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- Decent 720p video
- Includes HDMI cable for viewing on TV
- Water-resistant
- Shoots still photos
- Harder to use than some other pocket camcorders
- Relatively poor in low light
- Very little built-in memory; no SD card included
- Software isn't Mac-compatible
The Kodak Zx1 offers a few things that other high-definition pocket camcorders don't. It's water-resistant (thick rubber covers protect the ports) and it comes with an HDMI cable for viewing footage directly on your HDTV. But testers say the Zx1 isn't as easy to use as Pure Digital's Flip UltraHD (Discontinued) and Flip MinoHD (Discontinued), and its low-light video doesn't look as good. Testers notice a few more things about the Zx1 that may be pros or cons, depending on your viewpoint: It records to memory cards (not supplied), with only seconds' worth of built-in memory. It runs on rechargeable, replaceable AA batteries rather than a slimmer internal battery. Finally, it connects to a computer via a USB cable rather than the pop-out USB arm most pocket camcorders have. Otherwise, the Zx1 shares all of the usual pocket-camcorder flaws: visible hand shake, 720p video rather than full 1080p HD shot by pricier camcorders, almost no manual controls, no optical zoom and a digital zoom that pixilates the image. The Zx1 does shoot still photos, but experts say they're not very good.
CamcorderInfo.com includes a few pocket camcorders -- including the Kodak Zx1 -- in its authoritative ratings, which are based on extensive expert testing. CNET, The Washington Post, Laptop Magazine and the U.K.'s Pocket-Lint.com also test the Zx1 and compare it with other pocket HD camcorders. User reviews at Amazon.com give an idea of the camcorder's real-life performance.
Flip UltraHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL
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Flip Video MinoHD 1hr - Camcorder - High Definit M3160B
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| Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera (Black) | |
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CamcorderInfo.com tests the Kodak Zx1 as rigorously as it tests more expensive camcorders. Reviewer Kaitlyn Chantry compares it with a few other models, including the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD and Kodak Zi6. She likes the Zx1's more rugged design, but she says it's not as easy to use as Pure Digital's offering.
Review: Kodak Zx1 Camcorder Review, Kaitlyn Chantry, June 5, 2009
2. CNET
After thoroughly testing the Kodak Zx1, reviewer David Carnoy gives it a "very good" 3.5-star rating (out of 5). He says the video quality is pretty good and the camcorder is more rugged than its rivals, but it's missing the built-in USB connector that makes other models so handy.
Review: Kodak Zx1, David Carnoy, March 30, 2009
Reviewer Rob Pegoraro tests the Kodak Zx1 head-to-head against the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD. The Kodak shoots slightly better video, but Pegoraro says the Pure Digital Flip UltraHD is much easier to use.
Review: Do-It-Yourself HD Video, Rob Pegoraro, May 17, 2009
4. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Tester Dana Wollman finds the Kodak Zx1 a step backward from the older Kodak Zi6 in several ways. However, the Zx1 does get kudos for its durability.
Review: Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera, Dana Wollman, May 5, 2009
This British site picks the Kodak Zx1 over the Pure Digital Flip MinoHD and Creative Vado HD. Reviewer Chris Hall prefers the Zx1's more extensive options, including the ability to replace batteries, use memory cards and connect directly to an HDTV.
Review: Kodak Zx1 Pocket Camcorder Review, Chris Hall, May 11, 2009
6. Amazon.com
Most users who post here like the Kodak Zx1, but its average rating falls to 3.5 stars (out of 5) because a few of the approximately 20 reviewers were disappointed to find it lacks common features such as a usable amount of built-in memory.
Review: Kodak Zx1, Contributors to Amazon.com
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