Kodak PlaySport Zx5 Review

A Camcorder That Is Not Larger Than A Flip Phone

The next camera that I will be reviewing today is the Kodak PlaySport (Zx5) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera. No larger than the size of a flip phone, the Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is capable of capturing HD video with the touch of a button. My wife and I mainly purchased the video camera so that we could record the kids when we all go to the water-parks.

We thought it was a good idea, because we had purchased season passes and wanted to make the most of them. One of the camera’s features that I like the most would have to be that this camera is waterproof. If only you could see the 1080p resolution videos I recorded of my kids in the wave pool. The clarity is to die for. Now for the first time, I can record videos that look like they could be on the Discovery Channel; only mine will be of my kids and not deadly sharks at the bottom of the ocean.

You’ll Have to Buy A Memory Card Separately

If you are interested in purchasing this camcorder, be sure to purchase a memory card to use with it, because there isn’t one included with the camera. We went ahead and just got the 32 GB memory card so that we could record up to ten hours of 1080p video. The camcorder also allows for a variety of other recording resolutions, so if you were to record your video at 720p, then you would be able to record much more video, because this will take up less space.

Find Out What Other Customers Say

I just bought another Zx5 for my brother and I will be buying another for a friend for Xmas. This comment is now from a VERIFIED AMAZON PURCHASER. lol My Zx5 I’ve had since early summer 2011 and I paid a much higher price than what’s offered here now. It’s a no-brainer deal. Price of Zx5 is now $99. I’d throw it 6 stars if I could.

This is just what I wanted to take to the beach. It shoots great video. Not so great pictures, but that isn’t why I bought it. I even dropped it once and it is still working fine. I wish it had a lense cover because I slip it into my pockets all the time, and I’m afraid it will eventually become scratched.

I bought this for my 15 year old son who wanted a camcorder. He took it to the waterpark and on our Florida vacation. He even takes it in the pool when swimming. The water has never altered the quality or messed up the camera.

Other customers have reported that the resolution is a bit grainy with the 1080p resolution, which I would agree with only when you are traveling fairly fast when recording. If you change the settings to 720p however, then you can minimize this graininess for faster shots. For instance, my kids and I went on the Superman roller coaster at Six Flags a while back, and I was able to capture their hysterical facial expressions in 720p. When we got home we plugged it all up to watch, and the clarity was actually pretty good!

-> Read even more Kodak PlaySport Zx5 Reviews – CLICK HERE

Review Conclusion

For the price, I would say that the Kodak PlaySport (Zx5) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera provides a certain quality that other cameras can’t compete with. Most action and underwater cameras start at twice as much and offer the same results. This particular camera features a 1/3.2 sensor, which compared to other cameras is a nice sensor. The sensor size is directly correlated to the quality and resolution of the picture and the video. When you have a larger sensor, then the quality is going to be better.

The sensor that this camera has is considerably larger than the previous sensors of Kodak’s PlaySport series. The sensor size was one of the major reasons my wife and I were so quick to purchase this camera at the price it was at. When taking the features, the affordability and the other cameras on the market into consideration, then the Kodak PlaySport HD camera is a great camera and loads of fun.