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Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
44
Overall
44
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS front
 
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs

Canon SX540 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2016
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
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Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon SX540 HS and Kodak Z981, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Kodak. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX540 HS (20MP) and Z981 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX540 HS was manufactured 5 years later than the Z981 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SX540 HS grades versus the Z981 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX540 HS over the Kodak Z981

 SX540 HS Z981 
IntroducedJanuary 2016July 2010More recent by 67 months
Screen resolution461k201kCrisper screen (+260k dot)

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Canon SX540 HS

 Z981 SX540 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX540 HS and Kodak Z981

 SX540 HS Z981 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX540 HS has physical measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Kodak Z981 has dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Check the Canon SX540 HS and Kodak Z981 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SX540 HS against the Z981.

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX540 HS and Z981 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX540 HS and Z981.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX540 HS to give more detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer SX540 HS should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 sensor size comparison

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Portrait photography advice
Kodak Z981 Portrait photography advice
47
focusing manually
MP count decent (20MP)
comes with face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX540 HS as a Street photography camera
Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
47
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Sports photography features
Kodak Z981 Sports photography features
43
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
slow fps (5.9 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (205 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Travel photography advice
Kodak Z981 Travel photography advice
56
MP count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery (205 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
53
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Landscape photography information
Kodak Z981 Landscape photography information
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery (205 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
51
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX540 HS Vlogging features
Kodak Z981 Vlogging features
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
22
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (540g)
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Canon SX540 HS vs Kodak Z981 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX540 HS and Kodak Z981
 Canon PowerShot SX540 HSKodak EasyShare Z981
General Information
Brand Canon Kodak
Model type Canon PowerShot SX540 HS Kodak EasyShare Z981
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-01-05 2010-07-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 -
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 0cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 201k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 16 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.9 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m (at Auto ISO) 6.20 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off
External flash
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 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442g (0.97 lb) 540g (1.19 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 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 205 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $399 $299