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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 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
  • Announced July 2010
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX200V
  • Updated by Sony HX400V
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Kodak Z981 versus Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Kodak and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and HX300 (20MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was brought out 3 years before the HX300 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the Z981 grades versus the HX300 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Sony HX300

 Z981 HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Kodak Z981

 HX300 Z981 
ReleasedFebruary 2013July 2010Fresher by 32 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k201kSharper display (+720k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Sony HX300

 Z981 HX300 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Kodak Z981 offers exterior dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Sony HX300 has proportions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Check out the Kodak Z981 versus Sony HX300 in the all new 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 have during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the Z981 vs the HX300.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and HX300 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z981 and HX300.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX300 to offer greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older Z981 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Sony HX300
46
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports RAW files
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
42
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography information
Sony HX300 Street photography information
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540 grams)
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z981
Sports photography with Sony HX300
43
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Travel photography camera
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (540 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
54
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (623 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography information
Sony HX300 Landscape photography information
51
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
48
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging features
Sony HX300 Vlogging features
22
reasonably wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competition (540g)
25
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competition (623 grams)
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Sony HX300
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Name Kodak Sony
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z981 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2013-02-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 201k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 16 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.20 m -
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lb) 623 gr (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
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) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal -
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $299 $339