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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
66
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Announced July 2010
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced April 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX30V
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and HX50V (20MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The Z981 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the HX50V and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the Z981 grades versus the HX50V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Sony HX50V

 Z981 HX50V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Kodak Z981

 HX50V Z981 
AnnouncedApril 2013July 2010More recent by 34 months
Screen resolution921k201kCrisper screen (+720k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Sony HX50V

 Z981 HX50V 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Kodak Z981 enjoys physical dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Sony HX50V has sizing of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Contrast the Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the Z981 vs the HX50V.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z981 and HX50V is 66 and 89 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at specifications. The graphic underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z981 and HX50V.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony HX50V to resolve more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older Z981 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
50
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
includes face detect focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 Street photography highlights
Sony HX50V Street photography highlights
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (272g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography advice
Sony HX50V Sports photography advice
43
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
great battery (400 shots)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography factors
Sony HX50V Travel photography factors
53
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (540g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
71
great battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (272g)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Kodak Z981
Landscape photography with Sony HX50V
51
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
53
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
great battery (400 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging features
Sony HX50V Vlogging features
22
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition in class (540g)
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (272 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Sony HX50V
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Company Kodak Sony
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2013-04-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 201 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.20 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 272 gr (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 400 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BX1
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/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $299 $439