REPORTER’S TOOL KIT: Kodak’s Zi8 rivals the Flip video camera

Image by Kodak

Kodak has a new pocket digital video camera that I recommend to journalists over the popular Flip video cameras. Several features set it apart, and at $179 the price is competative with the Flip.

Welcome the Kodak Zi8.

• First, it has an external mic jack so you can hook up a wireless or other external microphone in order to improve audio for interviews and other special audio conditions.
• It also offers a wider range of frame rate and HD options. It shoots full 1080p HD video at 30 fps, as well as 720p at 60 fps (great for shooting something your know you’re going to change into a slow motion effect later…). You can record up to 10 hours of HD video with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB card.
• It also shoot 5.3 mega-pixel stills.

All of this makes it an ideal camera for news organizations that want quality, flexibility and affordability when outfitting their street reporters.

Thanks to chris.pirillo.com for this helpful video review:

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