Thin films of ZnO grown by sol-gel spin method using two different precursors viz. zinc nitrate and zinc acetate have been characterized for their crystalline nature and associated nanostructures. In some cases, the films consist of nanostructures in the form of nanocrystals and nanoneedles of dimensions in the range 15-60 nm. A comparison between the physical characterization and the nanostructures of the films grown by two different precursor materials has been presented and the results are discussed in terms of the fundamental considerations governing the growth kinetics of the ZnO films.