Related Articles

Published: Mar 17, 2009 Author: Michael Chiu Editor: Amber Lupala Provider: Geeks Share this article:

Comparison and Testing

Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures

I own another popular pocket video camera, the Flip Mino video camera, and as you can see the Flip camera is quite a bit smaller than the Kodak Zi6. The Flip Mino also has built in memory and a non-accessible battery. But overall I think the Kodak Zi6 offers a better experience, as it has quite a larger screen, can take still pictures as well has record video, and has expandable memory.

Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures

Overall, using the Kodak Zi6 is very simple and can easily be mastered in a couple of minutes. Video comes out great in daylight conditions, especially if you use a tripod; many of the videos you can find on retailer websites are shot in such optimal conditions. The larger 2.4” LCD has a nice crisp picture. The digital zoom (2x) is a useful feature but does add some graininess to the pictures, so it’s better to get closer to your subject than to zoom in. Still images are less than impressive however, due to the rather small (1.6MP) lens. Battery life is good; I was able to get about 1 hour of recording on a charge.

Video isn’t actually recorded in true high definition (1080p), but rather a more modest 720p. But higher resolution would mean more noticeable image stabilization issues also. Files can get rather large if you let them, and they record in Quicktime (mov) format instead of a somewhat more accessible AVI format.

Sample Video, click here to view it!

Take a look at a sample video here (taken in low light conditions to test out the capability); you’ll see the low light capabilities aren’t the greatest but are respectable.

Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures

Looking at the Arcsoft MediaImpression software that comes with the camera, there are some nifty features such as the ability to take still shots from videos and upload videos directly to YouTube. You can also edit videos and do some other post-processing using the software.

Conclusion:
The Kodak Zi6 1.6MP Pocket Video HD Camera is a great product that provides convenient video recording capability that fits into your pocket. Sure, it won’t record as great a video as a larger camera that has all the bells and whistles, but the Zi6 still produces decent video that is well suited for online sharing. And its size is perfect when wanting to quickly capture those spontaneous moments in life. Geeks.com offers this camera at around $120 USD, which is a very affordable price for such a versatile and handy item. If you’re looking for a convenient pocket video camera that has the right features, you should check this little guy out.

Pros:
+ Good value
+ Small size is very convenient
+ Large, crisp LCD display
+ Removable battery and memory cards
+ Decent battery life

Cons:
- No image stabilization (use a tripod)
- Still images aren’t that impressive

Thanks to Geeks.com for providing the product for this review.