User Friendly Point and Shoot: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60

I’m not going to lie – I cried when opening the FedEX package containing a new camera for a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60. In a world where the smartphone is your go-to camera primarily due to convenience, I’m perhaps one of the few who prefer a point and shoot camera. Say hello to your new best friend, the ZS60 model.

The honeymoon may be over, but after more than 2 years, I still loved my Panasonic DMC-ZS40, stashing it in my purse or backpack and literally snapping thousands of travel and family photos. Until I dropped it a few months back, and the shutter no longer fully opened. I was stoked to try out the new and improved Panasonic DMC-ZS60 point and shoot and its cool features.

But the proof is in the quality of the photos and the learning curve in using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60.  And I found both to be exceptional.  Let me start by sharing unedited photos taken with this new Panasonic camera using various settings.

Lightweight and Zoom Powerful

The new ZS model offers an impressive number of built-in features.  The 18M sensor is “insurance” when taking high-quality photos in all conditions, and 4K capability means that your favorite travel memories can be recorded in stunning detail. (Although I haven’t tested the 4K options on this camera yet!)

The new ZS model is sturdy and small, weighing around 11 ounces. Combine that with its powerful 30x Zoom LEICA – and this camera can replace lugging around the DSLR and all the extra lenses.

And the clarity of the zoom lens was proven recently on a Colorado road trip. I set up about 100 yards away at the fence and captured this barn and backdrop on the back roads between Sedalia and Palmer Lake. (The fence was lined with photographers carrying DSLR cameras and a slew of extra lenses.)

User-Friendly Camera – Even Grandma Can Learn!

For years, I lugged around a Nikon DSLR with extra lens, breaking up with it completely when introduced to the Panasonic DMC-ZS40. I was stoked to try out the new and improved. It’s so easy that even Grandma can use it!

Okay, perhaps I’m a little more camera techy than many grandparents, but the DMC-ZS60 was so similar to my ZS40 that the learning curve was small. I couldn’t help but compare it to my previous ZS40 model, and in this case, spending a couple of years shooting pictures with that camera brought me up to speed much more quickly on this newer version.

I picked up the fully charged camera, turned it on and was able to quickly run through the possible built-in features on the camera.

Automatic Features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-60

Sometimes, you simply do not want to mess with all the settings because you don’t want to miss a shot. While visiting the Colorado Railroad Museum, I handed off the Panasonic camera to my two grandkids, and these are the (unedited) photos they snapped using the iA setting. It’s simple! Set Your Dial to iA – Intelligent Auto Mode. When pointed at the subject, the camera automatically reads the scene and adjusts automatically to the optimum settings. Press halfway (lightly) to focus and press full to take the picture. This is the simplest way to take almost any picture, and the grandkids agreed that this is a kid friendly camera.

Built-In Scene Settings Features

As a grandparent (and parent), the most difficult photo to capture are those action shots of my grandchildren playing sports or doing what kids do — active things!  There are so many built-in scene settings, including the Clear Sports Shot, and they are easy to scroll through to select (either by touching the screen or selecting the menu button). Take a look…

Taking Picture Effects

The ZS60 model also allows photographers to be “creative” with the Creative Control Mode (the Palette looking icon on the mode dial). Multiple creative options include Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, and Sunshine. Just select one, point and shoot and have fun.

Go Professional

Prefer to create their personal photographic destiny? Then, the LUMIX DMC-ZS60 is still your camera with its extensive and easy-to-use manual settings. A dedicated Control Ring allows control of important settings, including zoom, aperture, and shutter speed. And the 3.0-inch 1040k-dot TOUCH screen makes navigating the menus and selecting your preferred setting so much easier.

The Social Camera

Snap your pictures with the LUMIX DMC-ZS60, and then, you can share them with friends and family with the press of a button. Simply connect to a smartphone or tablet with the Panasonic App and boom! Share your pictures on social media, attach them to an email, or view remotely on a bigger screen.
Once you purchase your new Panasonic Lumix, you aren’t just left in the cold. The Lumix Lounge offers tips to use your camera – and experts who will answer your specific questions.

Ready to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60?  Go to your neighborhood camera store or go online at will be available at Panasonic. Available in silver or black for just $449.99./

Panasonic provided the camera for review; opinions expressed are my own.