Nikon Z6 II vs. Panasonic FZ60: An In-Depth Comparison for Photographers of All Levels

Choosing the right camera often feels like navigating a sea of complex specs and ever-evolving technology. With over 15 years behind the lens and thousands of cameras tested, I know firsthand how crucial it is to balance technical prowess with real-world usability. Today, I’m comparing two very different beasts: the Nikon Z6 II, a professional-grade full-frame mirrorless camera, and the Panasonic FZ60, a solid small-sensor superzoom bridge camera. While their price points and target audiences couldn’t be more distinct, exploring their strengths and compromises side-by-side offers invaluable insight - whether you’re an aspiring hobbyist, a seasoned pro, or a traveller looking for versatility.

Let’s dive in.

When Size and Ergonomics Matter: Physical Build and Handling

Starting with the fundamentals: how the cameras feel in hand dramatically influences shooting experience and image quality. The Nikon Z6 II, weighing 705g and sized at 134mm × 101mm × 70mm, positions itself as a mid-sized pro mirrorless camera with an SLR-style body. The Panasonic FZ60 is considerably lighter at 493g but bulkier front-to-back (120mm × 81mm × 92mm), owing to its built-in superzoom lens and bridge camera design.

In my experience, the Z6 II’s balanced heft feels reassuring for prolonged use without causing fatigue. It’s robust yet manageable for those who shoot landscapes, portraits, or sports alike. The Panasonic FZ60’s lighter weight and fixed lens make it a convenient grab-and-go option, but the deeper grip profile may not feel as refined.

The Z6 II’s magnesium alloy build and weather sealing offer confidence in challenging environments (rain, dust, cold), a feature absent in the FZ60. For outdoor photographers or pros needing durability, Z6 II reigns supreme here. The FZ60, while sturdy for a bridge camera, lacks environmental sealing and may require additional care.

Top-Down: Control Layout and Usability

Intuitive controls can make or break a camera’s appeal. Nikon’s Z6 II impresses with a streamlined top plate featuring a dedicated exposure compensation dial, dual command dials for aperture and shutter speed adjustments, and a crisp monochrome status screen.

In contrast, the FZ60, aimed at the enthusiast market, leans on a more streamlined, less customizable control layout.

The Z6 II delivers tactile, responsive buttons and dials suitable for quick changes on the fly, supporting photographers who prefer manual overrides. The FZ60’s controls are functional but feel dated against today’s standards - especially with no touch or customizable rear controls.

My workflow testing showed the Z6 II reduces fumbling in fast-paced situations like sports or street shooting, while the FZ60 relies more on menu diving.

Under the Hood: Sensor Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

The heart of any camera lies in its sensor and image processing abilities.

The Nikon Z6 II features a 25.3MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor sized 35.9 x 23.9 mm, providing an expansive 858.01 mm² sensor surface. This size advantage ensures superior light gathering, dynamic range, and depth-of-field control. The sensor includes an optical low pass filter (anti-aliasing), balancing sharpness and moiré suppression.

Conversely, the Panasonic FZ60 sports a far smaller 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with just 16MP resolution and dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm - only about 27.72 mm² surface area. This sensor limitation impacts image quality in terms of noise levels, dynamic range, and color fidelity, especially in low-light or high contrast scenes.

From my lab and field testing, the Z6 II consistently beats the FZ60 on color depth, subtle tonal gradations, and low-noise ISO performance. The FZ60’s sensor design is respectable for casual daylight shooting but struggles beyond ISO 800 and in shadows.

Viewing and Composing Experience: Screens and Viewfinders

Composition benefits from bright, accurate, and responsive displays.

The Nikon Z6 II’s 3.2” 2.1M-dot tilting touchscreen feels modern and crisp, ideal for diverse shooting angles - street, macro, or video. The eye-level electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts a sharp 3.69M-dot resolution with 0.8x magnification, delivering clear, lag-free framing.

The Panasonic FZ60 includes a 3” 460k-dot fixed LCD and a snake-oil-like EVF of just 202k dots resolution, which felt grainy and less pleasurable over extended shoots.

In mixed-light situations, the Z6 II’s adjustable tilt screen was invaluable for overhead or waist-level shots, whereas the FZ60 screen’s fixed angle occasionally forced awkward body positioning.

Lens Systems and Autofocus: Flexibility Meets Precision

Lens ecosystem and autofocus capabilities often define a camera’s long-term value.

The Nikon Z6 II utilizes the Z-mount system, compatible with 15 native lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to professional telephotos. Plus, it supports F-mount DSLR lenses via adapter with no loss in autofocus speed or image quality.

Autofocus spans 273 phase-detection points, complemented by face and eye detection for humans and animals - a boon for portraits and wildlife. In practice, the Z6 II’s AF delivers swift, reliable focus lock across challenging subjects, including birds in flight and sports action, with minimal hunting.

On the other hand, the Panasonic FZ60’s fixed 25–600mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens with F2.8-5.2 aperture is versatile but no match optically or speed-wise to interchangeable lenses in low light or specialized needs.

Its contrast-detection AF with 23 points performs surprisingly well for a bridge camera but struggles in low contrast or dim environments. Tracking moving subjects required patience and frequent refocusing.

Shooting Speed and Buffer: Burst Mode and Shutter Reliability

Continuous shooting speed matters immensely in sports and wildlife photography.

The Z6 II maxes out at 14 frames per second (fps) with its mechanical shutter, offering both speed and image quality. Buffer capacity allows extended bursts, essential for capturing decisive moments.

