Digital cameras: Hi all, new here. Thoughts on Kodak Easyshare z812 IS?
Hi all, new here. Thoughts on Kodak Easyshare z812 IS?
by salomaster - 10/14/07 11:26 AMI'm going to get a digital camera soon.
For some reason, cnet doesn't have a review for this new Kodak yet. Does it usually take this long for a camera to be reviewed? Anyways, I figured I'd ask the forum-mongers. What do you guys think about the new Kodak superzoom relative to the other superzooms like Canon S5 IS? I've heard the Kodak isn't built as well, but given its features for its price, it beats the Canon, right? Well, it's got 720 HD video, but I read a complaint about the camera picking up the sound of the zoom lense motor moving.
Any other thoughts/opinions/suggestions?
And who should I buy from?
Thanks in advance for all your feedback!
Kodak Z812
by snapshot2
- 10/14/07 4:37 PM
In reply to: Hi all, new here. Thoughts on Kodak Easyshare z812 IS? by salomaster
The Z812 has only been available for a few weeks.
Much too early for a review.
A review can not even start until the reviewer get a production model.
I could not find any sample photos.
I notice that Amazon.com has them in stock.
You may find a few owner reviews there.
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..
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Thanks
by salomaster - 10/14/07 11:44 PM In reply to: Kodak Z812 by snapshot2
Thank you very much for clearing that up, snapshot.
Ditto--need a review!!
by natejohnstone - 10/15/07 1:57 PM In reply to: Hi all, new here. Thoughts on Kodak Easyshare z812 IS? by salomasterI too am very interested in this camera as an HD camcorder alternative.
For a sub-$300 to do 720p video would be awesome! I don't expect it to be on par with the $1000+ HD camcorders out there, but common, I don't have that much mullah--I can pick this puppy up for like $250 this Christmas!
So I need some reviews of the movie mode. If this movie mode is good, Kodak could really put some pressure on the camcorder market.
z812
by salomaster - 10/15/07 7:02 PM In reply to: Ditto--need a review!! by natejohnstoneAgreed! I mean, even if you just used the HD video for YouTube, it would make for some built-in cinematic effects just because it's widescreen, despite the overkill of its resolution haha.
It just seems like a feature-packed camera for its price.
The only two things I'm really curious about are the motor sound of the zoom being picked up by the mic during HD recording and also the quality of the camera's construction.
I'm a newbie to the camera world, but based on what I've read, I think this EasyShare can compete with the S5 IS.
And also, how does the Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens compare to the Carl Zeiss lens?
The Z812 IS has terrible Still and Video Sound recording
by bartsystems - 10/16/07 10:12 AM In reply to: Hi all, new here. Thoughts on Kodak Easyshare z812 IS? by salomasterThe Kodak Z812 IS has and engineering or technical problem of over modulation, distortion, and lack of AGC Automatic Gain Control limiting loud or live music, or stereo playing in the background during recording still image add on sound or during HD or Video recording. My $30 audio cassette recorder has better AGC and sound recording level control that this Kodak model. The sound recording level cannot be adjusted, and any other than a normal soft speaking voice behind the camera results in unusable, distorted, over modulated audio not fit for consumer use.
Kodak customer service, technical support, says it’s normal to have distortion with live music, when a lesser canon still digital camera records audio and maintains AGC audio just fine in the same environment. My cassette and MP3 voice recorder do a better job at recording audio than this Kodak model Z812 IS does.
I have sent sample audio and video files to Kodak and they have not responded as to replacement, repair, or 30 day money back guarantee. I have challenged them, and they have charged me for two of the same models pending receipt and evaluation.
Still, Video, and optical performance and features of this Z812 IS the best I have seen, and one of the first with HD Video and Stills in the HD wide screen 16 x 9 format. Optical Image stabilization works excellent, and the optical zoom is awesome.
G Bart
Sacramento, CA
z812
by salomaster - 10/16/07 10:38 PM In reply to: The Z812 IS has terrible Still and Video Sound recording by bartsystemsSorry to hear about your bad experience with Kodak tech support. In that case, if I buy this camera, I may get a Best Buy warranty... maybe it'll be better (anecdotally, their warranty did not help my iPod).
Thanks for your input, G Bart. So the sound's not good... do you think you might have gotten two bad cameras?
And maybe you could make a home-made pop filter or put a small piece of foam on the mic haha.
I agree with you on the video and optical performance, though -- those things, I was able to witness firsthand at the store. It was the sound that was difficult to evaluate from its built-in speakers. Despite that, from what I could hear, it picked up Best Buy's "people-noise," and it seemed to be okay. Maybe I can ask the employees for a PCM adapter to the A/V on the camera so I can test it out on-site with some headphones or something.
That's kind of a bummer, though. This was a camera I wanted to use to make sweet live videos. At least it's an HD concert for under $300.
Z8612 is has sound issues too!
by A Liebl - 9/2/08 2:38 PM In reply to: z812 by salomasterI am now sending back my second z8612 is to Kodak for "repair" under warranty. It has the exact same problem that you are describing for the Z812. Have you had any success getting a refund for the camera or a replacement model that DOESN'T have sound issues? Should i even bother sending this one in? Will they ever offer a refund or other offer? I really love the way the camera performs otherwise, it just makes me ill to have to get rid of it. Any advice?
Thanks a lot!
-Amy Liebl
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