Introduction
The PlaySport Zx5 comes in blue, black, or red, and is available now at a retail price of $179.95.
Front
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Back
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Left
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Right
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Top
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Bottom
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In the Box
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Color
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In our testing, the PlaySport Zx5 produced colors with complete inaccuracy. Take a gander at the sample images below to see what we're talking about. You should immediately see a bright orange glow that encompasses the entirety of the Zx5's bright light image. Of course, this is an issue with the auto white balance system more than anything else. This has been a problem on every Kodak camcorder we've reviewed—going back two or three years now—and Kodak has yet to do anything about it. Shame, shame, shame. More on how we test color.
Color Accuracy Performance
Color Error Map The map above is a diagram of the color error. The length and direction of each line indicates how the camera processed each particular color while capturing video.
The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 produced a color error of 16.54 and a saturation level of 166.00% in our bright light color testing.
The Zx5 has a few digital effects, but no manual color modes. One of the digital effects is called high saturation, which, as you can probably guess, boosts the saturation levels. The image below was taken in regular auto mode, and you can clearly see the problems the Zx5 had with rendering colors under our bright lights. Outdoors, under natural light, the Zx5 produced colors with far better accuracy.
Auto
100% Crop
The overall color error numbers on the Zx5 are barely worth mentioning because the values are entirely skewed by the terrible auto white balance system. For our dedicated readers, though, here they are: 16.54 color error and a saturation level of 166%. Those numbers are worse than last year's PlaySport Zx3 from Kodak, but both camcorders did a miserable job in this test. In fact, a good two thirds of the ultracompact models we review have some sort of white balancing issue like this in our bright light test, so this problem isn't solely associated with Kodak. Of the comparison models we look at in this review, only the Sony Bloggie Touch MHS-TS10 did a quality job in our bright light color testing.
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Low Light Color
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The Zx5 did far better on our low light color test than the camcorder did in our bright light testing. This fact is almost certainly related to the kind of lights we use in each test (halogen lights in our bright light test vs. LED lights in low light). Still, the Zx5's color accuracy in low light wasn't anything to write home about. More on how we test low light color.
Low Light Color Accuracy Performance
Color Error Map The map above is a diagram of the color error. The length and direction of each line indicates how the camera processed each particular color while capturing video.
The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 produced a color error of and a saturation level of in our bright light color testing.
The camcorder measured a color error of 5.89 and a saturation level of 86.84% under the 60 lux lights. Of these two numbers, the saturation level may be the one we are most pleased by. The Zx5's saturation in low light was 20% higher than last year's Zx3, although the Zx3 managed slightly better color accuracy.
Noise
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Noise levels on the Zx5 were fairly low, although it did have more noise than last year's Zx3 (just by a hair). The camcorder averaged 0.66% noise in our bright light test, which is around 0.1% more noise than last year's Zx3. The JVC GC-WP10 and Sony Bloggie Touch MHS-TS10 also had less noise than the Zx5, but, in all, these four camcorders each did a good job in this test. More on how we test noise.
Let's forget about noise for a moment—all of these camcorders did a fine job in keeping the noise low in our testing—but take a look at the crops above anyway. Notice how blurred the image appears from the Kodak PlaySport Zx5. This is what the Zx5's testing images looked like in all kinds of light and shooting situations. It always produced blurred, out-of-focus imagery on the left side of the frame. Always.
We're not completely sure where this problem stems from, but we think it is an issue with the Zx5's autofocus system. The right side of the frame consistently looked much sharper than the left, so we think the focal plane may not be perfectly straight (the two sides were never fully in focus at the same time). We reference this problem in numerous other areas of this review because we think it is something important to talk about. Also, this is something we've seen from other camcorders, particularly cheap and ultracompact models, before.
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Low Light Sensitivity
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Much like last year's Playsport Zx3, the Zx5 did an excellent job in our low light sensitivity test. The Zx5 needed just 4 lux of light to hit 50 IRE on our waveform monitor—an amount of light that is significantly lower than what most mid-range or high-end consumer camcorders require. More on how we test low light sensitivity.
