Kodak PlaySport Zx5 128 MB Camcorder - Red

I recently purchased the Zx5 and have had a chance to try it out. First off, the camera is easy to pick up and use. I didn't need to look at the manual to figure out the funtions. The video and still photos are sharp and clear when shot with enough lighting. Shooting around sunset or indoors in a poorly lit room will degrade the picture quality somewhat.
I bought this camera to use while swimming in Hawaii later this year, so I thought I'd try it under water. I have a small fish pond off my patio so I stuck my camera up to two feet under the lily pads and shot some video. Beautiful video of the fish swimming by and the undersides of the plants. This wasn't a test of the depth abilities of this camera,(it's rated to about 10')but to see how the video would look in low light underwater situations. I also shot some video on my Roadliner motorcycle to check the video's anti-shake properties. Again the quality was very smooth with surprisingly very little wind noise when pointed straight ahead. Turning the camera 90 degrees does cause a lot of noise as the wind moves across the mic pickup. There is a microphone gain control in the menu that I do need to play with, voices more than 10' away seem to come in a little muted.
There isn't a optical zoom, but at this price point, I didn't expect one. There is a 2X digital zoom that works as well as most, not great due to blowing up the pixels and bluring the image.
Another thing to consider if you want to use this as a replacement for a larger camcorder is that the battery is not changeable by the user. So extended shooting sessions may be interrupted by the low battery icon. This isn't a big deal in my case since it will be used mainly as a surf camera and I'll have a Canon DV camcorder for other video. But due to the small size and light weight, I'm sure the Zx5 will be in a pocket throughout the trip without a care if I'm caught in a downpour while walking about.
A couple of suggestions about extra gear if you buy this camera. Put a screen protector on the view screen. Buy an optional hdmi cable to hook it directly to you tv. This, I believe is availible free from Kodak(you pat freight) if you register your camera. And the optional remote control might be nice to have when viewing your camera through the tv.

This lil cam is a great handycam and is simple and easy to use... the pic and video quality is better than any of its competitors that I viewed..and it seems to be a tough little camera that is not as fragile as some of it's competitors...but that will prove itself out over the next few months as I take it into the swamps..the low lite feature is great for indoor shoots and produces a great video.

LOVE this camera. We bought it just before baby #4 was born. It's been nice to slide into my pocket which helps me catch a lot more great moments of my kids. Have yet to test the waterproof part, but my husband likes to Kayak and now he can take film of what he see's. I love it.

works great underwater. photo resolution is average. very fast launch. long battery life. like the pc sinc software. like the durable feel. Got a 2x add on telephoto lens, works great.

Nice camera, I needed because I do lot of sport and I wanted to film what I do, and this camera is perfect for that. It's lovely to see videos at 60fps, and it's very easy to use it.