The latest Kodak pocket camcorder turns up the heat on its closest competitor, the popular Flip UltraHD, by offering a full 1080p HD recorder that fits in a shirt pocket and will retail for $179 beginning next month.

The Kodak Zi8 goes one better than its previous Zx1 by giving consumers the two things they want most at this level, true 1080p quality resolution and a standard USB dongle that swings out to connect seamlessly to any available USB port. The same 32GB expansion capabilities through its SD/SDHC card slot are there, with an handy external jack available for stereo audio, if required..

A 2.5” LCD screen and built-in image stabilization are two other significant design improvements, making the Zi8 a force to be reckoned with for price-conscious video hounds who can now instantly upload to YouTube and Facebook with this model. The unit also takes high-quality 5 MP, 16:9 widescreen stills to capture great-looking snapshots as quickly as any cell phone can. Check out more products from Kodak.

For those who demand full HD quality video for their home movies and special events, the Panasonic HDC-HS300K camcorder offers professional-level quality and impressive features that make the $1,399 suggested retail price a worthwhile investment.

Consider the 120GB HDD capable of fifty hours of video and twelve hours of continuous recording. Consider the 1080p HD quality video that achieves still photos up to 11MP. The 12x zoom Leica Dicomar multi-coated lens has a two-stage ND filter and superb optics. The focal length varies from 4 to 48mm. Panasonic’s 3MOS video rendering and Optical Image Stabilization deliver superior images.

The camcorder has touch-screen menu operation and easy to reach controls for zoom, aperture, shutter, focus, and white balance, as well as an electronic viewfinder, microphone terminal, and 1.6 lux luminance for low-light recordings. Connections include a USB 2.0 connect, HDMI, Component Video, as well as stereo mini jacks for microphone and headphones. All this inside a camcorder weighing just one pound that fits comfortably in one hand. via

Camcorders have reached the level of miniaturization that other electronic devices have, and their popularity is driving innovation by a host of companies looking at opportunities for new revenue. Kodak is one firm that has developed superior products for photography for decades, so it’s no surprise that their latest model is miles ahead of the competition.

The Kodak Zx1 is an HD pocket camcorder that records at 720p at 60 frames per second, tops in its class. It can record up to ten hours of HD content with its adaptability for SD cards up to 32G. Kodak even includes an HDMI cable, composite video cables, and a carrying pouch.

The $149 Suggested Retail Price will make it a popular choice for space-conscious consumers who don’t need professional-quality video (which, let’s face it, is about 95 percent of the population).

A weather-resistant case is the big design improvement here, which provides protection from the elements, and an optional remote is available to control the unit when plugged into a television. The unit runs on two AA rechargeable NiMD batteries and has a tripod mount on the bottom of the unit for more stable video recordings.

Kodak plans on a superior Zi8 model to be released in September that records a full 1080p HD video and includes a standard USB arm that swings out for convenient charges and uploads.

Many photography purists still prefer 20th Century manual cameras that appeal to the unique capture of iconic images and mechanical components. The Leica M8 is the prototype for the company’s transition from manual focus to digital rangefinder cameras, an effort that combines technology with classic styling that befits the Leica brand.

The M8.2 is a new model for the series, incorporating the original 10.3 megapixel lens and a 2.5” LCD sapphire crystal display monitor. The new M8 fits all previous M range Leica lenses and finally embraces full Program and Snapshot modes that answer the call for simplicity from less advanced photographers who want automatic exposure sets. Design improvements include a more defined on/off switch, a quieter shutter mechanism, and a Vulcanized grip.

The camera has also been released in a Safari special edition that is an exclusive silver anodized version of the new M8, with a matching Billingham olive green case with genuine leather strap.

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Divers and underwater explorers never know what they’ll find underwater, but now they don’t have to carry along a bulky camera to capture the moment when they do. The HD320 Underwater Digital Camera Mask is the brainchild of Liquid Image, makers of electronics for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

The mask makes possible one-touch access to capturing 5MP digital photos and 720p HD video. The HD320 also employs accessory lighting and an LED internal display to help viewer and camera capture better pictures. The device has a maximum rated depth of 115 feet.

The tempered glass lenses are pre-marked with crosshairs to square up a subject for the perfect shot. As with many of the best gadgets around, the device offers the ability to download images to a PC through USB or micro-SD flash memory, upgradable to 32GB.

A recent star of the 2009 CES Show in Las Vegas, the Sacramento-based Liquid Image plans to debut the mask this spring, at an estimated $215. Find more info here.

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