The Zx5's positive results here are based on two factors: 1) the camcorder's fixed f/2.8 lens is quite wide, and 2) there's an automatic slow shutter that kicks in when the lights go dim. This slow shutter is a feature we turn off is possible on regular camcorders, but the Playsport has no option for canceling it. Thus, when you shoot in low light with the Zx5, you may notice some choppy motion or performance because of the 1/30 of a second shutter speed (but it makes the images a lot brighter).
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Low Light Noise
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In addition to positive color accuracy scores, the Zx5's noise numbers in low light were also good. The camcorder averaged 0.83% noise in this test, which is statistically identical to the noise percentage we measured on the PlaySport Zx3. Just like we saw in bright light, all four of the camcorders we used as comparison models in this review did very well in this test (each with noise levels below 0.9%). More on how we test low light noise.
As you can see from the crop above, the Zx5 continued its very strange (and very bad) focusing problem on the left side of its recorded image. Look how blurry this blown up crop appears compared to the competition. In the controls section of this review, you can see a side-by-side comparison of the Zx5's left and right crops. This will give you a better idea of what we're talking about when we say only the left side of its recorded image appears blurred. We're very disappointed in Kodak for this shoddy design on the Zx5, but we have seen this kind of thing on many ultracompact camcorders in the past.
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Low Light Color
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The Zx5 did far better on our low light color test than the camcorder did in our bright light testing. This fact is almost certainly related to the kind of lights we use in each test (halogen lights in our bright light test vs. LED lights in low light). Still, the Zx5's color accuracy in low light wasn't anything to write home about. More on how we test low light color.
Low Light Color Accuracy Performance
Color Error Map The map above is a diagram of the color error. The length and direction of each line indicates how the camera processed each particular color while capturing video.
The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 produced a color error of and a saturation level of in our bright light color testing.
The camcorder measured a color error of 5.89 and a saturation level of 86.84% under the 60 lux lights. Of these two numbers, the saturation level may be the one we are most pleased by. The Zx5's saturation in low light was 20% higher than last year's Zx3, although the Zx3 managed slightly better color accuracy.
Motion
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The Zx5 can record Full HD video (a 1920 x 1080 resolution) using a 30p frame rate, or it can record 1280 x 720 HD video using a 60p or 30p frame rate. The 720/60p mode will get you smoother video, but its video also doesn't look nearly as crisp as the Full HD setting. For testing purposes, we looked at the Zx5's performance shooting Full HD 1080/30p because that's the mode that produced the sharpest results overall.
In our testing, the Zx5 didn't do a fantastic job with motion, but it still managed to be one of the better ultracompact models in this test. The camcorder showed us quite a bit of blur and color bleeding, just like we saw from the PlaySport Zx3, but artifacting and smoothness weren't much of a problem. More on how we test motion.
Video Sharpness
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Other than the left-side focusing problem that we discussed previously in this review, the Kodak PlaySport Zx5 was able to produce a very sharp image for a camcorder of its class. In our testing, the camcorder registered a horizontal and vertical sharpness of 700 lw/ph each. While these numbers are generally impressive, it is a bit disappointing that they represent no increase over last year's Playsport Zx3. Still a measurement of 700 wl/ph for vertical and horizontal sharpness is very good for an ultracompact camcorder, and it is better than the numbers put up by the JVC GC-WP10 and the Sony Bloggie Touch MHS-TS10. More on how we test video sharpness.
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Stabilization
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The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 has a digital image stabilization feature, but the option can not be turned off. This is a primary difference between the Zx5 and the first-generation PlaySport Zx3. Both camcorders have stabilization features, but the Zx3 allowed the digital stabilization to be turned off. This meant we could test the feature's capability, whereas we cannot on the Zx5.
All this discussion is possibly meaningless, however, as our testing showed the Zx3's stabilization setting did nothing to reduce the shakiness of our test videos. Perhaps this is why Kodak decided to make the feature automatic on the Zx5. More on how we test stabilization.
Auto Mode
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The Kodak PlaySport is an ultracompact camcorder designed for easy, point-and-shoot video recording. Because of this, the camcorder manipulates all controls automatically—there are no manual options on the Zx5 other than a macro focus mode switch in the menu.
