Absolutely Gina, I just bought the zi8 a few days ago and I have been playing around with it. So I do have some serious hands on impressions.
And you are dead on about having to temper your expectations with this camcorder. I think most people look at the specs and get blown away and think they can use it for things that it's really not designed for. As you stated it's a point and shoot camera, meant for sharing short clips with minimal editing. You are not going to be able to shoot a short film on this thing...(I mean you could but seriously) Some things to be aware as there are some issues with this camera. Yes, it's h.264 .mov file but it's in some funky wrapper and it won't work in some editing software programs. I know for sure in Sony Vegas, if you drop it in the time line as is, you don't have any audio. For most people just renaming the mov extension to mp4 works. For most, for some it doesn't and in my case, the audio and video get out of sync for 2 seconds, it's an easy fix to correct it but it is a pain. There are some other work arounds you can do as well. If you are shooting HD, make sure your computer can handle it, mine does...barely...(going to get a new one soon anyway) At night indoors with lighting, shooting in HD, it's grainy...but as noted above, this is a sub 200 point and shoot camera, it is what it is. HD in natural light outside or inside, is stunning. Invest in a small handheld tripod and attach it to the bottom of the camera, it helps with camera shake a lot. It also has a WVGA setting which is SD at a 848 x 480 which actually looks pretty good even in low light. When I first got it and had some of the issues, I was ready to take it back, but I had to remind myself of a few things, one, most of these sub 200 camcorders have various issues, funky codecs, lag, low light performance, etc...but it's under 200 bucks, you want a real HD camcorder expect to spend at least 600-1200 bucks. After experimenting with it and understanding what it is and what it's not. I am keeping it. Most of the time I will be using it to shoot video of my grandson and the rest of the time little short clips here and there of things going on around me. I'll stick with my DVX when I want to make a film.. ;-) Heath http://heathparks.com/blog --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, "compumavengal" <compumaven...@...> wrote: > > I'd like to bring something up that is often forgotten about under $200 > camcorders. These camcorders were originally designed for point and shoot > users. > > Having said that the features of the Zi8 are stunning: > > # 1080p (1920 × 1080, 30 fps) > # 720p/60 fps (1280 × 720, 60 fps) > # 720p (1280 × 720, 30 fps) > USB 2.0 (high speed), AV out, HDMI, DC in, external microphone jack (support > stereo) > > in an under $200 camcorder. I don't expect it to do low light shooting. I > don't have expectation of white balancing. There is no optical zoom. I won't > ever use the digital zoom. > > I've owned a Xacti camcorder, never a problem with it. I have a Zi6 and I > love it. But I understand the constrictions these camcorders by imposes on me. > > If I shoot hand held I'm gonna get jerky video unless I'm really careful. I > have to be next to the person I'm talking to or no more than 4 feet away. > > I have to be creative in finding ways to stabilize the camcorder as I walk; > like having the camcorder on a very small tripod braced in a handbag pocket. > This may or may not work for you. > > If I am recording an event or lecture I'm taking my 30x optical zoom JVC Hard > Drive Camcorder and a tripod. > > My point is that comparing $1,200 features to a $200 camcorder is inherently > frustrating. > > If you need more stuff then you'll have to willing to jump to the next price > class. > > Gena > http://outonthestoop.blogspot.com > http://createvideonotebook.blogspot.com > > --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, David Jones <david.jones@> wrote: > > > > 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. > > >
