Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Aqua) by Eastman Kodak Company
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Our Price: $189.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Aqua)
Digital camera Review: Sent one back under warranty after it wouldn't power up - they sent back a refurb of someone else's problem.
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this video camera based on reviews I read hear on Amazon.
This is not my first camera, nor even my first Kodak product.
It will not be my last camera, but most certainly be my last Kodak purchase for some time to come.
Here is why:
After 6 weeks of very light usage, where the camera was never exposed to the elements, never dropped, never subjected to extreme temperatures nor changes in environmental conditions - the unit simply wouldn't power up.
I took a volt meter to see if it was a battery issue. It wasn't. I went through their online protocol for testing the product. No joy.
I got online and engaged in a chat session with Kodak support. They walked me through the exact same protocol, even though I mentioned I had tested everything.
I should note, some of their test steps are quite generic, for example, their battery has a notch in it so there is only one sure way to insert the unit. Still, you're asked to make sure you insert the battery the right way. But I digress ....
After a 20 minute online session, they instructed me to return the unit, they emailed me a code. They also informed me --- rather sternly --- that though the unit was under warranty, that if in any way they felt I was at fault, I'd be charged.
Adding insult to injury, the cost of shipping was on me.
Two weeks later, in the mail, we received a 'refurbished unit', meaning it was a repair of someone else's return.
What did I learn from this experience? The following:
1. wait 2 months to buy a refurb at 1/2 the price - and is also under warranty.
2. figure in $15 to the price of the unit for repairs/returns
3. figure in an additional $10 for the cost of accessories such as batteries as they are proprietary
4. not to buy a Kodak product for at least the next several years until their product management and/or client support modifies their approach
5. when I see a product has 4 star reviews out of 440 reviews - carefully read the 40 negative reviews to see if there are repeating patterns of problems ... such as units not powering up after mild usage.
Digital camera Review: Small, affordable, and efficient
Summary: 4 Stars
I have enjoyed working with the Zodak Zi8 pocket video camera. It served me well in tight situations where a large camera would have been intrusive. Use a tripod, otherwise the video is not so easy to stabilize.Digital camera Review: So far so good
Summary: 4 Stars
Have had the zi8 for a few weeks. I'm an experienced still photographer. The camera works well--picture quality is excellent, zoom is fine, but the camera is not as "intuitive" for novices as I would have expected from Kodak.
The documentation is inadequate,as are online instructions, I had to wait, several times, for at least 15 minutes each time, to reach a phone rep for help. I have no idea how to edit. No info on what kind of external mic to use, or how, or how to set up the camera to shoot from a distance, or attach to a tripod and as result, had to pay to have sound enhanced. I would also appreciate instructions on how to post on line. As a communications consultant, I will offer my services to Kodak! Anita Harris, Harris Communications Group, Cambridge,MA. [...]
Digital camera Review: Took some doing but now I'm Impressed
Summary: 4 Stars
At first, I wasn't so thrilled with it. I ran into a problem where my SD card apparently wasn't fast enough to handle recording in HD modes. It would record for 2-3 seconds and stop. I finally took a guess that it was indeed my card and switched to a spare SDHC card that I had around. That fixed that problem....whew!
Now for the recording. At first, it was a little disappointing. I started testing the camera around 7pm and the light was minimal. My first impressions were not so good. Low light shooting on this camera is not the best in the world. It's acceptable but certainly not impressive.
This morning I decided to give it another go. Am I glad I did! The video quality I am getting from this little Zi8 is VERY Impressive indeed! With the right amount of light you can't ask for better HD video quality from something under $200. It's quite unbelievable how much video taking power one can have in there hands for so little money these days. Colors are vivid and accurate. Sound quality is quite good from the built in mic as well.
I would suggest giving this camera a try for sure. Set your expectations accordingly. I think a lot of hype has been given to this camera since it was first released and possibly too much expectation has resulted from this hype. Keep in mind what you paid and what you're actually shooting video with and I think you'll be just as thrilled as I am with it.
Make sure you have a good quality SDHC card!
Digital camera Review: Total Waste of Money AND TIME
Summary: 1 Stars
The reviews suggested this was the camera to buy for my upcoming vacation. Compact, ease of use, price, et., etc.
First Issue: You don't simply remove the media card and plug and play on your computer. Although the video files are there the computer (HP Touchsmart/Vista Home Premium) does not recognize them, nor does Windows Media Center. So now you have to search out a media conversion software... OK... Search out and download VLC Media player software, I should be set.
Second Issue: I went out and shot some test clips. The lens is not "normal". To get a decent shot of what you want set the camera on full wide angle and walk back 20 feet, then MAYBE you'll get a decent, full framing of your subject matter. For what I'd be shooting, I'd never have to use the telephoto.
Third Issue, Even with "stabilization" ON, and full wide angle, hand-held shots are bouncing all over the place. Note, I can shoot a SLR, hand held, down to 1/8 sec., without blur, so it's not my hands causing the problem, it's solely due to the Kodak camera and lens.
Fourth Issue: Back on the computer and I find no simple way to edit the clips. Again, Windows Movie Maker doesn't read the files and VLC doesn't make it easy to basic editing (merge clips), if at all.
Fifth Issue: The Kodak Z8i continually freezes up. The ON-OFF button doesn't even allow turn off. You have to remove the battery over and over again.
IMO this camera is JUNK.