In this video I compare four popular pocket cameras…the Flip Ultra HD, the Kodak Zi8, the Creative Vado and the Canon SD 780. But rather than debating technical aspects, I keep the comparison simple; by shooting the same footage with each camera under various lighting conditions and then viewing the results head-to head. Which camera won? View the video to judge for yourself.
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This is really useful: I can’t wait to send my web site visitors to this video for a quick reference when they’re deciding which low-end camera to buy. Thanks!
Wow, the Kodak Zi8 was kicking butt and taking names until the soft boxes came out… then the Canon SD 780 took control of the game.
The key for me is I would never use a Flip for studio shots since I would use my normal Canon Vixia… instead I would want it (a flip) when I was mobile and didn’t have my good camera with me… so, with this said, I think the Zi8 may be the best way to go… for me at least.
Great job with this Dave.
I’m not sure about the audio qualities of the different
cameras compared .. but it certainly seems like
the Canon SD 780 had a slight edge over the
others …
Kodak ZI8 is a good second contender in outdoor lighting
conditions, but didn’t fare well with indoor lighing.
An excellent comparison Dave (as usual).
The Kodak and the canon in my opinion have the best image qualities, but if i had to pick one, then i would go for the Kodak !
Have to say Dave, that does not reflect the amazing results I am achieving with the Zi8 on 1080p using a tripod and studio lights or natural light. And you should have really included an audio test for all four cameras as well, as great audio is crucial and having an external mic jack is what takes the Zi8 into the lead IMHO.
I think the new Creative Vado does as well, so would have been interested to hear the results. Maybe next time?
Pete
Seems like Kodak is way superior. Others agree?
As always you come up with an innovative way to compare the products… gotta say the canon rocked it out pretty good (except for the indoor natural light).
But the zi8 has a big time outdoor edge because of the external mic hookup.
Thanks Dave (btw love webvideouniversity members area)
Great comparison Dave! Very well done. I actually purchased an SD780 based on a video you shot a while back. While the video was ok in perfect light, any situation other than that produced totally unusable footage, which you do show in this video. And the background audio noise in your original video of the 780 made the audio unusable. The Canon manual clearly states that the camera will get warm to the touch, it is the motor that constantly runs in the camera and the pinhole mic picks it up very effectively unfortunately! I sent my SD780 back. You get what you pay for . My HV30 with Rode Videomic stands the test of time.
Very cool head to head shoot-out. This is the best real-world example/test Ive seen and appreciate the efforts. I’m doing a similar test this weekend with 2 flips and a Zi8 but Ive never considered the Canon Powershot. To me that would be the one I’d choose if given a pick. So versatile and great quality except the lowest light situation.
Hi Dave, I guess you have to limit your contenders otherwise there would be a never ending list but have you seen the Samsung U10 (I think they are about to release the U15 &U20 too). Full 16:9 format and a 10M pixel still image feature too.
AJ
Excellent job David! As usual, your piece was informative, short, and definitive. I have been experimenting with various video cameras for our “The Roaming Boomers” website, and your site has been a wealth of information for me.
Upon your recommendation, I bought a Sony Vixia HF S10, and have been very, very happy.
I am now working on learning what equipment to bring to various shoots that we do, with my eye on bringing only what I need.
Hi Dave,
now that’s what I like – Real World Camera Comparison!
Not that I’m in the market for one of these – nevertheless very informative and interesting.
And I also like this new comment-feature on your podcast site – very cool. Got me to write this bit spontaneously – so it must be working…
Thanks for all your info, help, etc…
ps: if you’re looking for a vote: Zi8 as best outdoors, SD780 as best overall compromise
Thanks for that Dave. Awesome to see the comparison.
I love these useful and pratical weekly videos you do Dave and this is another great one. Having side by side comparisons of what output video actually looks like on the web is so useful when trying to determine which one select. I only wish you’d done it a couple months ago while I was still trying to decide… could have saved me a lot web surfing. LOL But I’m sure others will benefit.
I agree with the early leaders — video is best with the Canon and Kodak. I would have gone with the Canon myself, but decided I really needed the ext. mic jack for doing ‘talking head’ educational videos. I guess I’ll just need to shoot in a room with lots of natural light.
I thought the Cannon was best overall except in the low light where it was the worst. I also thought the Creative Vado was the worst of them all.
Hi Dave,
Great video comparing current affordable cameras on the market. There’s a lot of buzz about the Kodak Zi8 but it appears from your video test that the Zi8 performs well with outdoor lighting and movement, however take it indoors and aaahhh it doesn’t perform. On-the-other-hand the Canon SD780 appears to come out on top.
Dave it looks like you will have some cameras going cheap!!
Thanks
Martin Kiely
BTW Does the Canon SD780 have an external Audio I/P?
