Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Raspberry) - Zi8 Raspberry

THECHNICALLY, it's a camcorder...

8/31/2010

So technically this IS a camcorder, however, I was greatly disappointed on many fronts - which I will address.

Firstly, I am a stay-at-home mom and I think that the way in which I was hoping to use this camera is the way that 90% of consumers will be using it. I wanted something that I could carry around and use to take quick videos of the kids and occasional pictures so that I would NOT have to carry around a separate small digital camera. I wasn't expecting it to be like an $800 camera or anything, just simple and easy. Here are my issues:

Camcorder - It is a camcorder in the sense that it CAN take videos. HOWEVER, you have VERY limited features in taking said videos (and even less in pictures). The actual picture quality on the VIDEOS is wonderful. I have no complaint there whatsoever. My complaint is with the stabilization of the picture. Unless you have the camera on a tripod, your picture is going to be shaky. On playback (especially on a television) it actually makes you quite dizzy. If you happen to be walking while shooting video, forget it. You have to be as still as possible. There is an image stabilization setting (it's either "off" or "on") which is useless.

Still photos - This is where I have the biggest problem with this device. Here is what I expected: To just be able to get a clean image that can be viewed on a computer. No big deal. I know that there is no flash, fine - I'll take my pictures in well-lit areas; I know that I don't have ANY options for the lens (save landscape and macro mode) - fine I don't need a professional image, just a normal picture. The problem is that any photo you take between 2-5 feet away is BLURRY! Actually, a better description is probably fuzzy. I took dozens of photos of my children - all of which looked fine on the tiny camera screen, but when I uploaded them onto the computer, they were completely useless! They look exactly like a picture taken with a cell-phone. All I want is a clean, clear image - nothing fancy. When I contacted Kodak (on the phone for 1 1/2 hours) they told me to turn on the EIS (which was already on) and then they told me that they didn't know WHAT to tell me! I even e-mailed them 4 separate examples of my photos and do you know what they said?? This:

"...unfortunately this cannot be corrected by a repair. The Zi8 is a pocket video camera and its capability to capture still images is just an added feature on this video camera that other pocket camcorders does not have. The lens type of the Zi8 is limited to fixed focus only while the CCD total pixels is only 5.3 MP."

So basically, they say that the quality of the camera is crummy. It's funny because Kodak brags in all their descriptions about the still images like this: "Start bragging with amazing 5 MP, 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures". All Kodak said to me was, "sorry, but if you need help in the future, let us know." I NEED HELP NOW!

It's disappointing because the video quality is great, but you just can't watch them afterwards because it's so shaky and obnoxious. The sill photos are useless UNLESS it's a wide shot from 10 feet away or more. The things I loved about this camera were the fact that you could plug it straight into the computer and it could even charge that way; I love that you can use memory cards instead of internal memory like the Flip camera; I liked the accessories that it came with (cables to hook it up to the TV). I know that Kodak is coming out with another camera in September, but the description says that the still pictures are just 5MP just like their current models. Too bad. Maybe the picture stabilization will be better.

By the way, I was able to return it to Amazon so I'll keep looking for a better product. Thank you Amazon!!!!

Sweet Little Pocket Video Camera!

8/29/2010

I am loving my refurbished Kodak zi8! I took it to the Grand Canyon where I used it for the first time. Admittedly, I hadn't read the instructions prior to use (I received it and got on the plane), I found it somewhat difficult to navigate upon first use. I suggest reading the instruction manual to learn how to use it first! However, once I grasped the concept, I was able to easily use it to take fantastic video pictures. It also takes stills. It has its own USB cable tucked away, so it's simple to upload video. The quality, even on the low settings, is excellent! It has image stabilization, too, a great feature to prevent shaky video. I bought my camera refurbished for well under $100 and it's the way to go! My biggest complaint is that, as CNET review states, it shows fingerprints all over the camera, leaves smudges. But that's a very minor con. It's light weight, great battery life, and well worth the purchase (does HDMI, too)!! Love it. It is just what I wanted in a small, portable, hand held video camera.

just what I needed

8/29/2010

I was looking for a pocket HD video recorder and this was the best value for money currently out in the market.I wish it had a little more zoom. But this meets my need.

I love my Zi8!

8/28/2010

I ordered this video camera based on recommendations from other Internet marketers. They were right! The picture quality is absolutely fantastic! I wanted to have the camera before I went on a short vacation to Pagosa Springs, CO. We were taking the Toltec-Chamas train ride in breath taking mountain country. The camera arrived in time and I was able to get beautiful short videos all along the train route. The camera hardly weighs anything. It's easy to use. I am totally delighted with the results. Later I will add a video review so others can see the results.

Only good for very few situations

8/28/2010


The only use for camera is a portable means to film interviews with people in well lighted areas. The camera is a poor fit for any other event. Do not buy a large SD card. The camera only films ~30 min. The zoom moves in short punchy spurts rather than one smooth constant speed. The camera lens requires you be right up on your subject. "Across the table in a restaurant booth" is a distance that would fill the screen with your subject's face.