The Flip mini HD camcorder models have been reining the pocket camcorder market for a long time now. All this is set to change with the new Kodak Zi8 HD camcorder. Many tech gurus from leading tech publications agree that the new Kodak Zi8 matches up to (if not surpass) the video quality and features of Flip camcorders.
The new Kodak Zi8 is of course, very compact measuring at just 2.4 x 0.9 x 4.4 inches in dimensions. It also weighs just 3.9 ounces. It is capable of recording HD videos at up to 1080p in quality. This model has a 5MP camcorder sensor, 4x of digital zoom and 128MB of built in memory. Then there is the 2.5-inch LCD display that was great for previewing and reviewing your video shoots. Like the Flip camcorders, it also has a flip out USB arm to connect to any external devices. It comes in three colors, namely, blue, black and raspberry,
Besides recording 1080p HD videos, the Kodak Zi8 is also capable to taking 5MP still photos, 720p HD and WVGA videos, making it an extremely versatile camcorder. The controls on this model were very easy to use and the 2.5-inch display was very sharp and vibrant. It even has a built in speakers that was quite sufficient for previewing your videos.
One of the biggest problems with mini HD camcorders was jittery-shakes while recording. The Kodak Zi8 comes with electronic image stabilization that helps in creating steady shots. The 1080p videos recorded on this camera was very impressive, considering its size and price. They had very accurate colors and were very sharp. It even has a great macro mode that enables you to focus on subjects that are very close to the camera. The still photos taken were also very decent. All in all, the Kodak Zi8 sports a lot of upgrades whether it is in terms of design, features or performance. To date, it is easily one of the best pocket HD camcorders in the market. Best of all, it also has an irresistible price tag. At the time of writing, it is retailing at just around $159 per unit.
