Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
Friday, June 25th, 2010 at
10:10 am
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Rating: 
(out of 27 reviews)
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Review by Mr. Peter J. Chapman for Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
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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 Mr. William Andrews for Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
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I bought this camera mainly because my daughter was going to Mexico on holiday and said that she hoped to swim with sharks and dolphins. I have used video cameras on an amateur basis for years but have never progressed to HD. Although she is not the best of photographers (‘hosepiping’ the camera all over the place) I can only say the results really are stunning. The brilliant underwater video shots of the brightly coloured fish are extremely good when viewed on my HD TV, the sound of local singers and guitarists etc. is excellent and the quality of the many still shots (too many) is exceptional. Some of the stills showing the colour of the sea and the sand are literally worth framing.The editing facilities which install when you first connect to a PC are adequate although basic. The only regret I have is that I bought the camera for my daughter: I want it for ME now.
I cannot speak too highly of this excellent video (and still) camera, especially considering the price on Amazon.
Bill
Review by A. A. Waruszynski for Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
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So many days down the line, familiarity breeds content. If u just want a whip me out tiny box of tricks to record/snap life passing by so you can reminisce at your leisure, then this does deliver. Fits nicely into the top pocket and in seconds is operational and delivering as much, if not a lot more, as any happy daytripper would expect from such a compact unit. As yet I haven’t been through all possibilities and so far on XP the accompanying software should deliver a basic movie, it does seem a bit slow in this respect on my notebook. However it certainly is worth persevering with and I hope to maintain a video diary of stuff that, if not for the sheer convenience of this beast, would otherwise pass me by. That is not to say my life is so interesting that it requires documentation, but even on a dog walk there is flora and fauna that seduce the eye and deserve a small recollection before they are they are either saved or deleted.
Had I possessed this beast with its underwater facility then that copulating couple, who ignored my encircling snorkel, might have been immortalised on u tube. Even so I want to dig out that snorkel so I can film the fishies. That’s part of the attraction of this camera, it makes you want to do stuff and when you are doing stuff it’s so simple to catch the moment when any other piece of kit would leave you relying on your memory, which in my case is becoming increasingly suspect. It doesn’t intrude, it’s simple, well built, delivers a very high quality of recording relative to its size and for the price is excellent value. It deserves to become an iconic gadget that that sits alongside the VW campervan. I think it takes a little bit of getting used to, software could be snappier, and as things stand if you just want a little friend to help you recollect, then this is it.
Review by SiH for Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
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Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
It is certainly the best 129.00 GBP I have ever invested in a camera.
Having read the literature and spent many hours looking through reviews on youtube I became very interested in what the camera could offer.
Well on opening the box you are amazed by the actual size of the unit… there is nothing on the internet that actually comes close to the real thing. It is no bigger than a typical mobile phone…. it is fairly light with enough weight to feel solid in your hand.
The quality of the handset is outstanding. The chassis is solid. The casing is made of durable solid plastics. Nothing creaks or bends as you hold it. The buttons all seem precise and the screen is bright and clear. There were a number of comments/concerns on the internet about the size of the screen being smaller than say the Zi8. The size of the screen is more than enough for what you will need.
The functionality of the camera is so easy. I almost question why they put an instruction manual in the box. Within a couple of minutes of switching the unit on you will be fully up and running. Recording is a one click operation and playback and delete are only another few clicks away. The sound playback on the unit is excellent with the option to switch off the audio.
We have tested the waterproof function of the camera. The underwater filming is crisp even without the option of the H2O button.
A 16gb SDHC Class 4 Card gives you the following record times
Hrs Mins
1080p 3:02
720p 60fps 3:02
720p 30fps 4:24
WVGA 7:00
I have uploaded a number of recordings to `Youtube’ and the family have been impressed. Its so easy. The software that is included is fine…. obviously if you fancy yourself as a bit of a James Cameron then you may want to invest in something that’s a bit more for the non-amateur
There is no flash and there is no macro so if that is essential then this is not the camera for you.
However if you want something that can be put in the car, chucked in a handbag or taken to the beach and will give you a great picture then the Kodak Playsport is for you.
The 5mp camera is just a bonus in my mind!
Seriously 129.00 GBP for the flexibility and quality of this camera is awesome……
Review by Rob Smith for Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
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Purchased this as I wanted a camera that would give me more fun with my boys who love swimming in the pool and beach when on holiday, all my pool shots tend to be from the side of the pool with the boys looking up, I wanted something that would give me more options and this seemed to be the perfect one.
First the price was very good, I checked around and Amazon were much cheaper.
I purchased the orange model which looks great, white front orange back. It does come in a range of colour options Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera – Wave Crash -Blue Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Pocket Video Camera (Abyss – Black)
I have a Toshiba Camileo S20 Toshiba Camileo S20 Full HD 1080p Camcorder UK version – Black HD camera which is fine but not the sturdiest.
The Kodak in compassion is superb, I really like it, the build is ideal, the screen is fixed which will stop my knocking it which I have already done to the Toshiba.
Picture is spot on, you can select up to 1080p but need to select 720p for play back on youtube or your PC again pictures is very good. It comes with leads for connecting to HDMI on your TV and also USB for the OC. You also have a 5Mp camera which is better that the 5Mp makes you think, It’s as good as my Sony Digital camera which is 7.2Mp.
I do like it’s easy of use, I trade in Electronics and very little makes me reach for the user guide, I found the Kodak very straight forward and didn’t need to look at the user manual, unlike the Toshiba which has a poor menu system.
Only negative is the inbuilt memory is as good as zero so you need to buy a SCHC card, no point buying without, the inbuilt memory gave 7 pictures or 10 seconds of film.
The camera has built in software which installed on my Windows Vista PC fine, the software looks very good, allows you easy upload to youtube, twitter etc.
I am very pleased with the camera and look forward to getting in wet under water, a recommended water proof HD camcorder with 5Mp camera.