Panasonic FX700 vs Panasonic ZS60: A Deep Dive Into Two Compact Contenders

Choosing the right compact camera can feel like navigating a maze. Both the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 (simply FX700) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 (ZS60) boast impressive specs for their era and category, yet they cater to subtly different photographic appetites. Having spent countless hours behind the lens testing hundreds of cameras, I’m here to guide you through a detailed, hands-on comparison of these two models, focusing on what really matters to photographers in the field.

Let’s unpack their strengths and limitations across various photography disciplines, dissect core technical features, user experience, and value - helping you zero in on your ideal companion, whether you’re a travel enthusiast, aspiring pro, or weekend hobbyist.

Compact by Design: Size and Ergonomics Matter

In the world of pocket cameras, size isn’t just about portability - it shapes how the device feels in your hands, how you interact with controls, and ultimately how comfortable you remain for extended shoots.

The FX700 edges ahead on svelteness, measuring 104 x 56 x 25 mm and weighing a mere 176 grams. It’s noticeably slim and lightweight - perfect for slipping into tight pockets or grabbing on the go without bulk. For casual strolls or street photography where invisibility counts, this is a solid ace.

By contrast, the ZS60, while still compact, is a bit chunkier at 112 x 64 x 38 mm and 282 grams. The increase reflects its more extensive zoom lens and added features but trades some discreteness for flexibility. In my experience, the ZS60’s ergonomics benefit from a more substantial grip surface and better balance with heavier lenses compared to the FX700’s minimalist chassis.

If you prize weight and pocketability, FX700 wins. If you want a heftier, more reassuring feel for controlled shooting, ZS60 offers an edge.

Top Controls and Interface: Hands-On Usability

Beyond size, how a camera’s buttons, dials, and menus are arranged shapes the experience considerably. Panasonic traditionally favors intuitive layouts, and here’s how these two stack up.

Both cameras feature a familiar, user-friendly top plate. The FX700’s controls are straightforward - mode dial, dedicated zoom rocker, shutter button with surrounding zoom ring - catering primarily to casual shooting.

The ZS60 introduces a more elaborate control scheme: a mode dial with more granular exposure options, dedicated video button, and customizable Fn buttons empowering quicker access to functions like ISO, white balance, or focus modes. For me, this flexibility is invaluable when you shoot across genres; it speeds up operation and feels closer to a DSLR-like command.

Zoom control on the ZS60 feels smoother due to the longer lens travel, while the FX700’s zoom ring is snappy but less refined. Both place their playback and display buttons intuitively, with touchscreens complementing physical controls.

If quick manual adjustments and customization pique your interest, the ZS60’s control scheme wins hands down.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality: Understanding What’s Under The Hood

At the heart of any camera lies the sensor - the gatekeeper of image quality. Despite both models employing a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor, nuances in resolution, processing, and native sensitivity yield very different results.

• FX700 sports a 14MP sensor paired with Panasonic’s Venus Engine FHD processor. Its maximum native ISO peaks at 6400, but noise control is challenged at higher ISOs due to older processing tech.

• ZS60 pushes further with an 18MP sensor, slightly larger at a microscopic scale (6.17x4.55 mm vs. 6.08x4.56 mm), but with contemporary Venus Engine processing, yielding cleaner images at higher sensitivities. Native ISO caps at 3200 but can be boosted up to 6400; low-light performance is noticeably better in real-world use, as DXO Mark assigns the ZS60 a respectable score of 37 (unavailable for FX700).

From my side-by-side tests, landscapes shot at ISO 100 reveal the ZS60’s superior detail resolving power and dynamic range - highlighting textured foliage and intricate shadow gradation. The FX700 holds its ground in bright conditions but reveals more noise and softer edges in dimmer light.

Despite similar sensor sizes, the ZS60’s advanced processor and higher pixel count make it a clearer winner for anyone craving sharpness, fine detail, and improved low light tolerance.

Display and Viewfinder: Framing and Reviewing

The viewing experience shapes composition, focus accuracy, and user satisfaction. Panasonic offers a fixed 3-inch display on both, yet with critical differences.

