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Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
68
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z980 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Kodak Z980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 445g - 124 x 91 x 105mm
  • Announced January 2009
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS20
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Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Kodak Z980 versus Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Panasonic. The resolution of the Z980 (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The Z980 was announced 4 years before the ZS15 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the Z980 grades vs the ZS15 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z980 over the Panasonic ZS15

 Z980 ZS15 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Kodak Z980

 ZS15 Z980 
RevealedJune 2012January 2009Fresher by 42 months
Screen resolution460k201kCrisper screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z980 and Panasonic ZS15

 Z980 ZS15 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Kodak Z980 comes with external measurements of 124mm x 91mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Kodak Z980 versus Panasonic ZS15 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the Z980 and the ZS15.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z980 and ZS15 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by going through specifications. The visual here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z980 and ZS15.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photos but you really should consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older Z980 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z980 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography factors
40
manual focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z980 Street photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography information
54
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (208 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z980
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
33
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Kodak Z980
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
51
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competitors (208g)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z980 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
45
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
36
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z980 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
23
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (208 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone jack
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Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z980 and Panasonic ZS15
 Kodak EasyShare Z980Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Kodak Panasonic
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z980 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-05 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 25 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 201 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 lb) 208g (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 91 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 - 260 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $249 $279