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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 front
Portability
53
Imaging
53
Features
81
Overall
64

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 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
Panasonic FZ2500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • 24-480mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 915g - 138 x 102 x 135mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ2000
  • Replaced the Panasonic FZ1000
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ2500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by competitors Kodak and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and FZ2500 (20MP) and the Z981 (1/2.3") and FZ2500 (1") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z981 was launched 7 years prior to the FZ2500 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the Z981 matches up against the FZ2500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic FZ2500

 Z981 FZ2500 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ2500 over the Kodak Z981

 FZ2500 Z981 
ReleasedSeptember 2016July 2010More modern by 75 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k201kSharper screen (+839k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ2500

 Z981 FZ2500 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Kodak Z981 features external measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ2500 has proportions of 138mm x 102mm x 135mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 5.3") with a weight of 915 grams (2.02 lbs).

See the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ2500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the Z981 compared to the FZ2500.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z981 and FZ2500 is 66 and 53 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by researching specifications. The image underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and FZ2500.

Plainly, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z981 due to its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Panasonic FZ2500 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged Z981 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ2500
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
71
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography advice
Panasonic FZ2500 Street photography advice
50
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540 grams)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ2500
43
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
69
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
features tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FZ2500 Travel photography factors
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (540g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
66
comes with focus by touch
good MP (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ2500 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
65
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ2500 as a Vlogging camera
22
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition (540g)
66
quite wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ2500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ2500
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500
General Information
Manufacturer Kodak Panasonic
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500
Also called - Lumix DMC-FZ2000
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2016-09-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 49
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-4.5
Macro focus range 10cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 201k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 16s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.20 m 13.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 4096 x 2060 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lb) 915 gr (2.02 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 138 x 102 x 135mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 5.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 538
Other
Battery life - 350 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA DMW-BLC12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $299 $998