Sum and Substance:

Thumbs Up:

Good video quality for its class, up to ten feet waterproofing, bundled HDMI cable, good sharing software.

Thumbs Down:

No in built USB connector, battery life is quite short when the resolution is the highest, sharing software doesn’t work on Mac.

The Whiz Kid Speaks:

Kodak Playsport is a 5 megapixel minicamcorder. Images are stored in JPEG format. The device supports SD Memory Card. The unit has a Lens of 5.54 mm – F/2.8 with 5.54 mm focal length and F/2.8 lens aperture. Minimum focal length is 5.54 mm. Additional features include USB 2.0 compatibility, YouTube capture mode, Water resistant, Crushproof. Bundled software includes ArcSoft MediaImpression and Drivers and Utilities. Wrist strap is included along with the device.

The device has two inch color display and there is built in microphone. Connectors include Composite video/audio output, HDMI out, and USB. There is also an SD Memory Card. Supported OSes include Apple Mac OS X 10.4 or later, MS Windows XP SP2, MS Windows Vista, and MS Windows 7. Playsport is water resistant up to 9.8 feet. Bundled cables include HDMI and A/V cable. The device runs on lithium ion battery and Kodak gives a one year warranty for this product.

Razzle Dazzle:

The size of this Kodak Playsport is roughly the same as smartphone, but when you take it in the hand, you will realize that the device is much heavier and bigger as compared to other camcorders in this class. On the bright side, you will still have no problem slipping the device in the pocket or tiny handbag. For the latter, you won’t feel much weight either. The body is made up of plastic material and the sides are rubberized for proper grip even when you are underwater. Kodak says the device is ‘rugged’ but still doesn’t claim it to be shock or crush proof. The only claims that the manufacturer does make is the resistance to dust and water. For the later, the minicamcorder can stay up to 9.8 feet so we think it’s about thirty minutes.

Inside Dope:

Kodak Playsport is also known as Zx3 and it is Zx1’s evolution. That model has a weatherproof body where as Playsport can stand water and record up to 9.8 feet under the water. There are some improvements made on the feature side too and this makes the minicamcorder a great option for shooting inside or outside water. We didn’t have much to complain about in terms of the price but keep reading if you particular about the shooting features or abilities. We will highly recommend you this device if you want a long battery life to shoot inside the water or while hiking in the woods.

Kodak Playsport’s lens on the front is not protected but this is not unexpected from a minicamcorder. Just remember to take good care of it while traveling. There is no macro option to focus on subjects that are really close. The normal focu range will start at 3.3 feet and underwater, it is 4.4 feet. There is a sensitive mono microphone close to the lens and there is also the hidden IR receiver for optional remote, and record light which will blink red when you record. The operational sounds, along with lights can be switched off.

Kodak Playsport’s controls are quite easy to use. On the right, you have a power button and rest all the controls are located beneath the screen. The four way directional pad is used to controlling the 4x digital zoom and to change the recording modes (right and left). This same button can also be used to the navigation, fast forward, rewind, and volume control. In the middle, there is a button to stop/start recordings, take photo, stop/pause/play the videos. On the left of this pad, there are four buttons for entering the Liveview for recording, delete videos and photos, review to watch the videos that you have shot and to enter the settings.

The screen is two inches big (diagonally) and it is quite good for video playback and shooting. There is also a Glare Shied feature but don’t get too excited by the name. All it does it improve the visibility of the screen in bright sunlight by changing the modes. The video quality is not improved at all but still you get a clearer view of what is being shot. Liveview button toggles between these modes.

Kodak Playsport is a minicamcorder and just like most minicamcorders, they are made for point and shoot use. Don’t expect lots of settings to play around with. Apart from the Glare Shield feature, there are three brightness levels, and auto option which lets the device set it, turn the electronic image stabilization on/off, get control for the in built microphone, and finally, there is an Underwater Mode which improves the photo and video quality when you are shooting under the water. You get 4 video recording resolution options – WVGA, 720p at 30fps or 60fps, and 1080p at 30fps. You can also click five megapixel pictures.

For keeping the Kodak Playsport waterproof, you have two locking doors and one is located on each side of the minicamcorder. Concealed under the right door, you have a proprietary USB jack, miniHDMI port and AV jack. There are bundled cables for each of these. Kodak doesn’t give you a built in USB connector inorder to keep the body compact and to make waterproofing easier. So you will have to use the bundled USB cord. So you will have to carry the cable around with you. The left door hides the SD/SDHC card slot and the battery compartment.

Nitty Gritty:

We will recommend you this minicamcorder if you want to shoot under water. The quality is good and the camera is rugged.

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