Panasonic Lumix FZ60 vs GX850: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photo Enthusiast

When we talk about Panasonic’s camera lineup from the 2010s, it’s fascinating to see how the brand innovated across divergent designs and use cases. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60 (also aka FZ62), introduced in 2012, is a quintessential “bridge” camera - a compact superzoom with an SLR-style body, designed to give enthusiasts an all-in-one zoom experience without lens changes. Five years later, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 arrives, stepping into the entry-level mirrorless realm with a highly compact, mirrorless rangefinder-style body and advanced imaging features.

I’ve tested both extensively under various shooting conditions. This comparison will peel back all the layers - from sensor tech and handling to image quality and genre-specific nuances - to help you pick the right Panasonic for your photography ambitions. Let’s dive in!

Seeing and Feeling the Cameras: Body, Ergonomics, and Handling

Photographers often overlook how much a camera’s physical design impacts the shooting process. I always start by putting my hands on the camera, not just staring at megapixels and specs.

The FZ60 is a robust, SLR-like bridge camera with a molded grip that feels substantial and secure for longer shoots. Weighing around 493 grams and measuring roughly 120x81x92 mm, it commands a presence in the hand. It doesn’t slide around easily, which is helpful given its substantial 25-600 mm zoom lens. You can finesse manual focus using a traditional ring, though it’s not a dedicated focus ring like on interchangeable lenses.

Contrast that with the GX850, a lightweight (269g), minimalist mirrorless rangefinder measuring about 107x65x33 mm. It’s pleasantly petite - you might even forget it's there in your bag. The tilting 3-inch touchscreen (1040k dots) on the GX850 offers excellent resolution and intuitive control, ideal for selfies or awkward angles. The FZ60’s fixed TFT screen (only 460k dots) feels noticeably dated and lower quality in comparison.

Both cameras lack weather sealing, so be mindful outdoors in less-than-ideal conditions.

On top, the FZ60’s physical dials and buttons echo older DSLR ergonomics, blending shooting mode dial and physical zoom lever. The GX850 smooths these into a more streamlined design with minimal buttons but compensates with a touchscreen interface. Which you prefer depends on whether you want direct, tactile controls or more digital menus.

Practical takeaway: The FZ60 offers more traditional handling, better suited for those who enjoy the SLR feel and optical zoom. The GX850 caters to travelers and vloggers who value portability and touchscreen convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Difference

Image quality is king, and here’s where the cameras really diverge. Sensor technology underpins all else, and Panasonic’s choices mirror their target users.

The FZ60 packs a 16MP 1/2.3" CMOS sensor measuring about 6.08x4.56 mm (sensor area ~27.7 mm²). It’s typical for bridge superzooms favoring lens versatility over sensor size. The GX850, meanwhile, sports a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3x13 mm, ~224.9 mm²), roughly eight times larger in surface area. This sensor milkier signal capture translates to markedly improved image quality, especially in low light and dynamic range.

Technically, the GX850’s sensor offers about 23.2-bit color depth and 13.3 stops of dynamic range (per DxOMark testing), compared to no direct testing on the FZ60, but we know from experience that tiny superzoom sensors lag in tonal response and noise handling.

The absence of an anti-aliasing filter on the GX850 benefits sharpness at the slight risk of moiré - few will mind, especially with its higher-res screen to appreciate the detail. The FZ60’s sensor has a traditional AA filter, smoothing fine patterns but losing microresolution.

In practice, images from the GX850 exhibit richer colors, better shadow retention, and cleaner ISO 1600+ shots. The FZ60 holds up reasonably well in daylight but struggles as ISO climbs above 800, producing noticeable noise and lower tonal subtly.

Autofocus Systems: Accuracy and Speed in Action

Focusing tech illustrates the evolution between 2012 and 2017 models.

The Lumix FZ60 uses contrast detection AF, with 23 focus points, including center-weighted and face detection modes. It offers continuous, single, and tracking AF, and while not blazing fast, it’s responsive for a superzoom bridge at the time. It can lock onto faces reasonably well but lacks the refined eye and face detection algorithms now common.

By comparison, the GX850 features 49 contrast-detect focus points enhanced by touch AF on its screen, allowing rapid subject placement. Although it doesn’t have phase detection, its live-view AF is slick, quick, and supports touch focus, eye detection autofocus, and even selective AF area modes. The incorporation of focus bracketing, stacking, and post-focus features largely exceeded FZ60 capabilities, reflecting advancements in computational photography.

When I tested tracking on moving subjects, the GX850 kept pace better in street and portrait modes; the FZ60 was slower and less reliable for fast-moving wildlife or sports.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Build quality comes down to solid feel, material robustness, and sealing.

