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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 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 ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Panasonic. The resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was announced at a similar time to the ZS5 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the Z981 grades against the ZS5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic ZS5

 Z981 ZS5 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Kodak Z981

 ZS5 Z981 
Screen resolution230k201kClearer screen (+29k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic ZS5

 Z981 ZS5 
AnnouncedJuly 2010June 2010Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Kodak Z981 enjoys outer measurements 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 ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the Z981 vs the ZS5.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the Z981 and ZS5 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by checking out specs. The visual underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and ZS5.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Kodak Z981 to produce greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots much more aggressively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography features
46
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
27
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z981
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (540g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (214g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
43
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
31
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Kodak Z981
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (540g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competitors (214g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Kodak Z981
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
51
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse recording
33
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
22
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
more heavy than others (540 grams)
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (214g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
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Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic ZS5
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Manufacturer Kodak Panasonic
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 10cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 201 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
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 gr (1.19 lb) 214 gr (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $299 $300