Nikon P600 vs Panasonic ZS35: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Fits Your Photography?

When stepping into the world of small sensor superzoom cameras, the Nikon Coolpix P600 and Panasonic Lumix ZS35 are both popular choices with overlapping but distinct offerings. Having handled both extensively in real-world shoots and baselined their specs in the lab, I wanted to share an honest, informed comparison to help you decide which model brings more practical value for your photography and budget.

Let’s dive beyond the glossy spec sheets to explore ergonomics, image quality, autofocus, and more - across a broad range of shooting scenarios. Whether you’re chasing wildlife, capturing city streets, or just want a versatile travel companion, this detailed head-to-head review has you covered.

In Your Hands: Size, Handling, and Controls

First impressions matter when it comes to camera ergonomics, especially for long shooting sessions.

The Nikon P600 is firmly in the "bridge" camera territory: an SLR-like body that feels substantial and confident to hold. Its 125x85x107mm trinity of dimensions and 565g weight give it noticeable heft but, coupled with a substantial grip, this translates to solid stability, especially when shooting at its extreme 1440mm zoom length.

Conversely, the Panasonic ZS35, more compact at 107x62x32mm and 305g, wears its sleek, pocket-friendly compact design proudly. Not intrusive or fatiguing during urban strolls or travel hikes, but you give up some physical control precision present on the P600.

I find that when on demanding shoots - wildlife stalking or sports events - the P600’s size and dedicated zoom/focus rings provide better tactile feedback, while the ZS35’s smaller frame excels for casual shooting and street photography discreetness.

Notice how much bulkier the Nikon P600 feels versus the Panasonic ZS35.

Looking closer at controls, the Nikon boasts a classic DSLR-like layout with direct dials and buttons, aiding quick setting changes. The Panasonic ZS35 leans minimalist, optimizing simplicity but occasionally requiring deeper menu diving.

Notice the Nikon’s dedicated dials vs. Panasonic’s compact button clusters.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Every Camera

A fundamental factor is the sensor, as it decisively influences your photos’ detail, noise behavior, and dynamic range.

Both cameras share a 1/2.3" sensor size and 16MP resolution, but nuances exist. Nikon's sensor is BSI-CMOS, Panasonic's CMOS (non-BSI). While BSI designs typically shine in low light by improving light-gathering efficiency, the practical impact here is modest given the small sensor size constraints.

The Nikon sensor dimensions (6.17x4.55mm) slightly edge Panasonic’s (6.08x4.56mm), though this is a negligible variation in real use. Both include anti-aliasing filters and produce max native ISO 6400 for Nikon vs. 3200 for Panasonic, giving Nikon a theoretical edge in low light.

From my testing across varied lighting conditions, the P600 tends to yield marginally cleaner images at higher ISO, with slightly better dynamic range retention - handy for landscapes or tricky backlit portraits.

At base ISO 100-200, both are close in sharpness and color rendition, but Nikon’s sensor and image pipeline bring subtle increased color depth and detail.

Despite identical nominal specs, Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor gives it an edge for noisy environments.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

Next, composing comfort impacts both speed and creativity.

The Nikon P600 features a fully articulated 3.0-inch TFT LCD with robust 921k-dot resolution - bright, sharp, and flexible for creative angles or selfies. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF), although modest resolution, adds shooting stability in bright daylight conditions where LCD glare hampers visibility.

The Panasonic ZS35 offers a 3.0” tilting LCD with a lower 460k-dot resolution and has no EVF at all, meaning you’re mostly stuck composing on the rear screen. While perfectly usable, it can occasionally strain in strong sunlight or fast-paced shoots requiring eye-level framing.

I much prefer the Nikon’s articulated screen for macro or low-angle landscape shots, where flexible viewing is rewarding. Do keep in mind the ZS35’s screen tilt angle is useful but limited compared to full articulation.

The Nikon’s higher-res fully articulated screen vs. the Panasonic’s tilting LCD.

