z980 PhotographyBlog Review

Having just used this camera for the first time, I agree that there may be some problems with its output when viewed at 100% crop. But tell me, who displays images or prints images at 100% crop? If this became a law, then that would be the only criteria by which to judge a camera. But check out my recent images at standard viewing sizes and tell me whether those are acceptable or not.

YES I have used the Z980 loaned to me by a local dealer who wanted my opinion. YES I have used the SX20 and I enjoyed it more. I seldom use or need .RAW so that would be a minor issue for me. I just do not need more than the 12x optical that I get from the Z812 and occasionally I use the Z1012 which was new but had a defective LCD which is being repaired.

I am not one of those that comments about a camera that has not even seen one or worse less never used one.

I stand by my original state whether you like it or not.

Gary N W

I'm afraid I've read two publications here in the UK and the camera has been panned. The worst score results I have seen from a similar product so far.

Kodak have had this on their UK website for a long time....but as yet no price is given, and you cannot order it. Could this be because they're focussing on other markets...or that they have problems with the camera?

I am still concerned over how good it is, I cannot test one, and I can only judge it by the similarly designed Z1015.

Having a z8612 and Z1015....both of which seem to be out of the same product design house, both of which disappointed...even though the results were OK, didn't bode well for the z980.

Kodak are cutting corners too much, and charge too much also ( in the UK). I still cannot believe in the UK Currys are selling the Z912 for £229, compared to £219 for the Samsung WB500...a product that is so well made, and has a superb lens. The Kodak is solid, handles well...but feels like a £129 camera.

Hi Lorenzo you are one of my favorite all time photographers anywhere. Especially when it comes to Wildlife captures. You asked and so I am going to tell you what I think honestly and without prejudice.

Other than the Butterfly from the Z980 I would have stayed with your Z812 captures any day of the week. I may lose you as a friend and viewer of my images but I am telling you the way your first images appear hear on my monitor. And my monitor is a first class Samsung with a very good video card and it is well calibrated.

Look I hope you just get the most lovely captures from your new Z980. I do not feel you will get the IQ of the Z812 nor the colors. On the other hand once you get to know the camera and fiddle with your setting to your own liking maybe you will be happy. I sure hope and wish you all the best with this camera.

You asked so I am openly telling you my opinion realizing these are your very first images. Sadly I am NOT a pixel peeper. I know with a smaller sensor you are not going to get more than 8MP decent camera output with this supposed 12MP camera rated at 42+ MP/ CM squared. It is just not in the cards.

I own 3 and 4 MP cameras whose output will more than match the Z980 without any PP nor anything else post image.

About the 100% crops I guess that will have to remain to be seen @ later date.

Wishing you luck with your new camera. Most of all have fun.

Gary N W

Hi Gary, I appreciate your frankness. I do not expect a better IQ from the Z980 over the Z812. I also owned a Fuji S602 and loved the IQ. My butterfly pics with that cam were amazing. What I wanted to improve on was the zoom and the ability to crop from having more mega pixels. My first pics with the Z980 were all straight from the camera. I usually adjust jpegs to my liking, from whatever camera that I use. I usually have most of my camera settings close to default so that I can manipulate the images to a final look that I prefer. I'm hoping that the longer reach of the Z980 will give me more opportunities than the Z812 which I will still use depending on the situation. You honest opinion is always welcomed.

Gary N W said:

I am not one of those that comments about a camera that has not even
seen one or worse less never used one.

I stand by my original state whether you like it or not.

Gary N W

Click to expand...

Gary, you were hyper-critical of this camera from the moment it was announced.

--
Kodak Z612, Pentax *ist DS, Nikon Coolpix 990

I have only been critical of this camera when I was allowed to use it for about a week solid from a local camera shop owner. He asked me to try it and I did. From there on I have been hypercritical of this camera=YES. And FYI I retain the same view. And so the camera store owner tried it himself and guess what? He agreed with me. End of story. Except he will not stock any S980 cameras.

Sorry if that offends you.

Gary N W

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

Hi Goncalo,

Here is a link for a CHDK hack BETA for your new SX10.

Cheers Gary San Francisco USA hahaha

Gary N W said:

I have only been critical of this camera when I was allowed to use it
for about a week solid from a local camera shop owner. He asked me
to try it and I did. From there on I have been hypercritical of this
camera=YES. And FYI I retain the same view. And so the camera store
owner tried it himself and guess what? He agreed with me. End of
story. Except he will not stock any S980 cameras.

Sorry if that offends you.

Gary N W

Click to expand...

Allow me to quote you Gary, from a time when the Z980 had only just been announced:

"Hey I didnt say idiots for buying the Z980 camera. But now that you mentioned it maybe you are in fact. I suggest anyone buying this camera should buy anotherone with the purpose of having two such cameras for camera collectors with the z980 being the equivalent of the Ford Edsel from many years ago. With the 24x optical zoom the aperature to the tiny undersized CCD will make it the equivalent of a pinhole camera with a long zoom. hehehe for all you crybabies out there you will see what I have been saying is true. And I am NOT the least bit pompous about telling the facts here and now. Soooo put that in your pipes and smoke them. Too funny. I tried to warn you in advance. So enjoy and cry!"

--
Kodak Z612, Pentax *ist DS, Nikon Coolpix 990

Yes Ron those were my exact words. I was able to test one before it was fully released as I mentioned then and now.

