Clicky

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Leica V-Lux 40 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
48
Overall
42

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Key Specs

Kodak Z981
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 85 x 105mm
  • Launched July 2010
Leica V-Lux 40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched May 2012
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Kodak and Leica. The resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the V-Lux 40 (14MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The Z981 was launched 22 months prior to the V-Lux 40 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Leica V-Lux 40 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the Z981 grades vs the V-Lux 40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 Z981 V-Lux 40 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Kodak Z981

 V-Lux 40 Z981 
LaunchedMay 2012July 2010More modern by 22 months
Display resolution461k201kCrisper display (+260k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Leica V-Lux 40

 Z981 V-Lux 40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Kodak Z981 offers outer measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") having a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Leica V-Lux 40 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Compare the Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the Z981 compared to the V-Lux 40.

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and V-Lux 40 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching specifications. The picture below may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and V-Lux 40.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photos though you need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged Z981 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Portrait photography camera
Leica V-Lux 40 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
36
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z981
Street photography with Leica V-Lux 40
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540g)
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than others (210 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography highlights
Leica V-Lux 40 Sports photography highlights
43
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (210 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Kodak Z981
Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 40
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (540g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (210g)
comes with touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery (210 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography features
Leica V-Lux 40 Landscape photography features
51
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
42
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery (210 shots)
no Time Lapse function
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging factors
Leica V-Lux 40 Vlogging factors
22
pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
35
rather wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Kodak Z981 vs Leica V-Lux 40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Leica V-Lux 40
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Leica V-Lux 40
General Information
Manufacturer Kodak Leica
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Leica V-Lux 40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2012-05-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 10cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 201 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.20 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 210 gr (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 210 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $299 $699