Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera - Black

 

 

Create your own review

Firstly let me be completely honest. I was not supposed to be reviewing this product. When I started looking for a simple HD video camera, I started with the flip as I was convinced that this is what I would eventually buy. I had not even considered how crowded the market had become or the variety of alternatives available to me through websites such as Amazon.

I admit that prior to my search here on Amazon, I wasn't even aware of the flip's spec. When I did look however, I found myself reading reviews of poor video quality, poor audio etc etc. I was disappointed, even though I recognised that the quality produced by these video cameras would not be up to the standard of full camcorders. The Flip Ultra HD was even worse, promising 'ultra' quality, yet only to the same 720p format.

So I started looking at alternatives including the Samsung U10 and Kodak Zi8, both of which make use of SD cards which provide greater flexibility than the internal memory of the flip.

Let me take you through some of the features of the Kodak Zi8;

So I ordered the Kodak and it arrived yesterday. It is around the size of a blackberry, with a nice 2.5" screen. In my opinion at least this definitely makes filming easier. The unit itself is light, and can easily fit in your pocket, however, it is something of a fingerprint magnet.

The audio quality without an external microphone is acceptable, with one better, and video quality in low light conditions is on par for the money that you pay. To ensure the best results you should, as professionals do, concentrate on lighting your subject in effectively. The options to record in WVGA, 720p, 720p 60f/s and 1080p is very useful.

The user interface was simply and intuitive. Simply power on and press the red button to start filming. It is that easy. Furthermore, the software that comes with the Kodak is very easy to use and quick to install. The software allows so called 'one touch' uploads to YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo. These options and a further one to import media are displayed in a strip down the left hand side. Connecting the camera to the computer is a breeze. My laptop has a built in card reader so it is just as easy to slot in the SD card than use the USB arm. The fold out USB arm, found on most of the models in this market, is flexible on the Kodak rather than rigid on the flip. In my opinion I prefer this, but some reviews I have read online have suggested that the Kodak's arm may not be a durable as the flip's for this reason.

The first problem I had was with the jumpy zoom I had read about here at Amazon. This is indeed easily fixable with a firmware update from the Kodak website. It is now smooth. The camera comes with intelligent face recognition software and image stabilisation. I think the addition of both of these is a benefit to the Kodak, and in my experience work very well.

The camera does have a rounded bottom that prevents it standing on it's own, but does have a tripod mount. This mount is plastic in contrast to the flip's which is metal.

The 5MP camera will not replace a standalone digital camera that you might have but it may prove to be a useful alternative from time to time, overall the quality from the camera is good.

The camera comes with a variety of cables and leads, including an HDMI to connect your camera to the tv.

Overall, if you do want a camera that allows greater flexibility than the flip with regards to audio and memory storage then the Kodak is a very competitive alternative. The large screen is definitely helpful and built in software to stabilise images does give results. Kodak have already improved on this product by issuing firmware that improves the quality of the zoom.

The last camera I bought from Kodak was an instamatic way back in the early 1970s and that was my first "real" camera if you can call a plastic fixed lens camera with a disposable cube flash a real camera. Anyway I have never ever been tempted to buy a Kodak camera since. That was until this little gem arrived.

This is a High Definition (HD) video camera which does 1080p video - better than my Nikon D90 which only does 720p. The batteries are rechargeable and come out of the camera so no problem with buying spares but on a downside first time I used the video it lasted barely 1 hours of continued recording of a local youth football match. Looking on-line batteries are cheap enough and I have learned always to carry at least one spare. On the upside it fits easily in my pocket.

The unit is beautiful. Shiny black gloss finish and what I love most is that to download you can use the flash usb connector straight into your computer or link it to your TV. Brilliant for the price! Now what I love most is that it's MAC friendly!!! Load up, plug in to your MacBook and in no time you have a Quicktime movie.

I shot video behind the goal on a tripod and it worked well. At least this model does have a tripod screw bush. Saying that the camera needs a tripod as due to design it will not stand up itself. No doubt designed for the on the move, no tripod, sort of user. Thats cool and its priced to suit but it would have been great to have a level bottom to allow the camera to stand alone.

