gadget

Small Price, Smaller Camera, Mixed Results

I wanted a small portable video camera to carry around with me. There are currently a few decent options in this category:

• Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera
• Flip Video Minio HD Camcorder
• Handycam Camcorder
• Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera

I chose the Kodak Zi6 (around $150.00). Kodak uses the phrase "Catch Life as it Happens" as a tagline for this camera. I think that just about sums it up. It’s a great little camera for sticking in your pocket and taking anywhere to save your memories. The camera is fun, convenient, and simple (with just a few minor glitches).

Category	Rating	Comment
Fit and Finish	3.5 Stars	Overall nice, but a few flimsy spots.
Usability	4.5 Stars	Easy as pie.
Video Quality	2.5 Stars	Good in Daylight, Bad in Low light
Included Software	3.5 Stars	Good, not great
Convenience	5 Stars	You’ll take it everywhere and film everything
Value	4 Stars	Super value
Overall	3.8 Stars	Nice little point and shoot, take anywhere video camera.

What’s in the Box?

You get a nice collection of accessories to accompany your video camera:

• Carrying case (not particularly sturdy)
• Two rechargable AA batteries
• Battery charger that does AA and AAA batteries
• Standard definition TV cable Hi Def TV cable
• Video editing software

See the slides below:

Fit and Finish

3.5 out of 5 stars

The Kodak Zi6 looks like a gadget that would cost a lot more. It has a nice feel in my hand. The battery door opens a little too easily and the USB connection is also a kind of flimsy. Nothing jumps out at me as cheapish, but it does not have the feel of an iPhone or a Canon.

Usability

4.5 out of 5 stars

Open the box, grab the manual and throw it in the trash. You won’t need it! There are about 4 buttons on the whole camera and you will them figure out in 10 seconds. What a pleasure to use. Press one button to turn it on One more to start and stop recording One more to play back Three whole clicks to delete an unwanted clip Press another button to pop out the USB connector and load videos to your PC Press one more button and you’re on the YouTube You cannot make a device easier to use.

Video Quality

2.5 out of 5 stars

The videos are saved in Quicktime (.mov) file format. If you’re shooting in (very) good lighting conditions, the videos come out surprisingly good. If you are shooting in low light, you probably won’t be crazy about your results. There is no image stabilization built into the camera, which further complicates low light shooting. If you have to shoot in low light, try t
o use a tripod or brace yourself for best results. The microphone is also very sensitive and picks up wind noise outdoors. Stick to shooting in well lit areas. Try making one of these makeshift pocket sized tripods to cope with the lense shake issues.

Software

3.5 out of 5 stars

The included software is Arcsoft’s MediaImpression. The software is contained on the camera’s internal memory so that you can install it on any computer. The software does a nice job of importing, organizing, and editing your videos and images. If you want to do any serious editing and production, you’ll probably want to use something a little more sophisticated.

[caption id="attachment_698" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="Arcsoft Video Editing Software"][/caption]

Convenience

5 our of 5 stars

What it lacks in video qaulity, it more than makes up for in convenience. It seems as if every decision that Kodak made while building this centered around convenience. The software is loaded right on the camera The USB connection is built right into the camera You can upload your videos directly to YouTube with one click It fits in your pocket to go anywhere (just ask my irritated family) Easily playing your videos on your TV directly from the camera You will just love using this camera. It just works!

Value

4 out of 5 stars

You can buy this for $150.00 +/- on Amazon.com and have a pocket sized camera that shoots decent quality video. It does a lot for that amount.

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