Kodak's rugged Zx1 handheld camcorder does 720p in the jungle
By Darren Murph 
posted Jan 4th 2009 2:13PM
posted Jan 4th 2009 2:13PM
Rugged new KODAK Digital Video Camera enables on-the-go HD video capture
Never miss a moment with pocketable and weather-resistant video companion
Rochester, NY, January 8, 2009 - Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today introduced the new KODAK's Digital Video Camera, a compact and rugged digital device that enables "go-anywhere" High Definition recording.
The Zx1 allows users to shoot and share high-quality video quickly and simply, with 720p HD video capture – at 60 or 30 fps – a vibrant 2.0-inch LCD screen, and built-in software for easy editing and sharing of content to YouTube™ and other social media and networking websites.
"More than ever, people want to capture moments on the go and quickly and easily share them," says John Blake, General Manager Digital Capture and Devices, Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "The Zx1 is a fun and interactive way to engage in this kind of storytelling – it's both small and smart, and enables people to record virtually anything, virtually anywhere, and then quickly upload content to video-sharing and social networking websites."
The KODAK Zx1 Digital Video Camera is designed to meet these needs at the touch of a button -- no lens cap, dials to turn or settings to adjust. The new camera's advanced feature set includes:
• Pocketable 720p HD video capture at 60 fps
• Weather-resistant design that stands up to splashes, dirt and more – IP43 certified;
• High-quality video capture in bright light or low light - from the beach, to the nightclub;
• Easy editing, personalization, and uploading to YouTube or other Internet sites with built-in video software, ArcSoft Media Impressions for Kodak;
• Expandable SD/SDHC Card slot for memory cards up to 32 GB, that can record up to 10 hours of HD video*;
• Easy HDTV playback with included HDMI cable;
• Sensitive, low distortion microphone that provides crisp, clear audio;
• Pre-charged AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and battery charger included, saving money and avoiding waste from used batteries;
• Vibrant 2.0" LCD;
• Available in five colors: black, red, pink, blue and yellow**;
• Remote control compatible (remote control sold separately).
Uploading to YouTube
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community, and the Kodak and YouTube relationship enables consumers to quickly and easily upload videos to YouTube from the simple and powerful video editing software that comes with the camera.
Accessories
A range of accessories are available for the KODAK Zx1 Digital Video Camera, including:
• KODAK SDHC Memory Cards, available in 4, 8 and 16GB capacities customized for optimal video capture;
• KODAK Adventure Mount for helmet, handlebars and more;
• KODAK Flexi-tripods;
• KODAK cases, camera bags and neck straps;
• Remote control;
• Battery options include AA, CRV3, and KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-8000.
Pricing and Availability
The KODAK Zx1 Digital Video Camera will be available from April 2009, and retail for US$149.95 MSRP.
*Record approximately 20 minutes per 1GB at HD 30fps.
** Color availability may vary.
About Kodak
As the world's foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.
To learn more, visit the newly redesigned http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.
More than 70 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery --join for free today at www.kodakgallery.com
Not bad.
its "weather resistant" cause its made almost entirely of plastic.
My question is, what about those metal connectors on the side? do they have a cover to protect from rust?
i doubt people looking for a $150 HD camcorder really care if it is plastic
I've never seen copper rust.
Oh, yea, IP-43 means that it can survive being in a light rain, but not submersible.
Um statue of liberty.
Tarnish =/= rust.
"Weather resistant" usually means that there are rubber seals to protect the sensitive electronics inside. Without these a plastic body alone isn't going to offer much defense from the elements.
The Statue of Liberty is not "rusting".
rust
Noun
1. Any of the various reddish-brown oxides of iron that form on iron and many of its alloys when they are exposed to oxygen in the presence of moisture.
Actually....
"2. Any of various metallic coatings, especially oxides, formed by corrosion."
This definition certainly could apply to the Statue of Liberty.
I'm drowning in Photography news.
Were consumers clamoring for "a Zi6 with a tougher housing?"
Hopefully this isn't their way of succeeding the Zi6 (probably to soon), because I'd expect them to address
1) the dropped frames in low light at higher resolutions and
2) image stabilization (although I'm starting to wonder if it's either too expensive a feature to build into a camera of this price range or just not feasible in this form factor.)
Ok the good thing of this over the Zi6 is the HDMI output.
That is why I will buy it over the Zi6 AND the fact the video rocks over the flip mino hd and the creative vado hd (go to vimeo if you don't believe). Vado looks like fujifilm (too bright and colorful) and Kodak is softer and warmer like its film. I shoot people and landscapes. Not parrots.
But who I'll really buy from is the manufacturer that gets it in their head that I want image stabilization in a pocket camcorder.
I mean rugged I guess is great if Im shooting Niagra Falls up close. But then what? People are shooting a lot of video in the rain? (ok, MAYBE snow)
IMAGE STABILIZATION YOU CAMCORDER MAKERS!
predecessor? don't you mean successor?
Immediately what I thought too xD
Maybe the story was written by Benjamin Button. Curious, eh?
Nice! I may get one, I was looking for a cheap HD camcorder
test
No example clips?
