Nikon L840 vs Panasonic ZS60: The Ultimate Small-Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When small sensor superzooms come up for discussion, enthusiasts often look for the best blend of zoom reach, image quality, handling, and video capabilities within a pocketable or bridge-style camera. Today, I’m diving deep into a fairly vintage but still relevant duel between two popular models from Nikon and Panasonic - the Nikon Coolpix L840 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 (also known as TZ80).

Both cameras landed in the market just a year apart (2015 vs 2016), targeting users who need a long zoom range without the hassle of swapping lenses. Yet, they differ quite a bit in features and execution. In this article, I’ll share what I’ve learned from testing both extensively and offer advice on which suits different photographic styles and budgets.

Let’s begin by setting the stage on their physical and handling differences.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Bridge vs Compact

At first glance, the Nikon L840 comes across as a classic bridge camera with a bulky, DSLR-esque body, while the Panasonic ZS60 opts for a sleeker, more compact form factor.

Measuring 114 x 89 x 96 mm and weighing about 538g (including its AA batteries), the Nikon is heavier and more substantial in hand. Its SLR-style body offers a substantial grip that’s friendly for users accustomed to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. The L840’s body size translates into more physical buttons and presumably better stability at long zooms, although portability takes a hit.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS60 at 112 x 64 x 38 mm and only 282g is delightfully pocketable, ideal for travel or street photographers who value discretion and light carry. The trade-off is the smaller grip and more compact layout which might feel cramped during longer handheld sessions, particularly with longer telephoto shots.

Looking from above, the Nikon’s control layout is simpler - no dedicated dials for aperture or shutter speed - and most exposure modes rely on automatic or scene presets. The Panasonic gets a slight edge here, providing manual exposure controls and a shutter/aperture priority mode, which is quite rare in compact superzooms.

For me, the Nikon’s heft provides shooting comfort in certain scenarios like wildlife or long-range landscape telephoto work, but the Panasonic’s layout and compactness win the day for everyday use or urban shooting where you want to stay light and agile.

Sensor and Image Quality: Same Size, Different Approaches

Both cameras use the popular 1/2.3" CMOS sensor sized at 6.17 x 4.55 mm, roughly 28 mm² sensor area - typical for superzoom cameras but modest compared to APS-C or Micro Four Thirds.

However, Megapixel counts vary - the Nikon has a 16MP sensor producing 4608 x 3456 images, while the Panasonic dips slightly higher at 18MP with 4896 x 3672 resolution. That extra resolution can be handy if you routinely crop or prefer bigger prints.

Image quality, unsurprisingly, is constrained by the sensor class; expect similar noise levels and dynamic range in both. My tests showed that neither camera excels dramatically in low-light. You’ll get grain from ISO 800 upwards, and shadows tend to lose detail early - pretty typical for this class.

Noteworthy is Panasonic’s higher maximum native ISO of 3200 (boostable to 6400) versus Nikon’s ISO ceiling at 6400 native but with noticeably more noise at higher ISOs. Though, neither camera was designed for serious night shooting or astrophotography.

Panasonic edges out Nikon with support for RAW capture, offering more flexibility for post-processing, whereas the Nikon L840 is locked to JPEG. If you value image editing freedom, that’s a clear point for the ZS60.

Both sensors include anti-aliasing filters, which slightly soften fine details but reduce moiré - a sensible choice given the sensor size.

LCD Screens and Viewfinder Experience

Moving on to framing and composition tools…

The Nikon sports a 3.0-inch tilting screen with a resolution of 921k dots, but no touchscreen capabilities. Tiltable screens are handy for low or high-angle shots, but missed here is the ability to interact directly via touch, making menus slightly less nimble.

Panasonic’s ZS60 also offers a 3.0-inch fixed LCD but steps up in resolution to 1040k dots and includes touchscreen functionality. The touchscreen truly enhances usability, especially for focusing and menu navigation, adding a degree of immediacy and fun in use.

A significant advantage for the ZS60 is the addition of a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1166k dot resolution and 0.46x magnification. The Nikon L840 has no viewfinder at all, relying solely on the rear LCD. Having an EVF in bright outdoor conditions is a boon and offers a more stable shooting posture.

The lack of any eyepiece on the Nikon, while making it slightly more compact front-to-back, is a drawback for serious shooters who want to compose carefully through traditional framing means.

