Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520
66 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36


66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45
Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2010
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
- Introduced January 2013
- Superseded the Nikon P510
- Successor is Nikon P530

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Overview
The following is a detailed review of the Kodak Z981 versus Nikon P520, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Kodak and Nikon. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and P520 (18MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The Z981 was introduced 3 years prior to the P520 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the Z981 grades versus the P520 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Kodak EasyShare Z981 & Nikon Coolpix P520. The whole galleries are viewable at Kodak Z981 Gallery & Nikon P520 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Nikon P520
Z981 | P520 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Kodak Z981
P520 | Z981 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 31 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 201k | Crisper screen (+720k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Nikon P520
Z981 | P520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Kodak Z981 features exterior dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Nikon P520 has proportions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check out the Kodak Z981 versus Nikon P520 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the Z981 vs the P520.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and P520 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The picture underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Z981 and P520.
All in all, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon P520 to render greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged Z981 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Specifications
Kodak EasyShare Z981 | Nikon Coolpix P520 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Kodak | Nikon |
Model type | Kodak EasyShare Z981 | Nikon Coolpix P520 |
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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Full resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | 24-1000mm (41.7x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | f/3.0-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 10cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3.2 inch |
Screen resolution | 201 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 16s | 8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.20 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 540g (1.19 lb) | 550g (1.21 lb) |
Dimensions | 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") |
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 | - | 200 images |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | EN-EL5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $299 | $380 |