tracking and composing easier and steadier. It’s a serious advantage for genres like wildlife, sports, or street photography.

Zoom and Lens Performance - Your Reach and Optical Quality

Zoom range often defines these superzooms. Here too, Panasonic’s lens seems to take the lead.

Fujifilm’s fixed lens spans a 25-500 mm equivalent focal length, offering a 20x zoom with an aperture of f/3.5-5.3. Panasonic’s packs 24-720 mm (30x zoom) with f/3.3-6.4 aperture. That extra telephoto reach is handy for distant wildlife or candid street shots where you want discretion from afar.

Lens sharpness and aberrations are often the Achilles heel of such long zooms, but Panasonic’s more modern lens construction maintains decent edge-to-edge sharpness and better controls chromatic aberration and distortion. Fujifilm’s lens shows some softness at full zoom and in corners, typical for its generation.

Both cameras have sensor-shift (Fujifilm) or optical (Panasonic) image stabilization, essential for handheld telephoto shots, with the Panasonic’s IS slightly more effective from my tests, especially in lower light.

Focusing - Autofocus Smartness and Speed On the Field

The autofocus system tells you how well the camera locks onto your subject. I ran them through typical wildlife, sports, and portrait scenarios.

The Fujifilm uses phase detection AF without contrast detection or live view AF - slightly unconventional. It offers face detection, center and multi-area AF, but no animal eye detection. Its continuous autofocus at 11 fps burst is impressive in theory, but in practice, focus hunting during movement is noticeable and reliability varies.

Meanwhile, Panasonic offers 49 AF points with contrast detection, touch AF, face detection plus manual focus options and post-focus (great for macro or tricky focus zones). Burst rate is slightly lower at 10 fps but AF tracking is more consistent and snappy, even in low light.

If fast, nuanced focusing with varied subjects is your priority - for example for sports or wildlife - Panasonic has a clear edge.

Real-World Photography Use Cases Tested Across Genres

Let’s break down how these two stack up across popular photography styles, distilled from my hands-on shooting experiences.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, pleasing bokeh, and sharp eye focus. Neither camera can compete with a larger sensor mirrorless or DSLR here - but each does what it can within limits.

The Fujifilm’s lens produces less background blur due to smaller aperture max and focal length limits, but its EXR sensor renders natural skin tone colors with warm, film-like aesthetics straight from camera. Eye AF is basic and often misses subtle eyelash focus, but face detection generally holds.

The Panasonic’s 24-720 mm zoom lets you isolate subjects better at longer focal lengths, and touch AF helps nail focus on eyes. The higher resolution sensor also yields crisper portraits, but colors are slightly less pleasing out-of-the-box, needing some tweaking.

For portrait enthusiasts wanting effortless pleasing skin tones with point-and-shoot ease, Fujifilm wins. For a tighter zoom and precise focusing with some post-processing, Panasonic edges ahead.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution and dynamic range take front stage, alongside weather sealing (neither camera offers sealing).

The Panasonic’s slightly higher 18MP sensor with ~10.6 EV dynamic range gives richer shadows and better highlight retention - key for vibrant scenes with challenging contrast. Its longer zoom enables creative framing from wide to impressive telephoto landscapes.

The Fujifilm’s sensor is a touch behind in dynamic range but still very usable in bright conditions, especially with EXR modes designed for higher DR. Lens sharpness is fine, but not top tier.

For landscapes, Panasonic is the better all-rounder, especially under diverse lighting.

Wildlife Photography

Telephoto range, autofocus speed, and burst shooting are wildlife essentials.

Panasonic’s 720 mm reach and steady AF give an advantage in capturing distant birds or shy animals. Adjustable focus areas and touch AF enhance tracking. Burst at 10 fps is pretty competitive.

Fujifilm’s faster burst (11 fps) is attractive, but focus reliability lags. The 500 mm zoom is still respectable, but less reach.

For passionate wildlife shooters on a budget, Panasonic is the practical pick.

Sports Photography

Here, AF tracking, frame rates, and low light handling are tested.

Neither camera truly competes with pro-grade models, but for casual sports, Panasonic’s touch AF and steady continuous autofocus help capture fast-moving kids or local games better.

