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Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Leica V-Lux 4 front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Key Specs

Kodak Z981
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 85 x 105mm
  • Revealed July 2010
Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Succeeded the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Newer Model is Leica V-Lux 5
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Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Kodak and Leica. The resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the V-Lux 4 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was manufactured 3 years prior to the V-Lux 4 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the Z981 scores versus the V-Lux 4 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 Z981 V-Lux 4 

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Kodak Z981

 V-Lux 4 Z981 
ReleasedSeptember 2012July 2010Fresher by 26 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution460k201kClearer screen (+259k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Leica V-Lux 4

 Z981 V-Lux 4 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Kodak Z981 enjoys outside measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Leica V-Lux 4 has measurements of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") along with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs).

Look at the Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the Z981 and the V-Lux 4.

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and V-Lux 4 is 66 and 65 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z981 and V-Lux 4.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Kodak Z981 to show greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older Z981 will be behind in sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
46
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
45
focusing manually
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Street photography camera
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540 grams)
57
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (588g)
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography details
Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography details
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
46
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery power (540 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Travel photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
53
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (540g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
good battery power (540 CIPA)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (588g)
resolution not great (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography features
Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography features
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
48
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (540 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging info
Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging info
22
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
heavier than competition (540 grams)
63
quite wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than others (588 grams)
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Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Leica V-Lux 4
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Leica V-Lux 4
General Information
Make Kodak Leica
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Leica V-Lux 4
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2012-09-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8
Macro focusing range 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 201k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,312k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 13.50 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 grams (1.19 lb) 588 grams (1.30 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3")
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 life - 540 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $299 $899