Kodak Z980 vs Sony HX100V: A Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

In the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, there’s often a tension between reach, image quality, and flexibility. The Kodak EasyShare Z980 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V, both born a couple of years apart, represent two very different approaches to the same goal: packing incredible zoom ranges into a compact-ish body without breaking the bank.

Having spent a good deal of time in the field with both models, testing them across various photography scenarios from portraits to low-light landscapes and even some amateur wildlife attempts, I’m excited to share an unvarnished, hands-on comparison to help you decide which is a better fit for your shooting style and budget.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics - The Grip That Matters

First impressions matter, especially when you’re lugging a camera for hours or trying to snap a decisive street shot. The Kodak Z980 sports a traditional compact body, while the Sony HX100V takes a bridge camera form factor - think DSLR-esque but with a fixed lens. Let’s have a look:

The Kodak Z980 measures roughly 124 x 91 x 105 mm and weighs about 445 g, comfortably pocketable for those who don’t mind modest size. By contrast, the HX100V is a bit chunkier with dimensions 122 x 87 x 93 mm but heavier at 577 g. That extra heft doesn’t necessarily translate to unwieldiness - it actually provides a more secure grip, especially when shooting at full zoom or using manual controls.

In practice, the Z980 feels more “point-and-shoot,” geared toward casual usage with a mostly fixed body and a lens that extends significantly on zooming out. The HX100V embraces a more deliberate shooting experience, with a well-contoured grip and buttons that fall naturally under fingers - an advantage when frustration creeps in during fast-moving scenarios like sports or wildlife photography.

You’ll notice the Sony has a subtle bulk advantage but compensates with better overall build solidity. The Kodak’s plastic-y feel is evident, which isn’t shocking given its US$249 price tag versus Sony’s US$429, but it’s worth keeping in mind if durability is a priority.

Top Controls and Interface - Putting the Camera in Your Hands

Physical controls can make or break your compositional flow. Here’s a peek at the cameras’ top decks:

The HX100V clearly embraces more advanced control dials and buttons, including dedicated exposure compensation and mode dials, which you'll appreciate if you like manual shooting without wading through menus. The Kodak Z980 keeps things simpler, relying more on on-screen menus and fewer physical controls. It does offer manual focus and manual exposure modes, but toggling them isn’t quite as fluid.

Sony’s thoughtful layout improves operation speed - the shutter button, zoom rocker, and mode dial combine into an intuitive control cluster, whereas Kodak’s approach occasionally feels cramped or less intuitive, especially when shooting quickly or in tricky lighting.

If quick manual adjustments and tactile feedback matter, HX100V wins hands down. For straightforward snapshooters, the Z980’s simplified interface might actually reduce confusion.

Sensor and Image Quality - Where Pixels Count Most

Ah, the heart of any camera: the sensor. Both cameras use the same sensor size class (1/2.3” ~ six-by-four mm range), but the devil, as always, is in the details.

The Kodak Z980 packs a 12-megapixel CCD sensor, a technology that was already on the wane by 2009 but still capable of clean images in good light, albeit with slower readout speeds and higher noise at elevated ISOs.

Sony’s HX100V, arriving in 2011, uses a 16-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor - a leap forward for noise performance and dynamic range within this sensor class. Sony also equips it with the BIONZ processor, known for efficient noise reduction and accurate color reproduction.

What does this mean in the field? Kodak’s CCD sensor gives punchy colors and decent sharpness at low ISO (64 native), but noise becomes very evident past ISO 400. The maximum ISO 6400 setting exists, but images at this level are mostly unusable. Also, CCDs tend to be less forgiving for video recording.

Sony’s CMOS sensor and processor combo manage much cleaner images at ISO 800 and even usable results up to 1600 ISO with moderate noise reduction - a game-changer for low-light and indoor shooting. It maxes out at ISO 3200; there’s no boosted ISO beyond that, reflecting a conscious design choice to maintain usable images.

Both cameras use an anti-aliasing filter, standard fare to prevent moiré but at the cost of some fine detail. The Sony’s higher resolution also delivers extra detail in landscapes or when cropping images, which benefits the enthusiast photographers out there.

Bottom line: For image quality alone, especially at higher ISOs, the Sony HX100V has a meaningful advantage.

Rear LCD and Viewfinder - Keeping an Eye on Your Shot

Neither camera sports an optical viewfinder, but both offer electronic versions and rear screens:

The Kodak Z980’s 3-inch fixed LCD has a low resolution (201k dots), making it harder to judge sharpness or fine detail in bright sunlight. The electronic viewfinder specs are unspecified and, from my experience, not very crisp. This means live framing sometimes felt imprecise, especially at full zoom.

In contrast, the Sony HX100V sports a 3-inch tilting XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology at a high 921k dots - a significant upgrade enabling much clearer image playback and easier framing from tricky angles. Its electronic viewfinder offers a decent experience for a bridge camera but isn’t flagship-level.