Fujifilm’s faster burst is interesting but hit-or-miss focusing diminishes success rate.

Street Photography

Discreteness and portability matter alongside low light response.

The Fujifilm’s smaller size and quieter operation make it stealthier (no loud focus motor). However, lack of EVF means composing in bright sun is tough.

Panasonic’s EVF and tilt screen offer better framing options, but size and sound are a bit more obtrusive.

Both do well indoors with assisted LV AF.

Macro Photography

Shooting close-up requires precise focus and magnification.

Panasonic’s 3 cm macro close focus and focus stacking post-focus mode is a boon here for creative compositions. Fujifilm’s 5 cm close focus is respectable but no focus stacking.

I’d recommend Panasonic for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO noise suppression, long exposure capability, and manual control are critical.

Panasonic’s max shutter up to 1/16000 electronic shutter aids bright daytime long exposures; ISO up to 6400 auto-boost is usable with noise reduction.

Fujifilm maxes at ISO 12800 but with noisier outcomes; mechanical shutter tops at 1/2000 s.

Neither has star-tracking features, but Panasonic’s 4K photo mode aids capturing fleeting nighttime moments.

Video Capabilities

Panasonic ZS60 shoots 4K at 30p, Full HD at 60 fps, complete with touchscreen AF control, mimicking mirrorless video workflows.

Fujifilm caps out at 1080p/60fps with no touchscreen and no microphone port.

For casual video creators wanting more resolution and flexible controls, Panasonic wins again.

Travel Photography

Balance of size, battery, zoom range, and versatility define this genre.

Fujifilm’s light body and compactness make it an excellent travel camera when you don’t want to be burdened.

Panasonic’s longer reach, EVF, and touchscreen add versatility, but at 50 g heavier and slightly bigger.

Battery life favors Panasonic (320 vs 260 shots), a notable plus for long outings.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera is aimed at full professional use. However, raw support on both allows detailed post processing.

Panasonic’s greater autofocus control, post-focus capabilities, and 4K video gives it a slight professional edge for multimedia work.

Both lack robust weather sealing and external mic inputs – critical for pros.

Technical Summary - A Quick Checklist

Here’s how both stack on key technical features:

Value for Money and Who Each Camera Is Best For

Both cameras come with compromises dictated by their price and release era. Here’s the lowdown:

Why Pick the Fujifilm F900EXR?

• If you prize ultra-compact size, light weight, and sleek styling.
• You appreciate natural color rendering with good daylight skins tones.
• You want manual exposure control in a budget-friendly compact.
• You’re a casual shooter focusing on travel or everyday snapshots with some zoom reach.
• You don’t need EVF or touchscreen sophistication.

Why Choose the Panasonic ZS60?

• You want longer reach zoom (30x) and steadier image stabilization.
• You value autofocus speed, tracking reliability, and face/touch AF for varied shooting.
• You shoot video casually but with better specs (4K and Touch controls).
• You want an EVF for daylight framing.
• You appreciate extra battery life and a more versatile interface.
• You’re a budget-conscious enthusiast wanting flexible zoom compact.

Conclusion: Which Compact Superzoom Should You Bring Home?

Both cameras continue to offer solid value as small superzoom compacts in their respective niches.

If portability and straightforward, dependable daylight image quality with manual exposure is your mantra, the Fujifilm F900EXR remains a nimble companion. It excels as a pocketable travel camera and decent street shooter if you keep expectations realistic.

On the other hand, if you want more reach, modern AF technology, better video, a handy viewfinder, and a richer feature set for diversified shooting genres like wildlife, macro, or landscapes, the Panasonic ZS60 delivers a compelling, well-rounded package. It’s arguably the better all-round everyday carry for the enthusiast who wants solid performance without breaking the bank.

Fujifilm F900EXR front Fujifilm F900EXR screen back Panasonic ZS60 front Panasonic ZS60 screen back

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, your choice is governed by your priorities. Both the Fujifilm F900EXR and Panasonic ZS60 illustrate solid engineering and thoughtful design for their time, and continuing to punch above weight in the compact zoom segment. Buy what resonates with your shooting style, ergonomic preference, and budget - and remember: no camera is perfect, but a good camera in the right hands can make magic happen.

Happy shooting!