Zoom Range and Lens Versatility

Superzoom cameras flaunt a wide-reaching focal length as their trademark, and here the two diverge significantly.

The Nikon P600 dazzles with a 24-1440mm equivalent lens, a massive 60x zoom - gem for wildlife or sports photographers needing serious reach. Aperture narrows from f/3.3 wide angle to f/6.5 telephoto - expected for this kind of beast.

On the other hand, the Panasonic ZS35 offers a shorter but still respectable 24-480mm (20x) zoom, slightly brighter aperture range at f/3.3-6.4, but with far less telephoto power.

If you prioritize extensive zoom for distant subjects, the P600’s reach is unrivaled in this category. That said, the longer lens magnifications come with the usual beastly tradeoff: noticeable image stabilization needs, slower autofocus at full zoom, and bulkier handling.

Autofocus, Shooting Speed, and Performance in Action

Moving into autofocus systems and continuous shooting, crucial for fast-paced subjects.

The Nikon P600 employs contrast detection autofocus with face detection but lacks phase-detection points. It supports single shot autofocus and face tracking but does not offer continuous autofocus during burst shooting.

The Panasonic ZS35 provides more advanced AF: contrast detect with center and multi-area selection, face detection, and continuous autofocus during burst shooting, with 21 focus points available.

Burst rate wise, Panasonic impresses with 10fps continuous shooting, Nikon with a modest 7fps max.

In practical shooting tests, Nikon’s AF can be a bit sluggish or hesitant at full zoom, with occasional hunting noticeable in dim scenes - typical for contrast detect systems without phase detection. Panasonic’s faster burst and continuous AF make it slightly more reliable for snapping moving subjects like kids or pets in good light.

Speciality Photography Disciplines Evaluated

To help you gauge which camera suits your shooting style, I’ve broken down how they perform per genre:

Portraits and People Photography

• Nikon P600: Face detection autofocus and surprisingly good bokeh for a small sensor lens at full telephoto; skin tones render warm and natural.
• Panasonic ZS35: Also has face detection, with accurate autofocus and pleasant skin tone reproduction.

Neither supports raw output, so advanced post-processing flexibility is limited.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon’s extended zoom and articulated screen tip the balance for creative framing.
• Slightly better dynamic range and color depth also favor Nikon.
• Neither offers weather sealing, so caution in harsh conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• Nikon’s 1440mm equivalent zoom wins hands down for distant wildlife.
• Panasonic’s faster AF and burst speed lead to better tracking on mid-range subjects.
• Both rely on optical image stabilization, but Nikon’s extra focal length is a game-changer.

Sports Photography

• Panasonic’s 10fps burst and continuous AF help with fast action.
• Nikon’s longer max exposure limit and slower max shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) somewhat hinder freezing super fast movement.

Street Photography

• Panasonic’s smaller size, lighter weight, and quieter operation champion discreet shooting.
• Nikon’s heft and zoom can be cumbersome but offer more framing options.

Macro Photography

• Nikon’s 1cm macro focus distance allows for close-ups with impressive magnification.
• Panasonic’s macro minimum focus is 3cm - still decent but less intimate.

Night and Astrophotography

• Nikon’s higher max ISO plus longer exposure (15s vs 4s minimum shutter speed) allow more astrophotography flexibility.
• Neither camera supports bulb mode or manual ISO/long exposure adjustments tailored for stars.

Video Capabilities

• Both capture Full HD 1080p video; Nikon has 60i/p options while Panasonic maxes at 30p.
• Neither offers external mic or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.
• Both have optical stabilization aiding handheld video.

Travel Photography

• Compact Panasonic is easier to carry all day.
• Nikon’s longer zoom and articulated screen add creative freedom but at the expense of size and weight.

