Panasonic Lumix FZ60 vs FZ80: The Ultimate Small-Sensor Superzoom Smackdown

When it comes to bridge cameras with monster zoom ranges, Panasonic’s Lumix line has long been a reliable go-to for photographers seeking versatility without breaking the bank or lugging around a bagful of lenses. Today, I’m diving deep into two of Panasonic’s standout compact superzoom options: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60 (also known as the FZ62 outside the US) and its successor, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 (aka FZ82). Both wield small 1/2.3" sensors, fixed superzoom lenses, and an SLR-like design, yet they span a five-year technology gulf from 2012 to 2017.

I’ve put these two under my expert microscope, testing every aspect from image quality to ergonomics, autofocus, and their prowess across diverse photography disciplines. Think of this as your practically minded, no-BS guide to picking the best bridge zoom for your budget and shooting style.

Seeing Eye to Eye: Size, Design & Handling

First off, size and handling - two things you instantly feel the minute you pick up a camera.

The FZ60 sits as a compact and fairly lightweight bridge camera at 493g, with dimensions roughly 120x81x92mm; it’s a neat little rig that fits well even in modest hands. The FZ80, on the other hand, is chunkier and heavier at 616g and bulkier at 130x94x119mm. That extra heft mainly comes from a more massive lens barrel to accommodate its stupendous 60x zoom range compared to the FZ60’s 24x.

If you’re a cheapskate with relatively small hands or want a travel companion light enough to pocket or belt carry, I’d tip the scales slightly toward the FZ60’s more streamlined body. But if you’re after a camera that feels planted and sturdy, the bigger FZ80 comfortably fills the hands and offers more robust physical controls (more on that next).

Switching perspective, let’s take a look at how Panasonic arranged their buttons and dials atop these cameras:

Both models share the classic SLR-ish stance with prominent grip and a centrally placed mode dial - no surprises. The FZ80, however, adds a touchscreen to the equation, plus a better-res electronic viewfinder, making composition far easier in low light or windy outdoor conditions where using the rear LCD can be tricky. The FZ60’s smaller, lower-res EVF and fixed 3" screen lack touchscreen interactivity, which for some users is a dealbreaker these days.

If you’re a “clubs for thumbs” type who prefers tactile control over fidgeting with menus, both cameras have solid manual focus rings and exposure dials, but the FZ80’s controls feel more modern and responsive. For the casual point-and-shooters who’ll rely heavily on auto modes, both cameras are fairly approachable with easy auto-ISO, exposure compensation, and scene modes.

Overall, ergonomics-wise, the FZ80 feels like an evolution worth the tradeoff in size - especially if you shoot outdoors regularly or in tricky lighting - whereas the FZ60 is still a solid pick for those prioritizing portability over bells and whistles.

Pixel Punch-Out: Sensor Specs & Image Quality Talk

Now, the heart of the camera is in the sensor and processor, so how do these two stack up?

Both cameras pack a 1/2.3-inch sensor, which today is considered small and prone to noise at higher ISOs compared to APS-C or full-frame options, but they cater to a niche where zoom range and convenience trump sensor size. The FZ60’s sensor offers a 16MP resolution (4608x3456 pixels), while the FZ80 pushes the pixel count slightly to 18MP (4896x3672 pixels). The difference isn’t dramatic but can translate to modestly sharper details - if you don’t push things too far in post-processing.

Importantly, the FZ80’s sensor uses BSI-CMOS architecture (Backside Illuminated), which enhances low-light sensitivity by allowing more light to reach the photo diodes - an edge the older FZ60’s standard CMOS lacks. This generally leads to cleaner images at ISO 800 and beyond in real-world shooting, a sweet spot for casual night or indoor shooters.

Both cameras maintain an optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter to prevent moiré and false patterns but at the expense of some fine detail. If you crave the very sharpest results, neither is near professional-grade, but the FZ80’s newer sensor and Venus engine processor yield somewhat better noise handling and color fidelity.

Unfortunately, the FZ60 does not support RAW shooting - the holy grail for serious editing flexibility - whereas the FZ80 does, which is a game-changer if you plan to tweak white balance, contrast, or exposures in post.

In practical terms, from my extensive side-by-side testing shooting landscapes and portraits, the FZ80 shines with slightly crisper, cleaner images and more natural color rendition under challenging lighting, while the FZ60’s JPGs are softer and noisier above ISO 400.

The Brain Behind the Shot: Autofocus & Performance

Let’s talk about what really makes or breaks an experience beyond megapixels: autofocus (AF).

The FZ60 offers 23 contrast-detection AF points and basic face detection with continuous AF capable of tracking moving subjects. It’s decent, but the contrast-detection method can struggle to maintain focus on erratically moving wildlife or fast sports.

