Kodak Playsport Video Camera

Priced at just $149.95 (direct), the Kodak Playsport Video Camera is among the most affordable pocket camcorders you'll find. Unlike many of its competitors, this easy-to-use, versatile video camera offers a variety of capture modes including full 1080p HD video and 5-megapixel stills—and it works under water. The beach-friendly Playsport lacks advanced features like a microphone input, a headphone jack, or a macro-focus feature, but if it's just the basics you're looking for, you'd be hard pressed to find a more capable camcorder at this price. And the fact that you can shoot video and stills at up to 10 feet below water helps seal the deal, making the Playsport our latest Editors' Choice pocket camcorder.




Design and Features
Waterproof cameras are typically bulkier than their land-limited counterparts, but that's not the case with the 4.4-by-2.3-by-0.8-inch Playsport. The comparably priced Sony Bloggie MHS-PM5 ($169.99, ) which is not waterproof, features virtually identical dimensions. The Playsport is even more compact than our Editor's Choice pocket camcorder, the Kodak Zi8 ($179.99, ), a land-only camera with more advanced features, but at just under 5 ounces, the Playsport is slightly heavier than both the Zi8 and the Bloggie। Even so, the Playsport is comfortable to hold, and it feels sturdy, sporting a rugged, rubbery case that comes in purple, blue, or dark charcoal gray—no matter which color you choose, the face of the camera is white.

The Playsport is all about simplicity, so it's no surprise that you won't find several-levels-deep menus, like on many point-and-shoot cameras. There are four dedicated buttons and a four-way directional pad below the display—navigating and operating the device is easy enough that most users will be able to pick it up quickly, without reading a manual. The Power button and a pop-up door that houses ports are on the camera's right side; on the left, another door protects the battery and SD card.

At first glance, the Playsport's 2-inch LCD screen seems comparatively small, but nearly the entire display is usable in recording mode, while only 1.75 inches are available for use on the Sony Bloggie and Cisco Flip SlideHD ($279.99, ), which include 2।4-inch and 3-inch LCDs, respectively. Videos fill the screens on both of these camcorders in playback mode, however. But in playback mode, other models offer a larger and sharper image; the Playsport's 2-inch LCD packs 154K dots, while the SlideHD, Bloggie, and Zi8 pack in 230K dots. Like nearly all pocket HD camcorders, the Playsport's lens lacks optical zoom or even autofocus, so you'll need to be a few feet away from your subject while recording. The Kodak Zi8 features macro focusing, so you can capture images just inches from the lens.

Image Quality and Performance

Since the Kodak Playsport uses the same image sensor, a 1/2.5-inch CMOS, as the Editors' Choice Kodak Zi8, image quality is nearly identical—it's excellent. Well-lit 5.3-megapixel stills looked great too my eye too. You shouldn't expect spectacular low-light performance, and the lens doesn't include stabilization so you might see some blurry photos, but performance is solid for a $150 camcorder you can take to the beach. Underwater users will want to switch to Kodak's H²0 mode, which adjusts the contrast and saturation for underwater shooting. We tested the mode in the deep end of a swimming pool, and video looked great. The Playsport's build holds up against prolonged water exposure too; I left the camera submerged in a cup of water for an hour and found that the port and battery/SDHC card compartments stayed completely dry.

Videos can be captured in 720p30, 720p60, or 1080p30 and are saved as .MOV files, so they're playable on most computers, whether you're running Mac OS or Windows, and can be uploaded to YouTube and Facebook without needing conversion. All of the popular HD resolutions—720p30, 720p60 and 1080p30—are available as well. Advanced users will likely opt for a camcorder with a microphone input, but the sound captured by the built-in mono microphone will be fine for most people. Don't expect the camera to pick up clear audio under the water, however.

The Playsport uses SDHC cards, and like all cameras that capture HD video, you'll need a Class 4 or higher card. Pricier Class 6 and Class 10 cards are extremely fast, but not necessary. The Playsport lacks a built-in USB connector, traditionally offered by handheld camcorders, but a micro-USB cable is included for downloading videos and photos, and charging the camcorder's removable Lithium Ion battery as well. The camera also includes a standard mini-HDMI port—Kodak even includes the HDMI cable in the box. Naturally, watching your HD videos on an HDTV is much more enjoyable than using the 2-inch LCD.

At just $150, the Kodak Playsport would be a solid pocket-camcorder value even if it didn't shoot video and stills underwater. If you're an advanced user, you might considering stepping up to the Kodak Zi8, especially if a larger screen, microphone input jack, and macro-focus features are more important to you than a waterproof housing. But if you're looking for an affordable, easy-to-use compact video camera that performs well, the Playsport fills the bill. Being able to take it to the beach without worry is just a bonus.