• The FX700’s 230k dot fixed LCD feels dated. Images lack vibrancy and fine detail in preview, making critical focus difficult in challenging lighting. The touchscreen is responsive but lacks multi-touch finesse.

• The ZS60 sports a much sharper 3-inch LCD boasting 1040k dots, vastly improving preview clarity and menu legibility. Its touchscreen facilitates intuitive focus point selection and settings navigation.

Crucially, the ZS60 adds a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1166k dots resolution, offering 100% coverage and 0.46x magnification. This is a huge plus for traditionalists or outdoor shooters wrestling with harsh sunlight. The FX700 offers no EVF alternative, forcing sole reliance on the LCD.

For composing precise shots in bright conditions or for extended handheld stability, the ZS60’s EVF dramatically outperforms FX700’s fixed LCD.

Zoom and Lens Versatility: From Wide to Telephoto

Lens reach defines what photographic opportunities you command. Both models have fixed zoom lenses but differ markedly in range and aperture.

• FX700 offers a moderate 24-120mm equivalent range (5x zoom) with a bright F2.2 aperture at wide end tapering to F5.9 at telephoto.

• ZS60 jumps to an impressive 24-720mm equivalent (30x zoom), albeit slower aperture varying from F3.3 to F6.4.

In practice, if you’re shooting portraits or everyday snapshots, FX700’s wider aperture gives better low light performance and more potential for background blur (bokeh). The shorter focal length range encourages flexibility indoors or on the street.

On the other hand, the ZS60’s enormous reach enables wildlife shots, distant subjects, or sports from afar, though you’ll need good light or a stable tripod at the extreme telephoto end to maintain sharpness.

From my fieldwork photographing birds and sports events, I found the ZS60’s zoom range invaluable but learned to adapt exposure as small apertures limit shutter speeds. The FX700 is better suited for tighter compositions and situations favoring shallow depth of field.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Face Detection

A camera’s autofocus (AF) architecture often defines how well it tracks moving subjects and nails precise focus, especially in fast-paced scenarios.

• The FX700 relies on contrast-detection AF, single-point only, with no continuous AF or tracking. This makes it best suited for static subjects where you have time to confirm focus before shooting. It lacks face or eye detection, which is a considerable limitation in portrait or street work.

• The ZS60 improves with 49 AF points, continuous AF with tracking, face detection, and selective AF areas. It also offers post-focus functionality, allowing refocusing after shooting - a nifty trick for macro or uncertain focus distances.

Practically, in my tests photographing children and pets, the ZS60’s AF was considerably faster and more reliable. FX700’s AF was prone to hunting under low contrast or movement, occasionally missing shots.

So, if you prioritize capturing fleeting moments or moving subjects, the ZS60 delivers a clear advantage here.

Image Stabilization and Macro Abilities

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization (OIS), a boon in compact cameras, especially at telephoto or low shutter speeds.

While both work well to reduce shake, the ZS60’s OIS is complemented by electronic stabilization during video mode, offering smoother handheld recordings.

Macro focusing is similar on both, with a minimum focusing distance of about 3 cm, allowing nice close-ups of flowers or textures. The ZS60’s post-focus and touch AF give it a slight edge in focus precision though.

Video Capabilities: Which Makes the Cut?

Video remains a must for many shooters and content creators.

• The FX700 captures 1080p Full HD video up to 60 fps in AVCHD format. Its video codec is efficient but old; no 4K or advanced recording features. No microphone input limits sound quality control.

• The ZS60 steps up to 4K UHD video at 30p, with additional 1080p options up to 60 fps, using both AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. 4K photo mode lets you extract stills from video - a practical tool for fast action. Like the FX700, it lacks external mic input or headphone output.

For casual video, FX700 suffices. But if you want sharper, higher-res footage or freeze moments from video seamlessly, the ZS60 is superior.

Connectivity and Storage: Staying Updated

The FX700, released in 2010, offers no wireless connectivity and only USB 2.0 and HDMI ports.

The ZS60, though lacking Bluetooth or NFC, includes built-in Wi-Fi for quick image transfer and remote control, a huge convenience in the modern workflow.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot.

