Kodak Updates Camcorder Line with New Zx1

The yearly barrage of camcorder announcements has begun early, with leaks of the new Kodak Zx1. The new camcorder keeps the same compact and upright format as the Zi6 (read review), but improves on the original design with a larger LCD screen, weather-resistant design, a new interface, new built-in software, and color options.

The only profound improvement over the previous generation is that the Kodak Zx1 is equipped with a 2-inch LCD, while the Zi6 had a much smaller 1.4-inch screen. The screen size on the category-leading Pure Digital Flip Mino is only 1.5 inches, so Kodak may be attempting to use the improvement as its big advantage over the Flip. The built-in software for uploading to YouTube is new to Kodak, but only keeps pace with the host of camcorders trying to capture the popularity of the Flip.

The Zx1's new interface is not specified in the press release, but it appears quite different from the Zi6. While the Zi6 had a joystick and hard plastic buttons, the Zx1 looks similar to the Flip Mino, which uses touch-sensitive areas for interfacing. The Zx1 will retain the same 1280 x 720 high definition video recording at 30 or 60fps.

The Kodak Zx1 is available in black, red, pink, blue, or yellow for $149 (MSRP) and will ship in April 2009. [via Engadget]

Kodak Zx1 from the front