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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Announced July 2010
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
Photography Glossary

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the SZ8 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the Z981 grades vs the SZ8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic SZ8

 Z981 SZ8 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Kodak Z981

 SZ8 Z981 
LaunchedJanuary 2014July 2010More recent by 42 months
Display resolution460k201kCrisper display (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic SZ8

 Z981 SZ8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Kodak Z981 enjoys outside dimensions 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 SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the Z981 versus the SZ8.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and SZ8 is 66 and 94 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Z981 and SZ8.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to provide you with extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older Z981 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
46
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
35
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z981
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
50
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (540g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
53
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (540g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competitors (159g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
51
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
42
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Kodak Z981
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
22
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (540g)
32
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic SZ8
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Make Kodak Panasonic
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 201 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 16 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.20 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 grams (1.19 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 - 200 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $299 $275