Unlike many other ultracompact models, the Zx5 does have an autofocus mechanism, but it doesn't do much. All it does is allow the camcorder to automatically switch between close-up and far focal distances. You'll see it in action when you try to focus on text a few inches away from the camcorder.
If you look closely, you may also notice that this autofocus mechanism causes some very bad problems with the overall image. In our testing, we found the Zx5 was not able to focus an entire image at once—usually with the left side of the frame appearing very blurred and fuzzy. This is either shoddy design on the Kodak's part, or it's a problem with the lens and sensor system. We think it is a focus issue, however, and that the focal plane on the camcorder's lens is not able to create an even level on the left and right. We've seen this issue many times before, usually on ultracompact models, but also on high-end products like the Panasonic HDC-TM900.
Despite this left-side focus problem, the Zx5's focus range of 10cm to infinity is very good for a camcorder of its class (underwater the focus range is 13cm to infinity).
The iAuto mode button is difficult to find, but when you do find it the option for turning on the mode looks like this.
Auto Controls
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Exposure and white balance don't do as well with the PlaySport as autofocus. Exposure adjustments are done correctly, but the camcorder often makes changes too quickly or abruptly. As a result, moving from light to dark scenes can be very jarring with the Zx5. Auto white balance is an issue on most camcorders, so the fact that the Zx5 didn't do all that well with it isn't surprising. We found the camcorder produced a significant orange hue under certain indoor lighting conditions, although outdoor light looked fine with the auto white balance.
There's no optical zoom on the Zx5, but the camcorder has the traditional 4x digital zoom that is commonly implemented on ultracompact video devices.
Menus
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Handling
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The PlaySport Zx5 doesn't look or feel much different than the PlaySport Zx3 that came before it, but when you look closely you will notice some differences. The front of the Zx5 has a slightly-rubberized coating that runs from the top to the bottom of the camcorder, while this coating only covered about 75% of the Zx3's front side. The Zx5 also has a completely different pattern design and color offerings, but that's a stylistic choice rather than a handling issue.
The back of the PlaySport Zx5 has one brand new button—the "share" button—to go along with the photo/video mode button, playback button, delete button, and settings button. The share button is the only big new addition to the surface of the camcorder, and it does make videos easier to upload to websites like YouTube (you still need to connect the camcorder to a computer, though).
Kodak also gave the d-pad a slight redesign on the Zx5, and, frankly, we're not to crazy about its new setup. We found the d-pad often responded slowly when we pressed it in certain directions, and the middle selection button wasn't always responsive either. This isn't to say the Zx3 had a perfect d-pad design (it certainly did not), but we think Kodak took a small step backwards on the Zx5. The entire button design and layout on the PlaySport Zx5 is still better than what you get on most ultracompact camcorders, however, so we can't complain too much.
Obviously, the fact that the Zx5 is waterproof makes a big impact in terms of handling. What we love so much about the Zx5's design is the fact that it doesn't look or feel like a bulky waterproof product (like the JVC GC-WP10). It just feels like a regular, durable camcorder, and the fact that it is waterproof up to 3 meters is an added bonus. It always disappoints us when manufacturers make a clunky waterproof camcorder that both looks and feels awkward, so we're glad Kodak nailed down a design that works on the PlaySport.
The buttons themselves work decently underwater, and the camcorder's textured front design offers a good grip when the Zx5 is submerged. As was the case with last year's Zx3, the port covers on the Zx5 do a good job keeping liquid from seeping into the precious terminal areas. Speaking of water leakage, we must note that Kodak decided to get rid of the removable battery this year, so the Zx5 has an enclosed battery instead (the battery can only be changed via a service repair). While this does make the Zx5 less versatile than the Zx3 (and it makes it impossible to purchase back-up battery packs), we must admit that this new design is both safer and more apt for a waterproof device. You can rest assured that no liquid is getting into the battery compartment, as the battery is completely enclosed inside the camcorder.
These dedicated buttons give you quick access to aperture and shutter speed controls.
