Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Video Camera

2747 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (1865)
portability (1041)
price (897)
image quality (638)
size (485)

Negative
zoom (109)
reliability (103)
viewfinder (7)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2747 reviews of Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Video Camera. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviewers really like the size and image quality. The price and portability are also mentioned favorably. There are some less positive opinions about the viewfinder and reliability, and there are some mixed reviews about the zoom and durability.

usability, portability, price, image quality, size

reliability, viewfinder

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Video Camera is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 2747 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

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Showing 1 - 2422 of 2553 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (159)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Video Camera

alaTest has collected and analyzed 397 user reviews of Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Video Camera from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the image quality and size are on the whole positive. The price and portability also get good feedback, whereas there are some less positive views about the viewfinder.

usability, portability, price, size, image quality

viewfinder

94% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Video Camera

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2015 user reviews of Kodak Zi8 Pocket HD Video Camera from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Opinions about the size and image quality are on the whole positive. The price and portability also get good feedback. Comments are divided on the durability, and many are negative about the viewfinder and zoom.

usability, portability, price, image quality, size

reliability, zoom, viewfinder

84% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (pcworld.com)

Kodak ZI8 HD Camcorder

Kodak's Zi8 high-definition pocket camcorder ($180 as of 9/14/2009) is the superpowered follow-up to the company's cult-favorite Zi6 model. It's also the most full-featured pocket-size camcorder we've seen, thanks to three unique features: the ability...

Sharp 1080p video and shooting options ; Can use earbuds as external mic

Controls are slow to respond ; Buggy, jumpy 4x digital zoom

If the best-quality footage and shooting options galore are your main needs in an HD pocket camcorder, the Zi8 gets a glowing recommendation. However, I did experience some key usability issues, even if its video quality blows the competition out of...

Sep, 2009

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Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (pcworld.com)

Kodak Zi8 HD Camcorder Camcorder Review

Sharp 1080p video and shooting options ; Can use earbuds as external mic

Buggy, jumpy 4X digital zoom ; Controls are slow to respond

The full-featured Zi8 captures the best HD pocket-camcorder footage we've seen, but its interface and digital zoom often get in the way.

Sep, 2009

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Expert review by : Christopher Breen (pcworld.com)

Kodak Zi8

External microphone input ; Image stabilization ; Five shooting modes ; Removable storage and battery

Terrible zoom ; Noisy microphone input ; Low framerate from 1080p video ; Image stabilization doesn't help much

Sep, 2009

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Expert review by : Steven Leckart (wired.com)

Review: Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera

With topnotch resolution, excellent audio and crazy-low price, Kodak's Zi8 is a pocket camcorder that makes us flip off the Flip.

Lighter, shorter, sleeker body than the previous models. Lithium-ion battery (no more AAs) lasts more than an hour. HD enthusiasts will appreciate the difficulty of deciding between 720p (60fps) and 1080p (30fps). Audiophiles will love the mic jack....

Red recording light is a stealth-killer. Digizoom is a res-killer. No included SD card is a buzz-killer. Plastic body shows every smudge. Unexceptional 5-MP stills

Aug, 2009

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Expert review by : Brian Heater (pcmag.com)

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera

When Kodak introduced the Zi6, its first-ever video camera late last year, we were impressed. In fact, it was our first Editors' Choice in the nascent pocket video camera category. The Zi6 offered a number of features that the famous Flip Ultra didn't,...

Nice price. Records 1080p video. 5-megapixel still image capture. Face detection, electronic image stabilization, and macro mode. Expandable memory. External mic port. Ships with an HDMI cable

Jerky zoom. Subpar still image quality. Mediocre built-in mic. Hyper-sensitive buttons. Can get very hot with extended use

With 1080p video, 5-megapixel still image capture, and more features than we've seen in any other pocket video camera, the Zi8 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, earning our Editors' Choice.

Aug, 2009

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera review: Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera

Video capture up to 1080p HD resolution; image quality is quite good for a mini camcorder; SD card slot; removable, rechargeable battery; bundled composite and HDMI cables; strong low-light performance; external mic jack; electronic image...

Bundled software isn't Mac compatible but necessary for smooth playback of 1080p video; price doesn't include an optional memory card.

With the Zi8, Kodak finally surpasses Flip Video's video quality and feature set.

Jul, 2009

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Expert review by : Gordon Mah Ung (maximumpc.com)

Kodak Zi-8

If you've been eying Flip Video's popular MinoHD (reviewed March 2009) but have been put off by the simple-enough-for-simpletons approach, Kodak's Zi-8 is the pocket cam you've been waiting for.

Slightly bulky; audio is not sensitive; UI is slightly confusing

Mar, 2010

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (camcorderinfo.com)

Kodak Zi8 Camcorder Review

The Kodak Zi8 ($199 MSRP) is an ultracompact camcorder with some impressive specs: Full 1920 × 1080 HD recording, a 5 megapixel still image capability, and a 3.5mm external microphone jack. Even with these strong specs, however, we found the camcorder...

Feb, 2010

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Expert review by : Balachandar Radhakrishnan (brighthub.com)

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera Review

The Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera is an absolutely price worthy solution for the portable video enthusiast as well as casual shooter. The Kodak Zi8 offers great video quality and top features for a pocket camcorder making it a highly recommended...

May, 2011

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Expert review by : John Garger (brighthub.com)

A Review of the Kodak Zi8 as a Cheap YouTube Digital Camcorder

Of the three cheap digital camcorders reviewed in this series, the Kodak Zi8 is the best choice for creating and uploading videos to YouTube. Read this review to find out what you'll be missing if you don't choose the Kodak Zi8.

May, 2010

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