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Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 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
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed September 2011
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Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Kodak Z981 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Kodak and Pentax. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was manufactured 14 months earlier than the RZ18 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the Z981 grades vs the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Pentax RZ18

 Z981 RZ18 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Kodak Z981

 RZ18 Z981 
RevealedSeptember 2011July 2010Newer by 14 months
Screen resolution460k201kSharper screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Pentax RZ18

 Z981 RZ18 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Kodak Z981 has got outside measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Kodak Z981 versus Pentax RZ18 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the Z981 compared to the RZ18.

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and RZ18 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z981 and RZ18.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax RZ18 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged Z981 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
45
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
36
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography features
Pentax RZ18 Street photography features
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition (178 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Pentax RZ18
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
environment proof
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography advice
53
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (178 grams)
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
22
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (178 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Kodak Z981 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Pentax RZ18
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Kodak Pentax
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Pentax Optio RZ18
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2011-09-12
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
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 mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 10cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 201 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 lbs) 178 gr (0.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" 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 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $299 $210