Kodak ZX3 Playsport camcorder

Thanks to tiny memory cards which are used for storing video and photos (rather than tape or hard disks), modern camcorders are sometimes not much larger than mobile phones.

One camera that fits this category is Kodak’s ZX3, also known as the Playsport. It’s waterproof to a depth of three metres, it can shoot high-definition video at the highest 1080p resolution, and it can take photos at a resolution of five megapixels. And for once with a gadget, smaller doesn’t mean expensive: it’s a fair £130.

The camcorder fitted snugly in a palm and powered up in around two seconds, with the 2in screen fading up as it switches on. It felt robust enough to withstand the odd knock or tumble. Kodak’s devices are usually bulkier than those of competitors, but this one conveniently slides into a trouser or jacket pocket and weighs only 130g.

The Zx3 resembles an iPod music player from the back or from the front a camera phone, complete with tiny lens. The few buttons and controls are sufficiently spaced to be used with wet fingers, or, at a push, when wearing gloves. A white button at the centre of its control pad is for recording and the top and bottom edges of the pad control zooming in or out. Quality was generally good given the price although we did have some problems with white balance, rendering colours unrealistically at times.

Unfortunately there is no optical zoom, only a digital zoom. This lowers quality – though it was hard to tell on the screen provided, but more obvious on a computer or big TV. The menu options are poorly labelled, sound is in mono rather than stereo and the microphone picked up too much wind noise for our liking.

Video quality was fair given the budget pricing, though it was soft on detail at maximum zoom. Stills weren't so good - they were on the crude side, similar to a camera phone.

Kodak has included an HDMI cable in the box, along with the standard USB cable for connecting to a PC and putting videos online, and other connections for TVs. The battery is charged when the camera is plugged into a computer, or by using the supplied mains charger.

Those looking for a holiday camcorder for splashing around with the kids this summer will find the ZX3 Playsport good value.