Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 ( 18.9 MP,30 x Optical Zoom,3 -inch LCD )

Product Information

What I couldn’t have done without is the touch screen, so all credit to Panasonic for re-introducing it on this model as well as the higher end TZ100 / ZS100. You can simply tap the screen to position the AF area in single area mode. In 49 Area mode it’s used to position the 9×9 grid of AF points within the overall 7×7 area matrix that covers the entire screen. And when you’re in Face detect mode you can select which eye you want to focus on by tapping it. Confused? You might be, but if it makes it easier, the HX50V continues to be the flagship model for North America, while everyone else has the choice of last year’s HX50V or the updated HX60V. Either way, both are key rivals to the Lumix TZ60 / ZS40, so let’s see how the features compare. I’ll refer to the Sony now on as the HX50V / HX60V and mention any differences where relevant.

This is essentially the same as the 25-750mm equivalent range of Canon’s earlier PowerShot SX710 HS, but with the newer PowerShot SX720 HS Canon has extended the zoom to 40x with a range in 35mm terms equivalent to 24-960mm. And although its zoom is longer, the PowerShot SX720 matches the f3.3 focal ratio of the TZ80 / ZS60 at the wide end, closing to f6.9 when fully zoomed in. The closest focusing distances with the lenses set to wide are 3cm, and 1cm respectively, allowing both to capture good macro images, although giving the Canon the edge. Only a few options are available in the TZ60’s white balance menu. These include AWB, daylight, cloudy, shade, incandescent, white set and white set setting. White set allows users to change the Kelvin setting manually, while white set setting samples a section from the middle of the image and sets the white balance from that. I found the AWB (auto) setting is accurate, particularly in fluorescent or incandescent lighting, although it is sometimes a touch too warm in tungsten lighting. Daylight, cloudy, shade and incandescent lighting can all be adjusted to preference by tapping the display button in the white balance menu. In general, the TZ60’s colour rendition gave pleasant and accurate, true-to-scene colours. Images: These images show either end of the extensive 24-720mm zoom range of the TZ60 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 review – Build and handlingOnce again though, the biggest difference concerns a viewfinder. The HX50V / HX60V has a hotshoe onto which you can slide a very respectable optional viewfinder accessory, but it of course adds to the size and cost. In contrast, the Lumix TZ60 / ZS40 has its viewfinder built-in and always available – sure it’s small and relatively coarse, but it’s always there. Wifi and NFC first came to the TZ / ZS series with last year’s TZ40 / ZS30, and the new model essentially inherits the same capabilities.

Finally, the TZ60 / ZS40 offers a panorama mode accessed direct from the mode dial. This works similarly to the sweep panorama option on Sony’s Cyber-shot cameras, capturing a series of images in a burst as you pan the camera across the scene in an arc, after which the camera automatically stitches them together for you. The remote control feature shows a live image on your phone or tablet’s screen allowing you to take a photo or start or stop a video recording. You can tap anywhere on the live image to set the AF area or directly take the shot. If the camera’s mode dial is set to Aperture or Shutter Priority, you can remotely adjust the aperture or shutter speed respectively, and in Manual you can change both.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 review – White balance and colour

The TZ80 / ZS60’s combined battery and card compartment is accessed via a door in the base – note it’s not possible to change the card or battery when the camera is mounted on a tripod. The BLG10E battery provides enough power on a full charge for 320 shots using the screen exclusively or 280 shots with the EVF so, in practice, probably somewhere between the two. That’s a little better than the 250 shots you’ll get with the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS, but the SX720 HS’s Eco energy saving mode extends that to a more generous 355 shots. The battery used by the TZ60 is rated to 300 shots. However, there is no standalone battery charger included, so the camera is frustratingly out of use while the battery is charging. Spare batteries are advisable. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 review – Metering