Z980 - It's Here!!

At last, the wait is over. We missed the UPS guy at noon, but I made the trek out to the UPS customer service center to pick it up. Just couldn't wait!

Overall, I'm impressed the by camera's handling. One thing many of you will love--scene modes allow control over compression. Yes, that means RAW in scene, super macro, etc. Very nice. The menu system is nice too. You don't have to actually hit the OK button to change the settings. It's going to take a bit to get used to the setup, but it seems very intuitive. Aperture has multiple steps, not just full open, full closed like the Z1015is.

The camera is physically wider and slightly deeper than the Z1015is. One thing I was concerned about was that Kodak had just repackaged the 1015. Not so. They have similar looks, but the Z980 is a different animal. It is quite an impressive sight with the P20 attached. =) If you shoot with a tripod, it's nice to just screw off the base plate to change batteries. And the second shutter release...Nice. It, too, will take some getting used to, but will be helpful when I've had a chance to play more.

I went to our local reservoir to get some pictures. I was so excited I didn't pay attention to the temps. Y'know, it's still cold out. After about 5 minutes I couldn't feel my fingers, so I came back to the van. With some time to kill before I had to pick up my kids, I went to our church and did some various trials. Will try to get some pictures up later (it's 10:40 and I turn into a pumpkin at 11:00...). I can't pass judgment yet, but if initial impressions are any indication, Kodak listened and made a winner.

More to come...

Judging from your first impression, Kodak is listening and may have come up with a winner! I was a bit worried about aperture control (since I usually shoot aperture priority with my z612 and SLR) so it's a relief to hear they've included full adjustability. Can't wait to see your pictures and hear more of your impressions.
--
Kodak Z612, Pentax *ist DS, Nikon Coolpix 990

Thanks for the first impression user review.
Couldn't wait to see some posting.
--
chiue -

That sounds great! I assume the RAW format hasn't changed from earlier models, has it?

OK, I have a lot of questions, but I should have mine in a couple of days, so I can wait I suppose.

I will look forward to seeing some samples, and I am really looking forward to having support for the P20 flash. I'm glad I didn't sell mine!

So, you can screw off the base plate without detaching the tripod?

Thanks for your initial impressions. Warm up those fingers!

Richard B

DJMusic said:

At last, the wait is over. We missed the UPS guy at noon, but I made
the trek out to the UPS customer service center to pick it up. Just
couldn't wait!

Overall, I'm impressed the by camera's handling. One thing many of
you will love--scene modes allow control over compression. Yes, that
means RAW in scene, super macro, etc. Very nice. The menu system is
nice too. You don't have to actually hit the OK button to change the
settings. It's going to take a bit to get used to the setup, but it
seems very intuitive. Aperture has multiple steps, not just full
open, full closed like the Z1015is.

The camera is physically wider and slightly deeper than the Z1015is.
One thing I was concerned about was that Kodak had just repackaged
the 1015. Not so. They have similar looks, but the Z980 is a
different animal. It is quite an impressive sight with the P20
attached. =) If you shoot with a tripod, it's nice to just screw
off the base plate to change batteries. And the second shutter
release...Nice. It, too, will take some getting used to, but will be
helpful when I've had a chance to play more.

I went to our local reservoir to get some pictures. I was so excited
I didn't pay attention to the temps. Y'know, it's still cold out.
After about 5 minutes I couldn't feel my fingers, so I came back to
the van. With some time to kill before I had to pick up my kids, I
went to our church and did some various trials. Will try to get some
pictures up later (it's 10:40 and I turn into a pumpkin at 11:00...).
I can't pass judgment yet, but if initial impressions are any
indication, Kodak listened and made a winner.

More to come...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the great feedback!
Looking forward to receiving mine more than ever
--
Idaho Memories - Because Idaho is too great not to share
http://www.idahomemories.com

Dan

I am so jealous, have fun.

I'm really interested in the noise at 400iso, the shot to shot time in RAW. I have found that when Kodak increases the MP's the 'engine' doesn't get upgraged and the cameras take forever to process the images. eg Z740 -> ZD710.

Also...I find on the Z1015 the top control wheel....its about as precise as painting a picture on an A4 canvas with paint brush the length of a pole vault pole. ( no I haven't tried ;-) So easy to overshoot what you're trying to select.

Is the finish and tactile nature of the body any better? Does it feel better made? The W-> T lever seems like an afterthought on the Z1015...so small, with no feedback, the single speed operation is....erm... well you can guess.

The lens on the Z980 is totally different...like an extended version of that fitted to the cheaper Fuji S8000/81000, and the Olympus and Nikon's...and probably half a dozen similar cameras, so its good to see a full range of apertures available...even if DoF is so great on the smaller sensor.

I had to buy my Z1015 over the internet in the UK, I have not seen it for sale in any camera store I have been to in London. So I am reluctant to even consider spending on the Z980 given my total disappointment with the Z1015, so all feedback is gratefully accepted. I still wonder about the suitability of the sensor given the ridiculously high MP figures. I am sure it will be acceptable, but is it any better than some of the lesser MP older models...somehow I doubt it. Several reviews of the higher MP Samsungs have indicated that more MP doesn't necessarily mean more detail.

How exciting...I can't wait to see the pictures tomorrow.

Mine comes tomorrow. I don;t know how I am going to concentrate on work all day

Did you get a case for yours? I want one I can carry the camera in on a hike with room for batteries.
--
Loraine
Canon 20D, Kodak Z712, Kodak V1233
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lorain9
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorain9

All I really want to read is that the pics from the Z980 could be mistaken for those from the DX6490......or at least to be very close.