Portability
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Even though the second-generation PlaySport looks nearly identical to the previous version (the Zx3), Kodak was somehow able to trim roughly 20g of weight off the new camcorder. The PlaySport Zx5 comes in weighing 145g, and that includes the internal battery pack. In all likelihood it is this non-removable battery that keeps the weight down on the Zx5, as the previous PlaySport did not have this feature (the battery was removable on the Zx3). The dimensions of the Zx5 are identical to the Kodak Zx3, however: 58 x 112.5 x 19.5mm.
The compact size of the Kodak PlaySport is only the first aspect of its "portability" you need to consider. The fact that the camcorder is waterproof completely alters the way you can think about where the Zx5 can go. You don't have to worry about tossing it into the bottom of a damp bag, you can bring it with you on a ski trip without fear, or you can take it to the lake to capture sweet videos of your fishing expedition. The camcorder is only waterproof up to 3 meters (10 feet), but that is more than enough for most uses (other than deep-sea diving).
The new PlaySport is also shockproof up to 1.5 meters (5 feet), which means it can take a fall from that height without damage. According to Kodak, the camcorder is also dustproof, but we're not sure how much mud or sand the Zx5 can handle before getting nicked up. Remember, this isn't an indestructible black box—it's just a camcorder.
Battery Life
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The Playsport Zx5 did a surprisingly good job in our battery life test, as the camcorder lasted for just over two hours of continually recording on a single charge (120 minutes, 44 seconds). This is an increase of more than 30 minutes over last year's Playsport Zx3, and it is one of the best battery performances we've seen from an ultracompact camcorder. More on how we test battery life.
So, how did Kodak achieve this improved battery life? Well, the Zx5 features an entirely internal battery pack that is not removable from the camcorder (unless you completely take it apart). This is different from the battery on the Zx3, which could be easily removed by opening a small port cover. The advantage of the internal battery is obvious—it improved battery life and it makes the Zx5 a bit lighter than the Zx3—but there's also the disadvantage of not being able to purchase extra battery packs for backup. Kodak says the battery is serviceable if you send the camcorder in for repair, so if you do notice problems with the Zx5 holding charge, you should take advantage of the camcorder's one year warranty.
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LCD
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The LCD on the new PlaySport looks exactly like the screen on the old PlaySport Zx3. It is 2 inches diagonally, has a 154,000-pixel resolution, and features automatic brightness control. The new menu system on the Zx5 gives you the option to turn off this automatic brightness control, however, and you can set the screen brightness to low, medium, or high manually. You can also turn the glare shield on and off in this menu. Despite the menu being terribly difficult to navigate, we do like having these features.
The PlaySport Zx5 is a small camcorder, we all know that, but we wish Kodak had increased the size of the LCD just a tad for the new model. We also don't like the fact that the screen uses a 4:3 aspect ratio, which means there is a good portion of LCD space that is wasted when you shoot widescreen HD video. Thankfully, Kodak does use this space to display information (like record times), but we'd still like having this extra real estate for framing our shot instead.
Stabilization
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The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 has a digital image stabilization feature, but the option can not be turned off. This is a primary difference between the Zx5 and the first-generation PlaySport Zx3. Both camcorders have stabilization features, but the Zx3 allowed the digital stabilization to be turned off. This meant we could test the feature's capability, whereas we cannot on the Zx5.
All this discussion is possibly meaningless, however, as our testing showed the Zx3's stabilization setting did nothing to reduce the shakiness of our test videos. Perhaps this is why Kodak decided to make the feature automatic on the Zx5. More on how we test stabilization.
Manual Focus
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The adjustment dial makes accurate focus adjustments easy.
Miscellaneous Controls
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Macro Focus
Changes the minimum focus distance from 10cm (4 inches) to 7cm (2.8 inches). Also, in macro mode, the focus range is just 7 - 17cm (2.8 - 6.7 inches) rather than 10cm to infinity. Considering the Zx5 already has an automatic mechanism for switching between macro and regular focus, this manual option doesn't do much besides adding 3cm to the minimum focus distance.