The FZ60 achieves 10 fps but with a slower maximum mechanical shutter speed (1/2000s vs. 1/8000s on Z6 II) and more limited buffer, making it less suited for aggressive action sequences.

I’ve found the Z6 II’s shutter mechanism to be both robust and quiet, with an electronic shutter option for near-silent shooting when discretion is necessary.

Specialized Photography Disciplines: Who Excels Where?

To truly gauge camera capability, I’ve broken down performance across key photography genres using real-world tests and image comparisons.

Portraiture: Skin Tones and Bokeh Mastery

The Nikon’s full-frame sensor creates a naturally shallow depth of field, rendering smooth, creamy bokeh and excellent skin tone gradations - especially with fast primes or standard zooms.

Its advanced eye-detection AF ensured critical focus even with moving subjects and wide apertures.

The Panasonic’s small sensor and variable aperture mean noticeably deeper depth of field and less subject isolation. Portraits appeared sharper from edge to edge but less artistic.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

The Z6 II’s superior dynamic range - allowing capture of highlight and shadow details - shines here. Crisp 25MP images afford large print sizes and excellent cropping latitude.

Environmental sealing enables worry-free shooting in diverse conditions.

The FZ60, while handy for casual landscapes, offers lower resolution and poorer shadow recovery. Lack of weather sealing reduces confidence in harsh outdoor environments.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst

As expected, the Z6 II’s expansive AF point coverage and 14 fps rate make it a workhorse for fast subjects. Animal eye AF is invaluable for wildlife shooters needing precise focus.

The FZ60’s slower AF and limited burst performance restrict its use to more static or slow-moving subjects.

Street and Travel: Discretion and Versatility

Here the scales shift slightly. The FZ60’s fixed lens with broad zoom range lets photographers carry less gear while switching from wide framing to telephoto quickly. Its pocket-friendly size aids portability.

However, the Z6 II’s superior image quality and low-light AF make it unbeatable for capturing decisive street moments when light dims.

Battery life is similar (Z6 II: ~410 shots; FZ60: ~450 shots), though the smaller sensor means the FZ60 consumes less power overall.

Macro and Night Photography

The FZ60’s 1cm macro focus capability impressed on close-up details but cannot match the Nikon’s superior focusing precision and 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization. The Z6 II is also optimized for night and astrophotography with higher ISO headroom and exposure bracketing modes.

Video Capabilities

The Z6 II supports 4K UHD recording up to 30p, with advanced codecs, microphone and headphone ports, and in-body stabilization - critical for serious videographers.

The FZ60 caps out at 1080p Full HD; it lacks external mic inputs and advanced stabilization, limiting professional video use.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power Management

The Nikon Z6 II supports dual card slots (CFexpress Type B / XQD) allowing simultaneous RAW and JPEG backup or overflow. This redundancy is essential in professional workflows.

It offers robust wireless connectivity including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, facilitating tethered shooting and instant image transfer.

The Panasonic FZ60 has a single SD card slot and no built-in wireless features, requiring cables for data offloading.

Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable battery packs - Z6 II delivers roughly 410 shots per charge, FZ60 slightly better at 450 shots, but keep in mind real shooting conditions vary drastically.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Comparative Scores

Here is a consolidated view of their specifications distilled into performance scores across broad criteria:

Additionally, here’s how they stack up across specific photography genres:

These ratings mirror my subjective testing and align closely with industry benchmarks.

Real-World Testing: Sample Galleries and Image Quality

To truly appreciate their imaging capabilities, I conducted side-by-side shoots under varying conditions - from sun-dappled forests to neon-lit streets, portraits to wildlife.

Nikon Z6 II front Nikon Z6 II screen back Panasonic FZ60 front Panasonic FZ60 screen back

Notice the Z6 II’s nuanced textures and dynamic tonal range versus the FZ60’s decent but less nuanced output. Skin tones render naturally on Nikon; the Panasonic tends toward slight digital smoothing.

Value and Price-to-Performance

At approximately $2,000 USD for the Nikon Z6 II and under $350 USD for the Panasonic FZ60, the gulf in price reflects divergent design goals and target audiences.

If image quality, adaptability, and professional features are paramount - and budget allows - the Z6 II is an undeniable choice.

The FZ60 offers tremendous value for beginners or casual shooters prioritizing versatility, zoom reach, and a lower price point without interchangeable lenses.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Nikon Z6 II?

• Serious enthusiasts and professionals needing full-frame quality
• Portrait, landscape, wildlife, and sports photographers demanding speed and precision
• Traveling pros requiring weather sealing and durable ergonomics
• Hybrid shooters combining stills and 4K video
• Those investing in a long-term system with a growing native lens lineup

Who Should Consider the Panasonic FZ60?

• Beginners or budget-conscious hobbyists wanting an all-in-one solution
• Travel or street photographers valuing zoom versatility without extra lenses
• Casual everyday shooters and family snapshot enthusiasts
• Those prioritizing compact size and ease of use over ultimate image quality

Tackling two cameras so different in classes and eras was illuminating. The Nikon Z6 II represents pinnacle full-frame mirrorless technology, refined over generations and geared toward demanding creatives. The Panasonic FZ60 is a spirit of convenience and affordability that still delivers fun, capable photography.

My advice: identify your priorities in handling, image quality, versatility, and budget before deciding. Both cameras can craft compelling stories - one with breathtaking fidelity, the other with smart simplicity.

Happy shooting!

Disclaimer: I have no financial affiliations with Nikon or Panasonic. All assessments are based on comprehensive hands-on testing following industry-standard protocols and my personal photographic experience.