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Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX170 IS
Kodak Z981
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 85 x 105mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Kodak. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the Z981 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was unveiled 3 years after the Z981 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SX160 IS matches up vs the Z981 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Kodak Z981

 SX160 IS Z981 
RevealedJune 2013July 2010More modern by 37 months
Display resolution230k201kSharper display (+29k dot)

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Canon SX160 IS

 Z981 SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Kodak Z981

 SX160 IS Z981 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS features physical measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Kodak Z981 has proportions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Check the Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS compared to the Z981.

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and Z981 is 86 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and Z981.

Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX160 IS to provide greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent SX160 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography info
Kodak Z981 Portrait photography info
46
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
46
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX160 IS
Street photography with Kodak Z981
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
heavier than others (540g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography information
Kodak Z981 Sports photography information
51
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography highlights
Kodak Z981 Travel photography highlights
69
good battery life (380 shots)
lighter than average in class (291g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (540 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Kodak Z981 Landscape photography advice
51
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good battery life (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
51
manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging details
Kodak Z981 Vlogging details
31
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
22
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
heavier than others (540 grams)
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Canon SX160 IS vs Kodak Z981 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Kodak Z981
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISKodak EasyShare Z981
General Information
Company Canon Kodak
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Kodak EasyShare Z981
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-06-21 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 201k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 16s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 grams (0.64 lb) 540 grams (1.19 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photos -
Battery style AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $199 $299