Kodak Zi8 reviewed, compared to Flip MinoHD

Chad Sapieha at Globetechnology.com said:

The popular Flip camcorder might have been the device that brought pocket-sized point ‘n' shoot video cameras into the limelight, but it's now facing some stiff competition from the Zi8, a snappy little HD recorder from Kodak which, if it could speak, would probably say “everything you can do I can do better.”

Kodak Zi8 Specs

Sensor type	1 / 2.5-type 5 MP CMOS
Lens	6.3 mm, f/2.8, fixed focus 35 mm equivalent: 61 mm (1080p), 46 mm (720p/60 fps, 720p, WVGA), 42 mm (still)
Zoom	4X digital
Display size	2.5 in.
Storage	128 MB internal memory[1], SD/SDHC card expansion slot
Focus modes	normal, macro
Focus range	normal: 100 cm–infinity macro: 15 cm
White balance	auto
File formats	video: H.264 (MOV), AAC LC still: JPEG
Capture mode	1080p (1920 × 1080, 30 fps) 720p/60 fps (1280 × 720, 60 fps) 720p (1280 × 720, 30 fps) WVGA (848 × 480, 30 fps) Still (5.3 MP, 16:9 widescreen, interpolated)
Microphone	yes (monoaural)
Speaker	yes
I/O interface	USB 2.0 (high speed), AV out, HDMI, DC in, external microphone jack (support stereo)
Tripod mount	1/4 in. standard
Power	KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7004, AC adapter
Dimensions	2.4 × 4.5 × 0.9 in.
Weight	110 g (3.9 oz) without batteries

Buy a Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera (Black) NEWEST MODEL


Flip MinoHD Specs

Internal Memory:	4GB (60 minutes)
Screen Size:	1.5” (transflective TFT)
Screen Resolution:	528 x 132 pixels
Video Resolution:	1280 x 720
Frame Rate:	30 frames per second (constant frame rate, progressive scan)
Video Bitrate:	9.0Mbps (average - auto adaptive algorithm)
Video Format:	H.264 video compression, AAC audio compression, saves as MP4 file
Lens Type:	Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity)
Aperture:	f/2.4 (fast lens for great results in low-light environments)
Zoom:	Smooth multi-step 2x digital
Interface:	8 Touch-Sensitive Capacitive Buttons (Power, Play, Delete, Record and 4 way navigation)
Dimensions:	3.94” x 1.97” x 0.63” (H x W x D)
PC Connection:	Built-in flip-out USB arm (up to 2.0 USB speed)
TV Out:	Composite Video (cable included)
Battery Life:	Rechargeable lithium ion battery, charges on both USB and Flip Video power adapter (buy now).
Tripod Mount:	Yes
Operating Systems:	Windows XP, Windows Vista
	Mac OSX

Buy a Flip MinoHD Camcorder 2nd Generation, 120 Minutes (Brushed Metal) NEWEST MODEL


Via theglobeandmail.com

Kodak ZI8 HD Camcorder reviewed

Kodak's Zi8 high-definition pocket camcorder ($180 as of 9/14/2009) is the superpowered follow-up to the company's cult-favorite Zi6 model. It's also the most full-featured pocket-size camcorder we've seen, thanks to three unique features: the ability to record 1080p full-HD video, digital image stabilization, and a microphone-in jack that lets you use standard headphones or earbuds as an external mic.

Buy a Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera (Aqua)

The Zi8 also serves up a range of shooting options. In addition to the 1080p setting (1920-by-1080 videos recorded as .mov files at 30 frames per second), you can also capture images in a number of resolutions and frame-rate counts: 720p at 60 fps, 720p at 30 fps, 848-by-480 standard-definition WVGA video, and 5-megapixel still photos. That's a wider range of options than some full-size camcorders offer, let alone most pocketable devices.

Read the full review at PCWorld

Kodak Zi8 coming this fall

Kodak's new HD pocket camcorder is very slick, and it offers a few features that are rarities in this genre. Most pocket HD camcorders can capture video at 1280-by-720 at 30 progressive frames per second, aka 720p30. The Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera can double the frame rate by capturing 720p60 as well as bump up the resolution to capture 1920-by-1080 at 30 progressive frames per second, aka 1080p30.

The Zi8 also offers electronic image stabilization, a rarity among pocket camcorders. This type of stabilization reduces jerky video via onboard software that automatically adjusts the video while recording. More expensive camcorders and cameras use optical or mechanical image stabilization, which is more desirable but more expensive, but this stabilization physically adjusts the lens or image sensor to combat jerky movements.

Even though the digital stabilization isn't as good as optical or mechanical, digital stabilization is better than no stabilization.

Other highlights of the Zi8 include:

-2.5 inch LCD
-Face tracking
-Mini-HDMI out (cable included)
-Swing-out USB port
-Rechargeable Lithium Ion battery
-Charging over USB

Buy a 8GB Patriot SDHC Memory Card For KODAK HD Pocket Camcorder Zi6. High Speed, class 6 with life time warranty.

Via PCMag.com