Contrast this with the FZ80, which boasts a more advanced AF system featuring 49 AF points, selectable AF areas, touch-to-focus, and focus stacking capabilities. It includes face detection and continuous autofocus with tracking that performed significantly faster and more accurately in my real-world sessions capturing pets and kids at play.

Both cameras have maximum continuous shooting rates of 10 frames per second, which is quite respectable for bridge cameras in this class. However, the FZ80’s buffer clears faster thanks to improved internal memory and processing power, enabling longer bursts at full resolution.

If you're into wildlife or sports and need reliable subject tracking without shelling out for a DSLR or mirrorless with phase-detection AF, the FZ80 gives you a noticeable edge.

Peeking Through: Viewfinder & Screen Usability

An often-overlooked factor in superzoom cameras is the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and rear screen quality - critical for working in bright light or composing with precision.

The FZ60 features a 3" fixed TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution, which is serviceable but feels quite dated by today’s standards. Its electronic viewfinder has just 202k dots of resolution, and while it covers 100% of the frame, the image is grainy and less detailed - adequate for casual framing but frustrating in precise shooting situations.

The FZ80 improves markedly with a higher-res 1040k-dot LCD, still fixed but with touch functionality for quick focusing and menu navigation. Its EVF boasts 1166k dots and 0.46x magnification - making it much easier to nail focus and exposure when daylight washes out the LCD.

From my hands-on with both, the FZ80’s viewing aids make it a far more satisfying tool for serious work and those who like to adjust settings on the fly without fumbling through menus or missing shots due to poor visibility.

Zooming Into the Lens: Focal Range and Aperture

Here’s where these cameras flex their zoom muscles:

• FZ60: 25-600mm equivalent focal length (24x zoom), aperture range F2.8-5.2
• FZ80: 20-1200mm equivalent focal length (60x zoom), aperture range F2.8-5.9

The FZ60’s 24x zoom is more modest but benefits from a brighter maximum aperture at the telephoto end (f/5.2 vs f/5.9). This results in slightly better light gathering for distant subjects and potentially smoother bokeh, though with a small sensor, don’t expect creamy background blur like a DSLR.

The FZ80’s 60x zoom is jaw-dropping - covering ultra-wide 20mm for landscapes and stepping all the way to 1200mm, enough to make distant birds, wildlife, or sporting events visibly accessible without swapping lenses. The tradeoff is the slightly darker aperture at the tele end, which can challenge autofocus speed in low light and increase image noise.

Both cameras boast a close-focus macro capability down to 1cm, letting you get impressively close to small subjects for detailed shots. The FZ80 adds focus bracketing and stacking, which is unusual but neat for macro enthusiasts chasing tack-sharp images with extended depth of field.

Picture This: Real-World Photography Performance

Panasonic FZ60 front Panasonic FZ60 screen back Panasonic FZ80 front Panasonic FZ80 screen back

Having put both cameras through my field tests - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, street photography, and macro - the following observations are based on firsthand results:

• Portraits: Both produce decent skin tones - neutral and natural under daylight. The FZ80’s better color science and RAW support provide more editing latitude, especially if you struggle with tricky indoor tungsten lighting. Bokeh remains modest on both due to sensor size, but the FZ60 edges out in smoother background blur thanks to the more generous aperture at moderate zoom.

• Landscape: Resolution-wise, the FZ80’s 18MP sensor captures slightly more detail, but image sharpness depends heavily on lens settings and stabilization. The FZ80’s Mega O.I.S. stabilization provides steadier shots at long focal lengths. Neither camera has weather sealing, so caution is advised in harsh conditions.

• Wildlife and Sports: The FZ80’s longer zoom and faster AF triumph here - tracking flying birds or fast-moving kids was consistently faster and more reliable versus the FZ60’s slower AF hunting.

• Street Photography: The smaller, lighter FZ60 is less conspicuous, and its quieter operation makes it more street-friendly. The 600mm reach is sufficient for environmental storytelling without screaming "tourist camera."

• Macro: Both cameras’ 1cm macro focus distance produce fine detail. The FZ80’s focus bracketing and stacking tools make it suitable for dedicated macro enthusiasts.

• Night and Astro: Both struggle with noise beyond ISO 800, but the FZ80’s BSI sensor yields cleaner images. Neither is ideal for true astrophotography, though timelapse support on the FZ80 is a bonus for night sky enthusiasts.

• Video: The story shifts dramatically here. The FZ60 maxes out at 1080p @ 60fps with MPEG-4 and AVCHD support - respectable for 2012 but limited otherwise. The FZ80 boasts 4K UHD video at 30fps with MP4 compression, plus 1080p at 60fps. It supports 4K photo extraction, allowing you to pull high-res stills from video - a great creative tool. Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, so audio options are limited.

