The Kodak Zi8 and the Flip UltraHD at first appear to be very similar pocket video camcorders, but according to photographer Phil Steele of Steeletraining.com, the differences are important and you need to understand those differences before choosing one.

In a video comparison review on his website, Steele reports that he is switching from the Flip Ultra HD to the Kodak Zi8. Here is a summary of that review.

First, the Flip is a great pocket camera, well-built and extremely easy to use. The flat base is particularly helpful because it allows you to stand the camera up without a tripod.

The Flip also scores points for allowing you to insert AA batteries if the rechargeable batteries runs out of power. And the Flip has a great built-in microphone.

However, the Kodak Zi8 has several advantages, both major and minor.

The Kodak allows you to insert a memory card to get a longer recording time. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage, since you have to buy the memory card at extra cost.

The Kodak Zi8 also can record at higher 1080p resolution and at 60 frames per second at 720p, a higher speed that is great for sports or fast-moving subjects.

The Kodak also has an optional remote control that costs about $10, allowing you to turn the camera on and off and perform other basic functions from a distance. If you use the camera to record yourself this can be a real advantage, helping you avoid running around to the back of the camera all the time.

More importantly, the Kodak Zi8 has a macro focus mode, which allows you to shoot close-ups of objects about 15 centimeters in front of the lens. For some people, which may not be important, but for a trainer like Steele this is a key feature for showing close-ups of camera controls in video tutorials.

Finally, and perhaps most important, the Kodak Zi8 allows you to use an external microphone. This could be any kind of microphone from a shotgun mic to a small lapel mic, and the Kodak has a sensitivity adjustment function to allow you to adapt it to any microphone.

Using an external microphone helps avoid some of the most common problems with camcorder recordings, such as sound that is too faint due to distance, or too drowned out by ambient noise, or sound full of echoes from room conditions.

Even an inexpensive $20 lapel microphone, such as the one Steele demonstrates in the video, can make a big improvement in the professional quality of the sound.

For all of these reasons, if you are looking more a more professional production, the Kodak may be the better camera for you, especially if you need close-ups and or an external microphone.

On the other hand, if you are simply looking for a good, easy-to-use video camera, and you have no need for macro close-ups or an external microphone, then Steele recommends the Flip over the Kodak. Its ease of use and lower total cost make it the better choice for most casual video shooters.

For a video version of the this comparison review, visit this YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHfFUBR0Rzk