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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 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
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Below is a in depth overview of the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Kodak and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The Z981 was introduced very close to the FZ40 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the Z981 matches up against the FZ40 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic FZ40

 Z981 FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Kodak Z981

 FZ40 Z981 
Display resolution230k201kClearer display (+29k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ40

 Z981 FZ40 
ReleasedJuly 2010July 2010Similar age
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Kodak Z981 has exterior dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Check the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the Z981 versus the FZ40.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z981 and FZ40 is 66 and 68 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z981 and FZ40.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures but you will need to factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography details
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
46
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
50
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (540g)
51
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography details
53
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (540g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (494 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography advice
51
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging information
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging information
22
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
23
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
heavier than competitors (494 grams)
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic FZ40
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Kodak Panasonic
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 201 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 grams (1.19 lb) 494 grams (1.09 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $299 $420