Clete’s Blog

The “High Definition” fad continues with Kodak’s new miniature “HD” video camera, the Zi6. The Zi6 (product webpage) boasts that the camera records in 720p at 60 frames per second. This new “HD” video camera only costs $180 USD. The webpage markets the camera as if it will look wonderful on your shiny HDTV. My guess is exactly the opposite. I have seen a lot of these “HD” camcorders on the market that are the size of normal amateur camcorders. They cost about $1,000 USD and they still don’t look a whole lot better than a normal “Standard Definition” camcorder. If that kind of camcorder can’t record in high-quality “high definition,” why would this pocket-sized camcorder be able to? There is no way that this new Zi6 camcorder, with its small lens diameter, can output anything better than any other pocket-sized camcorder on the market.

The sad thing is, people listen to this false marketing. The video camera simply shoots at a resolution of 1280×720. There isn’t anything special about it. It is all hype. However, thousands of people will still purchase this product over another product that may be better, but doesn’t boast “HD” capabilities. Now, I know it’s all about the marketing and I know sales will be much higher than if they didn’t push the “HD” hype, but it’s still misleading.

For example, I have the Nikon D2H, which shoots at only 4 megapixels. Friends of mine have 10 or even 12 megapixel point-and-shoot cameras. The D2H still blows them out of the water with megapixel quality. A point-and-shoot camera has many things working against it. For one, the lens diameter is smaller, allowing it to take in less detail than a lens ten times its size. The cameras simply can’t take in that much information with such a small lens. The point-and-shoots also have less expensive and less “advanced” CCDs. They do not interpret the light that they take in as well as the D2H or any other professional camera could. A 4 megapixel DSLR will always beat out a 12 megapixel point-and-shoot.

This same concept applies to camcorders. There is simply no way that this Zi6 can record a picture that is distinguishably better than a “normal sized” consumer camcorder that is not “high definition.”

Until next time,

Clete R. Blackwell II