Kodak Easyshare Z981 14 MP Digital Camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 26xWide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.0-Inch LCD Sreen

by Kodak

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 7.4 x 4.2 inches ; 2.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0031RGGFM
• Item model number: EasyShare Z981 Black
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (264 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 5, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Bring your world closer for everyone to see. The Kodak EasyShare Z981 digital camera is where creativity and versatility come together. It zooms in faster, wider, and closer than ever, giving you sharp, steady shots you'll be proud to share. Kodak's Share button lets you tag pictures directly from your camera for uploading to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, and Kodak Gallery sites, plus e-mail too. And its unique vertical shutter release and detachable grip give you the flexibility to go from horizontal to vertical shots with ease. From dramatic wide angles to the convenience of ultra-zoom, the Z981 delivers extraordinary performance.

Kodak EasyShare Z981 Highlights

Sharing your life just got simpler
With Kodak's Share button, uploading your pictures is amazingly simple.

• Snap your picture
• Press the Share button and tag it to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, and Kodak Gallery sites, plus e-mail too
• Connect your camera to your computer, and with Kodak's Share button app, your pictures are automatically uploaded
• Your pictures and videos are automatically transferred to your computer

Kodak EasyShare Software The complete solution for transferring, online sharing, e-mailing, organizing, editing, and creative printing of your pictures.

• Organize your pictures with your own tags, star ratings, and date and time stamps, then use the search feature to quickly find any picture in your collection
• Edit your pictures with ease--select from a variety of simple tools that reduce red-eye, improve lighting, remove wrinkles and blemishes, and add text
• Create photo projects online or at home--choose from hundreds of templates and designs to create album pages, cards, invitations and much more
• Plus, manually upload to YouTube, Facebook, Flick, and Kodak Gallery sites, and e-mail too

Vertical shutter release

• Shoot vertically and horizontally with the convenient vertical shutter release
• Detachable vertical grip (included) provides maximum comfort while shooting vertically

Powerful 26x optical zoom lens The 26x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon optical zoom lens (35 mm equivalent: 26-676 mm) zooms in even faster and closer to deliver crisp, steady shots for extraordinary creative performance.

Fast (f/2.8-f/5.0) 26mm wide-angle lens
Capture dramatic shots in tight quarters or in front of spectacular landscapes

Image stabilization

• Capture sharp, steady shots when shooting at long zoom ranges
• Image stabilization automatically minimizes camera shake to deliver sharper pictures

Amazing quality prints with 14 MP

• 14 MP means you can make stunning prints up to 30 x 40 inches (76 x 102 cm)
• More megapixels means you can crop and enlarge and still have great picture quality
• However you choose to print--at home, at retail, or online--trust Kodak for picture quality that's truly exceptional and for memories that will last

Fast click-to-capture speed
>0.2 sec. picture-capture speed means you can capture that challenging action shot without delay

Kodak's Smart Capture feature
Take better pictures than ever before. Kodak's innovative Smart Capture feature adjusts camera settings for great pictures in just about any environment--automatically.

• Intelligent scene detection--detects and analyzes scene conditions
• Intelligent capture control--automatically sets camera settings including exposure, focus and ISO for clear, sharp pictures even in low light and challenging situations
• Intelligent image processing--reduces noise and clears up dark shadows for vibrant, crisp details and true-to-life colors

HD picture capture

• Capture beautiful HD pictures in 16:9 format
• View your pictures in high definition on an HDTV or other HD devices

HD video capture

• Capture HD-quality video
• Capture more video while using less memory with MPEG-4 compression
• Print multiple frames on a 4 x 6-inch (10 x 15 cm) print
• Save single frames and e-mail family and friends
• Mark special spots in your video with video bookmarking

Kodak Theatre HD Player (optional device)
Give your pictures the life they deserve. With the Kodak Theatre HD Player, you can relive your memories on your big screen HDTV in stunning high-definition.

• Enjoy your new pictures and videos on your HDTV instantly, right from your camera's memory card
• Access pictures from your PC, camera, and online photo sharing sites, wirelessly
• Wirelessly send and receive pictures with Kodak's Picture Mail feature
• Create slideshows to your favorite songs
• Experience YouTube like never before--videos are brilliantly displayed on your HDTV
• Access Internet radio, podcasts and other web content on your HDTV

Be in control with sophisticated camera features

Enhanced creative control

• Responsive performance, including fast power up, shot-to-shot and click-to-capture
• RAW file format for full creative flexibility

Program auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes

• Program mode (P)--camera sets optimal shutter speed and aperture combination
• Aperture priority mode (A)--you choose aperture, the camera sets shutter speed
• Shutter priority mode (S)--you choose shutter speed, the camera sets aperture
• Manual mode (M)--you choose both the aperture and shutter speed