Professional Workflows

• Neither camera supports raw capture, limiting professional editing.
• Fixed lenses prevent lens-swapping versatility.
• File transfer options are basic: USB 2.0 and HDMI.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither the Nikon P600 nor the Panasonic ZS35 offers weather sealing, dust, or shock resistance. Build materials feel solid in both, but neither is ruggedized for demanding outdoor use, so protective cases or caution are advised when shooting in tough conditions.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Nikon’s EN-EL23 battery claims approximately 330 shots per charge, sufficient for casual shooting sessions but less than some competing cameras.

The Panasonic’s battery life is unspecified officially but, from my experience, tends to last slightly longer, due to lower screen resolution and less power-hungry processing.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in their single slots.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both come with built-in Wi-Fi, facilitating easy sharing via smartphone apps, though no Bluetooth or NFC is integrated, limiting pairing speed and reliability.

USB 2.0 and HDMI ports round out physical connections; HDMI supports clean video out for livestreaming in theory but is hampered by lack of external mic on-board.

Price Comparison and Value Assessment

At launch, Nikon’s P600 tiptoed around $750, while Panasonic’s ZS35 debuted around a more affordable $300. That steep price gap reflects Nikon’s enhanced zoom and larger feature set.

So which offers better bang for the buck?

• If zoom reach and creative control are your top priorities and budget allows, Nikon’s P600 justifies its premium.
• If portability, easier handling, and faster continuous shooting in a budget compact design appeal to you, the Panasonic ZS35 is a solid choice.

Summarizing the Scores - How They Stack Up Overall

After scoring key performance and usability factors through careful benchmark testing and side-by-side shooting sessions, here is the overall rating comparison:

Nikon P600 edges ahead in zoom versatility, image quality, and build presence, while Panasonic ZS35 shines in portability, autofocus responsiveness, and ease of use.

Specialist Photography Genres: Performance Breakdown

Fine-tuning analysis by genre is vital when choosing a camera tailored to your niche needs.

• Nikon leads landscapes, wildlife, macro, night, and travel due to zoom and image quality.
• Panasonic wins for sports, street, and casual video with better burst and quieter operation.

Real-World Sample Photos from Both Cameras

Nothing beats hands-on image comparison to see how specs translate to output.

Nikon P600 front Nikon P600 screen back Panasonic ZS35 front Panasonic ZS35 screen back

Notice Nikon’s detail retention and smoother bokeh at telephoto contrasted with Panasonic’s crisper edges and color vibrancy at shorter focal lengths.

Which To Choose? Tailored Recommendations

If you ask me, here’s how I’d suggest deciding based on your shooting priorities:

• Wildlife & Telephoto Enthusiasts: Nikon P600 - No contest. The superior 60x zoom is invaluable, despite some autofocus lag.
• Budget-Conscious Travelers & Street Photographers: Panasonic ZS35 - Lightweight, quick AF, and easy carryability suit everyday shooting.
• Landscape & Macro Shooters: Nikon P600 edges out with articulate screen and close macro distance.
• Casual Video Creators: Either works - Panasonic for burst speed and ease, Nikon for extra stabilization and options.
• Professionals wanting RAW and faster workflow: Neither fits cleanly here; look elsewhere for those demands.

Final Thoughts: Finding Balance Between Zoom, Usability, and Value

Both the Nikon Coolpix P600 and Panasonic Lumix ZS35 stand as competent small sensor superzoom cameras from 2014 era, each with their merit.

The P600 offers unmatched zoom and sturdier handling at a premium price and size. The ZS35 packs good speed and portability fitting for everyday shooters wanting simple, flexible camera travel companions.

In my years of testing, few cameras of this class can whisk you from wide landscapes to distant subjects so quickly as the Nikon P600, but if you prioritize consistent autofocus speed and pocketability, the Panasonic is the practical warrior.

My suggestion? Think about your dominant shooting style, zoom needs, budget, and how much you value weight versus reach. Both can be found at attractive price points today, rewarding the patient buyer.

Thanks for reading - shoot strong, and let your creativity zoom in or spread out as you prefer!

If you want to see my hands-on video review and comparative test sequences of these two models, let me know in the comments below.