Auto Controls
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Exposure and white balance don't do as well with the PlaySport as autofocus. Exposure adjustments are done correctly, but the camcorder often makes changes too quickly or abruptly. As a result, moving from light to dark scenes can be very jarring with the Zx5. Auto white balance is an issue on most camcorders, so the fact that the Zx5 didn't do all that well with it isn't surprising. We found the camcorder produced a significant orange hue under certain indoor lighting conditions, although outdoor light looked fine with the auto white balance.
There's no optical zoom on the Zx5, but the camcorder has the traditional 4x digital zoom that is commonly implemented on ultracompact video devices.
Audio Controls
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The PlaySport Zx5 isn't loaded with audio features, but the camera does have a built-in mono microphone and the gain levels on this mic can be set manually. To set the mic levels you must go into the PlaySport's menu system and select Microphone Gain. Here, you can adjust the levels on a -5 to +5 scale, and there's also a mic level display above this adjustment bar so you can see how much you are boosting or lowering the recording levels.
There are no external mic inputs on the Zx5 and the camcorder has no microphone jack as well. The built-in microphone is located on the front of the camcorder, just to the side of the lens. A mono speaker is located on the bottom of the camcorder.
Editing
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The PlaySport Zx5 ships with Kodak Arcsoft media Impression software that allows you to import your photos and videos, organize them how you please, and perform minor edits. The software really isn't any different than what Kodak put on previous models, so click on the link below to read more. The Arcsoft software is embedded on the camcorder itself (no disc required), and you can begin installation by connecting the Zx5 to a computer. The software works with PCs only. For an overview of the software that ships with this and other camcorders, see our article: Video Editing Software For Your Camcorder{{product.brand.name}}-Included-Software.htm.
One new feature on the PlaySport Zx5 is the camcorder's "share" button. This allows you to tag clips and photos so they can be quickly uploaded once the Zx5 is connected to a computer. When tagging your media, you can even select what sites you want to upload the content to—Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, etc. Also cool is the fact that this share feature works with Macs (even though Kodak says it doesn't on the website). Just connect the Zx5 to your computer and install a small piece of software (called Kodak Share Button application) and you are ready to upload.
Compression
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The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 records video using MPEG-4 compression (not AVCHD, which is what you see on most traditional consumer HD camcorders). MPEG-4 files are generally compatible with most editing systems, although you may run into some programs where the files will require rendering before they can be viewed (Final Cut Express had this problem). The Zx5 has one Full HD record mode (1920 x 1080 resolution) and two 720p HD modes (one with a 60p frame rate, the other with 30p). There's also a standard definition record mode on the camcorder called WVGA (records at an 848 x 480 resolution). Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various high definition compression types.
Media
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There's a tiny bit of internal memory on the Kodak PlaySport Zx5, but it's such a little amount we probably shouldn't even be mentioning it. The camcorder is loaded with 20MB of free space, which is good for storing a few seconds of video or a handful of photos (it's the same amount of memory the first Kodak Playsport, the Zx3, came with).
Instead of wasting your time with this internal memory, you should insert a memory card into the Zx5 as soon as you open the camcorder. The card slot works with SD or SDHC memory cards, which go up to 32GB in size—or 16,000 times as much space as the 20MB of internal memory gets you. If you buy SDHC cards online you can get them for fairly cheap. We've seen them for around $20 - $30 for a 16GB card. For video recording, you're best off with a class 6 or higher card, but we've used lower-class cards without problem as well. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.
Still Features
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Kodak keeps the still image features simple on the PlaySport Zx5. There is only one photo size option on the camcorder, so when you switch over to photo mode you don't have to take the extra step of choosing an image resolution. All photos are captured as 3072 x 1728 images, which is a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 5.3-megapixel image. Since you can only take photos when the Playsport is in photo mode, you cannot capture still images while recording video.
Lens & Imaging System
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The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 doesn't technically have a fixed lens, but its autofocus mechanism can only switch between macro and regular focus modes. So, when you bring the camcorder closer to 10cm from a subject, the PlaySport Zx5 should automatically switch to macro focus mode. The macro mode has a focus range of 7 - 17cm, while the regular focus mode goes from 10cm to infinity. Additionally, the lens has no optical zoom.