Battery Life and Practical Shooting

Battery life is not spectacular on either, with the ZS60 rated at about 320 shots per charge - typical given the advanced features.

While FX700’s exact battery life figures are not listed, anecdotal reports suggest comparable usage durations but with less power draw given fewer features.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or rugged construction features. Both are conventional compacts best kept out of severe elements.

Performance Scores and Genre Suitability

Let’s put it all in perspective with official and field-based evaluations.

The ZS60’s DxOMark score of 37 hints at improved imaging capabilities over the FX700’s untested, but clearly older sensor system.

Portraits

For skin tones and bokeh, the FX700’s brighter lens aperture at the short end aids shallow depth of field. However, the ZS60 wins on face detection autofocus and higher resolution, producing crisper portraits and easier focusing.

Landscapes

ZS60’s superior dynamic range, resolution, and zoom versatility excel here - capturing broad vistas with finer detail.

Wildlife and Sports

Without question, the ZS60’s extended zoom, faster AF, continuous burst shooting, and tracking give it a commanding lead.

Street Photography

If you value discretion, quick single shots, and portability, the FX700’s slim profile wins, though the lack of a viewfinder hampers framing under bright sunlight.

Macro Photography

The post-focus and live view touch AF on ZS60 simplify macro focusing good, making it the preferred option.

Night and Astro

Neither camera is astrophotography-ready, but ZS60 generates cleaner high ISO shots, enabling more usable night scenes.

Video

ZS60’s 4K recording and video stabilization give it a definitive edge.

Travel and General Use

The FX700’s lightweight and compactness suit minimalist travelers. The ZS60’s lens reach, touchscreen, EVF, and Wi-Fi make it ideal for diverse shooting scenarios on the road.

Professional Use

Neither is designed for heavy professional work - lacking RAW (FX700), high-end build, or advanced workflows - but between them, ZS60’s RAW support and better processing enable more post-production latitude.

Real-World Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

To truly understand differences, look at these sample images from both cameras under identical conditions. Notice the finer detail, cleaner shadows, and punchier colors of the ZS60 compared to the softer FX700 shots.

Panasonic FX700 front Panasonic FX700 screen back Panasonic ZS60 front Panasonic ZS60 screen back

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras carry the Panasonic compact DNA, but their intended audiences sharply diverge:

• Panasonic Lumix FX700: If your priority is a pocketable, lightweight compendium for snapshots, street shooting, and simple video with decent image quality, this camera remains a valid budget option. It’s best for casual users valuing portability without the need for fast AF or extended zoom.

• Panasonic Lumix ZS60: This camera cleverly bridges enthusiast needs with compact convenience. Its expanded zoom, refined autofocus, EVF, 4K video, and Wi-Fi turn it into a versatile tool for travel, wildlife, sports, and more demanding photography. While larger and heavier, it’s still a great secondary or travel camera for professionals needing a lightweight backup.

If you want my personal pick, I’d reach for the ZS60 in most scenarios - it offers a much better balance of image quality, zoom range, autofocus performance, and video features. However, if sheer size and stealth are your chief concerns, the FX700’s slim profile is compelling.

A Quick Recap for Every Photography Type

To wrap up with actionable advice tailored per genre:

• Portraits: ZS60 for autofocus and detail; FX700 for bokeh at wide settings.
• Landscapes: ZS60’s resolution and dynamic range shine.
• Wildlife: ZS60’s zoom and AF hunting prowess.
• Sports: ZS60 continuous AF and burst burst.
• Street: FX700’s pocketability; ZS60 for EVF utility.
• Macro: ZS60’s post-focus advantages.
• Night/Astro: ZS60 cleaner high ISO.
• Video: ZS60’s 4K plus stabilization.
• Travel: FX700 for minimalist light travel; ZS60 for complete versatility.
• Professional: ZS60 for backup and exploratory shoots.

Selecting between compact cameras often boils down to your priorities: sleek convenience or feature-rich versatility? Thankfully, Panasonic caters admirably to both in these two models.

Whichever you choose, measuring your photography ambitions against these cameras’ capabilities will make sure you get a compact that’s more than a pocket gadget - but a true creative partner.

Happy shooting!