Anyone here buy the new Kodak Zi6 HD camcorder?

[snafubaby]

The video it takes is not really HD, from what i hear. It's supposedly H264, but it sure packs a punch! VERY nice little unit, from what i've heard. Anyone here buy one? I am VERY interested in buying one, but i wanna know more about it. How good does it take videos in low lighting? How's the automatic Youtube uploading? Is it a pretty good unit? Perhaps i'll just save some money and buy a real HD camcorder. Of course, it'll be $500 more for it, but as long as it's HD, i don't care.

Anyway, how's the Zi6? Inquiring minds wanna know!

[Soopafresh]

Do a search for ZI6 on http://www.vimeo.com to see some footage. I guess it's not bad for $180, it all depends what you're planning to do with the footage and how often you plan on filming with it. Granted, it's convenient because it's small, but I'd look at other cameras.

Better have rock steady hands for scenes with movement in it. It seems to lack optical image stabilization. It would be fine on a mini tripod, but then you'd have to carry that around as well.

http://www.vimeo.com/1769105

It suffers from terrible "jello video", aka rolling shutter artifacts. See 42 seconds in.

http://www.vimeo.com/2012470

Read this review and download the footage on the bottom of the page to see the unprocessed video.

http://honestbydesign.com/2008/8/16/kodak-zi6-stops-in-early-and-gets-reviewed

[snafubaby]

i guess it's sort of like a toy. i think for $179 that it isn't bad. i might pick one up, just for poops and grins. i don't like the drawbacks, but for something so inexpensive, and can do what's advertised, that is take beautiful HD video, why not? I am sure Kodak will come out with new model, or models, in the near future, that may include image stabilization, other features, and a better HD sensor. Regarding the shakiness, would using Vdub with the deshaker filter fix things, or other stabilization software?


thanks for the info!

[Soopafresh]

Look at the Flip MinoHD. Nice built in Mic as well $200 at Amazon. Works well in the dark too.

http://www.vimeo.com/2233624

[snafubaby]

Thanks for the suggestion! Yeah, saw the MinoHD at sears for $159.99. The only diff. between it and the Zi6 is that it doesn't have upgradable memory, and like you pointed out, it does take good video even in low lighting. I am thinking about forgetting these first-version HD camcorders, and waiting till next year, where the new models will come out, hopefully with big improvements. I would probably just buy one now for the holidays, and take it back after the new year. Ya know, just to "give it a spin". Nothing wrong with that, as long as i keep it clean and I don't drop it.