Kodak Zi8 impressions: surprising functionality, but it's still a pocket camcorder

We've been messing around with Kodak's latest pocket camcorder, the Zi8, and find the shooter to be an interesting hybrid. With a flip-out USB plug, HDMI out and an easily accessible SD card slot, this is clearly a "premium" mix of features for the class, but the $180 pricetag keeps the device firmly grounded in Walmart-friendly reality. Other odd perks like a line-in jack and 1080p have us scratching our heads -- but in a good way. Overall, we'd feel pretty comfortable saying the footage is about the best you can obtain at this pricepoint. Colors are great, the image stabilization isn't a gimmick (sorry, Flip), and if you squint hard enough you can almost believe the 1080p is 1080p. Still, the camera is hampered by its cheap approach to processing and compressing the footage it's taking in -- despite its limitations, we'd say the iPhone 3GS is besting most cheap pocket camcorders on this front, motion just looks much more fluid. But don't take our word for it, check out a couple of video samples after the break.

Kodak's 1080p Zi8 HD pocket camcorder in hand

1080p, 30fps (encoded by YouTube)


720p, 60fps (slowed down to 30fps and exported by iMovie, encoded by YouTube)

[Wwhat Posted Aug 5th 2009 5:10PM]

Well truth be told gizmodo has their own favourites that they boost a bit, and engadget is still called a blog not an 'independent audit' or something.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 5th 2009 8:49PM]

What is the Photo/Still Resolution? All of these new little HD things have under 2MP Res. So silly to carry this, your phone, and a still cam. Anyone no the photo/still res???

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 15th 2009 7:28AM]

From spec Kodak Zi8 can capture 5MP (Samsung HMX-U10, yet another flip type of DV can even do 10MP)

[butcherchop Posted Aug 7th 2009 2:55AM]

great gizmodo review. far better there than here.

[ryanisnan Posted Aug 7th 2009 2:11PM]

"Kodak Zi8 impressions: surprising functionality, but it's still a pocket camcorder" -- Em, that's what it's exactly marketed as - a pocket camcorder. Comparing it with an iPhone? Let's stay on point, shall we?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 15th 2009 7:18AM]

I have one Kodak Zx1 and the 720p60 (Kodak called it HD60) video is very sharp and smooth. I took it for most of my kids event and out-door, Neither Vado HD or Flip HD with 720p @ 30 frame per second can match at all. I want to buy one for my brother and really looking forward to this new Kodak product, especially it can do 1080p now can capture nice 5MP still. I can almost use it everyday and forget about my $900 SONY camcorder and SONY DSC I use to keep before...

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 22nd 2009 4:55AM]

We reported Kodak Zi8 in our tech show:

http://www.techconclave.com/episode-11-kodak-zi8-the-pirate-bay-in-the-netherlands-final-fantasy-xiv-microsoft-store-twitter-ddos-and-richard-dows/

And I'm planning to get one when it's available for the show. The specs are good and the camera is handy, plus the price is just fine. My only concern is if its image stabilization is enough to mitigate shaking/blurs.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2009 7:56PM]

Where can I buy one in a store? I've been to Best Buy, PC Richards and Sixth Avenue. I'm in NJ and would like the option to bring it back to the store if it isn't that good.

Thanks!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 2nd 2009 12:17PM]

What a ghey review from a band of gheybots! Why would anyone slow a 60fps video down to 30fps? Furthermore, you Jobs Nut Monkey, you forgot to touch on the most important feature of this Kodak, THE MACRO MODE! The macro mode is second-to-none but who cares about those little bits of information when you're busy tossing pom-poms around for the fruit.
Bottom line 720p=60fps and 1080 is at 30fps.


http://figitalrevolution.com/2009/08/26/kodak-zi8-review-part-2-audio-and-macro-features-in-hd/

http://figitalrevolution.com/2009/08/25/kodak-zi8-review-part-1-video-samples/