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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 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
  • Revealed July 2010
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Introduced July 2015
  • Superseded the Panasonic FZ200
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Kodak Z981 versus Panasonic FZ300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Kodak and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was revealed 6 years earlier than the FZ300 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the Z981 grades versus the FZ300 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic FZ300

 Z981 FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Kodak Z981

 FZ300 Z981 
IntroducedJuly 2015July 2010More recent by 61 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k201kSharper display (+839k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ300

 Z981 FZ300 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Kodak Z981 comes with outer 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 FZ300 has measurements of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") along with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Compare the Kodak Z981 versus Panasonic FZ300 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the Z981 versus the FZ300.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the Z981 and FZ300 is 66 and 59 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and FZ300.

As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Kodak Z981 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older Z981 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography features
46
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography information
Panasonic FZ300 Street photography information
50
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (540g)
59
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
weather proof
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (691g)
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography advice
43
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
great max shutter speed (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery (380 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Kodak Z981
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ300
53
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (540g)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
good battery (380 shots)
weather proof
offers touch to focus
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
heavier than competition (691g)
low resolution (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ300 as a Landscape photography camera
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
52
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
weather proof
good battery (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging features
Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging features
22
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
62
decently wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic socket
slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (691 grams)
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ300
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Brand Kodak Panasonic
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2015-07-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
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) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8
Macro focus range 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 201 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.20 m 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lbs) 691 gr (1.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 380 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $299 $598