Question for Kodak Zi8 and / or Playsport owners

[LisaR]

Using the search function, it seems like there are quite a few of you that own on of these video camera models.

I would love it if you could answer a couple questions.

1. Does it have rechargeable batteries?

2. Does it come with an SD card or any internal memory? One review said it only has 3 seconds of video without an SD card but that is the only person that commented about that out of 300 reviews so I am wondering if that is really the case.

3. Is it Mac compatible? I have read that both models are not Mac compatible from C-Net but there are people on Amazon that claim they are.

4. I am trying to understand the difference between the two cameras besides the obvious underwater capabilities of the Playsport. This is what one review says:
Same exact camera as the Zi8, minus the external mic jack and macro mode.

I don't have a clue what macro mode is! Is it important? I don't think a microphone jack would be a big deal since I can't imagine carrying a microphone around.

My son plans on using it with friends to make movies. Right now he sets his camera on a tripod and they do goofy stuff in front of it and edit it with some sound effects and captions. Unfortunately, his camera only captures 1 minute of video at a time.

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

Using the search function, it seems like there are quite a few of you that own on of these video camera models.

I would love it if you could answer a couple questions.

1. Does it have rechargeable batteries?

Yes. Internal battery that can be recharged via USB or AC outlet cord.

2. Does it come with an SD card or any internal memory? One review said it only has 3 seconds of video without an SD card but that is the only person that commented about that out of 300 reviews so I am wondering if that is really the case.

The internal memory is good for about 8 minutes at standard compression. The 3 second thing is probably in HD. The SD card is not included; you need to buy one separately, but it's easy to get them cheap.

3. Is it Mac compatible? I have read that both models are not Mac compatible from C-Net but there are people on Amazon that claim they are.

Can't answer this one. Your best bet would be email Kodak about that.

4. I am trying to understand the difference between the two cameras besides the obvious underwater capabilities of the Playsport. This is what one review says:
Same exact camera as the Zi8, minus the external mic jack and macro mode.

Those are the two differences. You can't have a mic jack in a camera that is supposed to be water-sealed. The macro mode is mostly for effects like HD closeups and wide-angle shots. It's possible to replicate them without it, it just takes more effort.

I don't have a clue what macro mode is! Is it important? I don't think a microphone jack would be a big deal since I can't imagine carrying a microphone around.

 

[LisaR]

NotUrsula,
Thanks so much! I didn't even think about going to the Kodak website. Duh! It it Mac compatible.

 

[N_Phoenix]

NotUrsula,
Thanks so much! I didn't even think about going to the Kodak website. Duh! It it Mac compatible.

I just ordered the playsport for our upcoming trip. It was on Amazon for $129 with a free 8GB Class 6 memory card. Both models shoot movies in .mov format which is a native apple format. So not only it is Mac compatible but preferred. On the other hand, it will be a pain for PC users since everything will need to be converted.

 

[ckmommy]

We have the playsport. It is compatible with a Mac--it is what I have. It also works just fine with an PC--my DH just downloaded all of our vaction videos to his PC with no problems. We love the underwater feature. The kids take it in our pool all the time.

 

[LisaR]

Mac users:
I am getting confused. After rereading the Kodak site about the Playsport, it says that it can be used with a Mac but all the software is only PC compatible.

Can my son make a movie, plug it into the Mac and work on it in imovie? That is all I really want!

Also, does the Playsport have an image stabilizer?

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I have the Zi8 and I'm very pleased with it. I know other nice posters have already given answers to your questions but I wanted to let you Know I am very pleased. The selling point for me was the external memory and the HDMI cord that comes with it.

I'm sure your son will have a blast!

Heather

 

[Duckyiam71]

I have the playsport and I love it. Took it to Blizzard Beach and took videos and pics that I would have never been able with my regular cameras. My friends thought I could seriously not let go of my cell phone for a few hours because of the size. good luck with your decision.

 

[N_Phoenix]

Mac users:
I am getting confused. After rereading the Kodak site about the Playsport, it says that it can be used with a Mac but all the software is only PC compatible.

