Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500
88 Imaging
43 Features
63 Overall
51


63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 282g - 112 x 64 x 38mm
- Released January 2016
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ80
- Previous Model is Panasonic ZS50
- Updated by Panasonic ZS70
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released August 2009
- Updated by Sony A560

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS60 (18MP) and A500 (12MP) and the ZS60 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

The ZS60 was introduced 6 years after the A500 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS60 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting into a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the ZS60 grades versus the A500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS60 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS60 over the Sony A500
ZS60 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 78 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+810k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic ZS60
A500 | ZS60 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS60 and Sony A500
ZS60 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS60 offers outside measurements of 112mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS60 and the A500.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS60 and A500 is 88 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS60 and A500.
Plainly, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS60 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic ZS60 will offer you greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The newer ZS60 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony A500 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ80 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2016-01-05 | 2009-08-27 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Venus Engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4272 x 2848 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 49 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,040k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,166k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Fastest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m (at Auto ISO) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | - |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 282g (0.62 pounds) | 630g (1.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 112 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 37 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth score | 19.3 | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.6 | 11.6 |
DXO Low light score | 109 | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 320 images | 520 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $248 | $638 |