Neither camera features weather, dust, shock, or freeze resistance. The FZ60’s plastic body has some heft and a SLR-style grip but feels less premium than Panasonic’s higher-tier models. The GX850’s smaller footprint and rangefinder style lean into portability over ruggedness.

Given the lack of sealing, both should be used cautiously in inclement weather. The FZ60’s larger body offers slightly better grip security in damp or slippery settings, but handling with gloves or cold fingers may be unwieldy on either.

User Experience - Screens and Viewfinders

The FZ60 includes a small electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a modest 202k-dot resolution and 100% coverage, providing fundamental framing in bright conditions where the rear LCD can wash out.

The GX850 opts out of a viewfinder entirely. Instead, it embraces a bright, tilting touchscreen with 1040k dots, heightening utility, touch AF control, and versatile framing from odd angles. That screen brilliantly supports selfies (flip it forward), lending itself nicely to vlogging or social media snaps.

On the downside, the lack of a viewfinder on the GX850 may frustrate outdoor shooters in bright sunlight, where the screen glare can be problematic.

Shooting Versatility: Zoom, Lens Ecosystem, and Apertures

The biggest physical difference lies in the lens systems.

The FZ60 offers a fixed 25-600mm equivalent zoom (24x optical), f/2.8-5.2 lens. In practical terms, that grants huge framing flexibility without swapping lenses. The f/2.8 aperture up front is fairly bright for a superzoom at wide-angle, though it falls to f/5.2 telephoto - common for this class. Macro focusing down to 1cm is frankly impressive, enabling detailed close-ups without attachments.

The GX850 relies on the Micro Four Thirds lens mount with 107 available lenses including primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics (stabilized or bright fast lenses). Focal lengths range from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, though no single-lens zoom reaches the 600 mm equivalent range of the FZ60. Lens choice adds cost and weight but vastly expands creative possibilities.

Both cameras include built-in flashes; the FZ60’s flash range hits 13.5 m vs the GX850’s modest 4 m at ISO 100.

Continuous Shooting and Burst Performance

Both deliver respectable burst speeds topping out at 10 fps.

The FZ60 does this with its mechanical shutter, capped at a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000s. The GX850 offers mechanical shutter speeds up to 1/500s and electronic shutter speeds reaching 1/16000s, facilitating shooting in bright conditions with wide apertures or capturing fast action silently.

In practice, the GX850’s electronic shutter option opens doors to discrete shooting, which is a huge advantage for street photographers and events.

Video Recording Capabilities

Panasonic is typically strong in video, and here the GX850 stands out decisively.

• It delivers 4K UHD (3840x2160) video at 30p/24p with a 100 Mbps bitrate, with natural H.264 encoding and AAC audio.
• Full HD 1080p recording is supported at 60p, with AVCHD and MP4 options.
• It also supports 4K Photo mode, allowing extraction of 8MP stills from 4K video - brilliant for capturing decisive moments unnoticed.

Conversely, the FZ60 maxes out at 1080p (1920x1080) at 60/50/30 fps with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. No 4K or high bitrate options are available, reflecting its earlier generation focusing more on stills.

Neither camera offers microphone or headphone jacks, limiting serious audio capture customization.

In real-world shooting, the GX850’s 4K is noticeably sharper and richer, opening avenues for high-quality content creation and cropping options in post.

Battery Life and Storage

There’s a definite endurance gap.

The FZ60, despite its older tech, boasts around 450 shots per charge, benefiting from a larger body that accommodates a bigger battery. The GX850 manages roughly 210 shots, typical of modern mirrorless cameras, trading battery life for compactness.

Both use SD card storage; however, the GX850 supports microSD cards, adding flexibility for travelers who want tiny, multi-device compatible memory cards. Single card slot on both requires thoughtful management for extended shooting.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The GX850 offers built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control via apps, a must-have for modern shooters who want instant sharing or tethered shooting. No Bluetooth or NFC is included.

The FZ60, true to its 2012 lineage, lacks all wireless connectivity, relying only on USB 2.0 and HDMI output.

Real-World Use Across Photography Genres

Let’s break performance down by typical shooting specialties.

Portrait Photography

Thanks to its larger sensor, the GX850 delivers noticeably better skin tone rendition with richer color gradations. Its superior autofocus with eye detection and face priority ensures crisp portraits even in challenging light.

The FZ60 can manage decent portraits with center-weighted AF and a decent f/2.8 aperture at wide, but the image quality at higher ISO or indoor lighting can be noisier and flatter. Its longer zoom range helps for distant candid portraits, but bokeh is limited by small sensor size and higher compression.

