With The Kodak ZI8 HD Camcorder you can record up to 1080p HD resolution in a slim portable video camera. Priced competitively under $200, it positions itself as a direct rival to the Flip Video family of mini camcorders.
When it comes to the various features the Kodak ZI8 HD gives a fun user experience. It provides two modes of standard video capture at 30 fps: WVGA (848 x 480) and 720p (1280 x 720). A 60 fps mode in 720p is also furnished which is very useful for catching fast-moving action. The featured video capture mode of course is the HD mode which offers the 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution at 30 fps. The 1080p/30fps mode creates beautiful sharp, clear video but it requires a greater amount of memory using up to 150MB per minute of 1080p video.
Still capture is built into the camcorder allowing the Kodak ZI8 HD to take five megapixel photographs. A 4X digital zoom feature is provided for all of the video capture modes as well as the still capture mode; unfortunately, it sometimes can create rather jerky motion blurs when used in any of the video modes. The Kodak camcorder uses an anti-blur mode that can help stop video jerkiness.
The ZI8 only has 128MB of memory which is not much so you will have to purchase an SD card to store videos. The ZI8 is able to accommodate up to a 32GB SD card which will be able to hold a generous amount of video recording time. The Zi8 has an anti-blur feature called image stabilization which will cut blurring due to hand shake.
The Sound quality with the internal microphone is superb with crisp sound especially with little irrelevant background noise. When recording outdoors or when background noise is pervasive the sound quality does suffer, but it remains fair. In noisy situations the Kodak Zi8 has a built-in external microphone jack that enables a lapel type or hand held microphone to be plugged into the camcorder. Many camcorders especially the flip type or pocket camcorder does not offer this feature and it is a terrific addition to the Zi8.
The review would not be complete without touching upon how compact and small the Kodak Zi8 HD camcorder really is. At a just under an inch thick, measuring 2.4 inches wide by 4.5 inches long and weighing 4.8 ounces it is one of the slickest and lightest pocket camcorders being sold. In order to obtain this degree of portability the unit uses a low-profile lithium-ion battery as opposed to rechargeable AA batteries.
The Kodak ZI8 HD Camcorder should be seen as a very good value for the price. The HD camcorder offers brilliant 1080p resolution. It is very compact which makes it effortless to carry in pocket or purse and use at a moments notice. Unlike many of its competitors it offers an external microphone jack that will allow better sound quality especially when professional quality sound is required. Including composite and HDMI cables with the unit is also a nice touch, saving buyers of this camcorder the added time and expense involved in buying those accessories individually. About the only negatives is the haphazard performance of its 4X digital zoom and the fact that its bundled image software is not compatible with the Mac. Aside from that, it would seem to be an affordable and well performing pocket camcorder.
