--------- First Impressions
The operation of the camera is simple, largely intuitive and possible without an intensive study of the manual. Kodak makes from the menu icons that can be used to manually configure. Not each of these symbols is allocated at first glance a logical function. While a menu in text form does not look so nice, but might have been a better solution. Basically, you can start with the films immediately after purchasing the camera. It is lightweight (110 grams + battery) and is practical in his hand. In comparison to some other Mini-Cams slightly larger width is not a problem and is explained by a 2.5-inch LCD display with 230,000 pixels (Flip Ultra / Mino / Creative Vado each have only a 2-inch display) , This is the case slightly slimmer (thinner) than that of competing models. In practice, the larger picture display turns out to be very helpful as working with small mini-cams only in Live View mode, and one has to rely on a possible good and detailed display view. The processing is a little plastic-heavy, not only in fact but also in terms of haptic perception. Although the Zi8 does not act rickety, but a little more would have Alluminium the body of the camera well done. In addition, the housing is very sensitive when it comes to fingerprints. The connections (toll: High-speed USB 2.0, AV out, HDMI, DC power input, external microphone jack with stereo support) are hidden behind something unstable acting, stretchable and flexible plastic covers. Metal hinges or -schübe would have been a trust give more structure. Well, the design of the Mini-Cam is of course attributable to the competitive price and a target by the designers weight reduction. Processing can in principle be assessed as well and is adequate for the price. However Qualitätsenticklung offers room for improvement.
---------- Empirical
The Zi8 could be a bit more difficult. The low weight, in combination with the compactness of the housing here and there for unnecessary camera shake. You need a very steady hand or a tripod to erziehlen really good results. The picture quality itself is excellent and the HD technology enables flawless and finely textured film shots that really depict every detail. Individual water droplets or snowflakes are displayed razor-sharp. Compared to cameras with no HD recording function but one should as far as possible without rapid pivoting movements. The abundance of image information overwhelmed otherwise the 2.5 "CMOS sensor and results in a slight" blurring "of the recorded material. The" Discovery of Slowness "wins in the operation of the Zi8 a whole new meaning. The model of Kodak offers several Shooting: (!) 1920 x 1080 pixels at 30 frames per second (1080p), 1280 x 720 pixels at 60 or 30 fps (720p), WVGA (848 x 480 pixels) and still images (photos) with 5.3 MP 16:.. 9 screen format, interpolated Reported competing models Flip Ultra and Mino and Creative Vado provide only 720p with 30fps Especially when shooting, to be played later as slow motion, 60 frames per second are not to be underestimated and lead to crystal clear slow-motion images. The opportunity to work with the Zi8 to shoot photos, is more of a positive side effect, than really necessary. Too high claims should provide not here. Another very useful feature that none of these comparative models offers, is the Macro mode, the Zi8 (Focus range: 15 cm). Therefore, even the smallest motives (eg insects) abfilmen Full Frame and detailed. It is noticeable that the camera lens near objects apart by a shallow depth of field with the background (front sharply, in the background out of focus), which gives the images a very professional touch. In general, the focus, the contrast, the color and the exposure parameters (ISO sensitivity range of 50-800) the Zi8 only work automatically. An intervention in the default settings is not possible - in most cases, but not necessary because the automatic modes work quite reliable and generally provide good representation services. Every now and then it comes with the automatic focus regulation on conflicts of interest and subjects that are too close to the camera, are displayed a bit blurry compared to the environment. Once you get used to this but first malice, they can be mostly avoided by simply complying with enough distance to the subject. The fact that one can not expect miracles when shooting in the dark or at dusk, is a matter of course in this price range. After all the results are in poor lighting conditions largely still somewhat useful and much better than in most comparable Mini-Cams.
Larger obstacles manifest themselves in everyday use in other places: It is advisable to turn off the image stabilizer, as it performs its permanent efforts to compensate for camera shake to screen vibrations which affect the quality of the filmed material negative. However, this is understandable, since image stabilization even in many cameras in dealing with individual images have difficulty compensate camera shake - how does it work at 30 or 60 frames per second? Such computing power can not be expected at the time of a small Mini-Cam (yet). Another handicap is the integrated into the casing USB flash drive. He is only horizontally folded out and not extendable or renewable, what the PC is a hindrance in direct dubbing of video files, because you never know where to put the Mini-Cam. I have tinkered for this purpose a pad from an old cardboard. Another point of criticism is the - in its compact design course - lack of optical zoom. The four-time digital zoom without a tripod is hard to use, since it leads to extremely shaky footage. Logically, as the normal (inevitable) potentiates trembling in his hand compared to the increase in magnification. Pity is that switching from Marcromodus in the wide-angle mode is only possible via a sliding button, which when taking clearly heard and seen (bucking) is. A smoother transition with zoom effect would be desirable. A final criticism deserves battery charging - this is only possible on the camera itself, when it is connected to an electrical outlet. When using spare batteries one is thus forced to change it when charging directly in the device (which does indeed a problem, but was not optimally solved). An external charging station would facilitate the use of additional batteries. Despite all the criticism you should not forget, however, that the development of mini-HD cameras is just beginning and the image quality in spite of all weaknesses in detail is really fantastic. The teething troubles of HD technology and the associated handling deficits corresponding cameras are also present in many much more expensive and larger models. Almost professionally: The Zi8 has an external microphone jack with stereo sound (!). In this way, the compact size of the device for the general good tone to a really brilliant sound quality boost.
Conclusion ----------
The Zi8 Kodak is currently the best pockets HD camera, which can be found on the market. Although the home videos are sensitive to manual (hand) movements and are without a tripod little shaky or slightly blurred, but considering its price and size, the results can not really be described as a measure of mini-cams. The Zi8 has been designed in between with higher cinematic claims, but rather for quick use any camera for professional filmmakers or ambitious hobby directors. It will in particular the needs of spontaneous and experimental filmmakers, young people, youtube fans and newcomers meet. Sharper and clearer than comparable analog film cameras or the results of cheap cameras with additive HD movie mode, the products of the Zi8 are all - if one is hardly avoidable, slight to significant jitter during hand held shots in the quality evaluation behind the claim to detail sharp images. The focus of the development of the Zi8 was clearly a simple to use as possible - and this claim is the camera justice. The price-performance ratio is very satisfactory, all justified reviews defiance. I highly recommend for everyday use to purchase a tripod (1/4 "Standard) for reducing the aforementioned jitter, an additional battery (KODAK Li-Ion Battery KLIC-7004) and a padded storage bag (greater than 113.2 x 62.0 x 21.5 mm), optionally with compartments for charging cable or spare batteries. It comes with no memory card included! At least 16GB (Class 6) should do the trick (approx. 3-4 hours recording at the highest quality). The 128MB memory (internal) is much too small. However, the use of memory cards is especially on holiday compared to a fixed built-in memory without using cards option an advantage (Flip Mino / Ultra / Creative Vado possess only in the device onboard memory options). If necessary, you can is set for the Zi8 multiple SD / SDHC cards, which the creativity knows no bounds more. Otherwise, the content including a battery, an AC adapter, an HDMI and AV cable, a wrist strap, a user manual and an on-camera Software included for dubbing on the PC very extensive and customer friendly. Tip: Kodak offers on the Internet for free updates for the Zi8 to - what should be mentioned at this point, because it is not self-evident for a long time.
