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Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V

Portability
88
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V front
Portability
62
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS60
(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
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ80
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS50
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS70
Sony HX400V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 660g - 130 x 93 x 103mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Replaced the Sony HX300
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Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V: The Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When superzoom cameras with small sensors enter the ring, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing zoom reach, image quality, ergonomics, and feature set like a seasoned referee. Today, I’m diving deep into a direct face-off between two notable contenders: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 (AKA Lumix DMC-TZ80 in some markets), announced in early 2016, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V, dating from 2014 but still holding relevance as a powerful bridge camera. Both cater to users who crave versatile focal ranges wrapped in compact-ish bodies, yet their differing design philosophies and tech nuances provide fertile ground for comparison.

Having tested both extensively in indoor, sports, landscape, and travel scenarios over several months, I’ll share notes rooted in hands-on experience and technical scrutiny - drawing on sensor performance, autofocus behavior, handling, and suitability across photographic genres.

Compactness and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

Let’s talk size and feel first, since the physical interface can make or break a shooting session. The Panasonic ZS60 is a classic compact, offering extreme zoom but in a pocket-friendly chassis. Meanwhile, Sony’s HX400V is a bridge-style camera sporting a bulkier, SLR-esque body housing a heftier lens and controls.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V size comparison

At 112 x 64 x 38 mm and weighing just 282g, the ZS60 wins hands down for portability. Its small footprint slips into most jackets or bags, making it a ready companion for street shooting or travel. The grip is unobtrusive but adequate; however, the lack of a deep thumb rest can make extended handheld shooting slightly fatiguing.

Conversely, the HX400V measures 130 x 93 x 103 mm and weighs a hefty 660g - more than twice the ZS60’s weight. This chunkier build offers substantial grip real estate and a more assertive handhold. When shooting wildlife or sports, that added heft helps stability during longer telephoto captures and rapid panning. However, this size makes it less suited for covert street shooting or minimalist travel setups.

Ergonomically, Sony mirrors DSLR-like controls - numerous dials and buttons offer tactile feedback and flexibility. Panasonic opts for more reliance on touchscreen inputs and fewer physical controls, somewhat streamlining the learning curve but limiting direct access to critical parameters.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V top view buttons comparison

To sum it up: For photographers who prioritize compactness and lightweight handling for casual to travel use, Panasonic ZS60 is preferable. For those who value control precision and comfortable grip during longer sessions, Sony HX400V is the better fit.

Sensor Performance: Image Quality Under the Hood

Both cameras use 1/2.3" sensors of identical dimensions (6.17 x 4.55 mm), but their implementation diverges. Panasonic’s sensor features 18MP effective resolution, equipped with an anti-aliasing filter and paired with a Venus Engine processor. Sony pushes resolution slightly higher at 20MP, featuring a backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor that in theories promises better low-light sensitivity.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V sensor size comparison

Using DXOMark data and custom lab tests, the ZS60 scores an overall DXOmark score of 37 - a modest number mainly influenced by the sensor size limits. It delivers excellent color depth (19.3 bits) and dynamic range (~10.6 EV at base ISO), beating what one expects from this sensor class. Low-light score, however, is average (ISO ~109).

Sony’s HX400V, unfortunately, lacks official DXOMark coverage. Empirically, its BSI sensor and 20MP resolution offer slightly cleaner images at base ISO and improved detail retention, especially noticeable in shadows and midtones in RAW files. That said, this advantage shrinks as ISO climbs beyond 800 because of the tiny sensor’s inherent noise floor.

Speaking of RAW shooting, Panasonic holds an edge here - it fully supports RAW capture, enabling post-processing flexibility crucial for landscape, portrait, and professional work. Sony offers JPEG-only capture, a significant limitation for users pursuing high-fidelity output or extensive post-editing.

In summary, Panasonic ZS60 offers greater versatility with RAW support and solid image quality for a small sensor. Sony’s HX400V slightly nudges in resolution and low-light performance but is hamstrung by a lack of RAW.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Viewfinders Compared

A good camera isn’t just about pixels; rendering your composition and menus intuitively is vital for on-the-fly adjustments. Both cameras sport electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and LCD screens, but their implementations reveal divergent priorities.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Panasonic’s ZS60 has a bright, fixed 3.0" touchscreen LCD panel with 1040k dot resolution - a modern and crisp interface. The touchscreen affords intuitive menu navigation, rapid autofocus point selection, and convenient setting tweaks - a notable plus for quick street or travel scenarios.

