Today for review our friends at Geeks.com have sent me over a pocket camcorder called the Kodak Zx1. The Zx1 is an inexpensive and feature packed little camera, not only does it do 720P HD videos at 60FPS, but it also has video out and the memory can be expanded up to 32gigs via an SDHC card. The camera is small, and lightweight but yet it’s rugged and weather resistant and it comes with a carrying case, along with spare battery cover, rechargeable batteries and charger and even an HDMI cable so you can view your videos on your TV. The Kodak Zx1 isn’t a bad camera overall, especially for the price and all of it’s features. So read on to learn more…
Info:
Capture every detail, action or adventure in stunning HD with this sleek Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera! There’s no lens cap to remove, no dials to turn on or settings to set! Just turn it on and hit record! It’s that simple!
Record stunning 720p HD videos at 60 frames per second and view them on the vibrant 2.0-inch LCD screen! You can also catch the highlights with slow motion playback in the palm of your hand! The Kodak Zx1 features a 1/4.5-type 1.6 MP CMOS sensor, 2x digital zoom and 128 MB internal storage memory!
With the expandable SD/SDHC card slot you can record hours of videos – up to 32 gigabytes! Use the built-in USB port and software to quickly upload your videos to YouTube – edit, add music, and personalize your flick and easily share with your adoring fans. Plus, with the included HDMI and A/V cables, you can view your movies on any high definition TV!
General Features:
-Plain black case cover and patterned black case cover design
-Take stunning HD videos (720p at 60 fps with 16:9 aspect ratio)
-Easy upload to YouTube
-Record hours of video, up to 32 GB worth
-View on any HDTV with the included cables
-Rechargeable batteries and charger included
-Resistant to rain, snow, sand and dirt
-Rubberized doors protect all ports
-Certified for protection rating IP43
-Video editing software built-in, just connect the camera to any computer to install
Specifications:
-Sensor Type: 1/4.5-type 1.6 MP CMOS
-Lens: 4.1 mm, f/2.8, fixed focus
-Zoom: 2x digital
-Display: 2.0-inch LCD
-NTSC/PAL
-Storage: 128 MB internal memory
-Expansion Storage: SD/SDHC
-Focus Modes: Normal
-Focus Range: Normal: 27.6-inch (70 cm) to infinity
-White Balance: Auto
-Video Capture: H.264 (Mov), AAC LC
-Video Quality: HD60: 720p at 60 fps – 16:9; HD: 720p at 30 fps – 16:9 (default); VGA: 640 x 480 4:3
-Still Format: JPEG
-Picture Quality: 3 MP (still, interpolated)
-Microphone: Mono
-Speaker: Yes
-I/O Interface: USB 2.0, component, AV output, HDMI output
-Tripod Mount: 1/4-inch standard
Unit Dimensions:
-4.5 x 2.0 x 0.8-inches (H x W x D, approximate)
-3.2-ounces without batteries
Price: $79.99
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What’s in the Box?:
Ok, so the unit I got is a refurbished one. It looks like Kodak just uses a generic box for their refurb products as the picture on the box is not what is in the box. Everything in the box is wrapped up nicely in bubble wrap for protection.
There’s a lot of stuff that comes with the Kodak Zx1 including HDMI cable, standard AV cable, USB cable, carrying pouch, quick start guide, batteries and charger and a second stylish battery cover.
Here’s the camera with the covers and the covers on it. The original is plain while the second one has sort of a tribal dragon on it. Also this would be the rear view of the camera where you’ll find the battery compartment and the lens.
The Zx1 takes two AA batteries, either standard or the included rechargeable ones.
The front side or the side with the controls and the screen comes with a little sticker on it, that can be taken off easily. Here you’ll find the viewing screen and the control pad that’s easy to use.
The Zx1 is meant to be weather resistant and on each side you’ll find a rubber flap that conceals connections. On the left side you’ll find the power button near the top and a cover over the USB, mini-HDMI connection and the power connector.
On the right side is where the SD card port is, under the rubber cover. Both of the covers seem to attach well to the camera so they should work at keeping the elements out.
On the bottom you’ll find a tripod hole and on the top is where the built in speaker is so you can view and hear your videos right on the camera.
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Installation, Performance and Comparison:
There is nothing to installation really, unless you want to install the ArcSoft software that comes on the camera. No disc comes with Kodak Zx1, when you plug in the camera via USB you’re prompted to install the software from ArcSoft which honestly you don’t even need as the Zx1 acts just like a regular camera and you can just pull the videos and pictures directly from it, drag and drop.
Using the camera is easy really, it can all be done with one hand.
The camera is small and lightweight, but it feels sturdy and rugged.
Picture and Video Quality:
Indoor pictures are not the greatest, the camera needs a lot of light and need to be held steady. Here’s a couple samples:
There is no Macro mode or any kind of focus with this camera which is sort of a bummer really, so you won’t be able to take very close up shots at all. There is a zoom, but again it doesn’t do much for close up shots.
The video mode is the main feature of this camera, here again though it does need a lot of light. I’ve got two demo videos for you, my 4yr old son was more than happy to participate in this review.
The first video is indoors with regular lighting and it’s not great, but it’s ok. The setting is the highest HD mode at 60FPS. You’re going to have to turn up the volume if you want to hear him sing, he was singing a bit low as he was a bit nervous at first..
The second video is in front of the window with the blinds closed, there’s more light here so the camera work better, this is in HD mode also. So again the Zx1 needs a fair amount of light for good quality pictures and videos.
So the videos aren’t bad at all really, especially for a pocket camera.
I did hook it up via HDMI to my HDTV to watch the videos, but I wasn’t paying attention at first and just assumed that HDMI meant any HDMI cable would work, but the camera has a mini-HDMI connection on it so you can only use that cable with the camera basically. I’d rather see just a regular HDMI port on it so you don’ t have to play around with special cables. The output wasn’t bad, but as one might expect it was rather jagged or pixellated really. You can use the camera as sort of a webcam through your TV though, when it’s hooked up the live view will show on the TV.
One thing that really bugged my about this camera is zoom. You can zoom in while taking videos, but the zoom button makes a click sound that is very audible in the video, so yes you can zoom but you wouldn’t want to unless you want to hear the clicking sound.
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Conclusion:
The Kodak Zx1 is not a bad little pocket camcorder to play around with. It’s competing with things like the Flip, the HD Flip costs a lot more money than this camera does though. For the price the Zx1 isn’t too bad really, and it is weather resistant and rather rugged where the Flip isn’t. The Flip Mino HD runs about $200 new where the Zx1 runs about $100 new. From what I’ve seen the Zx1 does comparable videos that the MinoHD does but at a fraction of the price, and the Zx1 is expandable and has a video out as well.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive little pocket style camcorder then give this one a try.
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Pros:
+Well made and rugged
+Easy to use
+Decent videos overall
+Can use standard batteries
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Cons:
-Still pictures not that great indoors
-No macro mode
-Mini-HDMI connector, not standard
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Disclosure: This product was given to iGadgetLife for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review, we do not, and never will, accept payment from companies to review their products.
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