Clicky

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 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
  • Revealed July 2010
Nikon P520
(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  • Superseded the Nikon P510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
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

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").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

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.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Nikon P520

 Z981 P520 

Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Kodak Z981

 P520 Z981 
IntroducedJanuary 2013July 2010Newer by 31 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k201kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 size comparison

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

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Nikon P520
46
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
41
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z981
Street photography with Nikon P520
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than others (540g)
51
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than average in class (550 grams)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography details
Nikon P520 Sports photography details
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
46
long zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Kodak Z981
Travel photography with Nikon P520
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (540g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (1000mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
heavier than average in class (550 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon P520 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
saves RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
46
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery power (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging information
Nikon P520 Vlogging information
22
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
heavier than others (540g)
57
rather wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of mic socket
heavier than average in class (550 grams)
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon P520 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Nikon P520
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Nikon 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