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"Zi8 in a Zx3's body." on by itstheismael
Pros: Same exact camera as the Zi8, minus the external mic jack and macro mode.
Waterproof to 3M
Very good quality videos, tested 720p/60fps on 42" TV and it looks great.Cons: EIS too wimpy for my shaky hands.
Low light videos are bad(but so are any other pocket camcorder's)Summary: This product is nearly perfect considering the price and quality. People need to understand what they are buying and stop giving bad ratings and nitpicking a 150 dollar camcorder. The Zi8 was so well received last year, and this is the exact same image sensor, only the camera is cheaper because there is no external mic jack and also no macro mode. But this will take the EXACT same quality video as the Zi8. I was one day away from picking up a Zi8 for a trip to the Grand Canyon next month - and came across a post mentioning the Zx3. So I looked it up and was glad it did. I saved a few bucks and alos got a more rugged camera.
All in all, you have to understand what you are buying - a pocket camcorder that takes very good qaulity video - better than your cell phone camera, and it is easier to carry around than a conventional camcorder. Great buy at 150.00, I got an 8GB memory card from Amazon for only 15 bucks. The only hangup is the EIS - I have shaky hands and sometimes it does come across in the videos. Hopefully a firmware fix will come out soon. This thing goes from being off to recording in about 3 seconds so it's going to catch whatever you are wanting to without you being stuck waiting for it to power on.
The quality is excellent for what it is. It will not disappoint. I own a DSLR camera, and the last thing I want is two bulky pieces of equipment to lug around on vacation. This is great and if you are not a professional, this will catch those memorable moments and they will look great when you reminisce for years to come. -
"Great video, waterproof, does what it says." on by Improviz
Pros: Got a Playsort in May. 720p 60/fps is the mode to use for great looking video. Even performs well in low light. Comes with all the cables you'll ever need. Super easy to use, good battery life even with the EIS turned on.
Cons: What do you expect for $149? Digital zoom, but still not bad if you're subtle. Proprietary USB port a bit of a drag. Wind noise can be an issue. Would be nice if it came with a memory card but it doesn. Would have also liked a case.
Summary: I got the Playsport with a bundle deal of an 8GB class 6 mem card from Amazon for $139. Added extra battery/charger, case, 2 mini Gorilla-type tripods, and the wireless remote. A local TV station has already used some video I shot of a house fire just around the corner from where I live. It was getting dark and I shot it in 720p/60 fps. If you're making a spec trailer or something, or just a hobbyist, great little camcorder. I plan to mount it on sailboats to get action footage of the cockpit during races, and to use it kayaking out on Cape Cod this summer. People think I'm holding an iPhone or something, usually. Not only does Kodak give you all the cables you'll ever need, the thing boots up in about 1 second and is shooting as soon as you hit the button. I did have to RMA 1st one I got, there were a few dead(white) pixels in the middle of the sensor apparently, since I watched the video on several different monitors and the artifact was there on all of them. However, Amazon sent out the replacement about an hour after I went online to process the return. This is NOT an indestructible camera. It's waterproof. To 10 ft. So, would be great to take on your snorkeling trip in Hawaii, etc., or to a shallow beach. I think Kodak really hit a homerun with this. If I wasn't going to use it outdoors/on the water, I'd have gotten the Zi8 for the external mic input and some fancier features. But the Playsport is a winner in my book, and I'm a cranky geek and hard to impress.
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"Good camera, but with bad hot pixel problems" on by Clem2098
Pros: The image quality is very good. The product feels very solid in your hand and the navigation is easy. Has a very good field of view also. The camera would be great..if...See Cons
Cons: The only con I have about this cam is that I have now had two of them and they have both had hot pixels. Easy way to see if your Kodak has it...Shoot a black background or just in a dark room...you see hot white spots in the picture, you got them.
Summary: Don't know if the store I got them at maybe had a bad shipment, but it is pretty sorry quality for two to have the same problem. Usually a camera might develop one after a year or so, but each one had at least 4 right out of the box. Back to the store they go. So if you don't mind hot pixels, then I would highly recommend you get the camera.
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"Best mini HD video camera by far! And CHEAP!" on by ConradEOD
Pros: Wide viewing angle on lens, good quality picture, better sound quality than prior models, more portable and rugged! I came from the Zi8 and got my Playsport this week. Small and portable, and it feels very comfortable in the hands.
Cons: The things this is missing that the Zi8 had are (1) USB plug (which I don't think is a big deal since I have SD card readers in my computers) (2) macro mode (which I never really used on the Zi8 and (3) external mic (I never used this either).
Summary: Overall it's the best on the market. Better pics than the Flip models and higher capactiy (up to 32GB SD card). I have a 16GB SDHC card in mine and have hours of great video. The Playsport has a wider viewing angle than the Zi8 so fits more in the picture! Also, the mic seems to be more sensitive and picks up voices/sounds better. The screen is smaller, but that's fine with me; just makes it more portable! This is the best $150 I've spent! If you go diving, make sure to attach something that floats to the camera so it doesn't sink below the 10ft depth limit.
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"Absolutely, horrible!!!" on by mjcarterrtrn
Pros: The are small and fit in your purse and able to take anywhere without a lot of fuss.
Cons: the camera stops for no reason in the middle of filming after only using the camera a few times. Re-setting the camera was recommended by Kodak. Now, I have 2 cameras that will not come back on.
Summary: I bought 2 cameras for Christmas gifts, 2 weeks later, each within a day of each other, the cameras locked up for no reason. I do not suggest anyone to buy this camera. It seemed like a really good camera and had good reviews. My experience is not a good one at all. Both cameras are being returned for a refund and will not be buying a Kodak again.
Kodak Playsport user reviews (black)
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