Kodak PlaySport HD

I love taking HD videos but I don't yet have a "mini" digital video camera that I can get wet. I have one of the original Flip cams but I'm in the market for a new, more durable digicam. So far I think the Kodak PlaySport HD looks like the best option. It can go as far as 10 feet underwater and record in full 1080p high definition video. Seems like the perfect option for hikers and water sport junkies like myself. Here's a nice review of the PlaySport:

Kodak PlaySport Review - Form and Function Perfectly Combined

Whether you admit it or not, everyone is naturally attracted to a great-looking piece of electronics gear. The Kodak PlaySport (also called the Zx3) certainly qualifies on that score. But there's so much more here than just an attractive case. There's great function, too.

Function starts with being able to hold your pocket camcorder without slippage or fumbling for the buttons. Thanks to the roughened plastic back, the PlaySport lets you do that no matter what size hands you have.

That feature is especially important in this case because the PlaySport is designed to be used not just on dry land. Take it to the beach or in the pool and you still have a unit that's easy to hold. It can work under the ocean waves down to 10 feet for half an hour, too, so shooting while snorkeling is a definite possibility.

You'll find on the case a switch to set "H2O" mode, but you don't have to worry if you forget to set it. The case is always waterproof. It helps compensate for the way light works under water. The mode adjusts the color to give you natural-looking video in that bluer environment.

In the water or out, though, the roughened surface and mode switch aren't the only things that help you shoot great video at all times.

The Zx3 offers several resolution options: 720p or Full HD (1080p) at 30fps, along with 60fps in 720p mode. There's also a WVGA setting for those determined to squeeze the maximum space. But when you can swap out a 32 Gb SD/SDHC card, it's hard to see why anyone would use it.

Image stabilization helps take the 'jitters' out of your video, even if you have them. It's not perfect and it has limits; it's not quite as robust as the sort found on full-sized camcorders. It's electronic, not optical, which means that software compensates for fuzzy images after the fact, rather than a mechano-optical device during recording. But it does a good job.

An easy-to-operate D-pad on the back puts all the most commonly used features literally at your fingertips. Like the similar control on some game pads, you just give it a nudge in the desired direction to zoom, fast forward, rewind, or adjust the volume. There's also a Record button in the center that lets you start or stop with a tap. It can also be used to take stills in digital camera mode. A Liveview button lets you preview video real time, too.

The integrated LCD screen is not the largest in the market, but at two inches it's plenty usable. Going beyond usable, Kodak coated it with their proprietary Glare Shield to let you monitor the scene with maximum clarity in maximum lighting conditions.

Since you'll be taking your Kodak PlaySport to the beach, the park, and other places where full sun and reflected light are often present, that's more than a nice to have. It's a must. In the most extreme conditions it can even flip automatically to a black and white view.

Washed out colors make a display hard to see, but the eye adjusts to B & W readily. Think of one of those crystal-clear old movies with high contrast - dark shadows, bright highlights, and a smooth grayscale. Easy to watch, right?

There are a few waterproof pocket camcorders on the market now, but the Kodak PlaySport is one of the best implementations around. Lightweight, slip resistant, and ultra easy to operate in every kind of environment. And, of course, it doesn't hurt that it's also a very good looking piece of equipment.

Check out the best Kodak PlaySport prices and find out how the PlaySport compares with other pocket camcorders at: www.playsportreview.com

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