Autofocus and Speed: Fast Enough for Everyday Action?

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus rather than phase-detection, which is expected on their sensor types. However, Panasonic packs in a sophisticated 49-point autofocus system with face detection, touch AF, and tracking capabilities. The Nikon has contrast AF with multi-area and face detection but lacks the number of AF points and some of the refinements.

Continuous autofocus and tracking on the ZS60 is noticeably more reliable during video and burst shooting, especially in decent light. The Nikon’s autofocus system, while sufficient for casual snapshots, tends to hunt more in low light or during fast action.

Speaking of speed, the Nikon clocks a maximum continuous shooting speed of 7.4 fps, whereas Panasonic reaches 10 fps. Though buffer depths are shallow on both (typical for the class), Panasonic’s faster burst rate will better capture fleeting moments - a notable advantage for wildlife or sports enthusiasts shooting at this price tier.

Zoom Range and Optics: Reach vs Versatility

Superzoom cameras live and die on their zoom specs.

The Nikon L840 boasts a massive 38x optical zoom spanning 23-855mm (35mm equivalent), while the Panasonic ZS60 offers a 30x zoom ranging 24-720mm equivalent.

Both have an aperture that narrows at telephoto: Nikon’s F3.0-6.5 and Panasonic’s F3.3-6.4 - very similar values. This means they admit less light as you zoom in, affecting autofocus and image quality especially in dim lighting.

The Nikon’s longer reach should theoretically allow safer framing from a distance, critical in wildlife photography or event coverage. But with a maximum aperture narrowing at the far telephoto end, expect slower autofocus and possibly more image shake (though both provide optical stabilization).

The Panasonic trades a bit of reach for slightly faster optics at wide end, and with better manual focusing thanks to built-in focus ring and touch focus, particularly valuable for macro or creative work.

Speaking of macro, Nikon claims a close focusing distance of just 1 cm, compared to Panasonic’s 3 cm. That might be tempting for extreme close-ups, but in practical day-to-day use, Panasonic’s manual and post-focus features elevate the macro shooting experience beyond mere numbers.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

If video matters to you, the Panasonic clearly leads here.

The ZS60 supports 4K UHD video at 30p, something unseen on the Nikon L840, which tops out at 1080p (Full HD). 4K video on the Panasonic not only offers higher resolution videos but also enables 4K Photo Mode, allowing you to extract high-res stills from video frames - a feature I find very handy for fast-moving subjects when traditional burst isn’t enough.

Both cameras have optical stabilization during video, helping smooth handheld footage, but the Panasonic’s higher resolution and manual exposure options give it a more professional feel.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks, which limits external audio control - a missed opportunity, but typical for this category and price point.

In terms of codecs, Panasonic supports AVCHD and MPEG-4/H.264, while Nikon sticks with MPEG-4 and H.264 only.

Battery Life and Storage

The Nikon L840 runs on 4 AA batteries, delivering an impressive stated battery life of roughly 590 shots per charge. This can be great for extended shoots without carrying chargers, especially if you use alkaline batteries - which are easily sourced worldwide.

Panasonic uses a proprietary battery pack with a 320 shot capacity. While that’s almost half the L840’s rating, it’s respectable given the compact design and power-hungry EVF and 4K video capabilities. Carrying spare batteries or a charger is advisable for day-long outings.

Both cameras use standard SD-type cards (SD, SDHC, and SDXC compatible) and have a single card slot.

Built-In Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity on the Nikon includes Wi-Fi and NFC, while the Panasonic features only Wi-Fi but no NFC. Both lack Bluetooth and GPS, so geo-tagging or always-on connections are absent.

This is not surprising given their original market era but does reduce seamless smartphone photo transfers compared to modern cameras.

Additional aspects: Panasonic shines with features like post-focus for selecting focus points after shooting and timelapse recording, neither offered by the Nikon.

Weather-Sealing, Build Quality & Reliability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or ruggedness features (no waterproof, dustproof, shockproof ratings), so you’ll want proper protection from the elements if shooting outdoors.

Despite their plastic-heavy construction, both feel robust enough for casual use. The Nikon’s larger size generally translates into greater handling stability, but the Panasonic’s compact body surprisingly holds up well.

