Kodak Zx1

The Kodak Zx1 is a unique ultra-compact budget camcorder, with some peculiarities and some strong benefits. The Zx1 does stand out from the crowd with its incorporation of a 60p record mode, and its sturdy, yet practical design. With its confusing menu screen and controls the Zx1 is far more difficult to use than the Flip camcorders. Though the menu screens and controls are a little confusing, and the buttons are not clearly marked, handling the Kodak is a cakewalk, compared to the Sony MHS-PM1 or the Sanyo VPC-CG10.

Regarding performance, the Kodak Zx1 didn't do that well, especially in bright light. Its auto white balance just couldn't adjust properly in mixed indoor lighting. Having said that, the camcorder did an impressive job in low light. Also, unlike Pure Digital's Flip camcorders, the Kodak Zx1 does have some still features. The images are not very good, with inaccurate colours, a lot of noise, and limited sharpness—but at least it is possible to take photos.

Using the Kodak Zx1 is not as easy as the Flip UltraHD or any other Flip camcorder. Nevertheless, the Zx1 does have some good arguments for it. It fits well in the palm, feels sturdy when you hold it, has a USB port instead of the unhandy USB arm, runs on regular AA batteries, and records to SD/SDHC cards. So, if you want an alternative for the Flip, or just a stylish, HD camcorder with decent video, our recommendation is try the Kodak Zx1.