Kodak Z990 vs Panasonic ZS70: Two Superzooms at Different Eras, Different Ambitions

When it comes to small-sensor superzoom cameras, there's always a tempting appeal: an all-in-one compact body that stretches lens range into whimsically long focal lengths, packing versatility into a single device perfect for travel, wildlife, or everyday snap-happy moments. But as someone who’s reviewed hundreds of these digital Swiss-Army knives over the past decade and a half, I’ve learned that not all superzooms are created equal - and the devil is often in the details.

Today, I’m putting two intriguing small sensor superzoom contenders head-to-head: the Kodak EasyShare Z990, launched back in early 2011, and the more recent Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70, which came out in 2017. Both claim 30x optical zoom prowess on a 1/2.3" sensor format, but beyond the numbers, how do they stack up in real-world photography scenarios? Which one should you consider if you want an affordable yet capable all-rounder? Let’s dive deep.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Bulk vs. Compact

The Kodak Z990 is the “bridge camera” type - think slr-lookalike with a chunky grip and generous physical presence. It sports a 28-840mm equivalent 30x zoom lens with a bright-ish F2.8-5.6 aperture range. Meanwhile, the Panasonic ZS70 enjoys a far more compact, pocket-friendly design, incorporating a 24-720mm (still 30x) lens on a body much smaller and lighter.

Take a look at how they compare physically:

At 124x91x105mm and 445 grams, the Kodak feels like a proper camera you hold like a DSLR on steroids. That chunky body means potentially better grip and stability - beneficial when zooming long or shooting longer sessions. The 4 x AA batteries, while less elegant than dedicated lithium-ion packs, are convenient globally (you can find AAs in almost any corner of the world).

On the flip side, the Panasonic ZS70 measures a compact 112x67x41mm and weighs 322 grams - noticeably lighter and considerably more pocketable. It uses a proprietary rechargeable battery (rated for ~380 shots), so some trade-off in spare battery availability for convenience and weight savings.

Ergonomically, the Kodak’s physical controls feel old-school but reliable - solid dials, lots of manual exposure modes, shutter priority, aperture priority, and exposure compensation. The Panasonic takes a more modern approach, with touchscreen input, a tilting 3-inch screen, and more programmable buttons that accommodate quicker access to settings.

Looking from the top:

The Kodak’s top plate is basic but practical, focusing on shooting essentials with a pop-up flash and zoom rocker. Meanwhile, Panasonic’s tighter layout manages to squeeze in an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which is smaller but ideal for bright outdoor use and helps stabilize shots by bracing your face against the camera.

Summary: If you value robust handling and comfortable long zoom use, Kodak’s larger body still serves well - but the Panasonic’s compact and travel-friendly design, combined with the EVF, offers a modern user interface more suited to today's photographers.

Sensor, Image Quality & Resolution: Old Tech vs. Higher Megapixels

Both cameras harbor modest 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensors - the underdog of sensor sizes but typical in superzooms. However, Panasonic’s ZS70 packs 20 megapixels versus Kodak’s 12 megapixels on the Z990, allowing for higher-resolution images with more detail and cropping flexibility.

Here’s where some nuance comes in. The larger pixel count on the ZS70 theoretically allows for more detail, but smaller photosites on the same sensor size risk increased noise, especially in low light. Panasonic’s Venus Engine processor and newer sensor design mitigate this, producing cleaner images at higher ISOs.

Kodak’s Z990, being an older model, offers respectable image quality for its time but lags behind the Panasonic in dynamic range and ISO performance. Though Kodak’s sensor can reach ISO 6400, noise degrades images significantly above ISO 400, whereas the Panasonic’s sensor handles up to ISO 3200 natively and ISO 6400 boosted with better noise control.

Both cameras feature anti-aliasing filters to minimize moiré, sacrificing some sharpness for artifact prevention. Kodak’s 12MP versus Panasonic’s 20MP difference is noticeable when pixel peeping or printing large, with Panasonic's files exhibiting more crispness and finer gradation.

Real-world note: Kodak's older sensor tech can struggle in challenging light; shadows can become muddy, and highlight retention is more limited compared to Panasonic’s more sensor- and processor-refined system.

Displays & Viewfinders: Fixed vs. Tilting Touch, EVF Quality

Comfortable framing and focusing hinge on screen and finder quality. Kodak’s 3-inch 460k dot fixed screen is serviceable but feels quite dated in brightness and viewing angles compared to the Panasonic’s 3-inch 1040k dot tilting touchscreen, which supports touch-focus and intuitive navigation.

The ZS70 benefits from the tilting screen in live view - great for low- or high-angle shooting - and the touchscreen makes autofocus target selection quicker and more flexible.

Notably, Panasonic equips the ZS70 with a decent electronic viewfinder: 1166k dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.46x magnification. Kodak’s Z990, surprisingly, lacks a proper EVF resolution spec and doesn’t offer a built-in viewfinder with meaningful magnification - its virtual EVF is rudimentary at best.

This makes the ZS70 feel more modern and adaptable in the field, especially for travel or street photographers who want quick composition under bright sunlight without locking themselves to the screen.

Autofocus & Speed: Polaris vs. Dazzlingly Agile

Autofocus is often the Achilles heel of bridge cameras, so testing their AF systems under varied scenarios reveals a lot about their usability.

Kodak Z990 uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection but lacks continuous AF or tracking. It only supports single AF modes and selective AF point choices but no continuous AF in bursts or video.

