Clicky

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Kodak Z981
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 85 x 105mm
  • Introduced July 2010
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Later Model is Panasonic LZ30
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Panasonic. The resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The Z981 was revealed 24 months before the LZ20 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the Z981 grades vs the LZ20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

				

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic LZ20

 Z981 LZ20 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Kodak Z981

 LZ20 Z981 
ReleasedJuly 2012July 2010More modern by 24 months
Screen resolution460k201kCrisper screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic LZ20

 Z981 LZ20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Kodak Z981 has physical measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ20 has measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Contrast the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the Z981 and the LZ20.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and LZ20 is 66 and 71 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by viewing specs. The picture below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and LZ20.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic LZ20 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged Z981 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ20
45
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
36
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography factors
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (540g)
45
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competitors (499g)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography advice
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography advice
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery pack (380 per charge)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography highlights
53
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (540g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
great battery pack (380 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (499g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography details
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography details
51
you can focus manually
quite wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
great battery pack (380 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging factors
22
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
heavier than competitors (540 grams)
25
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
Photography Glossary

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic LZ20
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Make Kodak Panasonic
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2012-07-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing distance 10cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 201 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 540g (1.19 lbs) 499g (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life - 380 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $299 $250