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Kodak Zi6 Might Be Best Pocket Camcorder Yet
Posted by Benny Goldman at 2:01 PM on July 10, 2008
Kodak's first entry into the pocket camcorder pool, the Zi6, may be the new king of cams. My lab assistants and I have done more scientific research in the field of cheap-arse camcorders than anyone we can name off the top of our heads. In my expert opinion, this is a winner, ready to unseat Pure Digital's original Flip Ultra. Why? 720p HD video!
Yes, the camera captures video in 60fps 720p HD, the highest quality of any pocket cam so far, and it looked great when I saw it projected on a 40" flat-panel TV. The Zi6 also shoots stills and lower quality VGA video for wannabe YouTubers. Its SDHC slot supports cards up to 32GB—if you can find one—and my favourite sleeper feature is its ability to shoot well in macro focus mode.
It's thicker than the Flip, more like the RCA Small Wonder EZ210, so it has a more sturdy feel. It runs on rechargeable Ni-MH AAs and will also take regular AAs, but I'm told that standard batteries won't last as long. That all makes me skeptical of the battery life altogether.
The unit is $US180, the same price as the new Flip Mino, and it has much more functionality, and so far a better look and feel. Mark me down for one of these (in black, not pink, pictured below) when they arrive in September, so I can round up some lab assistants and put it through the paces.
Here's the press release:
Zi6 Pocket Video Camera Unveiled, Boasting HD Video Capture and Instant Uploading to YouTube™
ROCHESTER, NY, July 10 -- Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today announced its entry into the fast-growing pocket digital video camera market with the KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera. This stylish HD video camera makes it fun and simple to shoot and share high-quality videos in moments, thanks to 720p HD video capture, a large 2.4-inch LCD screen, and easy-to-use software.
"Today's connected consumers increasingly turn to video to express themselves and connect with others. The KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera satisfies their thirst for an HD video camera that is simple to use and can go anywhere life takes them," said John Blake, General Manager Digital Capture and Devices, Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "With the launch of the Zi6 Pocket Video Camera, consumers now have a high-quality solution from the trusted brand in digital imaging."
With the exploding popularity of video sharing sites such as YouTube, the demand for easy to use video devices is also growing rapidly. At the same time, the expanding penetration of HDTVs is driving consumer demand for HD quality personal content.
The KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera is designed to meet these needs at the touch of a button — no lens cap, dials to turn or settings to adjust.
A range of advanced features enables consumers to:
Capture video in HD quality on this fun and super simple pocket video camera (720p at 60 fps with 16:9 aspect ratio).
Upload your videos to YouTube quickly and easily using the built-in USB and software.
Record hours of video with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB.
Experience your videos on HDTV in stunning HD quality with included cables.
Edit videos, add pictures and music, and share your creation anywhere with the included video software CD.
Go green with included pre-charged AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and battery charger.
Watch videos on the vibrant 2.4" LCD screen.
Catch the highlights with slow motion playback right in the palm of your hand.Uploading to YouTube
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community. The Kodak and YouTube relationship will enable consumers to quickly and easily upload videos to YouTube directly from the Zi6 Pocket Video Camera, or from the included simple and powerful video editing software (ARCSOFT MEDIAIMPRESSIONS for Kodak).Accessories
A range of accessories will be available for the KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera:KODAK 2GB and 4GB High Performance memory cards
1-hour battery charger with 4 AA pre-charged Ni-MH batteries
KODAK tripods
KODAK camera bagsPricing and Availability
The KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera will be available from late September 2008, retailing for US$179.95 MSRP.
[Kodak]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Davyo
Posted July 15, 2008 8:20 PM
As an owner of two Flip Ultras and one RCA Small Wonder EZ200 (the RCA EZ200 sucks) these companys better get on the ball really really fast and put something out that will be even able to compete with the new Kodak Vi6.
The Kodak is going to blow them all away !!!!!!!!!
Cheers
Davyo
nflsonic
Posted 2:40 PM 10/7/08
Have to represent Rochester, NY! Although the image of Kodak is not what it used to be, they still have a warm heart here.
I will be glad to own one of these along with my other Kodak digital camera. Plus, it's a great price for an HD camcorder!
nflsonic
coketown
Posted 2:39 PM 10/7/08
32 GB? Sensational! I plan on recording myself telling corny/tacky jokes and posting them on YouTube. Did you hear the one about the clock going back four seconds?
Aside from that, my only hope is that it has good low-light performance. The only thing I record (besides my jokes and my turtles eating their food) are concerts.
coketown
mdawg4624
Posted 2:37 PM 10/7/08
but iJustine uses the flip mino......... =( I already had my mind made up.......
mdawg4624
socioecoboy
Posted 2:30 PM 10/7/08
This is awesome!
socioecoboy
athingunique
Posted 2:12 PM 10/7/08
I don't see why you li-ooooh. 32gb you say? Get me on that list too!
athingunique
92BuickLeSabre
Posted 2:11 PM 10/7/08
Well then I guess this was the answer I was looking for. Hmmm, can I make it till then with just an iPhone for a camera? What to do?
92BuickLeSabre
r0ckface
Posted 4:02 PM 10/7/08
But how is it in low-light? This is where the flip really shines and Kodak is known for making cameras that require a lot of light. Until I see how it performs in low-light my money is staying in my pocket!
r0ckface
Benny Goldman
Posted 4:46 PM 10/7/08
@r0ckface: Excellent question that I hadn't thought of yet. It'll hopefully be answered very soon, whenever we get to review one.
Benny Goldman
Brian Sexton
Posted 5:07 PM 10/7/08
If it shoots 720P, what's the story with that non-16:9 LCD? Is 720P content letterboxed, cropped, squished, adjustable, or what?
