Kodak Z980 Digicam *Take Two*

I blogged last week about a new camera I'd picked up and how impressed I was with some of the images I was getting out of it. In this installment, I wanted to take the camera out and shoot some photos with both the Z980 and an older Fuji S9100 (a decent camera in its own right) to see how it stacked up. You can find the image comparison gallery on flickr.

I've included some specific screen grabs from Adobe Bridge CS3 that give you some further insight. You can click on the links or the photos to view larger sizes, enjoy!

The FujiFilm S9100 is a 9MP cam from late 06/early 07. It is a heavy 'bridge' cam that feels very much like a DSLR. Manual focus ring, balanced in your hand feel. I wondered if the Z980 could take photos *this* good?

Bee Gathering Pollen: FujiFilm S9100

Initial indications are that it's pretty darn close! The Kodak Z980 doesn't have the heft or feel of the Fuji, but the photos come across quite well. Check out the details on this Z980 macro shot. Unfortunately, the bee moved and wouldn't 'pose' for me anymore! :(


The other advantage the Kodak has is the 24X zoom as witnessed here in these comparison shots of waterfowl at the local riparian preserve, near our hometown library. The other thing that becomes key at the long focal lengths is 'image stabilization'. The Kodak has it, the Fuji does not. I did put the S9100 into 'anti-shake' mode, which helps, but its not true optical image stabilization like the Kodak has. Think of the 'steady cam' technology that Sony users in their video cameras/camcorders. It's very similar, and can be just as helpful when you get into a camera with such a long zoom range.

S9100 on left Z980 on right

There are features that I like about both cameras, so I wouldn't trade one for the other, but from my standpoint, if you're in the market for a "super zoom" in a smaller form factor, with a few 'pro' type features like an external flash 'hot shoe', RAW output, and full manual shooting control, the Kodak Z980 deserves a look. With the weekly specials that Kodak has been running lately through their online store, the price of this camera, compared to the current version of the FujiFilm S9100 that I used, the S100fd? is a bargain. Again, the final shot has the S9100 on the left, and the Z980 on the right.

A New Kodak Camera - Z980 wide angle with *crazy* zoom (24X)

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I'll post an in-depth review hopefully this week. For right now you can feast your eyes on the shots below, and the whole background story!

Get the full-sized versions of the photos below by heading over to

my flickr photostream

In the film days it was a Mamiya and Pentax SLR and for my adventures a Yashica T4 with Kodak 64 or Fuji Velvia. In the digital age it seemed that Canon and Nikon were at the top of the heap, although the first digicams and pro digital SLR's came from Kodak. I've liked the idea behind the Powershot G series from Canon. With the exception of a few stray models, they kept the same general form factor, buttons on the outside etc: Optical 'rangefinder' like viewfinder, plenty of manual modes and the like. The S400 Digital ELPH is a little tank.. keeps going and going and takes wonderful photos. I've been a Canon fanboy for a while now. But lately I'm starting to like Kodak? Huh? you mean those guys that used to make film?

Yes!

This all started a year or so ago. I noticed that some of the new Kodak line of point and shoot cameras were starting to incorporate HD Video. The V1273 came out, I bought one a few weeks after it hit the shelves and I've been pleasantly suprised with the quality of photos and having the ability to shoot HD Video in a compact package. Likes? The Schneider optics (maybe it's the name?), the image quality, the 720p video. Dislikes? the touch-screen 'ipod' like LCD and lack of buttons / viewfinder. The camera is nearly impossible to use in the sunshine but with a good hat as a shade, and peering over your sunglasses you can make it work!

Here are V1273 photos from last weekends mountain bike ride.

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Having HD Video capability in your digicam is cool! With a bit of effort, you can turn a static story into something that helps people *really* see and feel what it was like to be there! Check out this fun HD video from an undisclosed location in San Diego :)

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So when I received an email coupon from Kodak for St. Patricks day, I dove in and started reading about their latest offering the Kodak Easyshare Z980.....

(to be continued..)







Get the full-sized versions of the above photos by heading over to

my flickr photostream

If you like what you see, let me know! I'll post up the rest of my review soon. In the meantime, here is a link to the specs on dpreview.com and a brief writeup I posted there.