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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 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
  • Announced July 2010
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Superseded the Panasonic LZ20
  • Successor is Panasonic LZ40
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Kodak Z981 versus Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was introduced 3 years earlier than the LZ30 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a short view of how the Z981 grades vs the LZ30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic LZ30

 Z981 LZ30 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Kodak Z981

 LZ30 Z981 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2010More modern by 30 months
Screen resolution460k201kClearer screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic LZ30

 Z981 LZ30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Kodak Z981 has got physical dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ30 has dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Take a look at the Kodak Z981 versus Panasonic LZ30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the Z981 against the LZ30.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the Z981 and LZ30 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z981 and LZ30.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic LZ30 to resolve more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged Z981 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography highlights
46
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
32
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Street photography camera
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (540 grams)
43
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others in class (552 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ30
43
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery (380 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Travel photography camera
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (540 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (875mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (552 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
better than average battery (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging factors
22
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (540g)
22
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
heavier than others in class (552 grams)
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic LZ30
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Company Kodak Panasonic
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2013-01-07
Physical type 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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing range 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 201 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 552 gr (1.22 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" 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 life - 380 pictures
Battery style - AA
Battery ID 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $299 $230