Brian Sexton
jrghoull
Posted 5:52 PM 10/7/08
i have a "pure digital" (thats the name of it) one. works pretty damn well but looks pretty crappy on the tv. while i am certainly happy that it works as well as it does, i just wish it wasnt as grainy as it is. perhaps i'll pull a brian liam and bust it so that i can get this newer, fancier one.
jrghoull
Kevin
Posted 5:36 PM 10/7/08
Freakin finally, a mini cam with an SD slot!! Tell me the cam will record for more than an hour on one charge and I am sold!!!
Kevin
strider_mt2k
Posted 8:16 PM 10/7/08
Macro huh? That's pretty cool.
I was really kinda skeptical about these kinds of cameras, but they are fun to use I'll give 'em that.
Neat stuff!
strider_mt2k
itchytooth
Posted 10:09 PM 10/7/08
That is seriously off the hook, for $179. I can't wait to see reviews.
itchytooth
LoganSix
Posted 10:06 PM 10/7/08
Well, this might just be my birthday present to myself. Only a couple of months to wait.
Of course, there will probably something else out by then.
LoganSix
Ajax
Posted 10:27 PM 10/7/08
Only 128 MB built-in, says their website. No dice. You add a card big enough for an hour of HD footage to it, and the device is over $200. Meanwhile, the Mino is at Amazon for only $150, is available now, and cooler. If you haven't noticed, I'm trying to make myself feel better about my purchase. So leave me alone!
Ajax
ps61318
Posted 10:23 PM 10/7/08
Does it sport any built in memory? Can you charge the batteries in situ or only with an external charger? Do the rechargables come with?
Just trying to figure out TCO.
ps61318
chucklebuck
Posted 11:11 PM 10/7/08
Benny, how's the quality compare to the Aiptek A-HD+? Obviously the Aiptek does 1080p, but aside from that?
chucklebuck
Dook_In_The_Urinal
Posted 11:09 PM 10/7/08
Hmm. Interesting. Usually the consumer stuff released by Kodak is =one step away from a steaming pile of cow dung. Glad to hear they *may* be changing their ways.
Dook_In_The_Urinal
Mushrooms
Posted 11:07 PM 10/7/08
...but will it record Crysis?
Mushrooms
wolfenstein-3d
Posted 11:44 PM 10/7/08
@Mushrooms: Yes, in 720p at 60fps. That's twice the quality as your computer will run it at. Now go banhammer yourself.
wolfenstein-3d
maven2k
Posted 12:09 AM 11/7/08
I just got a Kodak digital camera and I use the video recording function a lot. I don't ever get the old camcorder out any more. This would be a nice point and shoot replacement if it takes good low light without a flash.
maven2k
nikko1221
Posted 12:30 AM 11/7/08
Kodak cam software usually blows extremely hard. I hope this cam isn't locked down to only allow use of the included software. If it does, this product is dead in the water no matter how good the specs are.
The only optimism I have for this is the removable sd card. Now we just have to wait and see if the vid format isn't proprietary (like Kodak has done in the past).
nikko1221
kwvdc
Posted 9:49 PM 10/7/08
interesting ... the Pure Digital is very linmited in memory ... can't record a full basketball or socccer agme .... bad for the soccer moms ... so the Kodak's SDHC card is a real plus .....
Also, the Pure Digital image degrades horribly when zooming .... but this announcement for the Kodak says nothing about zooming .... Pure Digital is also very poor in low light ... and the Kodak ?
If the software permits burning to DVD ( as with AVCHD ) ...for playback on a conmputer, would be a nice plus ... also, playback software should be part of the file "container" ..so if e-mailed to a friend, will playback ....
Does the camera have a tripod mount ?
This could be the first Kodak digital I would consider purchasing ....
kwvdc
markarian
Posted 2:34 AM 11/7/08
@Brian Sexton: Oh, and these little camcorders DO shoot at true HD, it's just that 16:9 LCDs at this size are virtually non-existant, so the viewfinder always ends up being 4:3. You'll see your view letterboxed in the viewfinder when capturing, but it will play back as normal HD on a TV or computer.
The only thing that could make this better than the Aiptek AHD+ or Action HD is if it's encoder chip didn't use a lot of B-frames, which makes the Aiptek files need a room full of Crays to play back if you have an older video card.
markarian
Blastfemur
Posted 2:29 AM 11/7/08
Oooooo... Daddy's gonna get a new camcorder for vacay in Monterey this summer. Excellent.
I have been on the cusp lately on these, but the 720p and the SD slot just pushed me over.
Blastfemur
markarian
Posted 2:29 AM 11/7/08
How is this better than the Aiptek ActionHD?
markarian
MrBlahBlah
Posted 3:03 AM 11/7/08
very cool. except when i film things, i feel like a tool.
benny you are all over these pocket camcorders like a fanboy on steve jobs' nuts.
MrBlahBlah
jbramfeld
Posted 2:59 AM 11/7/08
I give up. How are people storing these videos, in a pile of memory cards? Can you play HD video from a regular DVD, or do we have to wait for Blu-Ray to get real in price?
jbramfeld
Blastfemur
Posted 3:21 AM 11/7/08
@jbramfeld:
I can store them on iTunes and watch them on my AppleTV.
Blastfemur
zed0
Posted 10:23 AM 11/7/08
I guess I will get one of these. Not the pink one though.
zed0
Ariel_Wollinger
Posted 3:01 PM 11/7/08
@Brian Sexton: Maybe a interface menu might use the rest of the space.
Ariel_Wollinger
VideoFanatic
Posted 4:49 AM 11/7/08
This thing rocks! The recorded HD video looks gorgeous played back on my flatscreen. It runs rings around Flip, which only does VGA, and crappy quality at that. So it's great for high quality HD recording, as well as exporting to YouTube format.
VideoFanatic