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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
40
Features
28
Overall
35

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 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
Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon L810
  • Renewed by Nikon L830
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Kodak and Nikon. The resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the L820 (16MP) is pretty similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was announced 3 years before the L820 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the Z981 matches up vs the L820 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Nikon L820

 Z981 L820 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Kodak Z981

 L820 Z981 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2010More recent by 31 months
Screen resolution921k201kSharper screen (+720k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Nikon L820

 Z981 L820 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Kodak Z981 has got outside dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Nikon L820 has specifications of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).

Compare the Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the Z981 against the L820.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the Z981 and L820 is 66 and 72 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading specifications. The visual here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z981 and L820.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon L820 to deliver greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older Z981 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography advice
Nikon L820 Portrait photography advice
46
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
30
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography information
Nikon L820 Street photography information
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
38
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (470 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Nikon L820
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
36
long zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography info
Nikon L820 Travel photography info
53
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
56
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
long reach (675mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (470 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography advice
Nikon L820 Landscape photography advice
51
focusing manually
relatively wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
36
fairly wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Kodak Z981
Vlogging with Nikon L820
22
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
24
fairly wide (23mm)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (470g)
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Nikon L820
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Nikon Coolpix L820
General Information
Brand Kodak Nikon
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Nikon Coolpix L820
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2013-01-29
Physical type 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 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 23-675mm (29.3x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 201 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.20 m -
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 -
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lbs) 470 gr (1.04 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
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 - 320 images
Style of battery - AA
Battery ID 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $299 $192