The great thing about this video camera is that can shoot at 1080p which I assume is 24 frames a second or switch to 780p at 60 frames a second. No sure when I would need the 780p when the better quality 1080p is available but its there.

There isn't much I didn't like about the camera but I would say that it has mono sound and stereo would be better. It does, however have a jack plug for an external microphone, but strangely no jack for headphones so its not easy to check if the sound is good on the recording until you watch it on your computer. My zoom was also a bit jerky but maybe that is just me needing to get used to it more.

On the storage front the camera can hold up to 32 gb sd cards. Thats a lot of recording time but you will need those additional batteries to get the best of that facility.
I really can't believe that this camera is either from Kodak and it is mega value. No more video cameras with tapes or disks, this is the way to go.

I do minor video work, and am by no means have professional knowledge of all cameras. I've been using the zi8 all day to film a small project, and I have to say it has done a pretty good job. It is much better than the previous zi6 model, but isn't without a few minor issues.

Comparing them side by side right now, the zi8 records and displays colours much better, where as the zi6 isn't as sharp and has a slight blue tint to it. However neither of these cameras perform great in low lighting. The best feature about the zi8 is the fact you can plug in an external microphone, so you can record crystal clear sound, even though the built in mic is reasonable quality. Also the zi8 will play back sound in its preview mode. One thing the zi6 does better is smooth zooming, whereas the zi8 zooms in block segments. The way the USB connection flicks out on the zi6 is much more slick, than the rubbery styled flick attachment on the zi8, but both do the job fine.

Both cameras are similar size and are great for just carrying around on the go in your pocket. Although I didn't receive any cloth pouch to put my zi8 in, so I would recommend buying one of those to protect the screen & lens. I prefer the rechargeable battery in the zi8, but if it runs out on the go you can't easily replace, unlike with the zi6.

The only thing missing from both these cameras is a flash/light. The zoom feature could also be improved.

***Edit***
The firmware for this product has been update, and the zoom is now smoother. Please read comments for more info.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 169 customer reviews...

 

4.0 out of 5 stars top marks for kodak
Purchased for my daughter a few yrs back and item is still as good today after 3 yrs of constant use. HD video is Amazing, vibrant colors. Read more

Published 11 days ago by steve

3.0 out of 5 stars Great camera but problems after less than a year
This has been a great pocket video camera, but after about 9 or 10 months, it started shuting down after it had only been on for a few minutes or seconds even. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Phillip Hill

3.0 out of 5 stars Kodak camcorder
It appeared to be a good simple product, however, it could not be recharged. I returned it to the reseller who promptly refunded the money paid for it, as I had lost confidence in... Read more

Published 4 months ago by M. Brownbridge

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Value of money
Its Stunning quality only in daylight, If you are looking to record anything at night time, Then forget this camera. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Fredy

5.0 out of 5 stars I use it for business, very impressed
I heard about this item while researching a video to use for creating webinars for my clients. It really does a great job, with no complaints I recommend it for both leisure and... Read more

Published 7 months ago by J. Sylvian

5.0 out of 5 stars Really impressive camera
We bought a pocket camera because we found that even though we already owned a camcorder we werent using it mainly due to its bulkyness the battery going flat and having to buy... Read more

Published 8 months ago by davyt76

5.0 out of 5 stars Kodal Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera
I purchased this as a surprise present for my husband for our Anniversary, and as we were going to Scotland for a week and thought it would be handy for him to carry around in his... Read more

Published 8 months ago by C. Bleasdale

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed!
Its OK but not brilliant. In fact, I am rather disappointed. Perhaps I should have invested a little more and bought a better product. It needs good light to be effective. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Cuckoo

5.0 out of 5 stars very happy;)
Kodak Zi8 HD is one of the best HD camcorder in its class. Only problem i found in this tiny cam, its a zoom function, a digital zoom is very grainy and jerky so i decided not to... Read more

Published 9 months ago by Khalid Khan

4.0 out of 5 stars Ideal
Does what it should,brilliant quality in good light a bit grainy in poor light. Better than any of its rivals.

Published 9 months ago by B-man

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 169 customer reviews...

Search Listmania!