The introduction of the digital pocket video camera has gone a long way, to make video recording easy. Camera buffs have gone crazy for this little device with a lot of potential. The initial generation of pocket video cameras, Flip cameras, were the perfect answer to many people's dreams.

Despite this, for the style conscious, they were somewhat disappointing, when compared to the sleek digital cameras, and suave iPods around: Tending to be on the broad side, and making them a touch too big, to comfortably tuck away in your pocket. Still, Pure Digital has gone a long way to introduce us to the greatness of the pocket video camera. Wowing consumers, by offering a HD video pocket camera for well under $200.

Superior Quality

Recently Kodak released the Zi8, which is capable of superior quality, and unlike Flip pocket camcorders, it also doubles up as a 5 mega pixel, 16:9 widescreen HD, single shot camera. Both the Flip Pocket camcorders offer 720p resolution, which is the lowest level for HD video cameras.

The newly released Kodak Zi8 has a 1080p resolution, which is the top end of HD video. It also has several video mode settings, including “standard mode”. Perfect for capturing friends, family and funnies, for uploading to YouTube, or Facebook. In standard mode, you can jam tonnes more into the memory, which is a convenient option to have. With its SD/SDHC expandable memory (up to 32GB), the Kodak Zi8 can store up to ten hours of HD video.

Staying Focused

The Kodak Zi8 has 2 separate 720p video modes, offering 30fps and 60fps settings. The 60 frs mode is perfect for capturing moving objects, in addition to the built in image stabilization. One thing is definite, with the Kodak Zi8, you can stay focused, even when you, or your subject, is on the move.

The Kodak Zi8 has several extremely useful features, which help you to produce better movies. The “Smart Face” tracking detects when a face is close up and auto adjusts, to ensure the lighting is set correctly. The Kodak also has a x4 zoom, which is a 100% more than that of the Flip Mino.

Sharing

Despite the fact that the Kodak Zi8 has a good sized 2.5 inch LCD viewing screen, that is no way to watch your HD video! The Zi8 has a pop up USB connector, which makes uploading video and pictures to your PC a breeze. A HDMI jack is also provided, making it just as simple to watch your video on the big screen.

Another top thing about the Zi8? In addition to the internal microphone, it also has an external microphone jack, which allows you to record in stereo. Be the director, share images, edit and upload. It’s no problem with a Kodak Zi8!