An easy-to-use video camera is a pleasure to behold.

One that is easy, small, CHEAP, yet high-quality is a double pleasure!

Cheap and high quality usually do not go together, but in this case, they sure seem to.

Let’s talk about the Kodak Pocket HD Flip Style Cam With and EXTERNAL MIC JACK for only $179.00.

External mic jacks usually only come on higher priced, larger cameras.  An external mic jack is a highly desirable feature because it allows you to plug in a hand-held or lavalier microphone and get much high quality sound.

I always tell people that if they are gong to be videotaping people speaking, a supplemental microphone is the best way to do it.  Problem is, you can not use a supplemental microphone if your camera has no where to plug it in.

In addition to having an external mic jack, the Kodak Zi8 manages to pack a ton of other features into this pocket-size video camera.   As an HD model, it has 1080p recording, along with face tracking, image stabilization,  and a 2.5-inch LCD.  There is a built in USB connector so you can easily upload your unedited videos to You Tube or FaceBook.

The Kodak Zi8 records onto an SD card, expandable up to 32 gig, which will get you about ten hours of record time.

Only problem with this little beauty is that if you want to edit your video,  you will have to convert it as this camera records in a format most video editing programs will not accept.  However, you can upload to the web without editing.

At $179, the Zi8 comes in $20 under the Flip UltraHD yet it has a higher recording resolution plus the external mic jack so I would consider it a much better buy.  Can’t get it yet though, the Zi8 is going to hit stores sometime in September.

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3. High Quality Sony Video Camera Plus Wireless Microphone
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