Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Raspberry) - Zi8 Raspberry

Lemon Warning: Do NOt Buy This Piece of Junk!!

7/14/2010

I bought this camera from Amazon, tested it once and took it with me on a four week trip. Used it half a dozen times and then it froze up. I cannot use it for anything. Reboorted, drained battery, tried every variable. Completely worthless and I did not have a video camera for my family trip or a still camera. Now Amazon will not take it back for full refund but I am sending the worthless junk back to them anyway to see what I can get as a refund. I bought it for the seeming attributes: external mike jack, still photos, and editable software. The Kodak-supplied software stinks! I wasted so much time trying to download the videos; unlike flip, which worked great. Getting the battery in and out is a major effort. It is shocking that a company of Kodak's stature would release such a piece of junk, to play catch up ball with Flip. I have an old Flip and never had a sinlge problem. I will never buy a Kodak mini-camcorder again. I don;t need this hassle, and nobody is paying me for the inconvenience. Spare yourself the troyble and avoid this product at all costs.

Great little camera for the price.

7/13/2010

While most of the other reviews about the great features of this camera have been mentioned, there are a few not so great things that are worth noting.

1. This camera is next to useless in low-light conditions. I know night vision or a light is asking a little too much with this price, but it is something worth considering.

2. The lens should have come with some sort of protection; it is completely exposed at all times. Invest in a good case if you buy this camera.

3. If you have hard to reach USB ports on your computer, you are going to need a USB extension cable.

4. I recommend buying a 32GB SDHC card for this camera as it has VERY little internal memory. Cheap 32GB SDHC cards are around $80. This makes the great price not seem as great anymore.

5. Video clips are recorded by default in the Apple proprietary .MOV format. The average non-technical user may have trouble playing/converting/editing these files on their system.

6. I have noticed that some of my video clips randomly come up as "corrupted" when I try to play them back on my machine. As this has happened on multiple SDHC cards and computers, I can only blame the camera.

These points are not a deal breaker by any means. I am still giving this awesome camera 4 stars.

Highly recommend the Kodak Zi8 and the Sport Models

7/12/2010

Very easy out-of-the-box usage. Versatile shooting formats and high-picture quality at 1080p. True video enthusiasts may find something to complain about, but for the average consumer this is a home run, no-brainer.

The new Kodak Sport model has all the same features as the Zi8 and is waterproof. There is an "underwater mode" and the color and clarity of both the picture and the sound is amazing.

I love my camera

7/10/2010

Bought the camera a few weeks before leaving for Europe, and after I had good practice and was ready to go, it disappeared. Lost, misplaced, stolen?? Who knows???? I immediately ordered another one and it was sent overnight and got here in time for me to snap away. The only thing I do not get and that is smooth running video, but my granddaughter says it must be my computer as they are running just fine on hers. Both pics and videos are soooooo easy to take and transfer to the PC etc. The pictures are sharp and crisp looking and I can only have praise for this little camera that fits into your pants pocket.
Thank you for a very good reasonably priced product.Now I can visit my hometown Berlin by watching a video anytime.

Nice camera, but has limitations

7/9/2010

The advertized free battery did not come. You also must buy a SDHC memory card or you will not be doing much filming without one. I wish the sound playback was louder. Unfortunately there is no speaker or headphones out jack.
When filming I could find no way to pause. Downloading to my laptop was easy. I have not yet figured what the macro switch does.

All in all I like this little camera for the money. Picture quality is not pro quality. My SLR's are for that. This is a fine carry around camcorder.