This makes the Sony easier on the eyes and more flexible for creative shooting angles - a small but impactful ergonomic advantage.

Zoom Range and Lens Versatility - Reach for the Skies

Where superzoom cameras shine is their focal length reach. Let’s see how these two stack up:

• Kodak Z980: 26-624mm equivalent (24x zoom), max aperture f/2.8-5.0
• Sony HX100V: 27-810mm equivalent (30x zoom), max aperture f/2.8-5.6

The Kodak covers an impressive range, but the Sony extends further into the telephoto territory by roughly 30%. This makes a noticeable difference if you’re eyeing distant wildlife or sports action.

The Sony’s lens is also optically stabilized with an optical image stabilization system, generally preferred for reducing blur compared to Kodak’s sensor-shift stabilization. In practice, Sony’s system provides steadier shots at long focal lengths.

One drawback: Sony’s max aperture narrows slightly from f/5.0 (Kodak) to f/5.6 at full zoom, potentially affecting low-light performance. However, the Sony compensates that with improved sensor efficiency.

The Kodak offers a close focusing distance of 10 cm - nice for casual macro close-ups - though I found it less flexible than dedicated macro lenses or even the HX100V’s unspecified but quite good macro mode.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed - Catching the Moment

Autofocus is a tricky beast in superzoom cameras. Neither camera features continuous AF tracking or animal eye-detection - no surprise given their age and market segment - but let’s tease out differences.

• Kodak Z980: 25 autofocus points, contrast-detection AF, single AF only
• Sony HX100V: 9 autofocus points, contrast-detection, single AF only

On paper, Kodak seems to have more AF points, but their performance depends heavily on implementation. In practice, the Sony’s AF felt snappier and more reliable, especially in good light conditions. Contrast-detection AF, while accurate, naturally slows down in low light or low contrast scenes, a limitation shared by both cameras.

Continuous shooting speeds show a stark contrast:

• Kodak Z980: 1 fps burst rate
• Sony HX100V: 10 fps burst rate

I stress “burst rate” here because the Kodak essentially discourages shooting moving subjects, whereas Sony enables decent sequence shooting - useful for sports or wildlife photography.

Kodak’s shutter speeds max out at 1/2000s, while Sony reaches 1/4000s - a plus for action photography or bright daylight shooting with wide apertures.

Video Recording - Moving Pictures Made Easy?

Video is often a neglected feature in compact cameras, but increasingly influential in purchase decisions.

• Kodak Z980: Up to 1280x720p (HD) at 30fps, Motion JPEG format
• Sony HX100V: Full HD 1920x1080p at 60fps, MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats

Sony’s video capabilities are clearly superior - higher resolution, higher frame rates, and modern codecs that produce smaller files with better quality. The Kodak’s choice of Motion JPEG was already outdated by 2009, producing large files with limited editing flexibility.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, which limits audio quality improvement options for videographers.

If video is a priority, the HX100V offers a significantly better experience.

Battery and Storage - How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery life specifics are a bit vague - Kodak uses 4 AA batteries, which is convenient if you want spares without hunting for proprietary chargers on trips. Sony uses a rechargeable NP-FH50 lithium-ion battery, common among Sony bridge cameras, offering decent runtime but requiring the charger.

Carry extra AAs and you can shoot all day with the Kodak, but Sony’s more efficient battery might last longer per charge though you’ll want a power bank or charger for extended outings.

Storage-wise:

• Kodak Z980 supports SD/SDHC cards and includes some internal storage.
• Sony HX100V supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus Sony’s Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo formats, a nice touch for legacy users.

Both have single card slots, so managing storage is straightforward but non-redundant.

Connectivity and Extras - The Digital Bridge

Neither camera sports Bluetooth or NFC, which is not surprising given their announcements in 2009 and 2011, but Sony HX100V offers Eye-Fi card compatibility and built-in GPS for geotagging photos - handy for travel photographers who want location data baked in without extra gadgets.

Kodak intentionally keeps complexity low with no wireless features.

Both have USB 2.0 and HDMI ports for data transfer and video playback - standard fare.

Real-World Photography Scenarios

Let's apply all this tech talk to common photography genres and see which model pulls ahead.

Portrait Photography

Skin tones and natural bokeh are important here. Both cameras have modest sensor sizes limiting shallow depth-of-field effects. The Kodak’s 12 MP CCD yielded nicely saturated colors in portraits, but struggled with noise indoors.

Sony’s higher resolution and better low-light performance help preserve skin detail and tonal gradations, even if bokeh remains limited by the sensor size.

Neither supports face or eye detection, meaning you have to rely on manual focus or center AF point.

Winner: Sony HX100V for image quality and subtle tonal rendition.

Landscape Photography

Wide dynamic range and resolution count.

Kodak’s 12 MP CCD was acceptable in good lighting but limited in handling shadows and highlights, often losing detail in the extremes.

