Has anyone caught any word as to whether or not the macro switch has been excluded from this model?
As best I can tell from product tours and promo videos there's no physical switch.
Discussion about
Macro Mode Removed?
Hitch!
Good looking out, man. Never even considered the comparison feature.
I hope this is absolutely true, and not an error. Its easy to downplay, but I found the Zi8's Macro Mode mighty useful in some scenarios. Thank you for the find.
For those of you who may be interested in what Hitch found try the link below.
store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/compare/categ...
Good looking out, man. Never even considered the comparison feature.
I hope this is absolutely true, and not an error. Its easy to downplay, but I found the Zi8's Macro Mode mighty useful in some scenarios. Thank you for the find.
For those of you who may be interested in what Hitch found try the link below.
store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/compare/categ...
I posted a comment on You Tube about this. Looks like no macro on the playsport. Now I have to decide if underwater/splash protection is more important than macro. I was hoping that the Playsport really was a Zi8 with a different shell. The smaller view screen I can live with but macro is something I would miss. OTOH I would miss the ruggedness of the Playsport so I'm still leaning that way.
666evlgrl (6 hours ago)
That is a mistake on the website that I will have to get fixed, thank you for letting me know.
The Zi8 has macro due to a physical switch on top of the camera, the Zx3 does not have a physical switch.
666evlgrl (7 hours ago) Reply
The Play Sport has a fixed focus lens, but a focal range of 1.0m to infinity. (no optical zoom) Which I personally prefer in a camera like this.
alfmeister13 (9 hours ago)
Are you sure it doesn't have macro focus? On the Kodak website using the comparison chart it states that it does have macro focus. If not that will be a big minus vs the Zi8. I find it hard to believe that they copied every other feature but left that off.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLNXGtU5n3c
666evlgrl (6 hours ago)
That is a mistake on the website that I will have to get fixed, thank you for letting me know.
The Zi8 has macro due to a physical switch on top of the camera, the Zx3 does not have a physical switch.
666evlgrl (7 hours ago) Reply
The Play Sport has a fixed focus lens, but a focal range of 1.0m to infinity. (no optical zoom) Which I personally prefer in a camera like this.
alfmeister13 (9 hours ago)
Are you sure it doesn't have macro focus? On the Kodak website using the comparison chart it states that it does have macro focus. If not that will be a big minus vs the Zi8. I find it hard to believe that they copied every other feature but left that off.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLNXGtU5n3c
Ah crud.
I'm in the same boat, alfmeister. It's not that I particularly NEED the ruggedness of the Playsport...but it would be nice to have something rugged to carry around which I don't mind getting rained on every now and then. I was willing to forgive the lack of Mic input, and the fact that neither model has a flash, and that they took only 5MP stills--but all of that AND the lack of macro mode make this a harder decision.
Thanks for the heads up in advance.
I'm in the same boat, alfmeister. It's not that I particularly NEED the ruggedness of the Playsport...but it would be nice to have something rugged to carry around which I don't mind getting rained on every now and then. I was willing to forgive the lack of Mic input, and the fact that neither model has a flash, and that they took only 5MP stills--but all of that AND the lack of macro mode make this a harder decision.
Thanks for the heads up in advance.
Just to be sure I emailed Kodak Technical support and I got this reply;
Thank you for contacting Kodak Technical Support.
We appreciate the chance to assist you.
You are correct with the macro and external jack features that are not available with the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera.
If you are more interested with the said features, then opting for the Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera is more considerable.
We hope that this response has met your satisfaction.
Phil C.
One thing for certain, Phil isn't from Kansas.
Thank you for contacting Kodak Technical Support.
We appreciate the chance to assist you.
You are correct with the macro and external jack features that are not available with the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera.
If you are more interested with the said features, then opting for the Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera is more considerable.
We hope that this response has met your satisfaction.
Phil C.
One thing for certain, Phil isn't from Kansas.
