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2009 Holiday Gift Guide: Kodak Zi8

Kodak Zi8We love how inexpensive it’s gotten for people to attain the ability to record high definition video, and we think this category is set to explode this holiday season. Based on this, and you know how much we love video, we’ve got to recommend the Kodak Zi8 handheld camera. Why? Well, the Kodak Zi8 records full 1080p HD video at 30 fps, and can also take 5 megapixel still images. It incorporates image stabilization as well, which helps avoid that whole Blair Witch shaky cam effect that none of us enjoy, and in a rare move, it even has a microphone jack so you can connect a nice, high quality audio device, if you so choose.

It’s definitely a great value for such a small device that packs a nice punch. The Kodak Zi8 typically sells for $179, but you can find it on Amazon for a little less than that.

Honorable Mention:
Flip Mino: It isn’t HD, but it’s about $60 cheaper than the Kodak Zi8.

Read More | Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera

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Kodak Zi8 HD pocket camcorder: External mic jack, 1080p, $179

Kodak Zi8 HD ultra-portable camcorder

I had a chance to use the Zi6 to cover CES, and I thought it was a great little HD video recorder. Good things can always get better, and Kodak has improved the Zi6 in many ways, and the end result is the Kodak Zi8. The Kodak Zi8 still has:

  • A swing out USB arm, but now it’s flexible
  • Removable batteries, now a lithium-ion battery that can be charged in or out of the camera
  • SD card slot - so you can bring extra cards and keep on shooting
  • 2.5-inch color LCD

Now, tack on these new Zi8 features, and you’ll see what all the fuss is about:

  • External Microphone Jack
  • Full HD 1080p video capture
  • Built-in electronic image stabilization
  • 5MP still capture
  • Improved low light performance
  • Smart face-tracking technology

Yeah, that external mic jack caught us by surprise as well. Very nice. The Kodak Zi8 will be available in September in red, blue, and black, and you can pre-order it on Amazon for $179

Read More | Kodak

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