July 25, 2009 32 Comments

Kodak Zx1 HD – A Quick Look

My friend from Kodak, Jenny Cisney sent me a Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera (amazon affiliate link) to check out, after I talked with her about them at Jeff Pulver’s 140 Character Conference in New York. I shot a quick video of my very first impressions for you.

You might remember that last year (and most of this year), I’ve called the Flip Mino (amazon affiliate link) the best marketing tool of 2008. I still feel this is true, as I think the simplicity and the price point can’t be beat (not the HD version, mind you, the regular version).

I think what I like most about the Zx1 HD is that it’s that next step up from the Flip. Instead of on-board memory, it has an SD card slot. Instead of charging via USB, there are batteries (note: the Flip Ultra takes batteries).

And I originally complain that the Zx1 HD doesn’t have the cool pop-out USB feature of the Flip, but another guy from Kodak (I’m sorry that I forget your name) showed me why that’s not necessarily good. It leaves your camera dangling from the USB port and applying body weight pressure to the USB port. So, okay, I can see Kodak’s point.

Do I recommend the tool? So far, it’s pretty fricken awesome. Is it what I’d send out to people for simple marketing projects? No. I think the Flip is still the right camera for that job. Should YOU consider the Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera for yourself? I’m sure liking it so far. More to come.

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  • http://twitter.com/martijnreintjes Martijn Reintjes

    I like the Kodak Zx1 but I really hate the narrowness of the lens (it's narrower than that of the flip). When you stand next to someone (to interview them) you can capture only a part of their face, but if you take make distance to get the whole face or even part of the body you have to stand more the 2 meters away. That is way to far for a nice interview and also the microphone doesn't capture that well at that distance.

  • projecthope7

    Hey Chris…thanks for the review on the Kodak zx1 HD pocket video cam! Also for sharing about the reasoning behind having the cables vs weight on the usb port… good thought.
    I would love to start vlogging on my blog and sounds like a good choice. my Casio Exilm Digicam with video just isnt cutting it for what I want to do. Need something a little simpler. Do you know who I can hook up with at Kodak to do a review myself of the Kodak zx1 HD? Thanks!
    Cathy
    twitter id: projecthope7

  • projecthope7

    thanks Martijn… wow… thats important as many of us want to use the HD for interviews. To stand 6 feet away, and the sound being a prob, messes that up. I have the same prob with my expensive Exilm. hmm… anyone with ideas for a solution?

  • rtolmach

    And to compete with the Flip Mino, Kodak came up with such a cool and memorable name: Zx1 HD.

  • http://stevegarfield.com stevegarfield

    There's a new Kodak 'product X' coming out on Wednesday.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com/ Michael Kindness

    With a new baby on the way, I've been thinking about buying one of these for awhile now. The Flip wouldn't work for me because of the very reason you mention. The USB ports on my Dell are on the front, and I think I'd have to hold the camera there to keep it connected.

    Thanks for the review and for making my decision a little easier!!

  • amauiblog

    Chris,

    sorry if I missed it on earlier post, but what is it that you don't recommend or like about HD version of FLIP?

    I'll check out this Kodak too. Thanks.

    Liza
    A Maui Blog

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    The only reason I don't like the HD version is that I don't like waiting around for the files to encode, when it's not that big a difference for most work that I do. Otherwise, it's okay.

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  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I can't YET tell you the durability of this device, but I can tell you that it's pretty decent, especially where you can pluck out the SD card *or* use the cable that comes with it.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I saw a certain… preview… video.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    You're totally right. It's the best. name. ever. Maybe Zx0 was taken?

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    That's what'll be next for me, trying out the camera to see how well it captures. I've only shot two basic films so far.

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  • http://twitter.com/chendry Cheril Hendry

    But Chris, I understand the Kodak Zx1 isn't Mac friendly? At least, that's what my friend at Best Buy told me, along with a few bloggers. I just got the Flip Ultra and love it.

  • amauiblog

    Thanks for the feedback Chris :)

    Aloha,
    Liza
    http://www.amauiblog.com/
    http://www.lizas-eyeview.com/

    ________________________________

  • erinanne

    I am a very happy owner of a Flip. I have, however, wondered about the weight-on-the-port question, like you mentioned. One solution, when concerned or for longer connection periods, might be to use a short USB extension cord? Best of both worlds…

    ea/

  • http://jasonkeath.com jakrose

    the new features for the Wednesday product release are kick ass. got a preview in Chicago. they have solved almost every issue I have with my current cam except one. wish I could say more.

    overall, Kodak has moved pretty quickly to catch up to (and maybe even pass by) Flip in this space. glad to see it.

  • scottkilmer

    Cheril/Chris,

    I got the Zx1 a couple of months ago and have only used it on a Mac. It works awesome – I've never had a problem uploading video to iMove, Final Cut Pro or directly to Facebook. Not to say your friend didn't was lying, I just haven't experienced anything with the connection.

  • http://www.facebook.com/scottfox Scott Fox

    This is great, Chris.
    All the attention we got from your recent video review of my new book, e-Riches 2.0, (and my video response to you) has inspired me to do more video blogging myself.
    I've been planning on a Flip for a while but am considering the Kodak ZX1 also.
    Your pros & cons and the timing of your review are very helpful.
    Thanks!

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  • http://twitter.com/kodakCB Kodak Chief Blogger

    Hi Chris! Nice video! I like watching the video within video action.

    projecthope7 – email me at jennifer.cisneyATkodak.com and we can chat.

    Cheril Hendry – the Zx1 itself works great with Macs – it's the software that uploads vids to YouTube etc that doesn't work on a mac. But you don't really need it. The Zx1 mounts as a drive and creates .mov files – I use my mine with iMovie all the time.

    -Jenny

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  • http://www.b2bvid.com/ marvin

    Jeffreyy Hazylett, CMO of Kodak demoed it at ProductCampNYC.
    He poured water over it & it still worked.

    PS. He's a great speaker.

  • Achim

    Hi Chris, thanks for reviewing the Kodak. The review came just in time, because I was in the market for a pocket video camera. So I got one for myself and am very satisfied, as it's a great product. And yes, I got it from Amazon :-)

  • Hans-Peter

    I just added a new ZX1 user review (4'20) to You Tube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjJrWLNCZTM

    Let me knoe what you think!

  • Dot

    Okay am I totally blonde or what? Why can't I seem to delete any of my video/pictures with the Kodak Zx1??? Love the camera but have NOT been able to delete anything even when I press the delete button. If I have one problem with this camera it is lack of user information.

    Please HELP.

  • Dot

    Okay am I totally blonde or what? Why can't I seem to delete any of my video/pictures with the Kodak Zx1??? Love the camera but have NOT been able to delete anything even when I press the delete button. If I have one problem with this camera it is lack of user information.

    Please HELP.

  • Kim

    Re the question above from Dot. I can't delete either and have been searching for an answer on how to do it? Their manual offers nothing helpful. Did anyone get the answer on how to delete? Thanks.

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