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Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981

Portability
61
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Fujifilm FinePix S8500 front
 
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 Key Specs

Fujifilm S8500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/7000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1104mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 670g - 123 x 87 x 116mm
  • Released January 2013
Kodak Z981
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 85 x 105mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Fujifilm S8500 and Kodak Z981, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands FujiFilm and Kodak. The sensor resolution of the Fujifilm S8500 (16MP) and the Z981 (14MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The Fujifilm S8500 was manufactured 2 years later than the Z981 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the Fujifilm S8500 scores against the Z981 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Fujifilm S8500 over the Kodak Z981

 Fujifilm S8500 Z981 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2010Fresher by 31 months
Display resolution460k201kCrisper display (+259k dot)

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Fujifilm S8500

 Z981 Fujifilm S8500 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Fujifilm S8500 and Kodak Z981

 Fujifilm S8500 Z981 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Fujifilm S8500 features physical dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 116mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.6") having a weight of 670 grams (1.48 lbs) and the Kodak Z981 has measurements 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 out the Fujifilm S8500 and Kodak Z981 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the Fujifilm S8500 and the Z981.

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Fujifilm S8500 and Z981 is 61 and 66 respectively.

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 top view buttons comparison

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the Fujifilm S8500 and Z981.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Fujifilm S8500 to give you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The younger Fujifilm S8500 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 sensor size comparison

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 Screen and ViewFinder

Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Fujifilm S8500 Portrait photography factors
Kodak Z981 Portrait photography factors
32
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
46
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Fujifilm S8500 Street photography advice
Kodak Z981 Street photography advice
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competition (670 grams)
50
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Fujifilm S8500
Sports photography with Kodak Z981
53
incredible zoom range (24-1104mm 46.0 x zoom)
maximum shutter speed is high (1/7,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Fujifilm S8500
Travel photography with Kodak Z981
52
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (1104mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (670g)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Fujifilm S8500 Landscape photography advice
Kodak Z981 Landscape photography advice
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Fujifilm S8500 Vlogging advice
Kodak Z981 Vlogging advice
24
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
heavier than competition (670g)
22
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
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Fujifilm S8500 vs Kodak Z981 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Fujifilm S8500 and Kodak Z981
 Fujifilm FinePix S8500Kodak EasyShare Z981
General Information
Manufacturer FujiFilm Kodak
Model Fujifilm FinePix S8500 Kodak EasyShare Z981
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-07 2010-07-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 64 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1104mm (46.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Max aperture f/2.9-6.5 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 0cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 201k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT color LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/7000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.20 m
Flash modes - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 320 x 120 (480 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 670 grams (1.48 pounds) 540 grams (1.19 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 116mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.6") 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 model 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $500 $299