Kodak Zi8 Overview
The Zi8 is designed like many pocket video camera, it has the candy bar style with the lens at the top. We received the raspberry version of the Zi8, but it also comes in black and aqua. The lens on the Zi8 is a 6.3 mm, f/2.8, fixed focus lens. Beside the lens is an activity LED and microphone.
The front of the Zi8 actually easily slides off to allow you to install the rechargeable lithium ion battery. Having a rechargeable battery is nice, but having one that is removable is also a good thing. This means if for some reason the battery is faulty you can just replace the battery not the entire camera.
Flipping the camera over you can see the large 2.5-inch LCD screen. That’s quite a large screen for a pocket video camera. Below the screen you have your controls which consist of directional button in the middle, settings & delete button on the left and a camera & review button on the right.
Starting on the left side of the camera you have the power button and SD / SDHC card slot. Now unlike other pocket video cameras Kodak has not gone with internal memory so to record anything of great length you will need an SD or SDHC card. The Zi8 supports SDHC cards up to 32GB and it does have 128MB of internal memory. There is a USB connection that comes out of the left side of the camera was well so you don’t need a card reader to transfer videos to your computer.
Moving over to the right side of the camera, at the top there is an external microphone jack, which means you can capture stereo quality audio when you are recording things if you choose to use an external microphone. Below the microphone jack you have a mini HDMI and mini A/V connections. And finally below that you have your power input.
At the top of the camera is a slider that will let you switch between normal shooting mode and macro shooting mode. On the bottom is a tripod mount and a loop hole for a wrist strap.
The Zi8 is pretty neat, but the decision to use a Li-Ion battery instead of staying with AA hurts the power users. I have a Zi6 and recorded several talks in one day (http://bioslevel.blip.tv/) using the Zi6, changing batteries between each 30-60 minute talk. I could usually get through two without changing, but it's safer to change between each. I had plenty of rechargeable NiMH batteries with me.
I do agree that the Lithum battery does hurt the power users, but if you consider yourself a power user are you using a “flip” cam in the first place? The idea behind a camera like this is not the purpose that you are using it for. It's not designed for it and not marketed for it.
The lithum battery is a must in a camera like this. It's the same reason you see rechargable OEM batteries (whether they be Lithium or NiMH or NiCd) installed in the majority of lower end comsumer digital camera's. They arent meant for “power users” or people looking to do professional work.
It actually through me off the first time I used my Flip HD camera and I had to install the rechargable Lithium battery and couldn't figure out how to charge it… (USB port, duh). An internal battery is just one less thing to worry about and that's how it's designed. A no-worry, one button, shoot what you need too, style camcorder.
Thanks for the comments. Any ideas on using a digital camera to record video for Youtube or Facebook?
Ron Hori
Idea's in regards to what? Flip cams are always a great options for just general point and shoot fun but if you're looking for more of a traditional camcorder feel with the ease of youtube/facebook uploading you could try the Samsung SC-MX20.
Saberwolf: “Idea’s in regards to what?” The answer to your question is in Ron’s initial comment.
Saberwolf: “Idea’s in regards to what?” The answer to your question is in Ron’s initial comment.
Quadro SDI Output card – provides an integrated graphics-to-video solution, enabling 2D and 3D effects to be composited in real-time with 2K, HD and SD video. It can be genlocked to external house sync, or synced to the SDI Capture card.
Does this one allow external mics to record in stereo? I work for a music company and we’d love something like this if it let’s us record stereo audio externally (from a sound board)… so it would be greart to see if that is possible!
what about card speeds? any difference in recording/shake with faster classes?
Laptop batteries are a very important accessory for any laptop. They provide a laptop power to maintain itself, and long life. They are lightweight and above all environmentally friendly, but a little expensive. There are different types of batteries available, Depending on one of these laptops owned by Acer 5500 series batteries.