Ok, done deal. I just went to Target and bought the Zi8 for $169.99 plus a Lexar 4GB SDHC minus 10% for signing up for a Target Visa card = $170 clams. I tried it out in the store and I love the macro focus feature. I also own an Audio Technica AT9400 One point stereo microphone so my recordings will sound as good as they look. I like the idea of a rugged waterproof design but not at the expense of the macro focus and the external microphone. I believe the reasons the price went down is because of the smaller screen (2" vs 2.5" on the Zi8), and the lack of a close-up lens. Why Kodak omitted the mic input I can't figure out as they could have hidden it next to the HDMI/USB jacks. If you are into extreme sports then the Playsport is for you. For me the Zi8 seems perfect. I have 90 days to be sure though as Target has a very generous 90 day return policy.
I was just going to post asking your thoughts alfmeister. I'm surprised I'm saying it, but I may be leaning this way, too.
With the Zi8 you get the full featured recorder NOW which is a huge benefit. I really liked the rugged design of the PLAYSPORT for making sure the camera was weatherproof, but all-in-all the April delay and the lack of features really are a setback. I like the extensibility and feature set of the Zi8, and I may just have to come to terms with the fact that I'm not going to be in as many "Extreme" scenarios as I'd like to believe.
I agree with your thoughts about hiding the mic behind the waterproof access panel. It's an ugly solution, but it would have gotten the job done.
I may very well follow your lead. Thanks for all the work you've done to help prospective buyers like myself out.
With the Zi8 you get the full featured recorder NOW which is a huge benefit. I really liked the rugged design of the PLAYSPORT for making sure the camera was weatherproof, but all-in-all the April delay and the lack of features really are a setback. I like the extensibility and feature set of the Zi8, and I may just have to come to terms with the fact that I'm not going to be in as many "Extreme" scenarios as I'd like to believe.
I agree with your thoughts about hiding the mic behind the waterproof access panel. It's an ugly solution, but it would have gotten the job done.
I may very well follow your lead. Thanks for all the work you've done to help prospective buyers like myself out.
Hey you're welcome. So far I'm totally impressed. I did a microphone test with the Audio Technica and it sounds great. I think that the 720P/60 frames setting is the one I will mostly use. The tripod socket is plastic so be careful if you use that. I remember when Nikon used a plastic mount on the Coolpix 950 and they caught a lot of flack for that yet none of the reviews I've read have even mentioned it. I plan to buy a Lowepro case, more memory and a couple of spare batteries and then I'll be all set. If you go for the Zi8 you will be happy. I know I am.
The Zi8 is out of stock almost everywhere reputable. I don't know if this is because of a hardware or ANOTHER firmware refresh or high demand. Either way, it made me rethink my decision once again.
I've been following Sanyo's Asia-Only DMX-CG11 (the successor to the CG10) for a long time, in anticipation that it would debut in North America. (A collection of sample video and stills can be found in a thread on gdgt here: discuss.gdgt.com/sanyo/xacti/vpc-cg11/general/Samp... )
The CG11 only did 720/30p but had a flash and 10MP stills. I was impressed with the quality of videos I had found from the CG10, so was very excited about its successor.
But while waiting for the CG11 to make a state-side appearance, I had moved to the Kodak camp when I purchased a Zi8 for my sister this past Christmas, and found myself extremely impressed by the quality and feature set. The PLAYSPORT then caught my eye for being a Zi8 in a rugged chassis.
Finding out about the macro mode on the PLAYSPORT these past two weeks was really bad timing, however. In the past week, Sanyo has announced the VPC-CG20 which does 1080/60i with 10MP stills, has a flash, and support for SDXC cards. Though it lacks the mic input and macro mode, these features and its 5x optical zoom satisfy me quite a bit. MSRP199USD. It is currently where my pre-order lies.
I've been following Sanyo's Asia-Only DMX-CG11 (the successor to the CG10) for a long time, in anticipation that it would debut in North America. (A collection of sample video and stills can be found in a thread on gdgt here: discuss.gdgt.com/sanyo/xacti/vpc-cg11/general/Samp... )
The CG11 only did 720/30p but had a flash and 10MP stills. I was impressed with the quality of videos I had found from the CG10, so was very excited about its successor.
