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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 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
  • Launched July 2010
Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Revealed February 2016
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Kodak Z981 versus Nikon B500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Kodak and Nikon. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the B500 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was revealed 6 years before the B500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the Z981 grades versus the B500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Nikon B500

 Z981 B500 
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Kodak Z981

 B500 Z981 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2010More modern by 68 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k201kCrisper screen (+720k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Nikon B500

 Z981 B500 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Kodak Z981 enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Nikon B500 has sizing of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs).

See the Kodak Z981 versus Nikon B500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the Z981 compared to the B500.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z981 and B500 is 66 and 68 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The image here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z981 and B500.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon B500 to show extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged Z981 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography info
Nikon B500 Portrait photography info
46
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
37
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography information
Nikon B500 Street photography information
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average (540g)
52
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than average in class (541g)
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography advice
Nikon B500 Sports photography advice
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
51
great zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery power (600 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography details
Nikon B500 Travel photography details
53
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (540 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
good battery power (600 per charge)
supports bluetooth
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
long reach (900mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (541 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography factors
Nikon B500 Landscape photography factors
51
has manual focus
really wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse recording
45
relatively wide (23mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
good battery power (600 per charge)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon B500 as a Vlogging camera
22
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
heavier than average (540 grams)
27
relatively wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
heavier than average in class (541 grams)
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon B500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Nikon B500
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Nikon Coolpix B500
General Information
Brand Kodak Nikon
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Nikon Coolpix B500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2016-02-23
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 23-900mm (39.1x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing range 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 201 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 7.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off -
External flash
AE 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 540g (1.19 lbs) 541g (1.19 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7")
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 - 600 photos
Battery form - AA
Battery ID 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $299 $300