Kodak Z990 vs Panasonic LZ30: A Tale of Two Superzoom Bridge Cameras

When you’re hunting for a superzoom bridge camera that covers a long focal range without burning holes in your wallet, options from the early 2010s still have some fan appeal. Today, I’m diving deep into a head-to-head between two such contenders: the Kodak EasyShare Z990 (2011) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 (2013). Both come from respectable brands, jam-packed with lenses that beckon you to shoot everything from sweeping landscapes to distant wildlife, all wrapped in the familiar SLR-like form factor that casual shooters and enthusiasts appreciate.

I’ve wrangled with both of these cameras through extensive field tests - taking them on adventures ranging from city streets to backyard critters, low-light rooms to sun-drenched vistas. Let’s break down their specs, experiences, and quirks through the lens of practical photography, helping you figure out which is worth your hard-earned bucks (or if something else fits better).

Size, Handling & Ergonomics: The Grip that Lasts

The very first thing I noticed about these two cameras was how physically different they felt despite both sporting a bridge-style body. To get a visual sense, check out the side-by-side size comparison:

At 124 x 91 x 105 mm for the Kodak and 124 x 84 x 92 mm for the Panasonic, the Kodak feels chunkier with a more pronounced handgrip bulge. This is partly due to its 30× zoom lens barrel extending further out to accommodate the longer 28-840mm equivalent range. The Kodak’s heft (445g) is noticeably lighter than the Panasonic’s 552g, but ergonomics matter more than weight alone.

I found the Kodak’s grip better suited for extended one-handed shooting, thanks to its deeper handhold and well-placed shutter release. The Panasonic feels a bit slimmer and tippier in the hand, which might appeal to those preferring a more compact form, but I missed the solid grip during longer shoots.

If you glance at the control layout and top design, the differences become more interesting:

The Kodak Z990 offers dedicated dials for exposure compensation and aperture priority mode - a boon for shooters who prefer tactile controls. Panasonic’s LZ30 keeps things a bit more digital, with fewer physical control wheels and a simplified mode dial. For me, the Kodak’s classic approach encourages more shooting experimentation, while Panasonic’s design keeps things straightforward for casual users. Neither sports illuminated buttons, so night shoots call for familiarity or a flashlight.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Crunching the Pixels

It’s tempting to think that pixel count defines image quality, but sensor technology and size play a critical role. Both cameras use small 1/2.3-inch sensors - standard fare for superzoom bridges - but with different technologies and resolutions.

Kodak’s Z990 employs a BSI CMOS sensor at 12 megapixels; the Panasonic LZ30 pairs a CCD sensor at 16 megapixels. While the pixel count favors Panasonic - and its sensor dimension edges just slightly larger (28.07mm² vs 27.72mm²) - there’s more nuance beneath the hood.

What I saw in real-world testing: Panasonic’s CCD sensor renders punchy colors and detailed images strictly in daylight and controlled lighting - reflecting CCD’s reputation for good color fidelity. However, it struggles in low light, producing more noise and less dynamic range.

Kodak’s BSI CMOS sensor offers better light gathering, leading to improved high ISO performance and cleaner images under dimmer conditions, albeit with slightly less resolution. The Kodak’s 12MP files are less pixel-dense but smoother, which some photographers may prefer for prints up to 8x10 inches or social media.

Both cameras feature anti-aliasing (low-pass) filters, so expect slight softness that smooths out moiré but limits razor-sharp detail.

Overall, image quality leans slightly in Kodak’s favor for versatility and noise control, while Panasonic rewards well-lit shooting with more megapixels for cropping freedom.

LCD Screen & Viewfinder Experience: Seeing Is Believing

Viewing your subject before and after pressing the shutter is crucial, especially when composing tricky shots or reviewing exposures. Luckily, both cameras come with fixed 3-inch LCDs boasting 460k-dot resolution - a respectable if not stellar spec.

Here's a side-by-side look:

The Kodak's LCD is bright and contrasty, making framing easy outdoors, and it offers live view with face detection autofocus to aid composition. The Panasonic’s TFT LCD is slightly less vivid, and frustratingly, it lacks a viewfinder altogether. That’s a curious omission given the bridge-style body. Kodaks Z990 features an electronic viewfinder (EVF), but it offers no resolution or magnification specs - emblematic of its basic utility.

