Pocket Digital Cameras

Review by Mr. Peter J. Chapman:

The PlaySport is Kodak’s ‘upgrade’ to the very successful Zi8 model.Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera – Black

There are some differences between the two units, so decide carefully what you will be making videos of before making your purchase.

The PlaySport is missing the macro function on the lense that can be found on the Zi8, basically, this allowed you to focus clearly on close up objects. Also missing is the 3.5mm stereo mic input. This was very usful if you were micing up an instrument and recording interviews. It also meant that you could stand as far away from the camera as your microphone cable would allow.

However, the PlaySport has some improvements and features that trump the Zi8.

In my opinion the video quality is better, capturing video in low light situations is improved, the brightness of the lcd screen is adjustable, it works underwater, its smaller and fits better in your hand than the Zi8.

The Playsports lense is wider than the Zi8′s, meaning you can fit more in the frame.

To sum things up. If you are looking to do video blogging, music recordings, interviews and anything a bit more professional, then buy the Kodak Zi8. If you’re looking for something a little more rugged, a camera you’d not think twice about letting the kids use, a video camera to take on holiday or just something to carry around with you to whip out when you spot something worth recording, then the PlaySport should be your weapon of choice.

Review by R. Evans:

Excellent value for money, i find it great for just picking it up and filming my kids playing.

Picture quality superb at 720p 60fps

Battery life not brilliant, long videos 20+ mins and half flat, and it gets hot

Would recommend none the less

Review by Daniel Worrall:

The build quality of this camera is about average, I returned mine after 7 days after the screen cracked. It was kept in a case and had only been taken out of the house once – It was kept in my car side pocket.

The cable that connects the camera to the USB port is far too short, however If you have a laptop it could be ideal to minimilise cable clutter.

This has been my third ~ £100 compact digital camera, having previously owned the Canon Powershot A60, and Casio Exilim EX-Z700.

The Zoom is good for a camera of this size, however at its lowest and highest settings extreme blurriness and picture distortion occurs at the endges. Also the balance between High contrast and low contrast areas is poor. I found that pictures taken outside just looked washed away and over-exposed on the automatic settings.

Some camera options are well hidden in the menus and require about 3 or 4 levels down to access.

Overall it is a great point and click camera, however build quality and picture quality really do let it down. My Brother just purchased the Powershot A1100 on Amazon, and the picture quality is much better and worth the extra £30 in my opinion.

Review by Lynn Cooke:

I have enjoyed using this little camara, I wanted something small to fit in my bag as I usually use a DSLR but for family outings and days out this fits the bill quite well when I don’t want to carry too much around.

Review by Mr. Peter J. Chapman:

The PlaySport is Kodak’s ‘upgrade’ to the very successful Zi8 model.Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera – Black

There are some differences between the two units, so decide carefully what you will be making videos of before making your purchase.

The PlaySport is missing the macro function on the lense that can be found on the Zi8, basically, this allowed you to focus clearly on close up objects. Also missing is the 3.5mm stereo mic input. This was very usful if you were micing up an instrument and recording interviews. It also meant that you could stand as far away from the camera as your microphone cable would allow.

However, the PlaySport has some improvements and features that trump the Zi8.

In my opinion the video quality is better, capturing video in low light situations is improved, the brightness of the lcd screen is adjustable, it works underwater, its smaller and fits better in your hand than the Zi8.

The Playsports lense is wider than the Zi8′s, meaning you can fit more in the frame.

To sum things up. If you are looking to do video blogging, music recordings, interviews and anything a bit more professional, then buy the Kodak Zi8. If you’re looking for something a little more rugged, a camera you’d not think twice about letting the kids use, a video camera to take on holiday or just something to carry around with you to whip out when you spot something worth recording, then the PlaySport should be your weapon of choice.

Review by R. Evans:

Excellent value for money, i find it great for just picking it up and filming my kids playing.

Picture quality superb at 720p 60fps

Battery life not brilliant, long videos 20+ mins and half flat, and it gets hot

Would recommend none the less

Review by monkey puzzle:

Great bag as lid has snug fit with 2 adjustable clips which gives a secure tight fit when closed as no gaps at the sides. Useful slim zip mesh pocket inside lid which can just hold my spare SD card and the body of my compact digital camera charger. Can then fit my red digital Panasonic HDC SD60 camcorder with the charger cables underneath and fit the Velcro divider to still allow just enough room for my compact Canon Digital Ixus 30 in it’s skin pouch. Bag is light and still has a slim open front pouch that I haven’t decided how to use yet. Good value at the price for easy carrying around. Shoulder strap attached to each side of bag by strong metal clasps and strap is adjustable.