I stand by those words to this day.

Gary N W

Gary N W said:

Yes Ron those were my exact words. I was able to test one before it
was fully released as I mentioned then and now.

I stand by those words to this day.

Gary N W

Click to expand...

After some searching I found the post in which you claimed to have used a pre-production model of the Z980. I'm still somewhat skeptical that such an event ever occurred and will continue to question your anti-Kodak statements on a pro-Kodak forum.
--
Kodak Z612, Pentax *ist DS, Nikon Coolpix 990

Ron,

It seems that you really admire my Pearls-of-Wisdom. Yes my camera was a pre full production model which was loaned to the Camera store owner by the Kodak Rep. Yup I tried it and didn't like it. Shame on me! hahahaha

Ask me a question about it if you wish or quit crying about my feeling for this one Kodak camera. FYI I own three Kodak camera's. So I am wondering how I am being anti Kodak or anything else.

Last time I am going to repeat to you that I used the camera for 1 week solid. I believe it is really not going to be satisfactory for most folks beyond 8MP. So cry some more about how I hate Kodak or that I am anti kodak. Keep saying it and I might begin to believe it.

Gary N W

Heya Gary,

Thanks for the link, but I had already checked it out. The problem is that my SX10 has a newer firmware version (altough Canon Portugal told me that the FW was the 102B) and there is no CHDK for it.

What amazes me is how the hell doesn't canon take advantage of the possibilities of its hardware and includes raw recording in its cams, since they are able to record it (like they did with the SX1)?

Regarding this thread, I've been somehow amused with it. Sometimes it seems that instead of discussing cameras, people are discussing politics or religion. I've been noticing that the z980 has raised a following of (almost) fanatics that would give their lives for it hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Now seriously, I've seen a few good pictures, I've seen a moderately high iso performance (a lot worst than FZ28 and SX10, but much better than many others), but I've seen a lot of crappy pictures, out of focus, with big "softness" and lack of detail. Also, it is a bit bulky.

I had my heart on the Panny FZ28, but ended up buying the SX10 for less than half its price (since I had some discount cupons on a store that just does not sell any kodak products).

Gary N W said:

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

Hi Goncalo,

Here is a link for a CHDK hack BETA for your new SX10.

Cheers Gary San Francisco USA hahaha

Click to expand...

--
Cheers from Portugal.
Gonçalo.

Gary N W said:

Ron,

It seems that you really admire my Pearls-of-Wisdom. Yes my camera
was a pre full production model which was loaned to the Camera store
owner by the Kodak Rep. Yup I tried it and didn't like it. Shame on
me! hahahaha

Ask me a question about it if you wish or quit crying about my
feeling for this one Kodak camera. FYI I own three Kodak camera's.
So I am wondering how I am being anti Kodak or anything else.

Last time I am going to repeat to you that I used the camera for 1
week solid. I believe it is really not going to be satisfactory for
most folks beyond 8MP. So cry some more about how I hate Kodak or
that I am anti kodak. Keep saying it and I might begin to believe it.

Gary N W

Click to expand...

Now it's gone from "have seen images from the Z980 at a huge photostore here near me when it was in development" and "I was allowed to handle it and see images through it" to now saying you used it for a solid week? Your story is falling apart.

I'd be interested in what Mike from Kodak has to say as to whether any pre-production units were given to retailers.

--
Kodak Z612, Pentax *ist DS, Nikon Coolpix 990

Normally Mike himself tests pre-production models extensively.

Atindra

Ron Zimmerman said:

I'd be interested in what Mike from Kodak has to say as to whether
any pre-production units were given to retailers.

Click to expand...

Ron,

That could have happened, I can't say for sure since I'm not directly connected with that side of the business. Just as a personal choice, I don't base my opinions of any camera or lens on using a preproduction unit with unfinished firmware. Nor do I rely on reviews alone to form my opinions/decisions.

I've certainly made strong recommendations to others many times, but unless I know them personally and know what they expect from their photos and how they intend to use them, I can't tell them that they will or won't be satisfied with this or that camera.
But hey, that's just me....8^)

--
Mike O'Brien
Eastman Kodak Co.

I've been 'taking photographs' for 50 years, I've been 'capturing images' for the last 14 years, but still - If it isn't printed - it isn't a picture, it's an intermediate !

Hey Goncalo,

I am sure you will love the Canon. I think your move was a smart move. Sorry about the link wished it could have helped you.

Nothing new about the politics on any link these days=even on here hahaha

Wish you all the best. Besides I think you can squeeze a lot more out of a JPEG than you might think.

Gary N W

Hi Mike,

This guys Ron Z. must love me or is fascinated by my intelligent and HONEST posts. I am supposed to be threatened by his comment about YOU wondering what I did etc. I told the oddball everything and clearly. More than that I cannot satisfy his mind apparently. Sooooooo I will have to ignore him in the future.

I have another question since you were on here. I just sent back a Z1012 into Precision for repair of an LCD smearing issue. They did major repairs on this cam which was supposed to be new BUT they did not repair the problem hahahaha

Anyway to reach you via email or phone. I am tired of always being told by Kodak service that they are sorry for my inconvenience and nothing gets done.

Cheers one way or the other.

Gary N W

It says the Database won't connect and I dont' understand that since I can go anywhere online.
--
Melissa - aka Mustang_fan and Catz
PBASE Supporter