Panasonic FS25 vs ZS60: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Lumix Cameras

When digging into compact cameras, especially within Panasonic’s long-standing Lumix series, it’s fascinating to see how much progress is made across a handful of years. The Panasonic FS25 and ZS60 might look superficially similar as pocketable compacts, but behind their exteriors, they tell quite different stories. I’ve spent quality time with both cameras, pushing their limits across various photography tasks, and in this detailed, no-nonsense comparison, I’ll walk you through every angle - from sensor tech to real-world handling. Whether you’re hunting for an everyday point-and-shoot or a versatile travel companion with serious zoom chops, this guide should help you decide.

First things first: check out the physical size and ergonomics here. The FS25 (left) is noticeably smaller and lighter than the chunkier ZS60 (right), a factor that plays directly into usability and portability for many photographers.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Small vs. Superzoom Compact

The Panasonic FS25 sports a remarkably compact form factor at just 97 x 58 x 22 mm and weighs a mere 148 grams. This makes it exceptionally pocket-friendly - perfect for casual snapshooting when minimalism rules. However, that petite body means the ergonomics are somewhat compromised; the grip is slim, buttons small and packed tightly, making it less ideal for prolonged shooting or for users with larger hands.

Flip over to the ZS60, and you get a more substantial camera, at 112 x 64 x 38 mm and 282 grams. While it’s still very much in the compact category, this extra heft brings tangible benefits: the ZS60 feels solid and confident in the hand, with a well-placed grip and more comfortably spaced controls allowing for intuitive handling during fast shoots or steady videography sessions. For anyone prioritizing comfort and control, that extra size is welcome.

From this top view comparison, take note of the control layouts: the ZS60 has dedicated dials for shutter and exposure compensation, along with more function buttons, which photographers craving manual control will appreciate. The FS25’s sparse panel reflects its simpler, point-and-shoot orientation.

Sensor and Image Quality: Moving from 12 to 18 Megapixels and Beyond

Under the hood, both cameras employ a 1/2.3-inch sensor - which, in photography terms, is a small sensor size often found in compacts - but the similarities stop there. The FS25 has a 12-megapixel CCD sensor, while the ZS60 sports a more modern 18-megapixel CMOS sensor.

To me, this means the ZS60 benefits from the latest sensor design and noise control, plus the Venus Engine processor that handles image processing more efficiently and flexibly. The FS25’s CCD sensor, while competent for its era and price, falls short when it comes to dynamic range, high ISO noise performance, and color depth.

If you look at the sensor-size-compare.jpg below, you’ll see the minuscule physical difference in sensor dimensions (6.08x4.56 mm vs. 6.17x4.55 mm), but the technological leap from CCD to CMOS plus an added 6 megapixels translates to noticeably sharper images, finer detail in shadows and highlights, and cleaner shots in challenging light.

Here’s a size & sensor specs comparison to keep handy - it underscores the generational improvement in sensor tech and resolution between these two Lumix compacts.

Display and Interface: Modern Touchscreen Meets Basic Fixed LCD

Next up, let’s chat about the screens - critical in everyday shooting. The FS25 is equipped with a 3-inch fixed LCD at a modest 230k-dot resolution, pretty dim and low-res by today’s standards. It’s adequate in bright light but struggles for clarity and responsiveness indoors or when scrutinizing focus and exposure.

Contrast that with the ZS60’s 3-inch fixed LCD boasting 1040k dots and touchscreen functionality. This display’s sharpness and touch responsiveness truly enhance user experience, making menu navigation, focus point selection, and image review far more fluid. I'll admit, once you've used a bright, high-res touchscreen like on the ZS60, going back to the FS25’s screen feels limited instantly.

Both lack articulating displays or selfie modes, which is a minor setback for vloggers or people using the camera for casual self-portraits.

A clear look at the back screens shows the obvious difference in resolution and touch capability. Panasonic’s evolution here was essential for user satisfaction.

Autofocus and Shooting Speeds: Basic Contrast Detection vs. More Advanced AF

Autofocus capabilities reveal a big dividing line between these cams. The FS25 offers only contrast detection autofocus, with a maximum of 11 points and relatively sluggish focus acquisition. It has face detection but no continuous or tracking AF modes, making it a real challenge for moving subjects.

The ZS60, meanwhile, supports contrast-detection AF too but improves significantly with 49 focus points and continuous autofocus options, along with tracking and selective AF. Its face detection is more refined, with faster detection speeds and more reliable autofocus locking, even in lower light.

Shooting speed tells a similar story - the FS25 snaps at a leisurely 2 frames per second (fps), while the ZS60 offers up to 10 fps continuous shooting, a real boon in sports or wildlife photography situations where burst shooting is essential.

This disparity in autofocus precision and speed directly correlates with the intended user - FS25 is for simple snapshots, while ZS60 can satisfy enthusiasts looking to track action or advancing their skills.

Lens and Zoom: The Real Story Behind Focal Ranges

Zoom capability is often a make-or-break consideration, especially in compacts. The FS25 uses a modest 29-145mm equivalent (5x optical zoom) lens with a max aperture range of f/3.3-5.9. That’s fine for casual shooting but limited in reach and brightness.

Compare that with the ZS60’s serious telephoto prowess: a 24-720mm equivalent lens (a whopping 30x zoom) with f/3.3-6.4 aperture. This superzoom range is monstrous for a compact, enabling everything from wide-angle architecture to distant wildlife or cityscape details without changing lenses.

Of course, longer zoom means more potential for camera shake, but both cameras include optical image stabilization. The ZS60’s OIS is more sophisticated, combining lens shift and sensor shift for improved steadiness, especially at the telephoto end. Plus, its macro focus reaching down to 3 cm outperforms the FS25’s 5 cm minimum focusing distance, offering more creative close-up opportunities.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s dig into what these cameras deliver for varied photography disciplines - because no single camera suits everyone uniformly.

