The world of the digital video camera is slowly changing. Just as cheap compact digital cameras have killed 35mm in the mass market, cheap flash-memory based YouTube cameras, such as Creative's Vado and Pure's Flip Mino and Ultra, look set to eat into the low-end camcorder market over the next year...

Another high-definition 1,280 x 720 camera, the Kodak Zi6 boasts a similar pop-out USB connector to those featured on the Flip devices. It comes supplied with two pre-charged AA batteries and a mini-charger to recharge them when flat, which is ideal for a device designed to be carried around all...

The Kodak Zi6 HD Pocket Video Camera follows in the footsteps of the Flip series of small, pocketable video cameras. In many cases the Zi6 ups the ante in this area however. With a significantly larger LCD screen as compared to the Flip series, your eyes will be much happier.

Kodak Zi6 Camcorder Review

Camcorders aimed at the YouTube generation are now arriving thick and fast. Defining the genre was the Flip Video Ultra , but we actually saw Creative's Vado first, here in the UK. Now Kodak is jumping on the bandwagon and raising the bar at the same time.

Like many inexpensive competitors, the Kodak Zi6 is technically an HD camcorder the way a tomato is technically a fruit: it meets the definition, but doesn't deliver the experience.

Solid 720p video; comparatively large LCD; memory-card expansion slot; AA rechargeable batteries included along with protective carrying case and video output cables

Insufficient onboard memory and price doesn't include an optional memory card; can't recharge batteries via USB connector; included software isn't Mac compatible

The measurements on the Kodak Zi6 are fairly pedestrian. Weighing in at 5.6 ounces, the camera is not going to be a chore to hold, and it will fit in most pockets, but compared to the current market, this is a little on the hefty side.

For a pocket camcorder, Kodak's Zi6 Pocket Video Camera has a tonne of features and shoots video with surprisingly bright colours. It won't replace your full-sized camcorder or rival such a camcorder's feature set, but it does offer characteristics unique among the current crop of pocket HD...

Frame-rate options; vivid footage; expandable storage

Colours sometimes appear blown out; focus quality can be spotty

Pure Digital's Flip helped launch the low-priced camcorder revolution last year, and it had price, portability, and ease of use on its side. With the Flip, the focus was on capturing short clips for streaming video sites, and its picture was, at best, a distant concern.

HD video capture; Large, bright screen; Macro mode; Still-image capture; Solid speaker

Large footprint; Heavy; Very little built-in memory

Kodak's second foray into video is way more satisfying than the MC3, its first. A fraction bigger but more accomplished than its diminutive Flip Mino competitor, the handheld Zi6 captures HD 720p video at 30 and 60 fps, YouTube-ready VGA and still shots.

2.4-inch LCD; Rechargeable batteries, charger and media software included (for PC only); SDHC-ready; No annoying red light on the front to ruin stealth video action

Zoom is indexed instead of smooth; LCD could be brighter; As expected, stills are a bit soft; Annoying startup and shutdown chime