In practice, I found the Kodak’s EVF functional but somewhat laggy and grainy under dim lighting conditions. Definitely not a pro-level viewfinder, but useful for shielding the LCD from glare and stabilizing your stance.

For street or travel shooters especially, lack of an EVF on the Panasonic can frustrate, as you’re forced to rely on composing from the rear screen - which sucks more battery power and is tricky under bright sun.

Autofocus & Performance: Hunting the Shot

Quick and accurate autofocus can make or break capturing decisive moments - whether a child's smile or a bird mid-flight. Kodak and Panasonic approach AF differently:

• Kodak Z990 offers contrast-detection autofocus with face detection but no continuous AF or tracking.
• Panasonic LZ30 also uses contrast-detection AF yet supports single, continuous, and tracking autofocus modes.

On paper, Panasonic’s broader AF modes look promising, yet in practice, neither camera excels at sports or wildlife. The Kodak’s 6 fps burst mode is a standout compared to the Panasonic’s 1 fps, but that speed is hampered by slow AF recalibration between shots, making sustained action shooting tedious.

Neither camera supports phase detection AF, limiting speed and precision in fast-moving scenarios.

Face detection worked reliably on Kodak but was absent on Panasonic, which disappoints portrait shooters or quick family snapshots.

To sum up, Panasonic offers more AF flexibility but slower continuous shooting, while Kodak's faster burst mode is tempered by limited AF modes.

Lens & Zoom: Extending Your Reach

Here's where bridge cameras shine - their long zoom ranges, critiqued or celebrated in equal measure.

• Kodak Z990: 28-840mm equivalent (30× zoom), aperture F2.8-5.6
• Panasonic LZ30: 25-875mm equivalent (35× zoom), aperture F3.0-5.9

Both lenses start in a wide-angle territory similar enough for landscapes and group photos. Panasonic edges slightly wider at 25mm, while Kodak opens marginally wider at F2.8 prime end, better for low-light or shallow depth of field.

The Kodak’s longer zoom barrel means more reach but adds bulk and increases lens extension lag on startup and zoom transition. Panasonic's lens bores slightly longer at its tele end but delivers less brightness.

You get optical image stabilization in both - critical at long zooms to minimize blur. Both support close-up macro shooting down to 1cm, great for snapping flowers or tiny insects.

The Kodak impresses with its faster aperture at the wide end, beneficial for indoor shots and some background separation in portraits. The Panasonic excels in zoom reach but takes a slight hit in brightness.

Shutter, Exposure Modes & Manual Controls: How Hands-On Do You Want to Get?

Kodak’s Z990 comes with a richer palate of exposure controls: shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure mode; plus exposure and white balance bracketing. This array caters to photographers diving deeper than point-and-shoot - delivering creative freedom for tricky lighting or motion.

Panasonic LZ30 limits you to manual exposure mode but lacks shutter and aperture priority, which could frustrate enthusiasts wanting more intuitive control.

Both cameras include exposure compensation and basic metering modes (center-weighted, spot metering). Kodak’s spot metering with face detection is a helpful feature for portraits.

For me, Kodak’s manual control flexibility makes it a better learning camera or for users who want to move beyond “auto everything.” Panasonic offers a gentler slope of complexity.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures - But How Sharp?

Video may not be the main motivation for buying these cameras, but both offer basic HD recording.

• Kodak Z990 maxes out at 1080p (1920x1080) at 30 fps in H.264 format
• Panasonic LZ30 tops out at 720p (1280x720) at 30 fps, Motion JPEG format

Kodak’s Full HD video is a clear win with better compression and resolution, yielding smoother and sharper clips. Panasonic’s 720p video feels dated and bulky - Motion JPEG generates large files with less efficiency and lower quality.

Neither camera sports microphone inputs or headphone jacks, which limits audio control for serious videographers.

If video performance factors heavily in your decision, Kodak definitely leads here.

Battery Life and Storage: Power to Shoot

Both cameras use four AA batteries, which is a boon for travelers without access to proprietary chargers. Kodak’s Z990 battery life spec isn’t published clearly, while Panasonic LZ30 boasts about 380 shots per charge using AA alkaline batteries.

Real-world usage suggests Panasonic’s slightly larger power draw (due to lack of EVF) reduces endurance a tad, particularly with LCD use. Kodak’s EVF, conversely, saves some LCD battery life but itself consumes power.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC memory cards, with Panasonic adding SDXC support for larger capacity. Neither offers dual slots.

