Clicky

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Updated by Canon SX510 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
  • Introduced July 2010
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Canon SX500 IS versus Kodak Z981, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Kodak. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the Z981 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The SX500 IS was released 2 years after the Z981 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX500 IS being a Compact camera and the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the SX500 IS matches up against the Z981 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Kodak Z981

 SX500 IS Z981 
IntroducedAugust 2012July 2010Newer by 26 months
Screen resolution461k201kClearer screen (+260k dot)

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Canon SX500 IS

 Z981 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Kodak Z981

 SX500 IS Z981 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS has outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Kodak Z981 has specifications 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 SX500 IS versus Kodak Z981 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the SX500 IS against the Z981.

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and Z981 is 80 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The pic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and Z981.

Plainly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon SX500 IS to render greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger SX500 IS provides an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
Kodak Z981 Portrait photography information
46
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography highlights
Kodak Z981 Street photography highlights
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
50
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography features
Kodak Z981 Sports photography features
44
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (195 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
43
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography info
Kodak Z981 Travel photography info
59
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery (195 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
53
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (540g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Kodak Z981 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery (195 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
51
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Kodak Z981 as a Vlogging camera
28
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
22
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
heavier than competition in class (540g)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX500 IS vs Kodak Z981 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Kodak Z981
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISKodak EasyShare Z981
General Information
Brand Canon Kodak
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Kodak EasyShare Z981
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-21 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor 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 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
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 201 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 16s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/1600s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 gr (0.75 pounds) 540 gr (1.19 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 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 195 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L 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 Single Single
Launch price $299 $299