Manual controls

• Exposure compensation: +- 2.0 EV in +-1/3 EV step increments
• Aperture: f/2.8-f/5.0
• Shutter speed: 16-1/2000 sec.
• ISO equivalents: (automatic), 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 64002
• Auto focus: TTL imager AF system
• Exposure metering: multi-pattern, center-weighted, center-spot
• White balance: auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shade
• Flash mode: auto, off, fill, red-eye reduction

Multiple scene modes

• Portrait modes: portrait, night portrait, backlight, self
• Landscape modes: landscape, night landscape, fireworks
• Bright scene modes: sport, beach, snow
• Action modes: sport, children
• Close-up modes: flower
• Text/Documents mode: get sharp text when photographing documents
• Manner/Museum mode: use when sound or flash are not desired

5 color modes

• High color
• Low color
• Natural color
• Black and white
• Sepia

Losing track of your favorite faces is a thing of the past with Kodak's Face Recognition feature

• Find, organize, and share your pictures easily
• Camera automatically recognizes up to 20 pre-tagged faces so you can easily locate and share them later
• Recognizes up to five faces in a single image
• Name tags carry over to your favorite photo management software for easy searching

Relive moments and share pictures on the back of your camera
The 3-inch bright LCD features Kodak Color Science Technology for brighter, more vibrant details.

Taking great pictures is just the beginning
The Z981 is more than just a powerful zoom camera. With features like multimedia slideshow, text and favorite tags, and HD video, it gives you the control to take the shots you envision, and the flexibility to do more with them later on.

Multimedia slideshow
Tell your story your way using the multimedia slideshow feature.

• Turn your pictures into a creative multimedia slideshow right from your camera
• Set the mood when you choose from pre-loaded sound themes to accompany your slideshow
• Insert creative transitions and bring your pictures to life

Kodak PERFECT TOUCH Technology
Make your pictures as vivid as the moment you took them. Print better, brighter pictures using Kodak PERFECT TOUCH Technology in PASM modes.

• Make better, brighter pictures
• Relive your memories in richer detail
• Clear up dark shadows to reveal more smiles

High ISO mode

• Capture the details in low light conditions and fast action situations with a powerful, high ISO (up to 64002)
• Faster shutter speeds mean you can capture scenes in low light and fast action
• The camera automatically selects from ISO 64 to ISO 3200 based on lighting conditions
• ISO 3200 and 6400 available at 3.1 MP setting and less in PASM modes

On-camera picture-enhancing features

• Easily capture and create great shots with features such as on-camera cropping, blurry picture alert, and digital red-eye reduction
• Panorama stitch mode combines up to three shots into one large picture on-camera
• Verify the exposure of your picture using the histogram feature on live view, quick view, and review

Shoot video with ease

• Record continuous HD video (1280 x 720) at 30 fps or VGA video (640 x 480) at 30 fps with stereo sound and on-camera editing
• Video print options include 1, 4, 9, and 16-up prints
• Save single frames and e-mail to family and friends

Internal memory plus

• Don't miss a shot if your memory card becomes full--switch to in-camera memory quickly, thanks to the internal memory plus feature
• 64 MB of internal memory and SD/SDHC card compatibility lets you start shooting right out of the box

Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and charger
Always be prepared with the power of the included Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and charger

What's in the Box

• Kodak EasyShare Z981 Digital Camera
• Detachable vertical grip
• (4) Kodak Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery AA
• USB cable
• Lens cap with strap
• Neck strap
• User guide

Product Description

The new KODAK EASYSHARE Z981 Digital Camera is where creativity and versatility come together. It zooms in faster, wider, and closer than ever, giving you sharp, steady shots you’ll be proud to share. Kodak’s Share Button lets you tag pictures directly from your camera for e-mailing or uploading to YouTube™, FACEBOOK, FLICKR, and KODAK Gallery. And its unique vertical shutter release and detachable grip give you the flexibility to go from horizontal to vertical shots with ease. From dramatic wide angles to the convenience of ultra-zoom, the Z981 delivers extraordinary performance. Outstanding pictures are within your reach – put them out there for everyone to see. Because the real KODAK Moment happens when you share

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

673 of 685 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kodak Z981, April 14, 2010

By 

Michael J. Mcmorrow - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kodak Easyshare Z981 14 MP Digital Camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 26xWide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.0-Inch LCD Sreen (Electronics)

I have had my Z981 for two weeks and I have given it a thorough testing. My son is a professional photographer and he told me that I would be disappointed with this camera. I told him that I would give it a real-world test and, if I was disappointed, I would send it back.

First the cons: 1) The On/Off toggle switch is awkwardly placed. It is almost impossible to turn the camera on (or off) without moving (changing) the Mode dial. 2) The battery compartment is easy to open but very difficult to close and lock (I use my car key to slide it). Also, make sure the camera works once you have locked it. For some reason, this seems to be a problem. 3) A hotshoe and tilting view screen would have been nice but I knew from the specs that I would get neither. 4) The zoom on the back of the camera (rather than on the top) is awkward but I will get use to it. 5) I would have gladly paid an extra $50 to have the camera built out of heavy duty plastic.

