Video Cameras: Kodak Zi8

[Lesedi]

I just wanted to share my experience with and recommendation for the kodak zi8 video camera: Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera, Black, Aqua & Digital - Kodak Online Store
http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-Pocket-V.../dp/B002HOPUPC

I got one for xmas and have been using it to video tape performances. I like it for several reasons:
1. It is super easy for others to video tape you (press red button to start, press red button to stop... easy peasy!) so you don't have to give lengthy use instructions
2. It can go on a tripod, but holding it is fine too and the image stabilization works well
3. It adjusts well for different lighting conditions (stage vs. outside vs. indoors etc)
4. It has nice bright colors, not dull like some other cameras I've used
5. It does HD quality and can do 1080p and 720p and 60fps which is perfect for catching fast dance moves
6. It has really nice sound pickup... it also has a jack for a microphone if you want really really good sound quality
7. It's very tiny

Here are a couple videos shot with it so you can see for yourselves. There is some loss of quality due to the youtube upload conversion, you can switch to 720p for slightly better. I have really shaky hands, so yay for image stabilization helping to read the chip as a whole instead of line by line... no screwy wavy artifacts. :)


This one we had a really tiny, crappy stereo to use:

It was VERY bright when I took this... was quite happy with how the camera compensated for that on its own.


Really overall, I think it's a great camera for the money.