Panasonic ZS70 turns this around with 49 focus points, face detection, eye detection, and AF tracking capabilities. It offers continuous AF in both stills and video, significantly improving capture success in fast-moving subjects.

In terms of burst speed, the Kodak’s 6 fps shuttle rate is respectable for its generation; however, it cannot maintain continuous focus during bursts, limiting its appeal for action or wildlife photography. The Panasonic reaches 10 fps with continuous AF, which helps in sports or wildlife captures - even on an enthusiast compact, nice to see.

These technical differences translate to real-world usability: I found Panasonic’s ZS70 more responsive when shooting street or wildlife scenes, nailing focus more quickly and tracking subjects better. The Kodak can feel sluggish and prone to hunt in tricky light or fast movement.

Image Stabilization, Lens Performance & Zoom Reach: Stretching the Limits

Both cameras have optical image stabilization (OIS), crucial for long zooms to avoid blur from hand shake.

Kodak’s Z990 optical stabilization works well for its time, stabilizing at long zoom and macro distances (down to 1cm focus). Its lens covers 28-840mm equivalent, slightly longer than Panasonic’s 24-720mm.

Panasonic’s ZS70 has a smaller maximum aperture (F3.3-6.4) due to its compact lens design but achieves exceptional stabilized performance, particularly handheld with 4K video. Its macro mode starts at 3 cm, which is less close than Kodak, though the Panasonic compensates with focus stacking and post-focus features for sharp macro shots.

While Kodak provides impressive zoom reach, image quality tends to soften significantly toward 840mm, with visible chromatic aberrations and diffraction. Panasonic delivers sharper images throughout the zoom range, though with slightly less maximum reach.

Flash and Low Light: Brightness and ISO Play

Kodak’s built-in flash can illuminate subjects up to 8.9 meters away, stronger than Panasonic’s rated 5.6 meters at Auto ISO. This makes Kodak somewhat better for indoor or poorly lit event snaps, despite lacking slow sync or red-eye reduction modes.

In low light, Panasonic surpasses Kodak through superior sensor noise management and image stabilization. Kodak’s maximum native ISO is higher (6400) but at the price of excessive grain, making ISO performance more theoretical than practical.

Video Shooters Rejoice: 4K and So Much More

For casual video content creators or anyone using the camera for travel journaling, the video specs are often as important as stills.

Kodak’s Z990 shoots Full HD 1080p at 30fps and lacks advanced video functions like 4K recording or high-speed frame rates. There is also no external microphone input, limiting audio control.

In comparison, Panasonic ZS70 shines with 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 30fps video, slow-motion options up to 60fps Full HD, and 4K photo modes that extract high-resolution stills from video frames. Unfortunately, like Kodak, it lacks microphone and headphone ports, which limits professional-level audio monitoring.

Moreover, Panasonic offers in-video digital stabilization, enhancing handheld shooting comfort, which Kodak lacks entirely.

Battery Life and Storage: Session Extenders or Quick Refuels

Kodak’s Z990 uses 4 AA batteries, which offer the convenience to swap or recharge quickly, especially in remote situations. On the downside, AA alkaline batteries provide limited shot counts and add weight.

Panasonic ZS70 incorporates a proprietary lithium-ion battery delivering around 380 shots per charge - reasonable for compact cameras but potentially limiting for all-day use without spares charging cycles.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC cards, but Panasonic’s support extends to SDXC cards, future-proofing memory needs for large 4K video files better than Kodak’s older system.

Build Quality & Weather Resistance: Neither Rugged, Both Portable

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or impact resistance. Kodak’s bulkier frame might feel more robust, but both require care in adverse conditions.

Genre-Specific Performance: Putting Them Through the Paces

Now, let’s evaluate how these cameras perform across major photography disciplines - because your choice should depend on your primary shooting desires.

Kodak Z990 front Kodak Z990 screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

Final Scores and Value Considerations

Synthesizing the tests and specifications:

While the Kodak Z990 might appeal as a budget-friendly superzoom with a versatile lens and approachable controls, it shows its age in sensor performance, autofocus, and video capabilities. The Panasonic ZS70, benefiting from newer tech, delivers a more balanced performance that excites photo enthusiasts desiring compactness and functionality.

From a price-to-performance standpoint, the Kodak can be an affordable entry for hobbyists who prioritize zoom length and easy battery replacements. The Panasonic comes at a higher cost but rewards with superior image quality, speed, video, and ergonomics.

Wrapping It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Kodak Z990 if: You want a rugged-feeling bridge camera with a very long zoom range at a budget price, prefer AA batteries for travel convenience, and primarily shoot well-lit stills with basic video needs. It’s for the casual snapshooter who values reach and manual controls in a heftier body.

• Choose the Panasonic ZS70 if: You desire a compact, tech-forward superzoom with excellent autofocus, 4K video, cleaner night shots, and flexible touch/EVF controls. This camera suits travelers, street photographers, and videographers who value versatility in a truly pocketable format.

Final Thoughts

This comparison underscores how quickly photographic technology evolves - 6 years between these models mean big leaps in sensor design, autofocus sophistication, and video functionality. While the Kodak Z990 has its place as a reliable, no-nonsense all-in-one for certain users, the Panasonic ZS70 offers a more compelling package that aligns better with today’s expectations for superzoom cameras.

Having handled both extensively, I recommend testing both if possible, but if your budget and workflow permit, the Panasonic ZS70’s modern amenities, faster responsiveness, and superior image rendering make it a more satisfying choice for most photography enthusiasts in 2024.

Happy shooting!