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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100

Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Nikon D5100 front
Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 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
  • Released July 2010
Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Launched April 2011
  • Old Model is Nikon D5000
  • Refreshed by Nikon D5200
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Kodak Z981 and Nikon D5100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Kodak and Nikon. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the D5100 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the Z981 (1/2.3") and D5100 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The Z981 was introduced 9 months before the D5100 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the Z981 grades vs the D5100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Nikon D5100

 Z981 D5100 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Kodak Z981

 D5100 Z981 
LaunchedApril 2011July 2010More modern by 9 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k201kSharper display (+720k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Nikon D5100

 Z981 D5100 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Kodak Z981 has got physical dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Nikon D5100 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Kodak Z981 and Nikon D5100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the Z981 versus the D5100.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and D5100 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through specs. The pic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z981 and D5100.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z981 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Nikon D5100 will show extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged Z981 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography advice
Nikon D5100 Portrait photography advice
45
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography info
Nikon D5100 Street photography info
50
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (540g)
67
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography factors
Nikon D5100 Sports photography factors
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
63
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
good battery (660 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography details
Nikon D5100 Travel photography details
53
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (540g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
77
good battery (660 per charge)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography advice
Nikon D5100 Landscape photography advice
51
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
exports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse mode
72
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (660 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Kodak Z981
Vlogging with Nikon D5100
22
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
69
screen is selfie friendly
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
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Kodak Z981 vs Nikon D5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Nikon D5100
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Nikon D5100
General Information
Brand Kodak Nikon
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Nikon D5100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-07-06 2011-04-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed 2
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Nikon F
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Available lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 201 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.52x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.20 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/200s
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 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540g (1.19 pounds) 560g (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1183
Other
Battery life - 660 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $0