Kodak Zi6: Pocketable HD Camera
We haven’t done one of our “geek session” videos in a while, so we’re ending the year with one. Good timing too as we have the Kodak Zi6 camera to talk about. I purchased this little device online while I was traveling this past weekend and it arrived yesterday. Now that YouTube supports high definition video, this pocketable little camera should offer some better quality for our video reviews and for CES. Above is a quick overview as I show it to James and below is a short video sample to give you an idea of the output. Note that we have the video embedded within our 500 pixel width column. For the full HD experience, you’ll want to view the video directly on YouTube after they’ve made the HD output available. (Update: that was quick! YouTube already has the HD video right here)
All in all, I’m impressed so far as the Kodak Zi6 looks to provide great bang for the buck. You can find it for around $150 online; not bad for a small device that can capture and record 1280×720 video at up to 60 frames per second.
Pretty good quality… I have another HD Kodak camera (but with a CCD sensor) that I got a while ago off of Woot and the quality of the video is comparable.
If I had know you were looking at this I would have brought mine to meet you this past weekend. I bought mine from Kodak site on a preorder and got it just in time for WDW trip in September.
I really like it. if you check out @kodakcb on twitter she posted several times link to a Kodak blog post that has links to comparisions of it to Flip.
I bought it as I thought it was cool when I first heard of it during a Kodak survey I got from thier Big Picture panel. I am also a Kodak fan and supporter being thier Kodak’s hometown, and having many people in my life (friends and family of friends, etc) work for them.
Wow, great quality on youtube! Great pick up and go gadget.
Happy New Year from Bonny Scotland everyone!
Mike, I didn’t decide to research or purchase until after the Cardinals game on Sunday night, so I didn’t even know I’d be buying one when we met up!
This is why I have to stay occupied 24×7. When I get bored, I start shopping online.
Another great pocket camera to check out is the Creative Vado HD. It comes with 8GB Memory and a rechargeable battery. It connects to YouTube as well.
It seems a bit biggish to me. But the quality seemed quite good, including audio. Was that with the built-in microphone?
Davin, the Creative Vado HD and the Flip MinoHD were two other that I looked at as they’re both comparable. The Kodak won out for me on price, support for 60fps and the ability to take still photos.
Oliver, that was indeed with the built-in microphone. I did give the audio a boost before I sent it up to YouTube.
Hi JK:
The HD quality is quite good when viewing it on YouTube. Thanks for the video and all your reviews throughout the year – Really enjoy them. If you have a chance check out my blog.
Happy New Year
Brian
http://assistivetek.blogspot.com
Video quality looks great. And I like that it includes rechargeable double As. But, like the Flip line, you’re not going to do any REAL closeups. Buy.com says minimum focal range is 27 inches. Folks who like to shoot laptop or phone screens may be out of luck.
Great video quality. It looks crisp and bright on my iPod touch. By the way GO Red Sox! And have a wonderful 2009
Dave, that sounds about right for the focal length, but in some test vids, I can effectively get within around 12 inches. There’s also a macro mode for super close-ups. It’s good from about 4 inches in.
You won’t find this in the manual, but I’ve found a little trick for those distances in-between, such as a good portion of a display. If I slide the wide/macro button about a third of the way, I’ve got stellar quality of an object in between the two modes.
Thanks for this video, this Kodak look very nice. I will soon travel to USA and idon’t know why wich one i will chose between the kodak, the flip or the vado .
I ended up buying the camera after Kevin mentioned the macro video recording mode. I’m not entirely sold on the device, although the price is quite compelling for what you get. Here’s some more thoughts and sample videos:
http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2009-01/kodak-zi6-hd-video-cam-hands-on/
can the cam be use as a usb camera like a web cam?
Really, any answers to this question? The cam goes ‘dead’ when you hook it up via the USB in windows vista, turning into “just” another storage device apparently.
I wonder if you go via the HD or AV hookups and use some sort of adapter … would it work as a web cam then?
Or is it time to go plunk another $50 down for a web cam? That would be a shame.
Nope, you can’t use this as a webcam. The jacks are output only.
yup, you just convinced me to get one now!
good quick review!
Yes, this is a great camera, but i can’t find the battery information in this site.
http://www.usa-batteries.com/digital-camera/kodak-easyshare-z1012-is-battery.htm