The world of digital camcorders is speeding along at the same pace as the computer industry, gathering more and more amazing features in ever smaller packages. Take for instance the new pocket video cameras that have been developed recently. At this moment, it is primarily a competition between just two products: the new Kodak Zi8 and the Flip Mino camcorders.

Both products have been carefully designed to capture the growing market of easy to use and extremely portable camcorders with built in capabilities that make sharing the videos on the computer and loading them up to the popular social networking sites extremely easy. Let's do a quick digital video camera review of these two products.

Flip and Kodak are both justifiably proud of their respective product lines, and make it easy to find lots of information online. Of course, one of the most important features to everyone is the price, and you will find that they at exactly the same price point, $179.99. So far a tie.

One important difference between these two is that the Kodak Zi8, like most digital video cameras, has an extremely small amount of internal memory (only 128 MB). The Flip has a much larger capacity of 2 GB, 16 times as much. Score 1 for the Flip.

However, and this is huge, both literally and figuratively, the Kodak relies on the use of SD/SDHC memory cards to expand it's storage capabilities. The Flip Mino leaves you no room for expansion. The Kodak digital video camera can handle up to a 32 GB card for those who want to go all out. What does that mean? Up to 10 HOURS of video recording! Score a big plus for Kodak.

One of the things that is similar between the two is they both share a very handy built in USB swing-out arm, so you don't need camera specific USB cables. You can just swing out the arm and plug it directly into your computer and start sharing. Down with cable clutter! A tie.

Both come with video and picture editing software, but only the Zi8 has HD capable video recording, and a HDMI output on the camera itself to hook it up directly to your HDTV for instant viewing. A Kodak win.

But from here on, it really isn't much of a competition. The Flip Mino, and even it's big brother the MinoHD (which costs significantly more) can't hold a candle to the value and the quality of the Kodak Zi8. For the same price, you get a vastly larger viewscreen, built in image stablization, full blown 1080 pixel HD video, and the security that comes with the Kodak brand.

Final result: the race between these two models is not remotely close today — the Zi8 pocket digital video camera is superior. Of course, don't expect Flip to sit idle.

Click Pocket Camcorder & Digital Pocket Video Camera.Copyright 2009 Ron King.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
http://EzineArticles.com/?Kodak-Zi8-Vs-Flip-Mino—Pocket-Video-Camera-Smackdown&id=2744559

By Ron King

The introduction of the digital pocket video camera has gone a long way, to make video recording a breeze. Everyone has gone crazy for this little device with a lot of potential. The first generation of pocket video cameras, Flip cameras, were the perfect answer to many people's dreams.

Nevertheless, for the style conscious, they were somewhat disappointing, when compared to the sleek digital cameras, and cool iPods obtainable: Tending to be on the broad side, and making them marginally too big, to comfortably fit in your pocket. Despite this, Pure Digital has gone all out to introduce us to the pleasures of the pocket video camera. Wowing consumers, by offering a HD digital video pocket camera for less than $200.

Superior Quality

Recently Kodak released the Zi8, which offers superior quality, and unlike Flip pocket video cameras, it also doubles up as a 5 mega pixel, 16:9 widescreen HD, digital still camera. Both the Flip Pocket camcorders provide 720p resolution, which is the lowest level for HD video cameras.

The newly released Kodak Zi8 has a 1080p resolution, which is the top end of HD video. It also has various video mode settings, including “standard mode”. Perfect for capturing friends, family and funnies, for uploading to YouTube, or Facebook. In standard mode, you can jam a whole lot more into the memory, which is a convenient option to have. With its SD/SDHC expandable memory (up to 32GB), the Kodak Zi8 can store up to ten hours of HD video.

Staying Focused Is Easy

The Kodak Zi8 has two 720p video modes, offering 30fps and 60fps settings. The fast frame mode is excellent for capturing moving objects, in addition to the built in image stabilization. One thing is certain, with the Kodak Zi8, you can stay focused, even if you, or your subject, is on the move.

The Kodak Zi8 has several extremely useful features, which help you to create better movies. The “Smart Face” tracking detects when a face is close up and makes adjustments automatically, to ensure the lighting is correct. The Kodak also offers a x4 zoom, which is double that of the Flip Mino.

