It's difficult to overstate how good a deal the Panasonic S60 series represents. In a dark room its inky-deep black levels, accurate color, and perfect uniformity can make it look almost as good as flagship models that cost twice or three times as much. On the other hand its picture fades noticeably when subjected to bright lights, so if you can afford it, I definitely recommend stepping up to an ST60 .
Panasonic doesn't make that decision a no-brainer, however. The S60 offers a refreshingly simple take on Smart TV, and most importantly, costs hundreds less than the ST60 -- and, I'm guessing, every other TV that comes close to this level of picture quality. For buyers on a tight budget who still crave a superb picture, can control room lighting, and don't need extra features or inputs, the Panasonic S60 is my early favorite pick of 2013.
Editors' note, November 15, 2013: Panasonic has announced that it will no longer manufacture plasma televisions after 2013, making these TVs the last of their kind. That fact doesn't negatively affect our buying advice; in fact, just the opposite. We have confidence Panasonic will remain a viable company, and continue to support its plasma TVs, for years.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 50-inch Panasonic TC-P50S60, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
As of October 2013, the 42-inch size in this series is no longer available. According to Panasonic there won't be any more inventory, so in effect it is permanently sold out.
| Models in series (details) | |
| Panasonic TC-P42S60 (sold out) | 42 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P50S60 (reviewed) | 50 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P55S60 (sold out) | 55 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P60S60 | 60 inches |
| Panasonic TC-P65S60 | 65 inches |
Design
The understated S60 won't wow guests with GQ panache, but it will blend in better than most big TVs. Its only accents are strips of silver along the top and bottom edges. The black frame around the screen is skinnier than that of the U50 from last year and, like its ST60 brother, it's thin enough to almost pass for the frame on an LED-based LCD TV.
The understated S60 won't wow guests with GQ panache, but it will blend in better than most big TVs. Its only accents are strips of silver along the top and bottom edges. The black frame around the screen is skinnier than that of the U50 from last year and, like its ST60 brother, it's thin enough to almost pass for the frame on an LED-based LCD TV.
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