Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15
68 Imaging
34 Features
40 Overall
36


92 Imaging
35 Features
37 Overall
35
Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Kodak EasyShare Z980 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15. The whole galleries are viewable at Kodak Z980 Gallery & Panasonic ZS15 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2012 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 42 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 201k | Crisper screen (+259k dot) |
Common features in the Kodak Z980 and Panasonic ZS15
Z980 | ZS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications
Kodak EasyShare Z980 | Panasonic 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 |