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Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
68
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z980 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs

Kodak Z980
(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
  • Launched January 2009
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LZ20
  • Later Model is Panasonic LZ40
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Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Kodak Z980 and Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Kodak and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the Z980 (12MP) and LZ30 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The Z980 was brought out 5 years prior to the LZ30 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Kodak Z980 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the Z980 grades vs the LZ30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Kodak Z980 over the Panasonic LZ30

 Z980 LZ30 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Kodak Z980

 LZ30 Z980 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2009More recent by 48 months
Screen resolution460k201kSharper screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z980 and Panasonic LZ30

 Z980 LZ30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Kodak Z980 provides outside dimensions of 124mm x 91mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") having a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ30 has proportions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Look at the Kodak Z980 and Panasonic LZ30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the Z980 against the LZ30.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z980 and LZ30 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The photograph underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the Z980 and LZ30.

All in all, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic LZ30 to provide more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The older Z980 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z980
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ30
41
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
32
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z980
Street photography with Panasonic LZ30
54
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (552g)
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z980 Sports photography factors
Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography factors
34
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
great battery life (380 shots)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z980 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
great battery life (380 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (875mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (552 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z980 Landscape photography information
Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography information
45
has manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
45
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
great battery life (380 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z980 Vlogging details
Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging details
23
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
22
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition (552 grams)
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Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z980 and Panasonic LZ30
 Kodak EasyShare Z980Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Make Kodak Panasonic
Model Kodak EasyShare Z980 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-01-05 2013-01-07
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focus range 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 201k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 445g (0.98 lbs) 552g (1.22 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 91 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 - 380 shots
Style of battery - AA
Battery model 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $249 $230