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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 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
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Kodak Z981 and Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the Z981 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z981 was released 15 months after the HX1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the Z981 matches up versus the HX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Sony HX1

 Z981 HX1 
LaunchedJuly 2010April 2009Newer by 15 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Kodak Z981

 HX1 Z981 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution230k201kSharper display (+29k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Sony HX1

 Z981 HX1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and size. The Kodak Z981 offers exterior measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has specifications of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check out the Kodak Z981 and Sony HX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the Z981 and the HX1.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the Z981 and HX1 is 66 and 67 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The picture below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z981 and HX1.

All in all, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z981 featuring a larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Kodak Z981 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The newer Z981 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
27
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z981
Street photography with Sony HX1
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (540g)
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
heavier than average in class (544 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Sony HX1
43
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
36
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution low (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX1 Travel photography highlights
53
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (540 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
48
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (544g)
sensor resolution low (9MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX1 Landscape photography highlights
51
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
39
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (9MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Kodak Z981
Vlogging with Sony HX1
22
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than others in class (540g)
22
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1440 x 1080 resolution)
no mic port
heavier than average in class (544 grams)
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Sony HX1
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Kodak Sony
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2009-04-22
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 9 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 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 201k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 16s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.20 m 9.20 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1440x1080
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lb) 544 gr (1.20 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $299 $47,999