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Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Olympus SZ-30MR front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
39
Overall
38

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR 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
  • Announced July 2010
Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Kodak Z981 versus Olympus SZ-30MR, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Kodak and Olympus. The resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the SZ-30MR (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was unveiled 7 months earlier than the SZ-30MR and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the Z981 matches up against the SZ-30MR with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 Z981 SZ-30MR 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Kodak Z981

 SZ-30MR Z981 
RevealedMarch 2011July 2010Fresher by 7 months
Screen resolution460k201kClearer screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Olympus SZ-30MR

 Z981 SZ-30MR 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Kodak Z981 comes with outside measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-30MR has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Kodak Z981 versus Olympus SZ-30MR in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the Z981 against the SZ-30MR.

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z981 and SZ-30MR is 66 and 89 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reading specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z981 and SZ-30MR.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus SZ-30MR to offer extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The older Z981 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography advice
Olympus SZ-30MR Portrait photography advice
45
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
34
good MP (16MP)
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z981
Street photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
43
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
41
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography info
Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography info
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography information
Olympus SZ-30MR Landscape photography information
51
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
40
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery life (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging factors
Olympus SZ-30MR Vlogging factors
22
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Kodak Z981 vs Olympus SZ-30MR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Olympus SZ-30MR
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Olympus SZ-30MR
General Information
Manufacturer Kodak Olympus
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Olympus SZ-30MR
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2011-03-02
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic III+
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 201 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1700 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.20 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $299 $279