My quest for a cheap new videoblogging camera continues... I came across the Kodak Zi8 HD pocket camcorder: http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/Zi8_Pocket_Video_Camera/productID.156585800 Test footage looks really good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX-raL4iQoY and the main benefit is that it has an external mic jack. It even has a remote which is essential for solo video blogging. Only downside seems to be lack of swivel head, so I won't be able to see myself in the video. That would be annoying, but not a showstopper. At least it would stop me looking off-lens all the time...
The real test will always under my own conditions of course, I shoot in mostly the same location indoors in a fluoro lit workshop. I was considering the Canon FS200 SD card camcorder (looking for second hand because new is out of my price range), but the sensor is only 1/6" so most likely has fairly horrible low light performance, and the reviews mention this as well. I don't need the full HD, but 720 HD would be nice. Any comments on the Zi8 for video blogging? Anyone know of any other pocket video cams with an external mic jack like the Zi8? My current cam is an old Canon Optura60 DV (NTSC), not exactly a stand-out performer, so I figure a good pocket cam today will likely beat it. Thanks Dave.