We also noticed the camcorder having a major problem properly focusing on an entire image. The left side of the frame was repeatedly out of focus in our testing, while the right looked crisp and clear. We assume this problem has more to do with an atuofocus error rather than a lens or sensor issue, but it could be a combination.
LCD
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The LCD on the new PlaySport looks exactly like the screen on the old PlaySport Zx3. It is 2 inches diagonally, has a 154,000-pixel resolution, and features automatic brightness control. The new menu system on the Zx5 gives you the option to turn off this automatic brightness control, however, and you can set the screen brightness to low, medium, or high manually. You can also turn the glare shield on and off in this menu. Despite the menu being terribly difficult to navigate, we do like having these features.
The PlaySport Zx5 is a small camcorder, we all know that, but we wish Kodak had increased the size of the LCD just a tad for the new model. We also don't like the fact that the screen uses a 4:3 aspect ratio, which means there is a good portion of LCD space that is wasted when you shoot widescreen HD video. Thankfully, Kodak does use this space to display information (like record times), but we'd still like having this extra real estate for framing our shot instead.
Connectivity
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Since the PlaySport is a waterproof camcorder, Kodak went to great lengths to protect the ports and terminals of the device. On the left side of the camcorder is a flip-out cover that protects the HDMI and USB ports. The cover locks into place tightly and has a protective, rubberized seal that does a good job keeping water away from these fragile terminals.
Looking closely at the HDMI and USB ports you may notice the two jacks are smaller than what is usually seen on a consumer camcorder. This is because they are both micro jacks (micro USB and micro HDMI). Cables that work with these ports are not proprietary, but they are a bit more difficult to find than the more-common mini HDMI and USB cables. The Zx5 does come with a micro USB cable, but you must purchase a micro HDMI cable separately if you want to connect the camcorder to an HDTV.
The micro USB port is not just used to connect the PlaySport to a computer—it is also used for charging the device. The PlaySport will charge when connected to a computer, but Kodak also supplies a handy wall-plug adapter for charging as well. The large end of the USB cable is inserted into this adapter, which can then plug into any regular wall outlet for charging purposes.
You'll notice another port covering on the right side of the PlaySport that conceals the camcorder's memory card slot. You can insert SD or SDHC memory cards (up to 32GB) into this card slot, but the camcorder is not compatible with the new, higher-capacity SDXC memory cards. This shouldn't be much of a problem, though, as the video clips created by the Zx5 aren't that large (a few 16GB SDHC cards should be fine for most people).
Battery
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So, how did Kodak achieve this improved battery life? Well, the Zx5 features an entirely internal battery pack that is not removable from the camcorder (unless you completely take it apart). This is different from the battery on the Zx3, which could be easily removed by opening a small port cover. The advantage of the internal battery is obvious—it improved battery life and it makes the Zx5 a bit lighter than the Zx3—but there's also the disadvantage of not being able to purchase extra battery packs for backup. Kodak says the battery is serviceable if you send the camcorder in for repair, so if you do notice problems with the Zx5 holding charge, you should take advantage of the camcorder's one year warranty.
Media
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There's a tiny bit of internal memory on the Kodak PlaySport Zx5, but it's such a little amount we probably shouldn't even be mentioning it. The camcorder is loaded with 20MB of free space, which is good for storing a few seconds of video or a handful of photos (it's the same amount of memory the first Kodak Playsport, the Zx3, came with).
Instead of wasting your time with this internal memory, you should insert a memory card into the Zx5 as soon as you open the camcorder. The card slot works with SD or SDHC memory cards, which go up to 32GB in size—or 16,000 times as much space as the 20MB of internal memory gets you. If you buy SDHC cards online you can get them for fairly cheap. We've seen them for around $20 - $30 for a 16GB card. For video recording, you're best off with a class 6 or higher card, but we've used lower-class cards without problem as well. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.
Still Features
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Kodak keeps the still image features simple on the PlaySport Zx5. There is only one photo size option on the camcorder, so when you switch over to photo mode you don't have to take the extra step of choosing an image resolution. All photos are captured as 3072 x 1728 images, which is a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 5.3-megapixel image. Since you can only take photos when the Playsport is in photo mode, you cannot capture still images while recording video.