Review by Mrs. E. J. Barron:

Bought to use as a sat nav bag. Spot on purchase. Keeps my bits and bobs safe as u like. Just what i wanted

Review by S. Wright:

This camera is brilliant! The pictures are so clear and the DIS is brilliant for making sure your pictures don’t come out blurry. The rechargeable battery means no more having to change batteries and it connects easily to your computer. The picture quality is amazing and it’s a great camera to carry around with you. I would highly recommend!

Review by ANDREW ARNOTT:

I bought this camera as a birthday present for my daughter and so that she could just put it in her handbag and have it available to take snaps of the three grandchildren.Perfect for the purpose.Small enough to carry around with an excellent picture quality and the added bonus of very good quality video.Great value for money at the price and would recommend it.

Review by Mr. Peter J. Chapman:

The PlaySport is Kodak’s ‘upgrade’ to the very successful Zi8 model.Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera – Black

There are some differences between the two units, so decide carefully what you will be making videos of before making your purchase.

The PlaySport is missing the macro function on the lense that can be found on the Zi8, basically, this allowed you to focus clearly on close up objects. Also missing is the 3.5mm stereo mic input. This was very usful if you were micing up an instrument and recording interviews. It also meant that you could stand as far away from the camera as your microphone cable would allow.

However, the PlaySport has some improvements and features that trump the Zi8.

In my opinion the video quality is better, capturing video in low light situations is improved, the brightness of the lcd screen is adjustable, it works underwater, its smaller and fits better in your hand than the Zi8.

The Playsports lense is wider than the Zi8′s, meaning you can fit more in the frame.

To sum things up. If you are looking to do video blogging, music recordings, interviews and anything a bit more professional, then buy the Kodak Zi8. If you’re looking for something a little more rugged, a camera you’d not think twice about letting the kids use, a video camera to take on holiday or just something to carry around with you to whip out when you spot something worth recording, then the PlaySport should be your weapon of choice.

Review by R. Evans:

Excellent value for money, i find it great for just picking it up and filming my kids playing.

Picture quality superb at 720p 60fps

Battery life not brilliant, long videos 20+ mins and half flat, and it gets hot

Would recommend none the less

Review by A. GRAF:

First of all, I’ve got to say that I’ve bought this tripod not for a DSLR, but for a point-and-shoot camera. And why would I need a tripod for a point-and-shoot? Well, me and my wife travel a lot. Do you know that moment where all you want is a beautiful picture where both of you are actually in the picture? Yeah, such moment is often ruined by the good soul which’ve accepted to take such picture to you. It’s a fact: Most people don’t know how to take pictures. Tired of this, I’ve decided to buy the lightest and smallest tripod I could find. I wanted something that could fit inside a small bag and would still be able to hold the camera on a good height for middle distance. This tripod was PERFECT.

Just came back from another trip, this time taking this tripod with me. I haven’t asked once for somebody to take any pictures for me.

Let’s talk about the tripod then, not about its use:

1) Easy to mount, the telescopic feet have several level, which allows you to setup the tripod wherever you want, as long it is a leveled surface;

2) Its stability once mounted is OK. Not sure how it would be with a DSLR, but once it’s mounted, it’s stable. Of course you don’t want anyone to hit it, because if someone trips on it, your kit is going down for sure. But if left by its own, it can hold up pretty well. Wind is not a problem. If even with a point-and-shoot attached to it (no weight) I had no problems, I can only imagine that with a DSLR would be even more stable.

3) The ball head is essential for framing. Wouldn’t have bought without it.

4) This thing is small and light. It is about the size and weight of a women’s collapsible umbrella.

5) Its height, when fully stretched, is 110cm. This is approximately the same framing height of an adult on his knees.

Well, I think these points round up my impressions. I’m very satisfied with the tripod since it fitted exactly my needs. Hope I help someone with this review.

Review by Mr. D. J. Hutt:

This is a great piece of kit. It is the most compact tripod that I have seen which means you are more likely to carry it with you than larger tripods. It has an easy mounting screw and rubberised holder which makes mounting your camera very easy. It has an easy handle for level adjustment and the legs are pretty basic to lock/unlock and fold away.

So the pros:

Very Small and light.

Easy and quick to setup and pack away

Good value for money

Cons:

Not built for a heavy camera

legs are a bit wobbly

On the whole this is a great tripod for what it is. When you need something small and light, this is great

This product was purchased through Netgadgets who delivered it super fast with an excellent service.