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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V 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
  • Introduced July 2010
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Kodak Z981 versus Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Kodak and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and HX90V (18MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The Z981 was launched 5 years before the HX90V which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX90V being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the Z981 grades versus the HX90V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Sony HX90V

 Z981 HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Kodak Z981

 HX90V Z981 
IntroducedApril 2015July 2010Newer by 58 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k201kSharper screen (+720k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Sony HX90V

 Z981 HX90V 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Kodak Z981 has got outer 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 Sony HX90V has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Kodak Z981 versus Sony HX90V 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 employing at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the Z981 and the HX90V.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z981 and HX90V is 66 and 91 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the Z981 and HX90V.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony HX90V to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged Z981 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z981
Portrait photography with Sony HX90V
45
focusing manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
45
has manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Kodak Z981
Street photography with Sony HX90V
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (540 grams)
69
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245g)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography information
Sony HX90V Sports photography information
43
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
great battery pack (360 per charge)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Kodak Z981
Travel photography with Sony HX90V
53
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (540g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
76
great battery pack (360 per charge)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
good MP (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse mode
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX90V Landscape photography factors
51
focusing manually
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
53
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 Vlogging advice
Sony HX90V Vlogging advice
22
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (540g)
75
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
missing external microphone support
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Kodak Z981 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Sony HX90V
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Manufacturer Kodak Sony
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2015-04-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
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/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 201k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Min shutter speed 16s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.20 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 360 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $299 $440