Leica V-Lux 2 vs Panasonic ZS60

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Panasonic ZS60: Dive Deep into Two Small Sensor Superzooms

When two superzoom cameras from revered brands land on my desk - Leica’s V-Lux 2 and Panasonic’s ZS60 - it’s a gift for any enthusiast hungry for versatile, travel-friendly shooters. Both promise an all-in-one solution but span different eras and philosophies. The V-Lux 2 dropped back in 2010 with a bold, bridge-style body and an impressively bright F2.8 zoom range, while the ZS60, a more compact 2016 offering, leverages advanced processing to punch above its weight in video and autofocus. Which one best suits your photography style? Well, pull up a chair because after shooting with both extensively, I’m here to unpack everything - technical wizardry, real-world use, and value talk - so you can choose wisely without the hype fog.

Hands-On Feel: Size, Ergonomics, and Design DNA

First impressions matter, especially when you plan to carry a camera for hours or cram it into travel bags. Leica’s V-Lux 2 presents itself like a miniature DSLR, with its SLR-like bridge body giving an immediate sense of heft and robustness. It’s noticeably thicker, measuring 124x80x95mm and weighing about 520g. This heft translates into a reassuring grip and plenty of real estate for physical dials and buttons - a delight for photographers who relish manual control.

In contrast, Panasonic’s ZS60 is a more compact powerhouse. Measuring 112x64x38mm and weighing just 282g, it practically disappears in your palm or jacket pocket. This smaller footprint makes it excellent for street and travel photography where discretion and portability reign supreme.

The V-Lux 2’s fully articulated 3-inch screen, albeit with a modest 460k-dot resolution, offers flexibility in tricky angles - great for macro or shooting at waist level. Meanwhile, ZS60 sports a fixed 3-inch touchscreen boasting over double the resolution at 1040k dots, making image review and menu navigation sn_appier and more intuitive.

The physical size differences clearly visible: Leica’s substantial V-Lux 2 vs Panasonic’s slim ZS60.

If button layout and top ergonomics excite you, check out the next image. Leica’s dedicated dials and solid button feedback feel vintage but functional, evoking classic camera joy. Panasonic leans on fewer physical controls but integrates touchscreen conveniences well.

Top control panel comparison: Leica’s tactile dials vs Panasonic’s streamlined controls.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny Sensors, Big Differences?

Both cameras use small 1/2.3" CMOS sensors - fairly common in superzooms - but what sets these two apart?

Leica V-Lux 2 has a 14MP sensor with an antialias filter to smooth moiré but at the cost of fine detail. Its sensor size is 6.08x4.56mm with a surface area of approximately 27.7mm². The max native ISO caps at 6400, with a base of ISO 100.

Panasonic ZS60 ups the ante slightly with an 18MP sensor of similar dimensions (6.17x4.55mm, 28.07mm² sensor area). It also sports an anti-alias filter and a native ISO range from 80 to 3200, expandable up to 6400. What's intriguing is Panasonic's Venus Engine processor that enables better noise reduction and dynamic range performance.

From my lab tests, Panasonic has a more detailed output and better tonal gradations, likely due to the higher resolution sensor and newer processing. Leica’s images, while clean, lack detail crunch at base ISO compared to the ZS60, and noise climbs quickly at higher ISOs.

Below is a side-by-side illustration of sensor specs to appreciate subtle size and resolution distinctions.

Close sensor field battle: Similar chip sizes, differing pixel counts, and processing implications.

Autofocus and Speed: Who Focuses Faster and Tracks Better?

Autofocus in superzooms can easily become a bottleneck, especially when shooting wildlife or action. Leica V-Lux 2 relies solely on contrast-detection AF with no phase detection or face/eye detection - meaning it hunts more and is prone to slower and less reliable focus lock in low-contrast or moving subject scenarios. No continuous AF or tracking means it’s better suited for still or carefully composed shots.

In comparison, Panasonic's ZS60 features a 49-point contrast-detection system with face and eye detection, continuous AF, and object tracking capabilities. While not blazing-fast like mirrorless cameras with hybrid AF, it's surprisingly capable at locking focus quickly on faces or moving subjects within its focal length range. Post Focus - Panasonic’s clever feature - lets you select focus areas after shooting, a neat trick when hunting critical sharpness is challenging.

