Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5
68 Imaging
34 Features
40 Overall
36


94 Imaging
37 Features
25 Overall
32
Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 445g - 124 x 91 x 105mm
- Released January 2009
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
- 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
- Announced July 2011

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview
In this article, we are comparing the Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Kodak and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Z980 (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The Z980 was released 3 years before the LS5 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the Z980 matches up against the LS5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Kodak EasyShare Z980 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5. The complete galleries are available at Kodak Z980 Gallery and Panasonic LS5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Kodak Z980 over the Panasonic LS5
Z980 | LS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Kodak Z980
LS5 | Z980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | More recent by 30 months |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 201k | Sharper display (+29k dot) |
Common features in the Kodak Z980 and Panasonic LS5
Z980 | LS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Kodak Z980 provides exterior dimensions of 124mm x 91mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LS5 has sizing of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).
Compare the Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 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 are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the Z980 versus the LS5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z980 and LS5 is 68 and 94 respectively.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by viewing specs. The visual underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the Z980 and LS5.
All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic LS5 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older Z980 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications
Kodak EasyShare Z980 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Kodak | Panasonic |
Model type | Kodak EasyShare Z980 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-01-05 | 2011-07-21 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 26-624mm (24.0x) | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | f/2.8-6.5 |
Macro focusing range | 10cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 201k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 16 seconds | 8 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 4.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 445g (0.98 lbs) | 126g (0.28 lbs) |
Dimensions | 124 x 91 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") | 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | - | 160 images |
Style of battery | - | AA |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $249 | $294 |