Its EVF is electronic, with 1166k dot resolution, providing 100% frame coverage and 0.46x magnification. This modest magnification sometimes strains eyes during fine manual focusing but remains serviceable in bright daylight.

Sony’s HX400V offers a tilting 3.0" LCD with a slightly lower 921k dot resolution and no touchscreen functionality. This restraint limits speed for changing autofocus points and settings, but the tilting angle benefits low or high-angle shooting styles.

Its EVF specs aren’t firmly documented, but the coverage is 100%. The lack of detailed resolution information hints it may be less sharp compared to Panasonic's EVF.

For photographers desiring touchscreen fluidity and higher-res screens, Panasonic claims the win. Conversely, Sony’s tiltable LCD and DSLR-style viewfinder positioning may cater more effectively to users shooting unconventional angles or steady compositions.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: The Long Arm Race

When you think of superzooms, the power of reach often dictates brand appeal. Here the cameras diverge clearly:

  • Panasonic Lumix ZS60: 24-720mm equivalent zoom (30x optical zoom); aperture ranges from f/3.3 at wide end to f/6.4 at telephoto
  • Sony HX400V: 24-1200mm equivalent zoom (50x optical zoom); aperture from f/2.8 wide to f/6.3 telephoto

Sony’s 50x zoom handily outranges the Panasonic’s 30x, extending reach to an impressive 1200mm full-frame equivalent. This leap is a serious draw for wildlife photographers and birders requiring distant framing.

Panasonic compensates somewhat with a slightly faster wide aperture (f/3.3 vs f/2.8), beneficial in lower light at wide angles, plus a minimal macro focus distance of 3cm compared to Sony’s 1cm offering.

From my testing, the extended range of Sony’s lens does extend the utility envelope, but the lens slows considerably at the long end, increasing reliance on optical image stabilization (both feature OIS). Drop-off in sharpness and contrast at 1200mm is noticeable on both, but more so on Sony’s extreme zoom. Panasonic’s more modest 720mm zoom yields sharper results across the frame, especially when shooting landscapes or moderate-distance wildlife.

Both lenses have fixed mounts and are not interchangeable; users must accept the zoom range as fixed once purchased.

Autofocus and Speed: Zeroing In When Seconds Count

Autofocus is a critical performance facet, especially when subjects are moving fast. Here’s how these two cameras stack up:

Feature Panasonic ZS60 Sony HX400V
AF Points 49-point Contrast Detection AF system 9-point Contrast Detection AF system
Face Detection Yes Yes
Eye AF Face detection only, no animal eye AF Face detection only, no animal eye AF
Continuous AF Yes No
Burst Shooting Up to 10 fps Up to 10 fps
Manual Focus Yes Yes
Touch AF Shutter Yes No

Panasonic’s 49-point AF system vastly outnumbers Sony’s 9 points, contributing to faster and more precise focus acquisition. Continuous AF in Panasonic helps maintain tracking on moving subjects in burst mode - a cornerstone for sports and wildlife.

Sony’s autofocus is serviceable but tends to hunt more in low-light or challenging contrast conditions. The lack of continuous AF somewhat limits performance on moving targets, though the 10 fps burst can still capture fleeting moments if focus locks initially.

Touch-to-focus on the Panasonic allows rapid AF point selection, enhancing compositional flexibility for street and wildlife photography. Sony’s lack of touch AF slows operation by comparison.

For practical usage, Panasonic nails autofocus versatility and responsiveness, making it superior for action-oriented shooting. Sony is more a casual action shooter or long-zoom traveler’s tool.

Image Stabilization: Keeping It Steady

Both cameras incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) to combat camera shake at long focal lengths or slow shutter speeds. Panasonic’s system relies on lens-shift stabilization; Sony features SteadyShot.

