The Kodak Playsport Zx3

The Kodak Playsport Zx3 has been one of our favorite gadgets for the past year. It is feature packed, compact, affordable and most important of all, very fun to use! With every gadget shrinking in size with every release, it is only a matter of time that compact camcorders start to dominate the market.

The waterproof Kodak Playsport Zx3 is essentially a casual, compact HD camcorder that is designed for use during rigorous outdoor activities. It performs very well for a gadget in this modest price range but don’t expect state of the art features found in higher end models. If you looking a camcorder that is tiny, rugged and easy to use, this device would be perfect for you!

The Kodak Playsport Zx3 is about the size of a small smart-phone, measuring at 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.8-inches in dimensions, and weight just 5.1 ounces. The device supports SD memory cards and also comes with a 5MP image sensor. On the flipside of the camera, you will fine a 2-inch LCD screen for framing your shots.

The camcorder generally has rounded designed, with curved edges and countered sides. It is surrounded by rugged plastics that has a textured surface and ribbed edges to provide a solid grip even when wet. Despite its rugged appearance, the camera is neither shock nor freeze resistant. The only rugged feature on this device is that it is waterproof to up to 9.8-feet underwater.

Like most mini-camcorders, the lens on the camera does not come with a protector, so it is necessary to handle the device with care when it is not in use. The LCD screen on the opposite site comes with LCD Glare Shield that helps improve the screens visibility when being used in bright ambient lighting or when used outdoors. When this feature is used, the screen increases its saturation levels to brighten the images on the screen. Besides recording movies (in 30fps, 60fps, 720p and 1080p), the camera can also capture 5-MP still images,

When shooting videos in HD mode, the battery drains pretty quickly. If you plan to use it to shoot a lot of HD videos, it is best to purchase some spare batteries and bring them with you during your excursions. The 1080p HD videos taken on the Kodak Playsport Zx3 were very good especially for its size and price. For fast moving sequences, do take the HD videos in 720p for smoother videos as there would be less judder. The quality of the still images is similar to those found on camera phones, but don’t expect it to be a digital camera replacement,

Despite its shortcomings, the Kodak Playsport Zx3 has proven to be great mini camcorder for its class. It is perfect for anyone who is looking for an inexpensive and rugged compact camcorder to take some decent HD videos on the go. We give this gadget a good 4 over 5 in ratings!