Kodak ZxD Pocket Video Camera (Black) - Digital Camera Review: All of the latest digital camera reviews and digital imaging news.

The Kodak pocket video recorder ZxD is easy to use, durable, low cost, youtube ready, and is worth every penny. I have had all types of video recorders, JVC Camcorder, Sony Handy cam and although good products, they were not user friendly and somewhat cumbersome. This ZxD is so user friendly that even my elderly Aunt of 88 found it to be a remarkable camera and wanted to keep it. I would recommend this product to anyone, any age.

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OK, so this little camera performs. It is easy to use and takes decent looking video. Comes with AA rechargeable batteries AND a charger. Wow, pretty cool.

Also included is a cable to go right into your DV capable TV. Another nice touch. And then you use the USB cable to transfer your videos to your PC. Uh-oh!

Let’s face it, even with all the iPod this and iPad that and iPhone yada yada, this is STILL very much a PC world. On most counts well over 90% of users.

So, then you transfer your recorded video from the Kodak ZxD over to your PC in order to do some nice editing (always a plus) and find that OHH, SHOOT.,

The freakin’ Kodak records in MOV file format, a proprietary Apple Mac file type that is typically NOT compatible (easily) with the PC. What?!??!

Now, perhaps if you are just a newb sending raw video up to YouGroove and never edit the video first (too bad) this is just fine for you.

But, if you are a budding or hopeful Videographer in training (and don’t have a Final Cut ready Mac), then you are going to have some trouble.

For the life of me I cannot figure out why Kodak (of all manufacturers) would use a format that less than 5% of ALL computer users can easily edit.

So far, I like the camera, though I would much prefer that this ZxD used a more standard file format like AVI so that we could edit on a PC.

Kodak, what ARE you thinking?!?!

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By 

D. Morando “student of dogs” (Sandy, OR USA) –

  

Once I decided I needed a pocket-sized video camera, it was between this and the Playsport. I knew I wanted to have the option of recording longer than the Flip allows, and since this camera uses SD cards, that was taken care of. Running on AA’s means it’s easy to find batteries if you need to (although it chews through regular alkaline batteries pretty fast). The rechargeable AA’s it comes with last pretty good, and I’m planning on getting the power adapter cord as well. I work in a dog shelter, and needed a small camera I could always have on me to take video of the dogs. This is perfect, and being weather resistant, I don’t have to worry about it if it starts sprinkling when I’m outside taping (nice in the northwest!). We had a Flip donated, so I’ve been able to compare the two cameras side by side. The Flip has a beautiful, bright screen that is lovely, and a slightly wider angle lens than the Kodak, both of which I like. The built-in USB plug is also nice, as is the soft “velvety” finish, which makes it grip-able without being “sticky”. The battery charge also lasts pretty well in the Flip. However, here are the features of the Kodak that have me preferring it:

Taking SD cards gives me a feeling of freedom; I am not limited by time and can record as much as I want.
Weather resistance is fabulous
Easy & quick to change between recording formats (HD, VGA, stills)
Easy to connect to computer or TV to watch video
Ability to slow or speed up playback (with at least 5 speed change options), which I don’t think the Flip can do. For my uses, this is a critical feature.

Although the Flip is nice and does have some cool design elements, the functionality of the Kodak, for my uses, makes it far superior to the Flip. I am really glad I bought it.

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