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Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Older Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX240 HS
Kodak Z981
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 85 x 105mm
  • Released July 2010
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Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon SX230 HS versus Kodak Z981, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Kodak. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the Z981 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was manufactured 13 months after the Z981 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SX230 HS scores against the Z981 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Kodak Z981

 SX230 HS Z981 
ReleasedJuly 2011July 2010Newer by 13 months
Screen resolution461k201kCrisper screen (+260k dot)

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Canon SX230 HS

 Z981 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Kodak Z981

 SX230 HS Z981 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys outside measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Kodak Z981 has measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX230 HS versus Kodak Z981 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SX230 HS and the Z981.

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and Z981 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX230 HS and Z981.

As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Kodak Z981 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SX230 HS provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography factors
Kodak Z981 Portrait photography factors
34
you can focus manually
comes with face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography factors
Kodak Z981 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (540g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography advice
Kodak Z981 Sports photography advice
36
long zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography features
Kodak Z981 Travel photography features
61
lighter than competition in class (223 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (392mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (540 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX230 HS
Landscape photography with Kodak Z981
41
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
51
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Vlogging camera
Kodak Z981 as a Vlogging camera
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (223g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
22
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than average in class (540g)
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Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Kodak Z981
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSKodak EasyShare Z981
General Information
Brand Canon Kodak
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Kodak EasyShare Z981
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-19 2010-07-06
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 201 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 16 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 grams (0.49 lbs) 540 grams (1.19 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 210 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-5L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $399 $299