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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500

Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
37
Overall
40

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 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
  • Introduced July 2010
Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon S9300
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9700
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Kodak and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and S9500 (18MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was brought out 3 years prior to the S9500 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the Z981 matches up vs the S9500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Nikon S9500

 Z981 S9500 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Kodak Z981

 S9500 Z981 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2010Fresher by 31 months
Display resolution614k201kClearer display (+413k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Nikon S9500

 Z981 S9500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Kodak Z981 has exterior measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") having a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Nikon S9500 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the Z981 vs the S9500.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and S9500 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The visual below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and S9500.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon S9500 to offer greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older Z981 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Nikon S9500
45
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
31
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Street photography camera
50
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (540g)
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography factors
Nikon S9500 Sports photography factors
43
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
42
excellent zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery power (230 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography factors
Nikon S9500 Travel photography factors
53
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (540g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition in class (205g)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (550mm)
fast max aperture (f)
no Timelapse mode
low battery power (230 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography details
Nikon S9500 Landscape photography details
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
46
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (230 shots)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging information
Nikon S9500 Vlogging information
22
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
36
really wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Nikon S9500
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Nikon Coolpix S9500
General Information
Brand Name Kodak Nikon
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Nikon Coolpix S9500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2013-01-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 64 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-550mm (22.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 201 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.20 m -
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lb) 205 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 - 230 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $299 $230