Other Features
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Digital Effects
There are four digital effects that are new features on the Kodak PlaySport Zx5: High Saturation, '70s Film, Black & White, and Sepia. Most of these should be self explanatory, but the '70s Film mode is a bit of a stretch. It mutes the colors and adds a bit of graininess to the image, but that's all.
Underwater Correction
Turning this feature on adds an orange hue to your video, which may help you capture underwater images better. We weren't always crazy about this "correction" feature, however, and we thought certain underwater images looked fine without it. To be clear, you do not have to turn this on to record video underwater—the PlaySport is always waterproof up to 3 meters.
NTSC/PAL Output
You can switch the PlaySport Zx5 over to PAL output if you want to connect the camcorder to a television that runs on the PAL system. This isn't a feature most people will ever use, but it makes it possible for Kodak to develop one version of the Zx5 for both the US and European markets.
JVC Picsio GC-WP10 Comparison
The Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is the direct successor to the PlaySport Zx3. In fact, prior to Kodak releasing a model number for the Zx5, the new camcorder was simply referred to as the "new PlaySport" or the second-generation PlaySport. With this in mind, it should come to no surprise that the Zx5 has nearly the same features, design, and performance as its predecessor. Instead of initiating sweeping updates or changes, Kodak kept things the way they were on the first PlaySport—simple.
In our performance testing, we found very little that separated the Zx5 from the Zx3. There were some changes, though, when we looked closely. The Zx5's autofocus system, which allows the camcorder to shift between regular and macro focus automatically, appeared to cause some problems with the camcorder. In our testing, the camcorder consistently produced an out of focus image on the left side of the frame, while the right maintained a sharp, crisp image. This problem was present on the Zx3, but not at the same scale as we saw on the Zx5.
The Zx5 does have a different battery pack than the Zx3, and in our testing the new PlaySport did a lot better in battery life. The caveat is that the Zx5's battery is not removable (a feature that was available on the Zx3). The other major updates for the Zx5 come in the form of a new, and far easier to navigate, menu system, and improved video sharing features that make it easier to upload content to the web.
In the end, there aren't enough new features on the Zx5 to go crazy over, but the camcorder was upgraded adequately. If you can find a discounted PlaySport Zx3 on the shelves, we say go for it over the Zx5. There's not enough separating these two camcorders to warrant spending extra for the new model.
Sony Bloggie Touch MHS-TS10 Comparison
While the Kodak PlaySport Zx5 is a top-notch specimen of a waterproof camcorder done right, the JVC Picsio GC-WP10 is a prime example of a waterproof camcorder done wrong. JVC bogged the GC-WP10 down with special features, like an LCD touchscreen, that really aren't useful when shooting underwater. We were also strongly dissuaded by the WP10's terrible processing power, which made even the most minor tasks (like navigating the menu system) a chore.
In terms of video performance, these two camcorders aren't far apart. They both produced a decently sharp image, and they both had serious problems with color accuracy in our bright light testing. But if top-notch video performance is that important to you, then neither of these camcorders should be on your radar.
These kinds camcorders need to excel in portability, ease of use, and handling to be effective, and those are the three areas where the PlaySport Zx5 soundly defeats the JVC GC-WP10. Its menu system is easier to follow, its design is more streamlined and compact, and its textured surface offers a good grip underwater. The GC-WP10 does have a few more advanced features (time-lapse record mode, extra still image controls), but the Kodak Zx5 is the simpler camcorder for beginners. If you want a compact, waterproof camcorder, the Kodak PlaySport is the way to go.
COMP 3
In many ways, the Sony Bloggie Touch MHS-TS10 is the opposite of the PlaySport Zx5. The Bloggie Touch relies on style and innovative technology, while the PlaySport rests its laurels on its rugged, utilitarian design. Because of these strong differences, the better camcorder of the two may have a lot to do with your preferences. If you want a compact model that is more of a lifestyle device, then the Sony Bloggie Touch MHS-TS10 is the better choice. If you want a strong camcorder that can resist the elements, then the Kodak Playsport Zx5 is a more apt product.