User Interface and Menu System Insights

The Nikon L840’s interface is simple but basic, geared heavily towards beginners with easy scene modes and limited manual involvement.

Panasonic favors a more complex, feature-rich menu. The addition of touchscreen controls significantly streamlines operation, plus the ability to access manual exposure and custom white balance gives creative users more direct control.

Low-Light and High ISO Performance

Neither camera is a low-light champ, given sensor size limits.

My practical tests show noise becoming visible at ISO 800 on both, with Panasonic’s sensor possibly pulling a slight edge in clean output at ISO 1600 and 3200, partly thanks to more recent sensor technology and noise algorithms.

The Nikon’s maximum ISO 6400 is more theoretical than practical, with heavy noise and loss of detail. For dimly lit events or night street photography, both might require supporting light.

Real-World Photography Examples: What You Can Expect

To give you a real feel for their output quality and color rendering…

Nikon L840 front Nikon L840 screen back Panasonic ZS60 front Panasonic ZS60 screen back

The Nikon renders punchy colors but sometimes leans toward cooler tones, which may not flatter skin tones in portraits. Bokeh at wide apertures is understandably limited by sensor size and optics, but the long reach helps isolate subjects better.

The Panasonic displays more neutral color balance with excellent skin tone reproduction and slightly sharper images when shooting at base ISO. Its 4K photos allow for detailed cropping, making it versatile for travel and street shooters.

Scorecard: Who Comes Out On Top?

Summarizing all these factors into an expert-grade benchmark:

• Image Quality: Panasonic ZS60
• Build & Handling: Mixed – Nikon better for ergonomics, Panasonic lifestyle-friendly
• Zoom Reach: Nikon L840
• Video Features: Panasonic ZS60
• Performance (AF/Burst): Panasonic ZS60
• Battery Life: Nikon L840
• Connectivity: Nikon L840
• Price-Value Ratio: Panasonic ZS60 (lower price point)

Genre-Specific Performance: Which Suits Your Photography?

Let’s look through the major photography disciplines and see where each model fits best:

• Portraits: Panasonic wins with better skin tones, manual focus, and RAW support. Nikon’s zoom and battery help in outdoor portraits but limited face detection tech holds it back.
• Landscape: Panasonic’s higher resolution and 4K make it a better landscape companion, even if Nikon's longer zoom is tempting. Neither is weather-sealed.
• Wildlife: Nikon’s longer zoom is king here, but Panasonic’s better autofocus and faster burst partially close the gap.
• Sports: Panasonic's faster AF and 10 fps burst are preferable. Nikon’s slower continuous autofocus limits action capture.
• Street: Panasonic’s compact size, EVF, and touch controls make it the obvious choice.
• Macro: Nikon’s crazy close 1 cm focus is intriguing, but Panasonic’s post-focus and manual adjustments deliver better precision.
• Night/Astro: Neither camera excels, but Panasonic manages cleaner ISO 3200 shots.
• Video: Panasonic destroys Nikon with 4K, manual exposure, and better stabilization.
• Travel: Panasonic balances compactness and functionality well; Nikon’s battery life is great but bulkier size is a downside.
• Professional Work: Both cameras fall short for demanding pro use cases - neither supports RAW (Nikon), or workflow connectivity, and both lack ruggedness.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Buy?

If you’re debating between the Nikon L840 and Panasonic ZS60, here is my advice based on your needs:

• For zoom lovers on a budget craving longest reach and sturdy handling, Nikon L840's 38x zoom, AA battery convenience, and ergonomic grip are great. Ideal for casual wildlife or travel where changing lenses isn’t feasible.

• For enthusiasts and travelers seeking compact size, better image quality, video, and manual control, Panasonic ZS60 shines. Its 4K video, EVF, touchscreen, and RAW support offer a more flexible shooter’s experience.

Personally, I lean towards the Panasonic ZS60 for its versatility and advanced features, especially as image quality and video capabilities remain critical today. The Nikon L840 serves niche users who prioritize reach and battery simplicity but don’t need manual modes or 4K.

Both cameras aged gracefully for their category, but my hands-on experience underscores how Panasonic’s refined UI and tech edge create a more gratifying and versatile tool.

If you want to explore further, I recommend testing these in-store or renting to see which feels right in your hands and workflow. The screenshots and sample images here should provide a solid jumping-off point!

Happy shooting!