Getting crowded at the top in the pocket HD cams.
This ZX1 has a few strong points over the current leader IMO (Vado HD).
Expandable memory via SDHC cards.
60fps at 720p
Ruggedness (whatever that means).
The memory expansion and the 60fps are the 2 most requested features when it comes to making the Vado HD even more perfect.
Some may wonder why I say Vado HD is the best. The next competitor, the Mino HD, has a smaller LCD screen (not that critical), no HDMI out, has less memory than Vado HD, and last but not least the lens is nowhere near as wide as the Vado HD.
My guess is that they will not release a Mino HD with HDMI, wide angle lens, more memory, 60fps.
They will instead wait for the feature that that "Joe Consumer" sees as a big deal, HD 1080.
If this new ZX1 can put out some nice low light capabilities and a wide angle lens it will be a good contender to take the crown from Vado HD.
I think that even though there are several features which are missing from Mino HD (HDMI, wide angle lens, more memory, 60fps) this does not mean an upgrade is around the corner.
Pure Digital seems to judge the need for a new product based on physical size and video quality (SD, 720, 1080).
You should peek at the Zi6. Specs are pretty much the same, roughly the same price.
Is that "vibrant 2.0-inch LCD screen" widescreen format for the 720p? Sure doesn't look like it.
OMG your stupid
He's not stupid at all. It definitely doesn't look widescreen.
I have the Zi6 (for now) - the screen is a bit more square than 16:9, and is used for icons above and below the video preview or playback content.
Mr Murph is real busy today, 3 stories about these Kodaks in the span of less than 3 hours
wow, and the last 11 stories on engadget are his
Murph is the only one to post on Sundays that why they are all his.
did not know that
what in the heck is IP43 certified? I can't find anything about it via Google. I was thinking this is a must purchase until I find something like this that is totally made up. JUNK! Fire the marketer that wrote the copy for this.
http://www.cyberd.co.uk/support/technotes/en60529iec529ipr.htm
"Beefed-up predecessor"
Nice oxymoron :)
not an oxymoron. manufacturers can theoretically strip features when they build successors in order to cut costs and eliminate features they think customers don't need. look no further than the the irivers of the past. after the ifp790 they took the line-in recording out of the next model (or models, I stopped shopping with them after they did)
but yeah, successors is the ideal word
Firstly, that was half a joke.
Secondly, even if manufacturer's strip features in a successor, how does that make it a predecessor? You can perhaps only call it a predecessor if the main feature has been changed for the worst. If for example, the Kodak Zi6 did 1080P, and the Zxi does only 720p, then MAYBE you can call the Zxi a predecessor. And even then it would be dodgy
akshat by definition, a successor is the next edition of a prior model, like the iphone 3g is the successor to the iphone. it has to do with its place in a timeline and nothing else. a predecessor cannot come out AFTER, look at the prefix "pre-". there is nothing dodgy about it; you're interpreting the word improperly
@ Dannyry
I think you're totally misinterpreting what I'm saying. You first claim it can theoretically be a predecessor if they strip features, and then point me to the prefix "pre" and say it can't be a predecessor. Decide.
All im saying is that "beefed-up predecessor" makes no sense 'cause if they are adding more features and releasing it later, it has to be a successor. I think the usage is a mistake in this article.
i think u misinterpreted what i was saying as well. i was criticizing your usage of the word "oxymoron". Because in this day and age most successors are in fact "beefed up" versions of their predecessors, i was simply pointing out that it was not impossible for a successor to have lesser features than the predecessor. I was not saying that the definition of a predecessor was something with less features. we r wasting too much time with this. engadget was wrong in the end and thats all that matters.
I believe the wrong word was used. This new Kodak device is the successor to the old one not the predecessor. In the first line of the article it says we are seeing its beefed up predecessor which doesnt quite make sense. Surely we are seeing its beefed up successor. Any one else agree?
i agree yas.
I would like to see AF in this camera...
I picked up the Z1285 a few days ago for HD video ... I might return it and wait for this to come out. Too bad it's so far away!
would b nice for trackdays... i hate buying $500+ camcorders...
wtf i just ordered a Zi6 from amazon about 3 hours ago
I like the design better then Creative's
I would like to se these pocket videocams compared to decide which one is the best.
My recently drawned Flip Mino did'nt really impress me, actually was not better than the videocam of my Samsung Omnia and I'm not in a hurry to buy a replacement, unless one of them will manage to seduce me.
Sounds wonderful except kodak digital products suck. Those easy share cams are horrible, and i got a digital picture frame made by kodak thats horrible as well
Nice but IP43 is not extremely rugged or resistant to weather, would rather see someone go the extra mile and do something to IP54 or even IP64, or the ultimate IP67
Having an SD slot is definitely a plus. However, more and more regular digital cameras can shoot video in HD, plus they have optical zoom and can take great pictures, and IMO those digicams are much better value than this.
the last more stories on engadget are his
http://www.buycheapnow.co.uk/canon-digital-ixus-80-camera/
Note that the zx1 apparently does *not* have a macro mode! This is a feature that really has separated the zi6 from other comparable devices at a similar price point. For many people, this is a major omission.