Can't wait to see 'em.......and I wonder when we Brits will be able to buy the cam.

Thanks, DJMusic.

I am a SLR Nikon Freak...with Big guns birding lenses & D2X. But...tired of the heavy weight..! So I ordered this Kodak Z980. As all of you are....waiting for those photos at this forum..Would love to see them at the full 24X lenght.. Also would a Nikon Flash fit this camera?

Hope it lives up to the expectations. Good for Kodak, competition is stiff but lot of new entrants are jumping the fence specially dslr users.
I may buy it if Kodak launches it in India.

Atindra

Would like to see samples before I order one, where are they!!
like to see high iso shot's please.
thanks

Congratulations for your new 980 camera… Have fun and let us know.
--
http://www.spiridakis.gr

Pattisboy said:

All I really want to read is that the pics from the Z980 could be
mistaken for those from the DX6490......or at least to be very close.

Click to expand...

A modest request, but surely that can be achieved cant it ?

I agree, if the Z980 could have the IQ of some of the older Kodaks with all these new features, that would be great...surely it can be done can't it?

Mine is "Out for Delivery" from UPS and I am home today, anxiously waiting. I have a DX6490 that I have been happy with, with the exception of the lack of flash hotshoe. My two concerns about the Z980 are the diopter setting capability of the eyepiece and the ability to use lens filters. I an not sure from the specs whether the Z980 has either. I'll report back.

dj best of luck with your new camera i am looking forward to seeing yours
and the rest of the gangs photos i am going to have a few weeks of posting

any pictures but i will be watching very closely in deed ...i to am hoping this may be my next camera,,,,in the next few weeks i will know the answer i still have loads of

p880 pictures but for now i am just going to be a spectator .....best wishes keith

Yep.......I'll be interested to see some samples when you guys have time to put them up.

I've been thinking of a sz for some time and had originally settled on the SX10 but when I heard of the Z980 decided to hold off until it was on the streets........so I'm gonna be realllllllllllllly interested in what Kodak has come up with.

janwnj said:

Mine is "Out for Delivery" from UPS and I am home today, anxiously
waiting. I have a DX6490 that I have been happy with, with the
exception of the lack of flash hotshoe.

Click to expand...

I used the PC sync in my DX7590.

janwnj said:

My two concerns about the
Z980 are the diopter setting capability of the eyepiece and the
ability to use lens filters.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately there are no diopter and ability to use filters. To the best of my knowledge.

--
chiue -

Just a few more thoughts. I know everyone wants pics, and I'll try to get them up tonight. Afraid work is getting in the way of fun right now. =)

Live histogram - very responsive. It changes with the change in focal length and includes a gray scale under the histogram. I will use this one.

Perfect Touch (smart capture) - not sure what Kodak did, but almost no lag on processing. Kudos.

Apertures - 2.8, 3.2, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.6, 6.3, 7.1, and 8.0 at wide

• 5.0, 5.6, 6.3, 7.1, 8.0 at full telephoto.
• 4.5, 5.0, 5.6, 6.3, 7.1, and 8.0 in the middle

RAW - have not had a chance to see if Adobe DNG converter will work--it's not listed on the Adobe site. On shot-to-shot, would agree with KodakMike's assessment. I'm using an 8GB SanDisk Extreme III 30mb/s edition. Takes around 6 seconds. If you're using picture review, it will give the illusion that there is no lag.

Burst - I've only done limited tests, but the 5 shots/sec mode is quite nice. Looks to be 3.1 MP, but can allow you to get pics you wouldn't get otherwise.

Resolution - I really need to print some of the pictures. As you know, sometimes the pixel-peeping does not give a good read. When I went to the reservoir last evening, it was REALLY windy, so the camera did have some movement. As you can imagine, 624mm is like a small telescope. There does appear to be a bit more color noise than the Z1015is, but I don't know if that is due to ISO or what. Need more review. Initially, I'd say that the higher resolution does not equal sharper pictures, though I don't think this will be an issue unless you're printing really big.

I did a test quick resolution test on a target from a digital cam magazine from the UK. There is barrel distortion at close range, but I was inches from the target. I actually did a quick test here at work and had the lens literally against the screen. It's very clear, though not terribly interesting (photographed one of the forum posts). =O

Auto focus is very fast, and the assist light is more reminiscent of the P880. The Z1015is could focus in the dark, but not was well as the P880.

I love the menu system. When you get to a menu item, there is an arrow left, right, or both depending on the choices. You can click OK and select from a menu, but you can also just use the left/right arrows to change the selection. You can also use the wheel to do the same thing. You do have to navigate back to the tab header to change menus, but you get used to that. If you're familiar with Canon menus, you'll be used to this. Oh, and the wheel is much better. Does not select (when you push down) as easily as the Z1015is, but it's also not like painting with a pole vault. =)

Manual Focus - finally, manual focus that works. The center of the image is magnified, BUT, it takes up the whole viewfinder. You can actually tell what you're looking at.

The camera is definitely heavier than the Z1015is. Probably more in line with the P880. It's a nice balance. With the lower grip attached, the tripod mount is in line with the center of the lens. Without it, it is still offset like the Z1015is. The power and USB connections seem better designed--easier to get to.

The "extended" manual is NOT yet available. I chatted with a Kodak rep and she noted that we should keep checking http://www.kodak.com/go/manuals to see when it becomes available. It's not required, but really should have been available when the camera came out.

Well, got to get back to work. I have a number of other items that I have to do tonight, but I will try to get some pics uploaded for review.

Later.