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2747 reviews
Apr, 2025
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 are impressed by the size and image quality. The price and portability also get good comments. There are mixed comments on the zoom and durability. The viewfinder and reliability get negative opinions.
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.
Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)
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. Reviewers are impressed by the image quality and size. The price and portability are also appreciated, whereas there are some critical reviews about the viewfinder.
usability, portability, price, size, image quality
viewfinder
94% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.
Consumer review (amazon.com)
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. People are impressed by the size and image quality. The price and portability also get good opinions, but some have doubts about the viewfinder and zoom. Reviews are divided on the durability.
usability, portability, price, image quality, size
reliability, zoom, viewfinder
84% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.
Expert review by : Christopher Phin (techradar.com)
Is this new mini camcorder a worthy update to its older brother?
Basic stabilisation ; Decent low-light performance
Audio/video could improve ; Need to buy an SD card
Not as cheap as a Flip, nor as good as a proper DV camera, but has its merits
Expert review by : Steven Leckart (wired.co.uk)
It may have taken a few tries, but Kodak's line of pocket handicams has now officially blown Pure Digital's wildy-popular Flip series out of the water. Inside and out, the Zi8 is brimming with upgrades (including 1080p) and little touches (such as a...
Lighter, shorter, sleeker body than the previous models. Li-ion battery (no more AAs). HD enthusiasts will appreciate the difficulty of deciding between 720p (60fps) and 1080p (30fps). Audiophiles will love the mic jack. Show-offs will use the HDMI-out...
The five-megapixel stills are passable, not exceptional. Red recording light in front is a stealth-killer. Digital zoom is a resolution-killer. No memory included. Smudge-prone plastic body
Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (goodgearguide.com.au)
The full-featured Kodak Zi8 pocket-camcorder captures the best HD footage we've seen, but its interface and digital zoom often get in the way.
Sharp 1080p video and shooting options, can use earbuds as external mic
Controls are slow to respond, buggy, jumpy 4x digital zoom
The full-featured Zi8 captures the best HD pocket-camcorder footage we've seen, plus it has shooting options galore. Tere are some interface and key usability issues and digital zoom often get in the way.
Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (pcworld.com)
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...
Expert review by : Tim Moynihan (pcworld.com)
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.
Expert review by : Christopher Breen (pcworld.com)
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
Expert review by : Steven Leckart (wired.com)
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
Expert review by : Brian Heater (pcmag.com)
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.
Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)
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.
Expert review by : Sandeep B (tech.firstpost.com)
A bloody good camcorder at a very reasonable price.
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