Okay, there really is no “right” choice when it comes to choosing the Kodak Zi8 or the Playsport Zx5. Both are outstanding. But the Zi8 is over a year and a half now, and the Kodak Zx5 is brand new. So balancing features with price can be difficult in this case.
The decision this time around is especially difficult because the Zi8 was so far along when it first came out. It features a clear and bright 2.5 “screen surrounded by a flexible five-way D-pad. A focus slider at the top lets you go from macro to landscape with ease. In comparison, the Playsport Zx5 has a screen of 2 “slightly more screen, but since the measurement is along the diagonal, the overall difference is less.
Each offers a built-in 5 megapixel camera for taking pictures. While the Zx5 is a year and a half newer, it would be difficult to show that the quality is significantly better. That’s what happens when quality goes so far. Even if neither match that of a full-size digital SLR, it would be difficult to choose a clear winner between the Playsport Zx5 and the Zi8.
Both also allow for various recording modes that are easy to configure. Both allow you to select between 1080p, 720p (30fps, and 60fps), and other settings. In this case, the Zx5 has a slight advantage. Its Full HD video is really up to the task. The Zi8 is very good, but for night shooting and other scenarios the Zx5 is simply better. However, unless you watch your videos on an HDTV, it would be difficult to see a significant difference.
If the style of the case matters to you, the Zx5 is a bit more elegant. The Zi8 is a bit of a box. It looks a bit more professional (at least in black). But the Zi8’s case comes in aqua and maroon, and in the end, it’s all a matter of taste, anyway.
An aspect is not a matter of taste. The Kodak Zx5 is water, dust and shock resistant. If you want to shoot video in a monsoon or under the waves, the Zx5 is a clear winner. For normal outdoor use, the Zi8 is tough enough. But you can’t dive and shooting in a dust storm would be a bad idea.
If a case that survived floods and whirlwinds is not essential, price is the only other important factor to tip the balance. Naturally, prices change week by week in consumer electronics, so there is no point in giving specific figures. That said, the Zi8 currently sells for about half the price of a Zx5. Still, compared to many other pocket camcorders with similar features, the Zx5 isn’t exactly expensive.