Kodak Zi8

Kodak?s pint-sized new Zi8 shoots full HD video, without an intimidating package or price.

Pure Digital may have started the handheld camcorder movement with the original Flip, but Kodak’s not letting the early lead go uncontested. After chasing Pure Digital with the original Zi6 and later the more compact Zx1, Kodak may have finally taken a step ahead with the first handheld cam to feature full HD, 1080p resolution: The Zi8.

Unlike the existing crop of cams – which we took a look at in our mini HD roundup – the Zi8 boasts the same 1920 x 1080 resolution that full-size HD camcorders use, but in a pocketable handheld form factor. It also keeps many of the factors that made Kodak’s Zi6 stand out with: removable batteries (but now lithium-ion for smaller size) and an SD card slot for adding your own memory – up to 32GB.

The Zi8 also remedies some of our existing complaints about previous cams, like adding much-needed image stabilization, an external microphone jack, and even snapping 5.3-megapixel stills. Despite the improvements, it measures just 2.4 inches wide, 4.5 tall, and 0.9 thick.

Kodak will begin selling the Zi8 this September for $180, only $20 more than the existing Zi6, and cheaper than Flip’s $230 MinoHD. Of course, keep in mind that like previous Kodak cams, it will only include 128MB internal memory – the rest is up to you to furnish. But with 16GB SD cards now selling for around $35, you won’t have to make much of an investment. More details are available from Kodak.