This is a decisive edge for anyone shooting wildlife, sports, or dynamic street portraits and video, where autofocus reliability can make or break the moment.

Optical Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Reach, Aperture, and Versatility

Leica V-Lux 2 sports a 25-600mm (35mm equivalent) zoom with a consistently bright F2.8-5.2 aperture. This generous aperture at the wide end especially makes it better in lower light and for creating some background separation, albeit limited by the sensor size.

Panasonic ZS60 pushes zoom reach further to 24-720mm (30x), but at a slower aperture of F3.3–6.4. The narrower aperture at telephoto means more reliance on stabilization and higher ISO in challenging light. However, the 720mm equivalent reach is meaningful for distant subjects like wildlife or sports spectatorship.

When it comes to macro, Leica’s 1cm minimum focus distance allows you to get impressively close; Panasonic’s 3cm is still good but less dramatic. Both have optical image stabilization, but Panasonic uses advanced dual IS modes for photo and video, noticeably improving handheld 4K shooting.

Together, these differences shape which camera can better tackle your primary subjects - whether large indoor portraits or eyeball-numbing distant critters in the wild.

Image Composition and Interface: Viewing Experience Matters

Leica’s fully articulated 3-inch LCD, unfortunately, slides only a modest 460k-dot resolution. This means images can look a bit muddy on playback but articulating it makes complex shooting angles easier.

Panasonic amps up the experience with a fixed 3-inch 1040k-dot touchscreen - crisp and responsive. Navigating menus, swipe focusing, and selecting autofocus points feels more modern and fluid.

Both models include electronic viewfinders (EVFs), important for bright outdoor shooting. Panasonic’s EVF has 1166k dots at 100% coverage and 0.46x magnification - even if small, it’s sharp and usable. Leica’s EVF specs are not listed, but testing notes suggest a functional but less refined implementation.

Back screen and interface: Leica’s articulation vs Panasonic’s higher-res touchscreen.

How Do They Shoot? Real World Picture Results

Let’s get down to brass tacks: image output.

Both cameras deliver classic small sensor superzoom image quality - good daylight performance with tight shots but noise and softness creeping in at higher ISO or longer zooms. Leica’s images lean toward warmer color profiles, pleasing for portraits but can sometimes feel less punchy. Panasonic offers more neutral, detailed images with accurate skin tones, better edge sharpness, and punchier contrast.

Sample gallery here shows images in various conditions, illustrating these differences in detail, color, and zoom reach.

Leica V Lux 2 front Leica V Lux 2 screen back Panasonic ZS60 front Panasonic ZS60 screen back

Video Capabilities: Is Moving Image Strength in the Cards?

Leica V-Lux 2’s video maxes out at 1280x720 HD at 60fps, recorded in AVCHD Lite - a pretty basic offering by today’s standards without microphone input or stabilization beyond optical.

Panasonic ZS60 opens doors to 4K UHD video at 30p or 1080p at 60fps, including modern codecs like MPEG-4 and AVCHD, making it a vastly superior video companion, especially for casual videographers or travel bloggers. It also includes 4K Photo mode, allowing users to extract high-res stills from video, a game changer for unpredictable moments.

Stabilization is stronger in Panasonic for video, reducing jitters during handheld shooting.

Battery Life and Storage: Powering Through the Day

Battery life is always a factor if you are shooting events or travel all day. Leica’s V-Lux 2 battery details are sparse, but user reports indicate average endurance - around 300 shots per charge. Panasonic ZS60 is rated for roughly 320 shots, which aligns with its compact form.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single storage slot. Panasonic offers timelapse recording natively - great for time-lapse enthusiasts.

Connect and Share: Wireless Features and Ports

Connectivity feels like Leica’s less adventurous area here - no wireless or Bluetooth options, just USB 2.0 and mini HDMI ports. That’s old school and somewhat limiting for instant sharing.

Panasonic ZS60, while also no Bluetooth or NFC, has built-in wireless for Wi-Fi image transfer and remote control, a big plus in today’s connected world.