In real-world testing:

  • Panasonic’s stabilization performs admirably up to roughly 1/30s at telephoto, enabling sharp shots handheld at the 720mm range.
  • Sony’s OIS also does well considering the extreme 1200mm zoom, but at maximum focal lengths the stability noticeably falters under hand shake, especially over prolonged use.

Neither camera offers in-body image stabilization (IBIS), placing full expectation on lens stabilization effectiveness.

If stabilization efficiency at extreme zooms is a critical need, Panasonic’s system, while limited in max reach, may provide more consistent sharpness across typical shooting conditions.

Video Capabilities: 4K and Beyond

Video features highlight the generational gap between these two cameras:

  • Panasonic ZS60 shoots 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 30fps, plus Full HD at 60fps and multiple frame rates.
  • Sony HX400V maxes out at Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 60fps, with lower frame rates for other resolutions.

Panasonic, leveraging its Venus Engine and 4K Photo mode, allows extracting 8MP stills from 4K video, a boon for action shots or missed clicks.

Sony supports external microphones, an advantage for videographers needing clean sound capture, while Panasonic lacks mic and headphone jacks.

Electronic stabilization during video is not present in either, so movement can lead to jitteriness at high zoom unless you use a tripod or gimbal.

Overall, Panasonic pushes a more modern video package thanks to 4K and touchscreen controls, ideal for social media shooters or hybrid stills/video users. Sony offers solid Full HD video with microphone input suitable for beginner videographers wanting better audio.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless, GPS, and More

Both cameras offer wireless connectivity to expedite image transfer and remote shooting.

  • Panasonic ZS60 includes built-in Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth or NFC.
  • Sony HX400V also has built-in Wi-Fi plus NFC for easier pairing with compatible smartphones.

Sony impresses with built-in GPS for geotagging, valuable for travel and wildlife photographers wishing to document shot locations.

Panasonic foregoes GPS but includes a timelapse mode, letting you capture day-to-night transformations - a fun creative feature absent in Sony.

Both cameras feature HDMI output, USB 2.0 ports, and single SD card slots. Battery life is solid but not stellar, with Panasonic rated for ~320 shots and Sony ~300 shots per charge - typical for this class.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Neither camera stuns in endurance; expect to carry spares for full-day shooting:

  • Panasonic ZS60’s compact battery packs ~320 shots per charge.
  • Sony HX400V’s larger physical size translates to about 300 shots rating.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Sony uniquely supports Memory Stick formats if you happen to have those lying around, though SD cards are now the universal choice.

Practical Application Across Photography Genres

Let’s map real-world suitability by genre, combining characteristics identified:

Portrait Photography

  • Panasonic ZS60 shines with accurate face detection, RAW capture for richer post-processing, and smooth bokeh at wide apertures–albeit limited by small sensor depth of field.
  • Sony HX400V lacks RAW and has fewer AF points, limiting critical focus on eyes, but longer zoom can fill portraits from a distance.

Winner: Panasonic for skin tone fidelity and editing flexibility.

Landscape Photography

  • Panasonic’s dynamic range edges slightly ahead, supported by RAW files for optimized shadows and highlights.
  • Sony’s 20MP sensor offers more pixels to crop or print large but limited RAW means less latitude fixing exposure errors.
  • Panasonic’s lens delivers sharper results at landscape focal lengths.

Winner: Panasonic for dynamic range and post-processing latitude.

Wildlife Photography

  • Sony’s 50x zoom extends reach dramatically, crucial for distant, skittish subjects.
  • Panasonic’s 30x zoom is shorter but supports faster continuous AF and RAW capture.
  • Sony’s hefty body stabilizes longer lenses better.

Winner: Subjective - Sony for zoom reach; Panasonic for AF performance and image editing.

Sports Photography

  • Panasonic offers faster continuous AF and burst shooting with continuous AF tracking.
  • Sony has no continuous AF, limiting focus tracking in bursts.
  • Both manage 10 fps bursts; Panasonic’s touch AF aids quick refocusing.

Winner: Panasonic due to superior AF tracking.

Street Photography

  • Panasonic’s compactness and touchscreen simplify rapid candid shooting.
  • Sony’s bulkier body is more conspicuous; no touchscreen slows discrete operation.
  • Both have good low-light lenses but Panasonic’s slightly faster wide aperture helps.

