Kodak PlayFull Ze1 Camcorder Review

Compression

The Kodak PlayFull Ze1 is an HD camcorder that can record high definition video at a 1920 x 1080 resolution or 1280 x 720 resolution. The camcorder also has options for recording standard definition video at an 848 x 480 resolution (called WVGA). The camcorder uses the MPEG-4 codec for compressing its HD video, which is the standard compression system on cheap, ultracompact camcorders. Check out the table below for more information about the PlayFull's record modes. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various high definition compression types.

Media

The main method for storing your videos and photos on the PlayFull camcorder is with SD or SDHC memory cards. The cards fit into the slot on the left side of the camcorder (next to the HDMI port), and once a card is inserted you are ready to go. There is a tiny amount of internal memory on the camcorder, but only 128 MB—about enough to store a few photos or a few seconds of video (not much at all). Don't rely on this miniscule amount of internal memory; go out and buy a memory card to work with the PlayFull instead. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Slow Motion Modes

Still Features

The Kodak PlayFull has a basic still image mode that you access by pressing the video/photo button on the back of the camcorder. A second press of this button brings you back to video mode, so you have to look at the little icon on the upper right corner of the LCD to see what shooting mode you're in. In photo mode you can't record any videos, but a press of the start/stop record button will snap a 5.3-megapixel still photo instead. There are no other photo options on the camcorder, so all photos will be 5.3 megapixels (at a 3072 x 1728 resolution).