Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981
80 Imaging
36 Features
41 Overall
38


66 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36
Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Launched August 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX500 IS
- Renewed by Canon SX520 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
- Announced July 2010

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Overview
Following is a extended comparison of the Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Kodak. The image resolution of the SX510 HS (12MP) and the Z981 (14MP) is pretty similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX510 HS was brought out 3 years after the Z981 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX510 HS being a Compact camera and the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SX510 HS matches up versus the Z981 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX510 HS and Kodak EasyShare Z981. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX510 HS Gallery and Kodak Z981 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Kodak Z981
SX510 HS | Z981 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | More modern by 39 months |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 201k | Crisper screen (+260k dot) |
Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Canon SX510 HS
Z981 | SX510 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX510 HS and Kodak Z981
SX510 HS | Z981 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX510 HS provides outside dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs) whilst the Kodak Z981 has specifications of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SX510 HS against the Z981.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX510 HS and Z981 is 80 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The image here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX510 HS and Z981.
As you can tell, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Kodak Z981 to offer you more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The newer SX510 HS will have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS | Kodak EasyShare Z981 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Kodak |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX510 HS | Kodak EasyShare Z981 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-08-22 | 2010-07-06 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | 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 | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing 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 | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus range | 0cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 461k dots | 201k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 16 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 6.20 m |
Flash options | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 349g (0.77 lb) | 540g (1.19 lb) |
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 score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 images | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $249 | $299 |