Kodak Zi8 Wallops Flip With 1080p, Image Stabiliser And SD Slot
Kodak’s almost-glimpsed product tease was indeed a new pocket cam, potentially their best yet. Launching with an MSRP of $US180, it will overpower the Flip Ultra HD with 1080p recording, an electronic image stabilizer, SDHC card slot and other enhancements.
The list of improvements continues: The Zi8 will shoot 5-megapixel stills, track faces of subjects and, according to Kodak, “see more details and accurate colours in low light.” Now that’s something we’re looking forward to seeing, especially since low light seems to be the biggest bane of these Flip-class cameras.
The Flip UltraHD, which isn’t half bad and sells for the same amount, only shoots 720p, has no removable storage, and only earned qualified praise from us.
By contrast, one big reason to have high hopes for the Zi8 is that we already loved its predecessor, the Zi6, though we weren’t terribly impressed with its cheaper weatherproof sibling, the Zx1. [Kodak]
Press Release:
KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera brings sleek style and high-performance to pocket video
Easily shoot and share high-quality 1080p HD video
Rochester, NY, July 29, 2009 – Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today announced an exciting new addition to its popular line of Digital Video Cameras – the KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, featuring a sleek design, high-quality full 1080p High Definition video capture, and built-in electronic image stabilisation.
“Images and video have tremendous power to help us stay connected to family and friends,” says Phil Scott, Worldwide Director of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices and Vice President, Consumer Digital Group. “The KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera makes it easy to spontaneously capture HD video – of heartwarming moments, of ‘can you believe that?’ moments, and of just plain laugh-out-loud moments – and then quickly and easily share them.”
The slim and stylish KODAK Zi8 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. The new camera’s range of advanced features includes:
• Full HD 1080p video capture wherever you go;
• Built-in electronic image stabilisation for sharper videos and reduced blurring;
• Vivid 2.5″ colour LCD;
• Flexible swing-out USB arm for fast uploading, sharing, and charging;
• 5 MP 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures;
• Easy upload to Facebook and YouTube;
• Compatible with PC and Mac operating systems;
• Record up to 10 hours of HD video* with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB;
• Capture family and friends in their best light with smart face tracking technology;
• See more details and accurate colours in low light;
• External microphone jack;
• In-box HDMI cable;
• Record from a distance or playback on your TV conveniently with optional KODAK Pocket Video remote control;
• Grab attention and define your style with the ultra compact design, stunning looks, and a range of colours.Uploading to Facebook and YouTube
The KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera provides one-button upload to Facebook, the premiere social networking and sharing website. Content can also be quickly and easily uploaded to YouTube, the world’s most popular online video community. The built-in software on the camera allows seamless upload of your video and pictures from the same desktop interface used for video editing and movie creation.Accessories
A range of accessories are available for the KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, including:
• KODAK SDHC Memory Cards, available in 4, 8, and 16GB capacities customised for optimal video capture;
• KODAK Pocket Video Remote control;
• KODAK KLIC-7004 Lithium Ion batteries;
• KODAK Flexi-tripod;
• KODAK Adventure Mount for helmet, handlebars and more;
• KODAK cases, camera bags and neck straps.Pricing and Availability
The KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera will be available in aqua, raspberry and black** from September, 2009, and retail for US$179.95 MSRP.*Record approximately 20 minutes per 1GB at HD 30fps.
** colour availability may vary.
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
I contacted Kodak today asking if and when this would be released in Australia and they refused to comment.
I too rang Kodak to find out if, when and how much in Australia. They didn’t have a clue!
Am now looking to buy one out of the States via eBay. It will mean changing the plug on the AC adaptor but at least I’ll get one.
Major Aussie retailers (Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi) don’t even know of the Zi8’s existance.
Does anyone know if this unit records in the australian HDTV Format?
Gotta say these guys(kodak) are crap at marketing or making themsleves available or I dont know how to google, but can anyone tell me where I can order one in Sydney Ausatralia ( not Jupiter or the moon)
I would like to spend money with Kodak here!
You’re not the only one, I’ve looked everywhere. No one knows what they are!
They better come to Australia soon!
Screw Australian CE retailers, buy one overseas (ebay, etc…) and save yourself heaps of coin!
I am sick of Aussie distributors selling product for more than it costs individuals to purchase and import single units – blood suckers!
yer jbhifi dont even recognize its existance yet, went in their today , all they sell is the crappy zx1, can i buy one from america and will it still work on my computer ?
Just checked the Aussie Kodak website and this cam is now on there, but haven’t seen it in any of the stores websites yet, like teds.
Search Kodakexpress not Kodak.
There are now plenty of Aussie reseller for the Kodak Zi8. Try here for just one example:
http://www.getprice.com.au/KODAK-ZI8-Digital-Camera.htm
By now you shouldn’t be shocked at the ALMOST DOUBLE price that Aussie retailers want to screw you for.
Well screw them! Amazon.com price is US$149. Add in a couple of books for good measure and you’ll be miles in front.
Downside to an overseas purchase: Different power appliances and maybe warranty problems.
– Bill Hely
I bought a Zi8 Here in the states from Target in Early October. I brought it over to Australia for my Business Trip. It worked GREAT. You can also buy 4 Generic battery packs from a US Company too for less then 1 Kodak pack. Just Froogle it, http://www.Froogle.com (which is Googles Shopping Engine). Froogle the Battery Number and you can buy them for $7 bucks each. When I was over there I had no problems. I only had to use the A/C converter plug but the device took the 220/240 Power just fine. Also if you are worried about it, you can charge it in your USB port too. Downside is it takes twice as long. 4hrs instead of 2. But not a big deal. I had no format issues too when I used the Australian computers. It just downloads a driver built into the camera to save it as a QuickTime Format on your computer. (.MOV extension) Plus it comes with a handy app which is also stored on the Camera’s internal memory so it will always be there no matter what computer you use. (well PC anyways). Plus when I was in Australia I too was Floored to see how much stuff costs. I can mail the stuff over cheaper then to buy it in Australia. Everything from Phones, Computer stuff, etc. It was Culture shock for me.
This might be an overly simplistic comment but the US cameras would be NTSC and the Aust. cameras PAL format. Warranty’s also a problem with OS purchases. So we’re talking less than $100 savings to buy an NTSC camera with difficult warranty issues.
In the setup menu the Zi8 can easily be changed from NTSC to PAL. Many video reviews of the camera mention this feature.