Can my son make a movie, plug it into the Mac and work on it in imovie? That is all I really want!

Also, does the Playsport have an image stabilizer?

You should be able to plug it into a Mac and edit it with imovie without any problems as the format (.mov) is an apple format. Maybe a mac user can verify this. The included software is for PC's because most versions of windows don't come with good video editing software, like the mac does.

 

[LisaR]

You should be able to plug it into a Mac and edit it with imovie without any problems as the format (.mov) is an apple format. Maybe a mac user can verify this. The included software is for PC's because most versions of windows don't come with good video editing software, like the mac does.

The more I have thought about it, the more I think it shouldn't be an issue. My son has a cheap Sony camera that is pretty old and he can easily use that on the Mac. I can't imagine a newer device wouldn't work just as well. Time to buy it!

 

[NotUrsula]

I have the playsport and I love it. Took it to Blizzard Beach and took videos and pics that I would have never been able with my regular cameras. My friends thought I could seriously not let go of my cell phone for a few hours because of the size. good luck with your decision.

LOL. I was in the big pool at BB with ours taking clips of my toddler when a young teenage girl came up to me and asked what kind of phone I had that I could take it in the pool like that. When I told her it was a video camera she was amazed.

 

[IDoDis]

Both of our kids have the Zi8. It has a memory card slot. We bought 8gb memory cards (from newegg.com). They use a microphone jack when recording things from a distance as it is needed. Close up, not so much. The zi8 has a little flip open usb port which plugs right into the computer to charge. I think you need a card reader and have to remove the card on the Play Sport to transfer your video to the computer, unlike the Zi8 where you can plug it right into your computer and download.

I don't own the Play Sport, but from what I saw in the store, the screen on the Play Sport is smaller, but the casing is more rugged. If you have a swimming pool, then get the Play Sport. That's the main advantage is that it can get wet. You sacrifice the larger screen and mic jack, so if it won't be used in water, then I'd just get the Zi8.

 

[LisaR]

Both of our kids have the Zi8. It has a memory card slot. We bought 8gb memory cards (from newegg.com). They use a microphone jack when recording things from a distance as it is needed. Close up, not so much. The zi8 has a little flip open usb port which plugs right into the computer to charge. I think you need a card reader and have to remove the card on the Play Sport to transfer your video to the computer, unlike the Zi8 where you can plug it right into your computer and download.

I don't own the Play Sport, but from what I saw in the store, the screen on the Play Sport is smaller, but the casing is more rugged. If you have a swimming pool, then get the Play Sport. That's the main advantage is that it can get wet. You sacrifice the larger screen and mic jack, so if it won't be used in water, then I'd just get the Zi8.

Thanks for this info. Do you know the distance in which you would need the microphone jack? I would say the kids are about 6 to 8 feet away (10 max) when they shoot their movie. I am leaning toward the Playsport because we do have a pool but sound is really the main thing. My son's camera does not record sound so they have to film the movie and add sound after. While the pool videos might be cool for a few times, I don't think that will last long. This is a group of boys and everything they film involves all their airsoft guns and fake swords, knives, etc. It is always some kind of battle and none of those items can go in the pool.

 

[IDoDis]

Thanks for this info. Do you know the distance in which you would need the microphone jack? I would say the kids are about 6 to 8 feet away (10 max) when they shoot their movie. I am leaning toward the Playsport because we do have a pool but sound is really the main thing. My son's camera does not record sound so they have to film the movie and add sound after. While the pool videos might be cool for a few times, I don't think that will last long. This is a group of boys and everything they film involves all their airsoft guns and fake swords, knives, etc. It is always some kind of battle and none of those items can go in the pool.

6 to 8 feet would be fine for the sound. If your DS is in some kind of performance on a stage, you would need a microphone jack or would need to use a different camera. Sounds like my DS -- loves the violence. LOL Except mine films with his Nerf guns. Given these are boys filming close up, I'd go for the Playsport as it sounds more durable.