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Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
68
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z980 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 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
  • Introduced January 2009
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Released September 2011
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Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Kodak Z980 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Kodak and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the Z980 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The Z980 was introduced 3 years prior to the RZ18 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the Z980 grades vs the RZ18 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Kodak Z980 over the Pentax RZ18

 Z980 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Kodak Z980

 RZ18 Z980 
ReleasedSeptember 2011January 2009Fresher by 32 months
Display resolution460k201kClearer display (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z980 and Pentax RZ18

 Z980 RZ18 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Kodak Z980 provides exterior dimensions of 124mm x 91mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") and a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Kodak Z980 versus Pentax RZ18 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the Z980 versus the RZ18.

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z980 and RZ18 is 68 and 92 respectively.

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The visual below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z980 and RZ18.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax RZ18 to provide you with greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older Z980 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z980
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
40
has manual focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
36
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z980 Street photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Street photography advice
54
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
lighter than average (178 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z980 Sports photography info
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography info
33
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
46
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather proof
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z980 Travel photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average (178g)
weather proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z980 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography factors
45
has manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z980 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Vlogging camera
23
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Kodak Z980 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z980 and Pentax RZ18
 Kodak EasyShare Z980Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Kodak Pentax
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z980 Pentax Optio RZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-05 2011-09-12
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 201 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 445 gr (0.98 lbs) 178 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 91 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 ID 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $249 $210