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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Colour & Noise Performance
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03.Motion & Sharpness Performance
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04.Low Light Performance
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05.Compression & Media
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06.Manual Controls
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07.Still Features
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08.Handling & Use
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09.Playback & Connectivity
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10.Audio & Other Features
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11.Sony MHS-PM1 Comparison
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12.Flip UltraHD Comparison
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13.Sanyo VPC-CG10 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Specs and Ratings
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17.Comments
Kodak Zx1
This review is organized into 17 parts
Next: Part 1
Product Tour
Introduction
Kodak's Zx1 is a sturdy, water-resistant, ultra-compact budget camcorder. It offers several frame rates for recording video and it can take still photos. The still features are limited, and the 3-megapixel images are mediocre; but it does take stills, unlike any of the Flip camcorders. Instead of the not so practical pop-out USB arm, the Kodak Zx1 includes an HDMI terminal, a USB and AV-out port, and an SD/SDHC card slot—all well protected with rubber covers. Unfortunately, the Kodak Zx1 is not quite as intuitive or streamlined as the Flip camcorders, especially with its unclear button-labels and confusing interface. Nonetheless, the Kodak Zx1 can be a good alternative to the Flip or other ultra-compact camcorders.
| Section | The Good | The Bad |
| Product Tour | Slender design, comes in five colours | Limited flexibility with the small, fixed lens |
| Colour & Noise Performance | Nothing of note | Horrible auto white balance system gives images orange tint |
| Motion & Sharpness Performance | Offers 60p and 30p HD recording |
Does not have the sharpness of the competition |
| Low Light Performance | Excellent low light sensitivity, strong colours are more accurate | Nothing of note |
| Compression & Media | H.264 codec and MOV files are easy; standard definition recording |
Editing software is not as easy as the competition's |
| Manual Controls | Exposure and focus work fine | All adjustments are handled automatically, white balance is horrible |
| Still Features | At least it does have still features... |
Features are limited; colour accuracy very bad |
| Handling & Use | Gripped surface and slim design feels good, fairly simple to use |
Menu is nearly impossible to find, button design a little obscure |
| Playback & Connectivity | Comes with an HDMI cable; rubber port covers are great |
Confusing and hard to use controls, we couldn't find the 'slow-motion playback' |
| Audio & Other Features | PAL (European) and NTSC (American) output | No audio controls, meagre monaural microphone |
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