Connectivity and Extra Features: No Bells and Whistles

To keep prices low and design simple, these cameras trim the extras that have become standard since 2015:

• Neither has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, or advanced wireless connectivity.
• Kodak Z990 features HDMI out, helpful for direct playback on TVs; Panasonic lacks HDMI.
• No touchscreens on either.
• No environmental sealing or rugged features.

If you want wireless uploading or geo-tagging, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Sample Images: Real-World Results Speak Volumes

Here’s a small gallery comparing both cameras in a variety of lighting and shooting conditions:

Kodak Z990 front Kodak Z990 screen back Panasonic LZ30 front Panasonic LZ30 screen back

In daylight, both produce respectable shots, although Panasonic’s higher resolution adds cropping freedom. Colors lean warmer on Kodak, slightly cooler on Panasonic - depending on your preference.

Indoor images reveal Panasonic’s issues with noise creeping above ISO 400, while Kodak handles ISO 800 with clearer detail. At extreme zoom, Kodak’s stabilization provides marginally sharper shots.

Overall, Kodak edges out in low-light versatility; Panasonic is a bit sharper with sufficient light.

Scoring Their Strengths and Weaknesses

Let’s break down overall performance and user priorities with the following ratings:

Kodak’s richer features and better video put it ahead in overall usability, while Panasonic is a solid budget zoom solution despite fewer controls and weaker video.

Picking the Right Camera for Your Photography Style

Different photography styles place varying demands on gear. How do these cameras stack up?

• Portraits: Kodak’s face detection and faster aperture assist in flattering skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscapes: Both perform well; Panasonic’s higher megapixels allow bigger prints.
• Wildlife: Kodak’s longer zoom and better burst rate help, though neither are ideal for fast action.
• Sports: Neither camera’s AF and burst are up to serious sports challenge.
• Street Photography: Panasonic’s slimmer body is marginally more discreet; lack of viewfinder is notable.
• Macro: Both cameras offer close focus; Kodak edges with better aperture.
• Night/Astro: Kodak’s better noise control makes it preferable.
• Video: Kodak leads with 1080p capture.
• Travel: Kodak’s EVF and controls favor enthusiasts; Panasonic’s lighter size suits casual traveling.
• Professional Work: Neither replaces professional interchangeable lens cameras but Kodak’s RAW support offers some flexibility.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Having wrangled both the Kodak EasyShare Z990 and the Panasonic Lumix LZ30, here’s my down-to-earth verdict:

• Choose the Kodak Z990 if:

  • You crave manual controls and more exposure flexibility
  • Video quality matters to you beyond just snapshots
  • You often shoot portraits or scenes needing better low light performance
  • You want an EVF for lively outdoor shooting
  • You appreciate faster burst shooting for fleeting moments

• Opt for the Panasonic LZ30 if:

  • You prioritize a slightly wider focal range in a smaller package
  • You prefer simpler operations without layered complexity
  • Budget constraints are tight, and you want reasonable image quality
  • You mostly shoot in well-lit conditions and don’t need advanced video or manual exposure modes

Given their age and limitations - especially with no wireless features and modest autofocus - I’d recommend these cameras mainly for casual enthusiasts or budget-minded users picking up their first superzoom bridge camera.

That said, if I had to pick one to keep in my gear bag for unpredictable shooting scenarios, the Kodak Z990’s balanced control, EVF, and better low-light image quality make it the better all-rounder - despite its bulk.

A Final Note on Superzoom Bridge Cameras

Both cameras remind me how far superzoom technology and compact sensor performance have come in the last decade. Compared to mirrorless and DSLRs, their small sensors and fixed optics limit ultimate image quality and speed. But if ultimate portability and versatility without lens swapping are priorities, these cameras still hold practical value - especially when paired with thoughtful shooting technique and post-processing know-how.

If you’re looking beyond these two, consider newer bridge cameras with larger sensors (1-inch types like Sony RX10 series or Panasonic FZ1000) for marked image improvement. Otherwise, the Kodak Z990 and Panasonic LZ30 remain lovable relics that can fill a niche without breaking the bank.

Hope this in-depth comparison guides you closer to your next camera choice - feel free to ask more about how these two perform in specific scenarios or other alternatives worth considering!

Happy shooting!

• Your seasoned photography gear reviewer