Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 at a glance:
- 18.1-million-pixel, 1/2.3in-type sensor
- Leica DC Vario-Elmar 24-720mm f/3.3-f/6.4 Asph lens
- 920,000-dot resolution TFT LCD display
- 200,000-dot electronic viewfinder
- ISO sensitivity range of ISO 100-3400 (ISO 6400 extended)
- Wi-fi and NFC connectivity
- Street price around £349
- See sample images taken with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60
Trying to choose between the TZ60 and TZ70? Read the What Digital Camera Panasonic Lumix TZ70 vs Panasonic Lumix TZ60 comparison
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 review – Introduction
Being lightweight and portable while also offering an extensive optical zoom range are a few of the key criteria of a travel compact camera. With this sector of the market being particularly competitive, companies need to give their new cameras more advanced features to stay ahead of the competition.
Panasonic announced the launch of the Lumix DMC-TZ60 alongside the DMC-TZ55 at CES in the USA earlier this year. The TZ60 is the successor to the very popular Lumix DMC-TZ40, which impressed us when we tested it in AP 23 March 2013. Now featuring an increased 30x optical zoom, raw image capture, comprehensive Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity and an electronic viewfinder, Panasonic has certainly stepped up to the mark with the TZ60.
Like the look of the TZ60? See our round-up of best travel compacts
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 review – Features
Inside the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 is a 1/2.3in-type (6.17×4.55mm) Live MOS sensor with a resolution of 18.1 million pixels. One feature that will no doubt widen the appeal of the TZ60, particularly among enthusiast photographers, is the fact that the camera now supports both raw and JPEG image capture. Thanks to Panasonic’s own Venus Engine processor, writing both full-resolution raw and JPEG images simultaneously isn’t too sluggish and a speed of 10fps is possible for a total of six frames in burst mode.
However, this is with a fixed focus, and continuous AF will slow the rate to 5fps. Panasonic says the Venus Engine is also capable of more advanced noise reduction than in previous models, which should help when shooting at higher ISO sensitivities. The TZ60’s native sensitivity is ISO 100-3400, but it can be extended to ISO 6400.
Panasonic has made a significant improvement upon the 20x optical zoom range offered by the TZ60’s predecessor, the TZ40. The TZ60 features a Leica DC Vario-Elmar 4.3-129mm f/3.3-6.4 Asph zoom lens offering an impressive 30x optical zoom – equivalent to a massive 24-720mm focal range. Camera shake is tamed by a redesigned five-axis hybrid optical image stabilisation system. Panasonic claims a 0.5EV increase in performance over the OIS in the TZ40 predecessor, allowing users to shoot handheld with a shutter speed up to 3EV slower than before.
Like the TZ40, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60 also features built-in GPS functionality, Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication (NFC). The GPS allows users to log the location of each shot they take and use the information at a later date, which is very useful, particularly for photographers on their travels. Also, the Wi-Fi is among the best in its class, allowing remote access to the camera and the sharing of images via the free iOS and Android Panasonic Image App.

Images: These images show either end of the extensive 24-720mm zoom range of the TZ60