Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
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66 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36
Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Kodak EasyShare Z981. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX230 HS Gallery and Kodak Z981 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Kodak Z981
SX230 HS | Z981 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 13 months |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 201k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Kodak Z981 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Kodak 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 |