But while waiting for the CG11 to make a state-side appearance, I had moved to the Kodak camp when I purchased a Zi8 for my sister this past Christmas, and found myself extremely impressed by the quality and feature set. The PLAYSPORT then caught my eye for being a Zi8 in a rugged chassis.
Finding out about the macro mode on the PLAYSPORT these past two weeks was really bad timing, however. In the past week, Sanyo has announced the VPC-CG20 which does 1080/60i with 10MP stills, has a flash, and support for SDXC cards. Though it lacks the mic input and macro mode, these features and its 5x optical zoom satisfy me quite a bit. MSRP199USD. It is currently where my pre-order lies.
You can get the Kodak at Target for $169.99 at Target stores till 2/13. I think it will be a collectors item after the Playsport arrives because of the microphone input and macro.
You can also order the Kodak directly from their site or (hack) Best Buy. Most of my local stores have them in stock as well. Of course with Best Buy if it isn't on sale it's too expensive. I'll bet they put it on sale around the time the Playsport comes out.
I looked at the Sanyo and I don't like the form factor. it looks like a scan gun to me. I dismissed the Sony MHS-CM5 'Bloggie' for the same reason.
You can also order the Kodak directly from their site or (hack) Best Buy. Most of my local stores have them in stock as well. Of course with Best Buy if it isn't on sale it's too expensive. I'll bet they put it on sale around the time the Playsport comes out.
I looked at the Sanyo and I don't like the form factor. it looks like a scan gun to me. I dismissed the Sony MHS-CM5 'Bloggie' for the same reason.
Lots of things to consider there. Replaceable batteries? EIS? Macro? Mic input? Software upload to You Tube? These are all features I wanted. Like I say though I'm still in the 90 day test mode.
For certain!
The Sanyo does have some form of stabilization as well as a replaceable battery. Mic input is a -no-. As for macro mode, I lose that as well.
It seems contradictory to give up the PLAYSPORT for lack of Macro, then go with a camera lacking the same feature, but I feel like the Sanyo may be over compensating for the loss with the 14MP and optical zoom -- as well as the SDXC support.
And to get that with a marginal price increase seems pretty nice.
As for the Sanyo, the VPC-CG102 has a second form factor for those who prefer standard-shaped cams, the VPC-CGH2, I think it's called.
In regards to the shopping scenario: it's difficult for me to go to actual brick and mortar retailers. I buy most, if not all, of my electronics from the web, and the big chains are out of stock. Especially of black. Its seems trivial, but I don't want a magenta or aqua camcorder.
The Sanyo does have some form of stabilization as well as a replaceable battery. Mic input is a -no-. As for macro mode, I lose that as well.
It seems contradictory to give up the PLAYSPORT for lack of Macro, then go with a camera lacking the same feature, but I feel like the Sanyo may be over compensating for the loss with the 14MP and optical zoom -- as well as the SDXC support.
And to get that with a marginal price increase seems pretty nice.
As for the Sanyo, the VPC-CG102 has a second form factor for those who prefer standard-shaped cams, the VPC-CGH2, I think it's called.
In regards to the shopping scenario: it's difficult for me to go to actual brick and mortar retailers. I buy most, if not all, of my electronics from the web, and the big chains are out of stock. Especially of black. Its seems trivial, but I don't want a magenta or aqua camcorder.
I've started a blog on this topic at alfmeistersreviews.blogspot.com/
Also at Kodak's store they are now sold out of the Zi8 in black.
Also at Kodak's store they are now sold out of the Zi8 in black.
This is pretty cool, Alfmeister. I'm going to be focusing a lot of my time on the CG102 page, now. But I will definitely keep an eye on your site for further thoughts on the Zi8.
Having used the Zi8, I look forward seeing how it compares to the CG102. If I feel inspired, I may write a piece similar to yours--focusing on adventures and reasoning for choosing the VPC-CG102. Also, I may consider a proper review.
Having used the Zi8, I look forward seeing how it compares to the CG102. If I feel inspired, I may write a piece similar to yours--focusing on adventures and reasoning for choosing the VPC-CG102. Also, I may consider a proper review.
