READER GREGORY ENGEL SENDS A REVIEW on the Kodak Playsport camera.

Here is a small review of the Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket
Video Camera.

I had almost purchases a Flip video camera on a couple of occasions, but decided to go with the Kodak. A few days later, the news of the Flip’s demise hit the wire. I usually don’t get that lucky. (I’ve a gasoline powered turtleneck sweater and a fur lined sink available for purchase if you’re interested.) The selling point for me was that it was price comparable to the Flip and it was waterproof. I don’t care to go to places as wet as scuba takes you, but I do end up in a lot of rainy places.

I’m just back from two weeks in Hawai`i, where it rained more then I’ve seen in the previous 11 trips combined. But I did get in a hike to Hanakapiai Falls, just off the Kalalau trail. I’ve lost two cameras to that hike because it is such a soggy trail most times of the year. This year especially, but the Kodak worked like a champ throughout the trip. I’ve posted a video on YouTube taken from inside a lava tube which is usually inaccessible due to the tide. Had I taken a non-waterproof camera into that lava tube with all the accompanying sea spray, than this hike would have undoubtedly claimed the life of yet another digital camera. I was particularly impressed with the camera’s ability to focus and adjust to light. Along with multiple video resolutions (from WVGA all the way to 1080p), it takes 5MP still images, too.

Thinking more generally, a camera like this could be pretty handy during any one of those bad weather Tea Party rallies as one can’t count on the MSM’s high priced equipment to function properly during those events.

It’s also nice if somebody tries to grab your camera, since it’s rugged and not very expensive.

UPDATE: Reader Ken Wagoner emails: “I want to echo the comments from Mr. Engel, regarding the Kodak Playsport camera. We just returned from our honeymoon Alaska cruise and took several hundred photos with it, along with some amazing video. While I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t understand the degradation in clarity with a digital zoom, the quality of the remaining photos, and the video was incredible. We played the photos and videos back last night on our 55″ big screen at home, and were just floored by the superior quality. Some of the video of the glaciers in Glacier Bay, including a calving segment, was astounding, both in video and audio. The ease of transfer from the SD card, via a USB cable (included), and its ability to recharge the same way were huge bonuses for us.” Amazing what you can get for so little money nowadays.