Martin,
The Canon does not have an ext mic jack and the motor running inside the camera continuously makes the audio unusable. Dave did a previous video where you can hear the motor:
http://webvideouniversity.com/podcast/video/2009/12/11/wvu-65-a-better-alternative-to-flip-style-cameras/
Great video comparison Dave.
I personally thought the Kodak was the better camera, until you were inside with the lights on; then it couldn’t compensate for the extra lights.
I have the Kodak and have to say I am really happy with it. The external mike jack is worth it’s weight in gold. I have never used it with Soft boxes so I have never seen that problem, My thoughts are that ir is easily fixed in software however, Thanks Dave for another really useful article. I live your work
Great comparison… you forgot one very critical part… SOUND QUALITY at least in a close setting
I was thinking about getting the Kodak zi8. I want to film Snowboarding with it.
I think that for the price, the footage comes out really well.
This is a great video, thanks Dave, shared it on Twitter.
To All With Questions/Comments About Technical Specs, Audio, etc.:
Rather than getting into all of the technical in’s and out’s of each camera, this review was based on one thing…the lowest common denominator…video. As in, what does the same footage look like from each camera?
But as far as technical specs go, these would be the most important ones:
1. The Zi8 and Vado have external microphone jacks so you can plug in a microphone to get better audio. The others do not. You can see (hear) the impact of this here:
http://webvideouniversity.com/podcast/video/2010/02/12/review-of-the-kodak-zi8-wvu-72/
2. Even if the camera you have does not have an external microphone jack, you can still get good audio by using a DVR like I show here:
http://webvideouniversity.com/podcast/video/2009/10/02/wvu-56-how-to-get-great-audio-if-your-camera-only-has-a-built-in-microphone/
3. The Zi8 and SD 780 use SDHC memory cards. This allows you to expand your recording capacity at will…but it also adds extra cost because you need to buy an SDHC card(s). The Flip and the Vado only have built-in memory.
4. The Flip and the Zi8 give you zero manual control over the image quality. The Vado gives you exposure control, but it’s so limited it’s almost useless. The SD 780 however, gives you control over both white balance and exposure (these two can make a big difference in the quality of your video).
I didn’t use these when shooting the video though…everything with the SD 780 was shot in full program mode. Had I spent an extra few minutes adjusting things manually, I likely could have produced better footage out of the SD 780.
5. Then there’s what I call the 10 year-old test. Place all of the cameras in front of a group of 10 year-olds and see which one they fight over. They’ll invariably pick the easiest one to use…which will also happen to be the easiest for an adult to use too. In this case, the Zi8 wins, followed by the Flip, the Vado and the SD 780.
I think that the Canon had the best overall image quality because it has the best sensors for gauging colour balance and exposure. Surprised at the noise level in the low light though.
The Kodak tends to go crazy in fluctuating light situations. Straight off of the card it looks overly saturated, contrasty and over sharpened. That external mic input is awesome though.
I’d have to say that the Zi8 is most useful of the group.
Yes, just filmed an indoor event with projected images behind speakers on a podium with the Zi8 and it went crazy trying to adjust to the light level in the room, slowly shifting darker and darker and then suddenly lighter and lighter. No matter what I focused on I could not get the lighting to stabilize. Cannot recommend for indoor variable to low light conditions.
Thanks, Dave. That was really useful. I guess I’m in the minority, because I thought the Flip Ultra HD had the best overall performance.
Thank you for that podcast!
I already wanted a Kodakzi8, but it was so neat to see the differences. My main reason for wanting the Zi8 is for the mike jack.
The Zi8 is the best choice in my opinion. Many overlook the importance of close proximity miking and depend on a omnipresent microphone on the camera. This always make someone sound like their in a tunnel and far away. Not only that, you pick up every sound around you. Not a good idea if you want to connect with your viewers.
If you don’t have a camera with an Audio Jack, you’re sunk! FYI: Here’s a cheap solution. Sony makes an ECM-HGZ1 Shotgun microphone for about $50 and a wired condenser lapel microphone, ECM-CS10 for about $30.Happy audio!
I have used the flip for about a year. Although it is a good camera I hate the quality secondary to audio. I can’t wait to get the Zi8. I believe it will be much better for what I do.
Thanks Dave….
I thought the Canon SD780 had the best all around clarity but I was disappointed it was the worst low light camera. The Vado looked blurry outdoors around the edges but was great at low light.
But i have always had Canons cameras so it would be my choice.
Very useful info!! Thanks again, I know now that I won’t ever purchase or recommend the Vado…
Where did you place the studio lights? The Kodak looks amazing but totally messed up with the studio lighting. I really need a cam that can handle some lighting, but maybe it was the placement, even though the others cameras look okay? Or, maybe not?
Nice work, as well as nice job!!!!