Come out with what could potentially be the Flip Video slayer.
Kodak and I have a hate-hate relationship going back a few years. My first digital camera was a Kodak and boy did it suck hard. Nearly everything about it screamed “let’s get this P.O.S. out in the market to dupe new adopters into buying our crap!” Needless to say I’ve been suspicious of Kodak products ever since and I’ve found few reasons to ever revise my opinion.
That may all change in September. Kodak announced today that they’re coming out with a new HD pocket video camera that will pack one hell of a punch. It will shoot 1080p, have electronic image stabilization, capture to SD/SDHC cards, have an external mic jack and even a USB flip out arm similar to its competitor — the Flip series. And in what may be the K.O. blow to Flip, it will retail for $180.
Here’s the full spec sheet from Kodak’s press release:
The slim and stylish KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera is designed to meet these needs at the touch of a button — no lens cap, dials to turn or settings to adjust. The new camera’s range of advanced features includes:
• Full HD 1080p video capture wherever you go;
• Built-in electronic image stabilization for sharper videos and reduced blurring;
• Vivid 2.5″ color LCD;
• Flexible swing-out USB arm for fast uploading, sharing, and charging;
• 5 MP 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures;
• Easy upload to Facebook and YouTube;
• Compatible with PC and Mac operating systems;
• Record up to 10 hours of HD video* with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB;
• Capture family and friends in their best light with smart face tracking technology;
• See more details and accurate colors in low light;
• External microphone jack;
• In-box HDMI cable;
• Record from a distance or playback on your TV conveniently with optional KODAK Pocket Video remote control;
• Grab attention and define your style with the ultra compact design, stunning looks, and a range of colors.
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Flip brand. I have two Flip Mino HDs and use them constantly. However, there are two things I dislike about them. The first is the biggie — no image stabilization. This downgrades the Flip from something I could shoot and edit great web videos with to something I can only use for home and personal videos. I’ve tried many times to sync footage shot with my Flip with footage shot from a Sony 1080i HDV DVCAM and there’s just no way to ignore the extreme shakiness inherent in the Flip’s footage. Secondly, I have a minor quibble with the storage ability. While I recognize it was a conscious decision by Flip to only allow an hour of recording, sometimes it becomes a large boon. I have to take my laptop along on multi-day shoots or vacations just due to the necessity of exporting footage. I love the Flip Mino for being compact and no-nonsense and that works for a tons of people. It’s just that
sometimes that doesn’t work for me.
In addition I see Flip taking steps backwards when they should be moving forwards. Why aren’t they the next to announce an affordable 1080p pocket cam instead of Kodak? Why did they spend time and effort to update their already outdated Ultra series to make it marginally better than their Mino line? It’s like Ford spending time and energy to revive their Pinto model as a new luxury sedan.
So now I await September with eager apprehension. Will Kodak deliver with their Zi8 and usurp Flip as the king of the pocket camcorder hill or will it disappoint once again leaving the field wide for new challengers? Personally, I just hope to get a great new pocket cam out of the deal.