Now the pros: 1) The photo quality is first rate. 2) The zoom is smooth but, keep in mind that in high power, you really need to steady the camera (I use a monopod). 3) The video automatically includes sound (not so with all cameras). 4) The video is very high quality (1280x720) and the optical zoom works in video mode. When playing this video, it fills my entire computer monitor - not just a little window in the middle of the monitor. 5) It uses SD cards. This doesn't sound like much but these are much cheaper than the proprietary cards that some cameras use. 6) It uses AA batteries. Since I travel a lot in the Amazon, built-in (or proprietary) rechargeable batteries are not an option for me. 7) I love having a separate button for all of the different functions. Most cameras have a Function button that you push and then get totally lost in the maze of options, sub-options and sub-sub-options. 8) The price is great. I have never paid less that $600 for a digital camera.

Bottom line: Great pictures, great high resolution video, 14mp and 26x zoom. It has some quirks but is a great camera at a great price.

223 of 224 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE This Camera!!..., April 15, 2010

By 

Mercedes L. Johnmeyer "The Most Happy" (Summerville, SC) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kodak Easyshare Z981 14 MP Digital Camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 26xWide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.0-Inch LCD Sreen (Electronics)

I have only owned Kodak cameras, and the Z981 is an upgrade for me from the Z1485 and the Z712, both of which I loved. What sold me on the Z981 however, was the 26x zoom. My Z712 had a 12x zoom, which was great, and the Z1485 was only a 5x, but it's small and pocket sized...great for throwing in my purse. Now, be advised...I am NOT a professional photographer (or anywhere near one). I am a stay-at-home-mom who has a slight obsession with cameras, but just cannot bring herself to take the SLR plunge. I take daily photos of my son, and of course, family trips/vacations. That said, this camera may be a bit much for your everyday Joe just wanting to take pictures of the family, since this IS pretty large and quite bulky to to carry around once it's in a case...though I certainly don't mind.

In my trials with this camera, I have found only a couple things that I'm not completely happy with. That main one is the battery compartment. While easy to open (just slide the tab and it pops open), it's darn near IMPOSSIBLE to close. I have to use a small screwdriver to slide the tab over once the batteries are in place. Also, when taking video, if you zoom in, it takes a few seconds for the focus to right itself, which may not seem like a big deal, but 5 seconds can be a long time on a short video clip.

As for everything else...I'm thrilled. While the on/off switch may be in an awkward place for some people, it's located in the same spot on the Z712, so I was already used to that. All the dial settings are very easy to use, and when you switch to each one, there's a brief explanation on what conditions you would use that particular setting for. Of course, my favorite is the 'Children playing in sunlight' setting. I can take crisp, clear pics of my boy while he's running around, and not have to worry about them being blurry, or dark. Also, (and one of the most important things, at least for me), the click-to-capture speed is VERY fast. When I push that button, it takes the picture...and I can take multiple pictures, one right after the other, with no delay.

The Share feature is also very neat. I'll admit, I'm still getting comfortable with using the App, but it's coming a little easier to me now. You'll have to download the Share App to your computer if you wish to use this feature. It'll take about 10 minutes to set it up. I think the main reason I love Kodak so much is their user friendly approach to picture taking...it's why they're the only brand of camera I've ever used. The Kodak EasyShare program is SIMPLE to use, and a great place to store or alter your pictures. Their cameras (even one as advanced as this particular model) are very easy to get the hang of after a bit of practice. If you're at all interested in this camera, I say go for it. I'm VERY pleased with mine, however, as I said, it may be a little much for the casual picture taker.

174 of 177 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The upgrade I wanted!, April 20, 2010

By 

Sara-s (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Kodak Easyshare Z981 14 MP Digital Camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 26xWide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens and 3.0-Inch LCD Sreen (Electronics)

I have used the Kodak Z740 for several years. It is a great camera and it was going to take a lot for me to upgrade. The Z981 has exactly the added features I wanted. It has anti-shake technology, a higher zoom than the Z 740 and still runs on AA batteries. It also takes panoramic pictures, which I really like.

It is a little bigger and heaver than my old camera, but ONLY a little. So, even with the zoom lens fully extended, I have no trouble holding it steadily. It is comfortable in my hands and I like the ergonomics. The buttons are easy to press, while I am looking through the viewfinder. Through its entire range, from wide angle, to 26x zoom, its pictures are crisp.

Some reviewers have said that the battery door is hard to close. It is a bit difficult, but I am a middle-aged woman and can close it with just my hands. So I do not consider this a problem.

It is not hard to start taking good pictures with this camera. But it does quite a lot, so I do recommend reading the extended user manual on line. I took some shots of water drops coming from a garden hose, to test the burst mode. They came out crystal clear.

I am very happy with this purchase. I can't wait to get out and do some nature photography.