Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Black)

See Larger Image	List Price: $179.00 Our Price: Too low to display Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer: Eastman Kodak Company Average Customer Rating:


Batteries Included: 1 Battery Description: 1 Lithium-Ion Binding: Electronics Brand: Kodak Color: Black Display Size: 2.5 EAN: 0683728210649 Feature: Record High Definition video (1080p at 30 fps with 16:9 aspect ratio) Is Autographed: 0 Is Memorabilia: 0 Label: Eastman Kodak Company Manufacturer: Eastman Kodak Company Maximum Focal Length: 6.3 Model: 8796062 Publisher: Eastman Kodak Company Studio: Eastman Kodak Company Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features Record High Definition video (1080p at 30 fps with 16:9 aspect ratio) Easily upload recorded footage to YouTube with built-in USB and software Expandable SD/SDHC card slot up to 32 GB; Rechargeable batteries and charger included Vibrant 2.5-inch viewfinder; Watch footage on HDTV with included cables Edit and share videos with included software
Accessories Kodak Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery/KLIC 7004 Corel Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack AmazonBasics Universal Camera Case for Digital Cameras HF (Black) AmazonBasics Quilted Case for Small Electronics Including Cameras, Mobile Phones, GPS Units (Black) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
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Editorial Reviews: Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera Black
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: great for the electronically challenged Comment: My husand purchased a camcorder last year and threw out the manual since he just figures these things out. I would have had trouble even with the manual but now I was totally stumped. I kept reading reviews on the point and shoot camcorders and finally tried the Zi8. It was irrisistable at the price on Amazon. Even I could figure out some things withot the book. SIMPLE controls and buttons. To comprehend this you shold know I really am a moron when it comes to gadgets. I took it to church and recorded a skit for practice. My husband snatched it to put on the computer and was amazed at the quality, especially since it was my first time holding and following movement with a camcorder. Then he said he couldn't believe it had CMOS (huhh??) at that price. He spun it on a Cd and the pastor said it was good enough to put on the internet. Soon he borrowed it and the battery lasted over 70 minutes of steady shooting at a seminar, although it already had some time on it. Now he borrows it frequently and I would bet we will own another one soon. Customer Rating: Summary: Won't Find A Better HD Camcorder For This Price!!! Comment: Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1Q0WSX7Q6U7P5 I've had my Kodak Zi8 for a little over a week now. I am simply amazed at the video quality for such a cheap camcorder. This is my first HD camcorder (except for my T1i DSLR). I searched around for reviews on which pocket HD camcorder to get for a good 3 weeks until I finally decided on the Zi8. I finally decided on the Zi8 for a couple of reasons. 1. External mic opportunity 2. The ability to use my own memory cards (up to 32gb) 3. I thought the picture quality was better than that of the comparable Flip models when watching over 100 different videos The results I have got so far are absolutely wonderful in my opinion. There are a couple of things I suggest you steer clear of. 1. Low light. This isn't a $5,000 camcorder. Like most other "cheaper" camcorders the Zi8 does not like low light at all. It's best to be outdoors or in a well lit room. 2. Don't zoom. The Zi8 only has digital zoom. It does not have optical zoom. When you use the digital zoom you can most definitely notice the picture degrading. There are some things I don't like about the Zi8 or wish it had. For one, the lens is always exposed. This can cause dust, smudge, fingerprints, etc. to get on the lens. If you watch the video I posted you will notice a smudge in the upper right hand corner of the video when the bonfire is going. Since the camera is so portable and easily gets put into your pocket, it's quite easy for it to get dirty. I don't want to carry around a camcorder bag as the whole purpose of getting such a small camcorder was it's portability. With that in mind, I did buy a small neoprene carrying case for it, but it's a little bulky in my pocket now. I just wish there would have been some kind of lens eye that would open and close when in use or not in use. I haven't been able to get the software that is preloaded on the Zi8 to install on my PC. I am running Vista 64-Bit and meet all the requirements listed. Since I already had video editing software loaded on my PC I didn't care too much about