Share Your World

Although the Kodak Zi8 has a handy 2.5 inch LCD viewing screen, that is no way to make the most of your HD video! The Zi8 has a pop up USB connector, which makes uploading imagery to your PC problem free. A HDMI jack is also provided, making it just as easy to watch your video on the big screen.

Another top thing about the Zi8? Apart from the internal microphone, it also has an external microphone jack, which allows you to record in stereo. Be the director, share your movies with friends and family, edit and upload. It's no problem with a Kodak Zi8!

Find out more about the Digital Pocket Video Camera today. Also see Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera Review for additional info. Copyright 2009 Ron King. You can reprint this article if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Digital-Pocket-Video-Camera-Has-Arrived&id=2845703

By Ron King

The world of digital camcorders is speeding along at the same pace as the computer industry, gathering more and more amazing features in ever smaller packages. Take for instance the new pocket video cameras that have been developed recently. At this moment, it is primarily a competition between just two products: the new Kodak Zi8 and the Flip Mino camcorders.

Both products have been carefully designed to capture the growing market of easy to use and extremely portable camcorders with built in capabilities that make sharing the videos on the computer and loading them up to the popular social networking sites extremely easy. Let's do a quick digital video camera review of these two products.

Flip and Kodak are both justifiably proud of their respective product lines, and make it easy to find lots of information online. Of course, one of the most important features to everyone is the price, and you will find that they at exactly the same price point, $179.99. So far a tie.

One important difference between these two is that the Kodak Zi8, like most digital video cameras, has an extremely small amount of internal memory (only 128 MB). The Flip has a much larger capacity of 2 GB, 16 times as much. Score 1 for the Flip.

However, and this is huge, both literally and figuratively, the Kodak relies on the use of SD/SDHC memory cards to expand it's storage capabilities. The Flip Mino leaves you no room for expansion. The Kodak digital video camera can handle up to a 32 GB card for those who want to go all out. What does that mean? Up to 10 HOURS of video recording! Score a big plus for Kodak.

One of the things that is similar between the two is they both share a very handy built in USB swing-out arm, so you don't need camera specific USB cables. You can just swing out the arm and plug it directly into your computer and start sharing. Down with cable clutter! A tie.

Both come with video and picture editing software, but only the Zi8 has HD capable video recording, and a HDMI output on the camera itself to hook it up directly to your HDTV for instant viewing. A Kodak win.

But from here on, it really isn't much of a competition. The Flip Mino, and even it's big brother the MinoHD (which costs significantly more) can't hold a candle to the value and the quality of the Kodak Zi8. For the same price, you get a vastly larger viewscreen, built in image stablization, full blown 1080 pixel HD video, and the security that comes with the Kodak brand.

Final result: the race between these two models is not remotely close today — the Zi8 pocket digital video camera is superior. Of course, don't expect Flip to sit idle.

For the latest info, see pocket video cameras site today. Also check our free pocket video camera guide.

Copyright 2009 Ron King. You can reprint this article if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
http://EzineArticles.com/?Kodak-Zi8-Vs-Flip-Mino—Pocket-Video-Camera-Smackdown&id=2744559

By Ron King

Imagine handing over your prized, high specification, high pixel, and high priced digital camera to your nine-year old child, as he or she goes on a school trip. Chances are it would have to be a very, very important school trip for you to contemplate doing so. So what should you do when your children needs to use a digital camera? Or when they want to use one just for fun? Well, if you have never thought of buying a children's digital camera, here are some very good reasons as to why you should start doing just that.

A digital camera designed for children, though not as advanced in photographic capability compared to the grown up kind, does have many of the very same features as standard. Cameras designed with younger kids in mind also come with a hardy casing, being essential that the camera is sturdy enough to allow for the drops and bangs which it is likely to withstand. Children are children, after all.

There is little point sending little Joe off to school, with his two left hands and your precious, top of the line camera. Then complaining when it comes home damaged. Do the sensible thing and save yourself a bundle as well. Start them off with their very own basic camera, constructed for mommy and daddy's 'little angels.' Then buy one of the more sophisticated models as they progress into their teenage years. Now, that makes sense, doesn't it?