Landscape Photography

The GX850’s higher dynamic range excels in capturing shadow details against bright skies. Combined with interchangeable wide lenses and focus bracketing feature for stacking sharpness, it’s a landscape photographer’s friend.

The FZ60’s zoom versatility is less useful here, but its macro range can capture close flora details. The smaller sensor area and lower dynamic range demand shooting in good light to avoid noise.

Wildlife Photography

For wildlife enthusiasts limited by budget and wanting a built-in ultra-telephoto zoom, the FZ60’s 600mm equivalent zoom is a powerful attraction. Its 10fps burst supports fast sequences, though AF tracking can occasionally lag on erratic wildlife.

The GX850 requires telephoto lenses, which can get costly and bulky, yet offers better autofocus precision and better ISO performance for dawn/dusk shoots.

Sports Photography

Burst rate ties FZ60 and GX850 at 10 fps, but shutter speed caps and AF speed tilt advantage towards the GX850’s live view system and electronic shutter options for silent, flexible shooting.

The FZ60’s physical zoom lever may be helpful for quick focal adjustments, but slower AF tracking could miss crucial moments.

Street Photography

The GX850 shines here - small size, silent electronic shutter, and selfie-friendly tilting screen make it a perfect companion for candid street shots. Limited to kit or prime lenses makes it more lightweight and discreet.

The FZ60 is bulkier and noisier, with an obtrusive zoom lens. However, the EVF can assist in bright daylight framing that street shooters appreciate.

Macro Photography

The FZ60’s close focusing of 1cm is admirable, simplifying macro without additional gear. Quality drops at close distances but is satisfactory for casual close-ups.

The GX850 combined with a dedicated macro lens and focus bracketing capacity offers professional-grade close-up shots with precise focusing.

Night and Astro Photography

The GX850’s larger sensor and high native ISO up to 25,600 give it a decisive advantage in low light and night conditions. Its silent shutter and interval shooting for timelapse support astro enthusiasts nicely.

The FZ60 caps out at ISO 3200, and noise degrades images significantly after ISO 800 in my field tests.

Professional Use: Workflow and Reliability

The GX850 supports RAW capture - the backbone of professional workflows, enabling maximal post-processing flexibility. Its slightly newer processor (Venus Engine) yields better noise reduction and color accuracy.

The FZ60, frustratingly, lacks RAW support altogether, locking photographers into compressed JPEG files, limiting dynamic range and post-processing scope.

Both recorders lack headphone or microphone jacks, a shortcoming for professional video shooters requiring critical audio monitoring.

Value for Money: Purchase Price and Final Verdict

At launch pricing, the FZ60 was a bargain at roughly $350, delivering an all-in-one zoom capable of everything from macro to telephoto. However, its dated sensor, lack of RAW support, limited video, and no wireless connectivity present significant compromises today.

The GX850, closer to $550, demands a higher upfront investment but brings modern features - a large sensor, 4K video, Wi-Fi, touchscreen control, and RAW capture - that sustain its utility for various photography disciplines and video creation.

Summary Scores and Genre-Specific Performance

Let’s review the comprehensive ratings synthesized from my tests.

And a genre-specific breakdown:

Real-World Images from Both Cameras

Seeing is believing. Here are comparative sample shots from each camera, scaled to exhibit their sensor strengths and color rendition.

Panasonic FZ60 front Panasonic FZ60 screen back Panasonic GX850 front Panasonic GX850 screen back

Which Panasonic Fits Your Style?

Final Thoughts

I approached this comparison knowing these cameras originate from different Panasonic philosophies: the all-in-one bridge zoom with convenience (FZ60) versus the compact, mirrorless, high-quality imaging system (GX850). My hands-on testing confirmed their respective strengths balance between reach and image fidelity.

The FZ60 remains a surprisingly versatile superzoom bridge even years on, perfect for users prioritizing an extensive fixed zoom with strong stills and moderate video needs, all at a budget price. However, its smaller sensor, dated screen, and limited video make it less futureproof.

The GX850 embodies modern mirrorless flexibility, excellent image and video quality, and connectivity suited for enthusiasts advancing their creative boundaries - especially if you value sharp portraits, street candids, or 4K video.

If you can invest a bit more and value future-ready tech, go GX850. If convenience, huge zoom reach, and budget rules your world, the FZ60 still holds up admirably.

I hope this deep-dive comparison guides your decision and helps you find the perfect Panasonic companion for your photographic journey. Remember, each camera excels in its own niche and can delight in the right hands. Happy shooting!