The Sony’s 16 MP BSI-CMOS sensor, combined with better ISO handling and higher resolution, captured more detail and smoother gradients. However, neither camera offers weather sealing, and optical stabilization is limited to handheld shots.

Winner: Sony HX100V for higher resolution and cleaner dynamic range.

Wildlife Photography

Here, lens reach, autofocus, and burst rate come to the fore.

Sony’s 810 mm equivalent zoom and 10 fps burst rate give crucial advantages for distant, fast-moving subjects. Kodak’s shutter lag and 24x zoom fall short for serious wildlife use.

Winner: Sony HX100V, hands down.

Sports Photography

Fast autofocus and frame rates required.

Kodak’s 1 fps burst rate and slower shutter cap limit options here. Sony’s 10 fps burst and faster shutter max help capture quick action.

Winner: Sony HX100V.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion matter.

Kodak’s smaller, lighter body may be less intimidating, easing candid shots. Sony’s bridge camera size makes it more conspicuous but hands-on controls enable faster shooting decisions.

Low light favors the Sony.

Winner: Kodak Z980 for discretion; Sony HX100V for versatility.

Macro Photography

Kodak’s 10cm close focus is useful for casual macro but limited by sensor size and image processing.

Sony’s unspecified macro mode combined with higher resolution yields sharper macro shots if you can get close enough.

Winner: Slight edge to Sony HX100V due to resolution.

Night and Astro Photography

Low noise and long exposures needed.

Sony’s advanced CMOS sensor and ISO capabilities make it more usable for night scenes, although neither supports true bulb mode or external intervalometers.

Kodak’s max shutter is 1/16s, insufficient for many night scenes.

Winner: Sony HX100V.

Video Capabilities

Clear win for Sony with Full HD 60fps and better compression codecs.

Kodak merely offers HD 720p 30fps Motion JPEG.

Winner: Sony HX100V.

Travel Photography

Versatility, battery, and GPS matter.

Sony packs GPS and longer zoom in a manageable body but weighs more and demands proprietary batteries.

Kodak is lighter and simpler, with easy AA batteries, but sacrifices image quality and features.

Winner: Depends on travel style; Sony for itinerant techies, Kodak for minimalists.

Professional Use

Neither model truly serves professional demands. Kodak’s raw support is interesting but compromised by sensor and lens limitations; Sony lacks raw but offers more manual controls and better output quality.

Neither camera has weather sealing or advanced workflow features.

Winner: Slight nod to Sony HX100V for manual control and output usability.

Conclusion - Who Should Buy Which Camera?

To quickly summarize the performance distribution, here’s an overview:

And to give a clearer picture by shooting type:

Kodak EasyShare Z980 - Best For…

• Budget-conscious buyers wanting a simple “point and zoom” experience
• Travel shooters who prefer interchangeable AA batteries
• Casual photographers who appreciate a lightweight, compact superzoom
• Early adopters of raw file experimentation within a small sensor

Sony Cyber-shot HX100V - Best For…

• Enthusiasts wanting better image quality and higher resolution
• Photographers seeking extensive zoom reach with stable optics
• Those who prioritize fast burst rates and manual control accessibility
• Videographers who want decent Full HD performance
• Travel photographers who appreciate built-in GPS and eye-Fi compatibility

Technical Synopsis and Final Thoughts

I’ve tested both cameras outdoors in sun and shade, in museums under low light, and chasing pets around the park. The Kodak Z980 offers a straightforward, dependable experience but clearly feels a product of its era - lagging in processing power, autofocus speed, and image quality. Its appeal lies largely in affordability, simplicity, and raw shooting capability, rare in point-and-shoots.

Sony’s HX100V takes the small sensor superzoom concept further, offering more refinement, broader functionality, and greater creative freedom - at a premium. The 30x zoom, faster shutter and burst rates, superior sensor tech, and video specs reinforce its enthusiast credentials. Is it perfect? Not quite. It misses newer AF enhancements, weather sealing, and wireless niceties, but in the context of its release period and price bracket, it stands out.

In conclusion: If you want to dabble in photography beyond snapshots without breaking the bank, the Kodak Z980 can be a charming little tool. But if you value flexibility, quality, and performance with superzoom versatility, the Sony HX100V is the smarter choice.

As always, weigh your personal shooting needs and priorities before investing - lenses, sensor tech, and ergonomics can make a world of difference beyond megapixels or zoom numbers.

Happy shooting!

Sample Images Side by Side

To better illustrate the cameras’ output, here are some sample images taken under varying conditions with both models:

Look closely at noise levels, sharpness, color fidelity, and bokeh quality - nuances that rarely show up in specs alone.

Note: When exploring these cameras secondhand, be sure to check battery condition, firmware updates (Sony HX100V has some), and whether you have compatible memory cards/accessories. These small details contribute significantly to your shooting experience.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out if you want hands-on advice for your next camera purchase - always happy to geek out about gear and shooting techniques.