Kodak Pixpro FZ55 vs Kodak Pixpro FZ45

The Kodak FZ55 and Kodak FZ45 are very similar compact cameras with a 16MP sensor, but which one can take better pictures?

In this comparison, I will go through their advantages, sample images, and help you figure out which one is the overall winner for your exact needs.

If you’re in a hurry, the advantages below are all you need to make the final decision.

Now, let’s see which features and advantages are actually important for your specific needs and which ones only sound good on paper.

Kodak FZ55 vs Kodak FZ45: Detailed Comparison

🔭 1. Optical Zoom

• Kodak FZ55: 5x optical zoom (28-140mm)
• Kodak FZ45: 4x optical zoom (27-108mm)
• Winner: FZ55 🏆

The Kodak FZ55 offers a lot more zoom, which makes it better for subjects that are far away.

5x optical zoom is great for traveling, concerts, animals and sports.

But remember! Optical zoom is better than digital zoom!

Both cameras offer 6x digital zoom, but that’s the same as if you zoomed in the image on your phone. It degrades the image quality, and while it’s still a helpful tool, you should always pay attention to the optical zoom.

Optical zoom refers to built-in lenses that were carefully designed for a specific zoom amount (also known as the focal length).

It’s like with smartphones that nowadays feature an ultra-wide (0.5x), a normal (1x) and a telephoto (3x) zoom. Image quality will always be better if you are using those values, rather than digitally zooming in between them.

The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 still offers plenty of zoom to make it a great choice for traveling, daily casual photography, events and most scenarios.

📺 2. Image Quality

• Kodak FZ55: ✔️
• Kodak FZ45: ✔️
• Winner: Tie

Both Kodak Pixpro cameras use the same imaging sensor with an identical amount of megapixels; 16.3MP.

Therefore, the image quality and any effect will look absolutely the same. They also have the same Digital Stabilization technology to help you get clearer images with less blur.

🎥 3. Aperture (Image Brightness)

• Kodak FZ55: Between f/3.9 and f/6.3
• Kodak FZ45: Between f/3.0 and f/6.3
• Winner: FZ45 🏆

If you don’t know what aperture is, don’t worry. I will first explain it in simple terms, and then a little bit more “complicated”.

The aperture number basically tells you how bright your images can be when photographing in a dark environment. Like, an indoor party or a birthday event.

Both Kodak FZ55 and FZ45 will perform nearly identical in low-light, but the FZ45 can actually make your dark images appear a little bit brighter! Not enough that it would instantly justify buying it over the FZ55, but there’s still a slight difference.

See those f/3.9 and f/3.0 numbers above? The lower the number, the brighter the image. Since f/3.0 is lower than f/3.9, it means that it can make the image brighter because it brings in more light.

However, this is only true if you do not zoom in!

As soon as you use the zoom (5x or 4x), both cameras will change to an aperture size of f/6.3, so there will be no difference anymore.

So again, this slight advantage of the Kodak FZ45 is only true if you use it at its widest, default zoom. Learning how to use the aperture can help you get more professional images with a blurry background. Here’s my full aperture tutorial for beginners.

📏 4. Dimensions & Weight

• Kodak FZ55: 106g
• Kodak FZ45: 117g
• Winner: FZ55 🏆

There’s a very small weight difference between the FZ55 and FZ45, but the FZ55 manages to weigh 11g less. Not bad for a camera with more zoom!

• Kodak FZ55: 91.5 x 56.5 x 22.9mm
• Kodak FZ45: 93.0 x 60.2 x 28.7mm
• Winner: FZ55 🏆

Again, the Kodak FZ55 is a tad narrower and smaller. Both cameras are extremely lightweight and great travel companions.

📹 5. Video Recording

• Kodak FZ55: Full HD at 30fps, SD at 120fps
• Kodak FZ45: Full HD at 30fps, SD at 120fps
• Winner: Tie

The Kodak FZ55 and Kodak FZ45 can record Full HD videos at 30fps, HD videos at either 60 or 30fps, and SD at 120fps for some cool slow motion shots.

🔋 6. Battery

• Kodak FZ55: 200 photos (1h30min of video)
• Kodak FZ45: 120 photos (1 hour of video)
• Winner: FZ55 🏆

The Kodak FZ55 has a 40% longer battery life, which is a big deal if you plan on traveling a lot.

With a 200 photos battery life, this could last between an hour or a whole day, depending on how often you use it.

The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 features 2xAA batteries, so it at least helps that you can simply swap them out for new ones and get back to shooting. However, if you’re not always carrying rechargeable AA batteries with you, the cost can add up pretty quickly.

Personally, I’d recommend you to go with the Kodak FZ55 if you plan on doing a lot of photography and are trying to take this more seriously.

💲 7. Price

• Kodak FZ55: $119
• Kodak FZ45: $99
• Winner: FZ45 🏆

The Kodak FZ45 costs around $20 less, but both cameras are often on sale and have more similar prices. The price also depends on what color model you choose.

There are no other differences between these 2 cameras, everything else is identical.

Again, the more expensive Kodak FZ55 gets you even longer zoom, rechargeable batteries and 40% longer battery life. If you’re going to use your camera more than once a month, I’d recommend getting the Kodak FZ55.

Kodak FZ55 vs Kodak FZ45: Photography Type

From 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.