Clicky

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 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
  • Released July 2010
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Kodak and Pentax. The resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very similar and they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The Z981 was introduced 18 months prior to the VS20 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the Z981 scores against the VS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Pentax VS20

 Z981 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Kodak Z981

 VS20 Z981 
IntroducedJanuary 2012July 2010More recent by 18 months
Display resolution460k201kSharper display (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Pentax VS20

 Z981 VS20 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Kodak Z981 enjoys exterior dimensions 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 Pentax VS20 has sizing of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 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 dependant on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the Z981 versus the VS20.

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z981 and VS20 is 66 and 90 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z981 and VS20.

As you can see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax VS20 to offer you extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older Z981 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography details
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
46
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
36
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
50
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (540g)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography features
Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (540 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (235g)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
51
manual focus
pretty wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
47
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging advice
Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
22
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
more heavy than average in class (540g)
30
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Kodak Z981 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Pentax VS20
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Kodak Pentax
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2012-01-25
Body design 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 10cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 201k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
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 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540g (1.19 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $299 $106