As they learn to use the camera, children start to hone their artistic capabilities. However, it is important that you guide them with regards to using the camera correctly. Especially for younger children. Otherwise, it might not appear to them to be any different from their existing stock of car and doll toys. Which, of course, it is! The good thing is, there's a lot going for you as a parent to buy this particular 'toy', since it has tangible output (that is photographs).

Not only will it save the pain of worrying about your own camera. Just think of all the fun you will all have! Your child is going to be 'proud as punch' when they get to show you all the pictures they've been taking, which can work wonders for their self-esteem. Plus, being a source of pride for any parent. What's more, with a children's digital camera, you need not worry about wasting film. Paying out that bit up front is going to save you money in the long run. So look on it as an investment, financially and maybe even artistically!

Click Childrens Digital Camera or Digital Camera for Children for more info.

Copyright 2009 Ron X King.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
http://EzineArticles.com/?Childrens-Digital-Cameras—Tap-Your-Childs-Creativity&id=3210558

By Ron King

The introduction of the digital pocket video camera has gone a long way, to make video recording a breeze. Everyone has gone crazy for this little device with a lot of potential. The first generation of pocket video cameras, Flip cameras, were the perfect answer to many people's dreams.

Nevertheless, for the style conscious, they were somewhat disappointing, when compared to the sleek digital cameras, and cool iPods obtainable: Tending to be on the broad side, and making them marginally too big, to comfortably fit in your pocket. Despite this, Pure Digital has gone all out to introduce us to the pleasures of the pocket video camera. Wowing consumers, by offering a HD digital video pocket camera for less than $200.

Superior Quality

Recently Kodak released the Zi8, which offers superior quality, and unlike Flip pocket video cameras, it also doubles up as a 5 mega pixel, 16:9 widescreen HD, digital still camera. Both the Flip Pocket camcorders provide 720p resolution, which is the lowest level for HD video cameras.

The newly released Kodak Zi8 has a 1080p resolution, which is the top end of HD video. It also has various video mode settings, including “standard mode”. Perfect for capturing friends, family and funnies, for uploading to YouTube, or Facebook. In standard mode, you can jam a whole lot more into the memory, which is a convenient option to have. With its SD/SDHC expandable memory (up to 32GB), the Kodak Zi8 can store up to ten hours of HD video.

Staying Focused Is Easy

The Kodak Zi8 has two 720p video modes, offering 30fps and 60fps settings. The fast frame mode is excellent for capturing moving objects, in addition to the built in image stabilization. One thing is certain, with the Kodak Zi8, you can stay focused, even if you, or your subject, is on the move.

The Kodak Zi8 has several extremely useful features, which help you to create better movies. The “Smart Face” tracking detects when a face is close up and makes adjustments automatically, to ensure the lighting is correct. The Kodak also offers a x4 zoom, which is double that of the Flip Mino.

Share Your World

Although the Kodak Zi8 has a handy 2.5 inch LCD viewing screen, that is no way to make the most of your HD video! The Zi8 has a pop up USB connector, which makes uploading imagery to your PC problem free. A HDMI jack is also provided, making it just as easy to watch your video on the big screen.

Another top thing about the Zi8? Apart from the internal microphone, it also has an external microphone jack, which allows you to record in stereo. Be the director, share your movies with friends and family, edit and upload. It's no problem with a Kodak Zi8!

Find out more about the Digital Pocket Video Camera today. Also see Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera Review for additional info. Copyright 2009 Ron King. You can reprint this article if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Digital-Pocket-Video-Camera-Has-Arrived&id=2845703

By Ron King

Video recording technology has come a long way in a short time. A very few years ago, it was torture to lug around a huge video camera for every important event. And you only used it for important events because it was too much to carry otherwise.

Today, camcorders offer much lighter and more portable versions for video recording, as well as better features than the old video cameras. One of the best, most portable of all video recording devices is the Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder. Don't let its small size fool you. It is loaded with features including HD technology as well as a handy little way to record everywhere you go.

The following features are what makes this HD pocket video camera a must have.