it not working. Although from reading other reviews, apparently the software on the Zi8 is absolutely worthless anyway. I would suggest purchasing your own video editing software. As far as the layout of the Zi8. It's extremely easy to use and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how to change the settings. There's really nothing you need to know to make it work better or more efficiently. I pretty much left everything the same as far as the settings. It has the option for "face detection" and "image stabilization" neither of which I believe work that well. There is really no need for these to be on but it doesn't really change anything if you turn them off. Choosing which setting for video is a matter of personal preference. I tinkered around with each and decided to leave it on 720p @ 60/fps. This, in my opinion, gives the smoothest video at the best quality. The 1080p option would be OK if you had the camera mounted on a tripod and were using it for a presentation of some sorts or recording something that didn't have a lot of movement. The 720p 30/fps wasn't too bad. You can notice the video and/or panning isn't quite as smooth. This is why, like stated before, I always keep mine set at 720p 60/fps. The video quality is awesome and when panning, either with a tripod or handheld, it looks smoother than the others. You can see examples of this in the video. The sound on the Zi8 is very sub-par. This is to be expected for a cheaper camcorder. I definitely wasn't expecting great sound recording from the Zi8. It only has mono capabilities, BUT, you can plug in an external mic. I purchased a Sony ECM-DS70p off eBay for around $4. This exact mic sells for around $40-$50 on Amazon. I have yet to test out the mic outside, but inside the sound is vastly improved. Overall, I am extremely happy with the Kodak Zi8. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a well priced HD pocket camcorder. You really can't go wrong with it. Just keep a steady hand and you'll have great results. Customer Rating: Summary: Kodak Zi8 vs. Flip MinoHD Comment: I have both the Kodak Zi8 and Flip MinoHD at work. When buying one for home use, I chose the Kodak Zi8. The image quality is much better. I like the microphone jack on the Kodak as neither of these cameras have great microphones. Image stabilization is better on the Kodak if the zoom is not used. On both cameras, a steady handheld image is nearly impossible when using the zoom. I like the included editing software too. This is such a good product, the shortcomings are really disappointing. To keep the cost down, the Kodak comes with almost no memory. When adding in the cost of buying a memory card, this is a more expensive camera than the Flip. I wish this recorded mp4 instead of Quicktime. The base of the camera is rounded, precluding the possibility of setting this camera on a table while recording - which can be done with the Flip. If you have a laptop with a USB port exactly where the one in the Kodak instructions indicates, then the USB connection on this camera is convenient. Otherwise...I have to prop up my computer, turn my camera upside down, and use other objects to hold the camera in the awaward position needed to connect this camera to my computer. Wish the editing software included some free stock music like the Flip software has. Many of these design flaws seem so obvious, I am hoping Kodak will fix them on a newer model soon. Despite knowing these flaws, I still bought this over the Flip MinoHD. Customer Rating: Summary: kodak Comment: I have used the camera very little so far, but it has been fun. I love the easy to learn directions. It is so easy to use. Customer Rating: Summary: Review: Kodak Zi8, Flipcam HD Digital Camcorder - Good Performer! Comment: Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R30X4IXGPEDFE6 Check out the video for the LONG VERSION, but here is the SHORT VERSION: PROS: * good video quality * easy to use and small * approximately 50 minutes on one battery charge * flexible, flip-out USB connection (unlike rigid flipcam / minoHD version) * HDMI connection * external microphone input / jack * decent on-board audio quality * removable SD memory card * good resolution choices: 1080p, 720p (60fps and 30fps), and WVGA * turns off quick * macro setting easy and on top CONS: * low-light situation induced vertical / purple / red / pink lines in 720p mode * no real control over picture quality - automatic to the extreme * back-side of camera gets hot after extended use * image stabilization is useless * case a bit too flexible and video aberrations noted if manhandled excessively * no LCD to verify good shot framing * record status LED is annoyingly placed, bright, and red * metal strap piece will scratch the case / housing ASSESSMENT: * Buy it now! 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