Toughness and Weather Resistance

Neither camera claims weather sealing, shockproofing, or other ruggedness beyond standard build. Leica’s V-Lux 2’s thicker body could imply better durability, but both are best kept out of heavy rain and rough handling.

Pricing and Value: What You Get for Your Wallet

As of now, Leica’s V-Lux 2 hovers around $1000 - a premium price, justified partially by Leica’s brand prestige, build quality, and its bright lens design.

Panasonic ZS60 retails for under $250, smashing accessible price points without sacrificing essential functions like 4K video and fast autofocus.

If your budget is tight and you want the most bang for your buck with modern tech, Panasonic clearly takes the prize. Leica appeals more to brand loyalists who appreciate the tactile experience and superior zoom aperture.

Performance Ratings Snapshot

Bringing together technical performance, image quality, autofocus, handling, and features, here’s a quick visual guide to how these cameras stack:

And zooming in on genre-specific performance:

Breaking It Down by Photography Disciplines

Portraits:
Leica’s lens F2.8 helps create softer backgrounds on portraits despite the small sensor. But autofocus limitations and lack of face/eye detection slow down workflow. Panasonic’s face detection and higher resolution win for sharp, natural skin tones in well-lit conditions but struggle more in tight low light.

Landscapes:
Both cameras have limited dynamic range because of their sensors, but Panasonic’s higher resolution produces better detail in landscapes. Neither camera is weather sealed, so caution outdoors is advised. Leica’s brighter lens aids in tricky light scenarios.

Wildlife:
Panasonic’s longer zoom and faster focusing give it the edge for birds or distant mammals. Leica’s zoom maxes out shorter but with brighter aperture, allowing more light capture. Neither is a professional wildlife camera but Panasonic suits casual wildlife enthusiasts better.

Sports:
Here, Panasonic’s continuous AF and 10fps burst rate outperform Leica’s slower AF and similar burst. Still, neither is ideal for high-octane sports.

Street:
Panasonic’s compact size and responsive touchscreen make it discreet and quick for street snaps. Leica is too bulky and slower in AF to keep pace.

Macro:
Leica’s 1cm close-focus rule is impressive for a superzoom. Panasonic’s 3cm is good but less dramatic. Leica’s articulated screen helps here.

Night/Astro:
Small sensors are handicapped here, but Leica’s faster lens has a slight edge for starscapes. Panasonic’s higher ISO performance with noise reduction feels more balanced.

Video:
Panasonic is a clear winner with 4K and improved stabilization.

Travel:
Panasonic’s light weight, WiFi, and zoom range scream traveler’s best friend. Leica weighs more and is bulkier but offers premium lens glass.

Pro Work:
Neither camera really fits fully into professional workflows but Leica’s RAW support and build offer a modest nod.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Pick What?

Go Leica V-Lux 2 if:

• You crave a classic DSLR-like handling experience and value tactile controls
• You shoot mostly stills, especially portraits or macro where aperture matters
• You appreciate Leica’s build quality and are okay paying a premium for it
• Your photography style is deliberate and less hurried

Go Panasonic ZS60 if:

• You want a compact, ultra-portable superzoom with 4K video and fast autofocus
• You shoot a variety of subjects including wildlife, street, and travel and need a versatile tool
• You want modern features like touchscreen, WiFi, and post-focus capabilities
• Your budget demands maximum performance per dollar

Personal Takeaway

Having put thousands of shots through each sensor and wrangled their menu systems, I find the Leica V-Lux 2 a love letter to classic photographic control in a small sensor world. It rewards patience and manual skills but can frustrate when speed is essential.

Panasonic ZS60 is like a Swiss Army knife - smaller, faster, smarter, and packed with features appealing to hobbyists and casual pros alike.

Neither replaces a full-frame powerhouse, but for compact superzoom aficionados, they represent two distinct philosophies of superzoom shooting separated by nearly half a decade of tech evolution.

Choosing between these two boils down to your shooting style, budget, and what matters most: ergonomics and vintage charm or speed, modern features, and video prowess. Either way, you’re armed with solid cameras capable of covering an astonishing zoom range in a pocketable package - something that, not so long ago, felt like the stuff of photographic sci-fi.

Happy shooting!