Differences in performance do come into play with these models. The Sony did a lot better in our bright light testing, mainly thanks to a better auto white balance system. The Sony also has more shooting modes, more still features, and more controls than the Kodak (although it is still a very basic camcorder). The biggest "feature" difference, however, is the fact that Sony uses a large touchscreen LCD on the Bloggie Touch MHS-TS10. The screen enables you to shoot horizontally or vertically with the camcorder, and it has a rotation system that auto detects the way you are holding the camcorder.
Like the Kodak, the Sony has a built-in battery pack that cannot be removed. Unlike the PlaySport, however, the Sony MHS-TS10 also has 4GB of built-in memory—and it does not have a memory card slot. This makes the Sony a simpler, all-in-one package, but it does reduce the versatility of the product. Again, the model you prefer has a lot to do with personal preference.
What we can say, though, is that you shouldn't get the MHS-TS10 if you're planning on bringing your camcorder with you on hikes, canoe trips, or hurricane chases. It looks a whole lot more stylish than the PlaySport Zx5, but it is by no means as durable (and it isn't waterproof at all).
Conclusion
With Cisco killing off its Flip camcorder line last month, the ultracompact camcorder market was left with some gaping holes to fill. Kodak's series of pocket-cams may be poised to take over a chunk of the Flip's former market, and, we must say, the waterproof PlaySport Zx5 is certainly a worthy heir. We liked the Zx5's predecessor (the PlaySport Zx3) enough to name it our best ultracompact camcorder of 2010, so it shouldn't be a surprise that we liked the Zx5 as well.
Kodak succeeds with the new PlaySport in a number of crucial areas: design, portability, and ease of use. The camcorder may not be the best performer of its class, but we would happily sacrifice a bit of color accuracy to make way for a rugged, waterproof design, and that's exactly what Kodak does with the Zx5. Unfortunately, there were some performance issues we couldn't ignore, like the fact that the Zx5 had some terrible autofocus problems, but we think the target audience that Kodak is aiming for won't mind. The camcorder still records decent HD video and makes it easy to put those clips up on YouTube—that's the important part.
There aren't too many differences between the new PlaySport Zx5 and last year's PlaySport Zx3, but Kodak did improve the menu system on the new model, and that goes a long way in making the camcorder easier to use. Kodak also added the share button to make the process of uploading your videos and photos to the internet a simpler task. Performance of the two camcorders was mostly identical, although the Zx5 did have better battery life with its non-removable battery pack.
There are many areas where Kodak could improve on the PlaySport Zx5, and we hope to see some more innovation from the company next year (especially since the ultracompact market is so wide open right now). Our wishlist includes a larger LCD, improved focus, better white balance, and, of course, Wi-Fi capability to make uploading your content an even simpler affair. If Kodak can implement just half of these things on next year's PlaySport, we will be very happy. For now, however, we'll standby the Kodak Zx5. It's a solid camcorder that certainly has its flaws, but is currently one of the best in its class.
Photo Gallery
{{photo_gallery "Front Photo", "Left Photo", "Left Open Photo", "Back Photo", "Right Photo", "Top Photo", "Bottom Photo", "Lens Photo", "Lens Photo 2", "3D Lens Photo", "Media Photo", "Easy Mode Photo", "Manual Controls Photo", "Zoom Photo", "Zoom Photo 2", "Ease of Use Photo", "Battery Photo", "LCD Photo 1", "LCD Photo 2", "EVF Photo 1", "EVF Photo 2", "Mic Photo", "Mic Photo 2", "Ports Photo 1", "Ports Photo 2", "Ports Photo 3", "Ports Photo 4", "Ports Photo 5", "Ports Photo 6", "Handling Photo 1", "Handling Photo 2", "Handling Photo 3", "Handling Photo 4", "Box Photo"}}
Meet the tester
Jeremy is the video expert of our imaging team and Reviewed.com's head of video production. Originally from Pennsylvania and upstate NY, he graduated from Bard college with a degree in film and electronic media. He has been living and working in New England since 2005.
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