• Travel & Everyday: Both are versatile; the FZ60’s lighter build is simpler for quick grab-and-go, while the FZ80’s longer zoom and touch interface cater to more intentional shooting sessions.

Tough Enough? Build Quality and Reliability

Neither camera offers professional weather sealing or ruggedness features. They’re typical plastic-bodied bridge cameras designed for occasional outdoor use in balanced conditions.

The FZ80 feels more solidly constructed, with tighter tolerances on dials and buttons, but I wouldn’t recommend either for extreme conditions like heavy rain or dusty deserts without protective gear.

Battery life favors the older FZ60, rated for 450 shots on a single charge compared to the FZ80’s 330 shots. This difference likely comes from the FZ80’s more demanding EVF and processor but can be mitigated with spare batteries.

Lens Ecosystem & Connectivity – What You Can and Can’t Do

Neither camera accepts interchangeable lenses, since both have fixed superzoom lenses integral to the body.

Connectivity-wise, the FZ80 adds built-in wireless for WiFi transfer and remote shooting via the Panasonic Image App, a major convenience tweak over the FZ60’s lack of any wireless features, which limits quick sharing or tethered control.

Both provide HDMI out and USB 2.0 for file transfers, with the FZ80’s touchscreen further simplifying many shooting tasks.

The Bottom Line: Which One’s Worth Your Hard-Earned Cash?

Let’s distill all this into a practical scorecard and recommendation:

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

• Portraits: Tie, slight edge FZ80 for RAW and color.
• Landscape: FZ80 for resolution and stabilization.
• Wildlife: FZ80 clearly superior for zoom and AF tracking.
• Sports: FZ80 better AF and burst buffer.
• Street: FZ60 more compact and discrete.
• Macro: FZ80 better focus tools, but both capable.
• Night/Astro: FZ80 cleaner high-ISO performance.
• Video: FZ80 dominates with 4K and slow sync flash modes.
• Travel: Depends on weight vs zoom needs.
• Professional Work: Neither replaces pro APS-C/FF systems; FZ80’s RAW + 4K helps semi-pros.

Pros and Cons Summaries

Panasonic Lumix FZ60 Pros:

• Lightweight and compact for a superzoom bridge
• Brighter aperture at telephoto end aids low-light reach
• Longer battery life keeps you shooting longer
• Suitable for beginners or those who want simplicity
• More affordable with lower entry price

Panasonic Lumix FZ60 Cons:

• No RAW support limits post-processing flexibility
• Older sensor and processor yield noisier images
• Low-resolution EVF and LCD hinder precise framing
• Limited video resolution and codec options
• No wireless connectivity for instant sharing

Panasonic Lumix FZ80 Pros:

• Massive 60x zoom covering wide-angle to ultra-telephoto
• 18MP BSI sensor with better image quality and lower noise
• RAW shooting unlocks creative editing opportunities
• 4K video recording with frame extraction
• Touchscreen LCD and high-res EVF improve usability
• Advanced AF system with more focus points and tracking
• Built-in wireless for convenient sharing and control
• Macro focus stacking and bracketing features
• Decent battery endurance for all-day shooting with spares

Panasonic Lumix FZ80 Cons:

• Bulkier and heavier, less ideal for casual carry
• Slightly narrower max aperture at telephoto end
• No external microphone/headphone jacks limit video/audio quality
• Battery life shorter vs FZ60 and some competitors
• Still a small sensor that lags behind larger format cameras

Final Verdict: Pick Your Perfect Superzoom

If you’re the type who prizes portability, straightforward shooting, and a smaller footprint at a real bargain ($350-ish), and you mostly snap travel, street, and casual portraits, the Panasonic Lumix FZ60 remains a solid, no-frills choice. It’s the classic “set it and forget it” bridge camera best suited for beginners or casual users who prize ease over cutting-edge features.

That said, if you want a superzoom bridge camera that pushes image quality, autofocus, video, and creative control further while still offering massive versatility, the leap to the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is well worth the roughly $50 higher price tag. Its 60x zoom alone opens impulse-shooting horizons unthinkable with the FZ60, and the upgrade to 4K video, RAW files, touchscreen handling, and improved low-light performance make it a powerhouse for serious enthusiasts and content creators who want a bridge camera that grows with their skills.

Neither camera will rival higher-end mirrorless or DSLR bodies in image quality or professional robustness, but for enthusiasts who want a compact, all-in-one solution to cover everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife without constant lens swaps, the Lumix FZ80 is a standout balance of price, performance, and approachable technology.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you decide which Panasonic superzoom suits your photography needs best. Feel free to ask if you want lens recommendations or shooting tips for either rig. Until then, happy shooting and zoom on!