Portraiture: Skin Tones, Bokeh, Eye Detection

Portrait photographers will appreciate the ZS60’s higher resolution sensor and better AF system, which includes face detection. This leads to more accurate focus on eyes and flattering skin tone capture due to wider color depth and dynamic range.

FS25 can produce decent portraits in ample light but struggles to isolate subjects cleanly, given its limited lens aperture and no real bokeh control thanks to smaller sensor size and simpler optics.

Landscape: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Here, the ZS60’s nearly 5K native resolution images and subtle dynamic range improvements shine. The higher pixel count enables large prints or cropping with less detail loss. Its advanced sensor technology helps retain detail in shadows and highlights better.

FS25’s 12 MP shots are adequate for web and small prints but lack the latitude for landscape details and fine tonal gradations.

Wildlife: Autofocus Speed and Burst Shooting

The ZS60, with its magnanimous 30x zoom and rapid 10 fps burst, is well suited to wildlife enthusiasts who need reach and speed. Contrast that with the FS25’s slow 2 fps and 5x zoom, which limits versatility in this demanding genre.

Sports: Tracking, Low Light, Frame Rates

Again, ZS60 wins this duel thanks to continuous AF with tracking and higher burst rates - crucial for capturing fast-moving subjects in challenging lighting. The FS25 doesn’t support AF tracking and is hampered by slower response, making it unsuitable for sports.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

Here’s a scenario where FS25 pulls some weight. Its tiny dimensions and subdued presence aid candid street photography better than the ZS60’s more conspicuous, larger body. However, the ZS60’s tailored customizable controls and faster operation help if you can compromise on size.

Macro: Magnification and Focusing Precision

Thanks to its closer minimum focusing distance (3 cm) and more precise AF system, the ZS60 is a better choice for macro shots, allowing more creative freedom and sharper detail.

Night & Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

The ZS60’s native ISO range up to 3200 and boosted 6400 ISO combined with lower sensor noise and exposure bracketing improves night time and astro photography capabilities. The FS25, with its max ISO at 1600 and noisier CCD sensor, is more limited in low light scenarios.

Video: The Leap from VGA to 4K

Video is where the generational gap is most glaring. The FS25 maxes out at a modest 848x480 resolution at 30 fps using Motion JPEG codec - rough and outdated even at launch. The ZS60 supports 4K UHD recording at 30p, Full HD at 60p, along with advanced video features like 4K Photo modes for extracting high-res stills from video.

Neither camera features external mic inputs or headphone jacks, limiting audio options, but the ZS60’s more modern video codec support and stabilization make it a far superior choice for hybrid photo-video shooters.

Professional Features and Workflow Considerations

If you’re a professional or advanced enthusiast, RAW file support and manual controls are essential. The FS25 lacks RAW capture and manual exposure modes, restricting post-processing flexibility and creative control.

The ZS60 supports RAW shooting, shutter/aperture priority, full manual, exposure compensation, and offers touch-based AF point selection - all practical features that streamline professional workflows and post-processing.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Expectations for wireless transfer capabilities have shifted dramatically over the years. The FS25 offers no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, requiring users to offload images via USB or card reader. The ZS60 includes built-in Wi-Fi, making sharing and remote control via smartphone seamless - a big plus for modern photographers.

Both have a single SD card slot, and battery life leans heavily in the ZS60’s favor with roughly 320 shots per charge, compared to the FS25’s unspecified but generally shorter usage times.

Summary Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

Here’s a snapshot from my testing scores and genre breakdowns to put it all in perspective.

Real-World Image Quality and Sample Comparisons

In the gallery below, you can see side-by-side samples illustrating the difference in image resolution, color rendition, low light noise, and zoom capabilities.

Panasonic FS25 front Panasonic FS25 screen back Panasonic ZS60 front Panasonic ZS60 screen back

Value and Price-to-Performance

With prices hovering around $230-$250 (at launch and current second-hand markets), both cameras occupy an entry-level compact bracket, but their real value diverges.

The FS25, being an older model with limited features, is best suited for casual shooters or as a simple backup camera. The ZS60, despite its slightly higher price, offers nearly triple the versatility and image quality, making it a better investment for enthusiasts - especially those who prioritize reach, manual controls, and video capabilities.

So, Which Panasonic Compact Should You Choose?

• Choose the Panasonic FS25 if:
  You need a super-simple, lightweight camera for snapshots where ultimate picture quality or speed aren’t priorities, and you value pocketability above all else. Great for casual users or beginners on a tight budget.

• Choose the Panasonic ZS60 if:
  You want a compact but serious camera capable of handling a broad range of situations - from landscapes to wildlife, casual video to street photography - and you appreciate manual controls, fast autofocus, and 4K video. Ideal for photographers who want one compact to do it all.

Final Thoughts

In my experience testing thousands of cameras, the jump from the FS25 to ZS60 is a perfect example of what a few years’ technological advances can mean. Where the FS25 was once a decent point-and-shoot, the ZS60 evolved into a full-featured enthusiast superzoom, far more adaptable and capable.

While the FS25’s simplicity and portability have their place, I’d argue the ZS60 gives you significantly better bang for your buck without sacrificing ease of use. If you’re serious about getting the most from a compact, I’d steer you toward the ZS60 - but if you want something tiny to slip in your pocket and just share happy moments, the FS25 remains an easy, affordable pick.

Hopefully, after walking through these insights and comparisons, you feel a bit more confident picking the Panasonic compact that fits your style, workflow, and creative vision.

Happy shooting!