* Lightweight – This little wonder weighs in at under 4 ounces (without batteries) making it perfect for carrying around all the time.

* High Quality UltraHD Recording – You can now capture 1080 pixels video, which is much better than the 770 pixels that other pocket camcorders offer. This tiny pocket camcorder has built-in stabilization to cut down on the blur you get with regular video recording.

* 2.5 inch LCD Display – That's no small display screen for a little pocket video camera. You can see what you are recording on an LCD screen.

* Storage Modules – You not only get 128 Megabytes built-in memory, but the Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder also supports SD cards with its built-in slots — meaning you can store more video footage. LOTS more. You can record up to 10 HOURS of video with this amazing little HD pocket camcorder.

* Still Photos – You can even take the most stunning stills with your Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder as it is capable of taking 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures at 5 Megapixel resolution.

* Upload Capabilities – This is a big deal nowadays. With this little portable pocket camcorder you can enjoy fast and easy optimized uploads to your favorite social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube.

The list of features and benefits of the Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder do not stop there. It has a built-in speaker and microphone for recording audio and listening to the playback while you watch it. If you are like most people, you don't like using cables which makes the cable-free feature very appealing.

It comes with a user guide, a wrist strap, rechargeable lithium ion battery, adapter and cable for charging, HDMI and AV cables for TV playback, and software for organizing and editing.

The Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder is a revolutionary new way to record video and it even has an affordable price tag — $179. You're going to be very impressed.

For lots more info on the Kodak Zi8 pocket camcorder. Also see our pocket camcorder site.
Copyright 2009 Ron King. You can reprint this article if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
http://EzineArticles.com/?Kodak-Zi8—The-Best-Pocket-Camcorder-Ever&id=2703267

By Ron King

When you're looking for cheap video cameras, you should be sure that you check out product reviews just prior to purchasing, because frequently cheap equals inferior quality, plus the technological level is constantly changing. Simply because a video camera is under $200, does not mean that it is going to be a wise purchase. Sometimes they're cheaply priced for a good reason — they're cheaply produced.

Fortunately technology has now reached the level where you can obtain a cheap video camera that will provide you with high quality video and images.

The two most popular cheap, but good pocket-size camcorders are the Kodak Zi8 and the Flip Mino. Both of these video recorders have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's review the properties of each one.

The Flip Mino pocket camcorder:

- recording time: 60 minutes
- 2GB of fixed internal storage
- additional storage space – none
- records at 720 megapixels
- 640 x 480 resolution
- 30 frames per second shooting speed
- battery life up to 4 hours
- the rechargeable lithium battery that it comes with is not replaceable, nor can it be removed
- view screen size is 1.5 inches
- 2x optical zoom
- weight 3.3 ounces
- measures approximately 3.94 x 1.97 x 0.63 inches.

The Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera:

- records up to 10 hours of video on 1 SD card
- slotted for up to 32GB video cards
- multiple cards can be used for a virtually unlimited amount of video
- rechargeable lithium ion battery
- 90 minute battery life in video recording mode
- records at 1020 megapixels HD
- shoots at 30 frames per second
- has a 16:9 wide screen HD still picture feature
- takes still pictures at 5 mega pixel resolution
- editing software is built- in
- view screen size is 2.5 inches
- 4x optical zoom
- weight 3.9 ounces
- image stabilization feature
- 4.5 x 2.4.x 0.8 inches approximate size.

Both permit you to flip open a USB arm and plug it directly into your computer, so that you can instantly upload all your great videos to your favorite sites, such as Facebook and YouTube.

Other options exist for cheap video cameras, but the Flip Mino and Kodak Zi8 are the current leaders, and for good reasons. These tiny, handheld video camcorders are perfect options for those who are on a budget, because both can be bought at $179.95.

While you can't go wrong with either product, at this moment I would order the Kodak. But by the time you read this, technology will undoubtedly have advanced further yet and leadership might well have changed.

Find out more about Cheap Video Cameras today. Also see Cheap Video Camera Review for additional info. Copyright 2009 Ron King. You can reprint this article if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_King
http://EzineArticles.com/?Cheap-Video-Cameras—No-Longer-a-Sign-of-Poor-Quality&id=2821619