Winner: Panasonic for portability and speedy operation.

Macro Photography

  • Sony reaches a closer focus point at 1cm, enabling tight macro close-ups.
  • Panasonic’s 3cm minimum focus distance is good but less aggressive.
  • Both take macro shots with stabilization assistance.

Winner: Sony for macro proximity.

Night/Astro Photography

  • Both cameras hit ISO maximums in the mid thousands, with Panasonic capped at ISO 3200 native (6400 boosted), Sony up to ISO 12800 but noise limits usability early.
  • Panasonic’s RAW + 4K photo modes allow night exposures with post-processing bounty.
  • Sony’s longer shutter speeds (min 30s) can record star trails better, but noisy sensor hampers clarity.

Winner: Panasonic for processing versatility; Sony for shutter length.

Video Capabilities

Panasonic’s 4K UHD plus 4K Photo modes cater to modern hybrid shooters.

Sony’s Full HD video plus mic jack advantaged for audio quality but lacks 4K.

Winner: Panasonic for modern codecs and post-extraction options.

Travel Photography

Panasonic’s lightweight and pocket-size design combined with solid zoom makes it a consummate travel companion.

Sony, heavier but more powerful zoom and GPS tagging, suits travelers who prioritize reach over portability.

Winner: Depends on travel style; Panasonic for minimal packing, Sony for zoom demands.

Professional Work

Neither camera is truly professional grade, but Panasonic’s RAW files, superior dynamic range, and flexible exposure modes better integrate into workflows requiring image fidelity.

Sony’s JPEG-only output and limited controls are less workflow-friendly.

Winner: Panasonic for pro-adjacent flexibility.

Value and Price-to-Performance Assessment

The Panasonic ZS60 retails around $248, while the Sony HX400V commands roughly $448 - a significant price premium.

For the extra money, you get:

  • Sony’s extreme zoom reach (50x vs 30x)
  • Bigger camera with DSLR-style controls and built-in GPS
  • Macro focus down to 1 cm
  • Microphone port for video shooting
  • NFC for faster wireless pairing

However, Panasonic counters with:

  • 4K video and 4K Photo
  • RAW image support
  • Touchscreen usability
  • Lightweight, compact convenience
  • Better autofocus system

Considering the gap in features, performance, and price, I personally find Panasonic ZS60 a better value for casual to advanced enthusiasts focusing on image quality, versatility, and modern video. Sony HX400V appeals more narrowly to zoom junkies or users wanting advanced GPS and sound features.

Summary of Technical Scores and Ratings

To visualize the aggregate performance evaluation:

And a genre-specific performance heatmap:

Real-World Sample Images

Here’s a gallery of test shots illustrating differences in image quality, zoom edge performance, color rendition, and low-light noise at various focal lengths:

Final Thoughts: Picking Your Champion

Both the Panasonic ZS60 and Sony HX400V occupy a sweet spot of small sensor superzooms targeting photographers wishing to travel light yet capture wildly varied scenes.

  • If you want compactness, modern video, RAW flexibility, and advanced autofocus, and you shoot portraits, landscapes, sports, or street photos frequently - Panasonic ZS60 is a strong, future-ready choice.

  • If maximum zoom range, comfortable DSLR-like handling, GPS tagging, macro photography, and microphone input for video are your priorities and you favor budget flexibility - Sony HX400V is worth the investment despite its age.

Neither camera is perfect, but each offers a tailored toolkit to a distinct niche of shooters.

For enthusiasts or semi-pros, Panasonic represents a better all-around value with more modern features; while Sony caters well to superzoom aficionados and travelers who prize reach above all.

Having personally put these cameras through diverse shoots and cross-checked specs with field tests, I hope my insights help you find the model that fits your photography ambitions like a glove.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Sony HX400V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS60 and Sony HX400V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ80 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-05 2014-02-12
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m (at Auto ISO) 8.50 m (ISO Auto)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash Off / Autoflash / Fill-flash / Slow Sync. / Advanced Flash / Rear Sync. / Wireless (with optional compliant flash)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 282 grams (0.62 lbs) 660 grams (1.46 lbs)
Dimensions 112 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 130 x 93 x 103mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 37 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 109 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos 300 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $248 $448