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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 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
  • Launched July 2010
Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Announced March 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH1
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH3
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Kodak and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the GH2 (16MP) is fairly close but the Z981 (1/2.3") and GH2 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor size.

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The Z981 was manufactured 8 months earlier than the GH2 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the Z981 matches up vs the GH2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic GH2

 Z981 GH2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Kodak Z981

 GH2 Z981 
AnnouncedMarch 2011July 2010Newer by 8 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution460k201kSharper display (+259k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic GH2

 Z981 GH2 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Kodak Z981 offers physical measurements 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 Panasonic GH2 has sizing of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).

Examine the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 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 based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the Z981 against the GH2.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and GH2 is 66 and 70 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and GH2.

As you can see, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z981 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic GH2 will render extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged Z981 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography information
46
manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
70
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH2 as a Street photography camera
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540g)
68
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography details
Panasonic GH2 Sports photography details
43
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
46
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (330 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Kodak Z981
Travel photography with Panasonic GH2
53
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (540 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
62
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (330 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Kodak Z981
Landscape photography with Panasonic GH2
51
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
exports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (330 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Kodak Z981
Vlogging with Panasonic GH2
22
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
heavier than competition (540 grams)
71
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
no image stabilization
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic GH2
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
General Information
Company Kodak Panasonic
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2010-07-06 2011-03-23
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias 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 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 64 160
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 201 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 15.60 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 442 gr (0.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 60
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 655
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $299 $1,000