Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500
66 Imaging
37 Features
37 Overall
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91 Imaging
43 Features
56 Overall
48
Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2010
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Announced April 2015
- Replaced the Sony WX350

Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500 Overview
Lets look a little more in depth at the Kodak Z981 versus Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Kodak and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the Z981 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The Z981 was unveiled 5 years earlier than the WX500 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.
Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the Z981 matches up against the WX500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Kodak EasyShare Z981 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The full galleries are provided at Kodak Z981 Gallery & Sony WX500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Sony WX500
Z981 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus |
Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Kodak Z981
WX500 | Z981 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2015 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 58 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 201k | Crisper display (+720k dot) |
Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Sony WX500
Z981 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Kodak Z981 offers external 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 WX500 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).
Compare the Kodak Z981 versus Sony WX500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the Z981 against the WX500.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z981 and WX500 is 66 and 91 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The visual here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z981 and WX500.
Clearly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Sony WX500 to provide you with extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The older Z981 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Sony WX500 Specifications
Kodak EasyShare Z981 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Kodak | Sony |
Model type | Kodak EasyShare Z981 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2010-07-06 | 2015-04-14 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz X |
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 | 14MP | 18MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 64 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 10cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 201k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 16s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.20 m | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 540 grams (1.19 lbs) | 236 grams (0.52 lbs) |
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 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 life | - | 360 photographs |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at release | $299 | $348 |