The Kodak Playsport, also known as the Zx3, is the evolution of Kodak’s  Zx1. While that model was weather-resistant, the Playsport is waterproof,  able to record underwater down to 9.8 feet. There are other improvements, too,  that make it a more capable pocket video camera–in and out of the water.

For its price there’s little to complain about, but if you’re after specific  shooting abilities or features you’ll want to keep reading. However, if your  main concerns are an inexpensive HD pocket video camera that can handle a day at  the pool, a hike in the woods, or some time in inclement weather, the Playsport  is highly recommended.

At roughly the size of an average smartphone, the Playsport is fractionally  bigger and heavier than other minicamcorders, but not in any meaningful way.  You’ll still have no trouble slipping it into a pants pocket or small handbag  and it certainly won’t weigh you down. The body is primarily plastic, but it  feels like thick, tough plastic and the slightly textured back and ribbed sides  help you keep a good grip on it even when wet. Despite its “rugged design,”  Kodak makes no claims of it being crush- or shockproof. In fact, the only  durability claims made are that it’s waterproof to 9.8 feet (meeting IEC  standard 60529 IPX8, so my guess would be that’s only for up to 30 minutes) and  dust resistant (IEC standard 60529 IPX6). It’s also not freezeproof, meaning it  likely won’t function properly when exposed to temperatures lower than 32  degrees Fahrenheit for an extended time.

As typical of minicamcorders, the lens on front is left fairly unprotected,  so you’ll need to remember to keep it safe and clean. Unlike Kodak’s Zi8 model,  the Playsport has no macro option for focusing on close subjects; the normal  focus range starts at 3.3 feet, while underwater it starts at 4.4 feet. Next to  the lens is a relatively sensitive mono microphone, a hidden IR receiver for an  optional remote, and a record light that blinks red when you’re recording. The  light as well as all operational sounds can be shut off.

Controls are easy enough for out-of-the-box use. The power button is high on  the right side, but all other controls are on back below the LCD. The circular  four-way directional pad controls the 4x digital zoom (up and down) and changes  recording modes (left and right). It’s also used for navigation and fast  forward, rewind, and volume in playback. The button in its center is to  start/stop recordings, take a photo, and play/pause/stop videos in playback. The  remaining four buttons to the left of the pad let you enter Liveview for  recording; Review for watching what you’ve shot; delete photos and videos; and  access the settings menu.

The LCD is relatively small at 2 inches diagonal, but it is good enough for  shooting and on-the-spot playback. Kodak adds an LCD Glare Shield feature to  this model that sounds fancier than it is. It simply improves screen visibility  in bright outdoor lighting by changing from a Normal picture to High Saturation  or Black & White. The settings have no effect on the actual video, but they  can help you see what you’re shooting. Toggling through them is done with the  Liveview button.

And while I’m on the subject of settings, there aren’t a whole lot of things  to adjust since these minicamcorders are made for point-and-shoot use. Along  with the Glare Shield feature, you get three levels of screen brightness and an  auto option for letting the device set it; gain control for the built-in mono  mic; on/offs for its electronic image stabilization and face detection; and an  Underwater Mode that improves video and photo quality for better clarity when  shooting underwater. There are four video recording modes to choose from: 1080p  at 30fps, 720p at 60fps or 30fps, and WVGA. You can also shoot 5-megapixel  stills.