Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500
66 Imaging
36 Features
37 Overall
36


92 Imaging
42 Features
37 Overall
40
Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 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
- Introduced July 2010
(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

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").

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.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Kodak EasyShare Z981 & Nikon Coolpix S9500. The entire galleries are viewable at Kodak Z981 Gallery & Nikon S9500 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 31 months |
Display resolution | 614k | ![]() | 201k | Clearer display (+413k dot) |
Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Nikon S9500
Z981 | S9500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon S9500 Specifications
Kodak EasyShare Z981 | Nikon 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 |