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Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981

Portability
80
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS front
 
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs

Canon SX510 HS
(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  • Superseded the Canon SX500 IS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
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
  • Announced July 2010
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Kodak Z981

 SX510 HS Z981 
AnnouncedAugust 2013July 2010More modern by 39 months
Screen resolution461k201kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX510 HS
Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
35
has manual focus
includes face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX510 HS as a Street photography camera
Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX510 HS as a Sports photography camera
Kodak Z981 as a Sports photography camera
37
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Travel photography factors
Kodak Z981 Travel photography factors
54
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery power (250 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Landscape photography factors
Kodak Z981 Landscape photography factors
40
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery power (250 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
51
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX510 HS Vlogging factors
Kodak Z981 Vlogging factors
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
22
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
heavier than competition in class (540g)
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Canon SX510 HS vs Kodak Z981 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX510 HS and Kodak Z981
 Canon PowerShot SX510 HSKodak 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