Kodak Playsport Zx3 First Impressions Camcorder Review

Ease of Use

The Kodak Playsport definitely seems easy to use, but it does have more buttons and menu options than most ultracompact camcorders. Compared to the Flip camcorders, the Playsport Zx3 has quite a few buttons and features (the Flip doesn't even have photo capability). Still, we think most people will be able to figure out how to shoot video on the Zx3. Where people may get confused is if they have to change menu settings or switch video modes. Just the fact that the Zx3 allows you to adjust things like this makes it a more confusing camcorder to use than the Flip. Kodak also doesn't do a good job labeling its menu options, which is not something you want to do with a camcorder that is meant for beginners.

A big part of what makes an ultracompact camcorder easy to use is the quality of its provided software. The Kodak Zx3 does ship with editing software embedded within the camcorder, but the software isn't compatible with Macs. We'll have to wait and see how well this provided software works when we get a Playsport in for a full-length review.

Handling

The Zx3 feels good in your hand and its grip is pretty strong thanks to the rubberized material that surrounds the camcorder. There are also a number of ribbed strips on the left and right of the camcorder that help you get a good grip. We're not sure how effective the Playsport Zx3 really is when you use it to shoot underwater, but Kodak claims the camcorder should function down to 3 meters (10 feet) underwater.

The orange model of the Zx3 will not be released in the US, but Kodak had one on display at CES.

The Playsport can stand on its own, but its base is fairly wobbly due to its rounded design. Still, we're happy to see the camcorder can stand on its own, although you may have to take a few seconds to make sure everything is balanced correctly for this to occur. The buttons on the Zx3 are well-built and we're far more impressed with their quality than we were with the Kodak Zx1. The Zx3 also has much better overall construction and design than the cheap-feeling Zx1.

The Kodak Zx3 from the back.

The Zx3 does have some problems with controls and menu design—both can be confusing to navigate. The d-pad is responsive and easy to use, but it controls too many things. Push it left or right and you get to a menu for setting video resolution, push it up or down and you're adjusting the digital zoom. We found ourselves accidentally opening menus just because we pressed a button on the d-pad when we didn't mean to.

Portability

The Playsport Zx3 is an ultracompact camcorder, so it was specifically designed with portability in mind. The camcorder is very light (just 128g without its battery) and it could easily fit in your pocket. Its upright design is very conducive for pocket transport as well.

Also adding to the camcorder's portability is the fact that it is waterproof—not water-resistant—up to 3 meters (around 10 feet). This means you don't have to worry about getting the Playsport wet when you take it with you on the slopes or when you want to capture video during a white water rafting expedition.
 

Battery

The Kodak Playsport has a removable battery that loads into a compartment on the camcorder's left side. The battery can charge via USB connection, or via the provided DC charger. The DC charger must connect via the same input as the USB terminal, as we didn't see any dedicated DC input on the camcorder. A wall charger is also sold separately for the Playsport.

The Zx3 with its provided rechargeable battery.

LCD & Viewfinder

The Playsport has a stationary 2.0-inch LCD. We're not particularly excited about the stationary LCDs on these ultracompact camcorders because they are usually difficult to use in high-glare situations. Kodak did implement a glare shield and a new anti-reflective coating on the Playsport, however, so these improvements may help.

The 2.7-inch screen is completely stationary.

The camcorder does not have a viewfinder, so the LCD is all you have for framing your image. The Playsport Zx3 does have a few brightness settings for its LCD, which is a feature not usually found on ultracompact camcorders.

Menus

The Zx3 doesn't have too many menu options, but it does have one main menu screen that is accessed by pressing the settings button on the back of the camcorder. This menu only has eleven options, but it can be very confusing to decipher what certain options control. Kodak lists the settings as a series of icons with no text. Some of the icons are very easy to understand (like the date/time icon), but others are very difficult to decipher.

The menu options can be somewhat difficult to decipher.

Options for setting video recording size are set in a different menu that is accessed by pressing left or right on the d-pad when you are in shooting mode. We're not crazy about this menu setup, as you can accidentally enter the menu when you are using the d-pad to control zoom.