Kodak Zx1: Hi-def pocket camcorder 2.0

Despite being among the most established of the traditional photography names, Kodak has been a bit quiet on the camera front in 2008, ticking over with fiercely styled compacts, like the Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS and touchscreen EasyShare V1073.

The company did throw its hat into the pocket camcorder ring with the high-definition Zi6, however, and the newly announced Kodak Zx1 follows the Zi6's template, but with slicker styling and a larger screen.

The Zx1 trumps the Flip's 38mm (1.5-inch) screen, measuring 51mm (2 inches). Think larger screens are generally A Good Thing? Not so fast. In a market where small is beautiful, the Zi6 is already on the chunky side. Market leader Flip keeps the screen small on the Ultra and Mino because you're not likely to gather round and play back footage on the camera.

The Zx1 is housed in a weather-resistant body and boasts a new interface. New baked-in software allows for direct YouTube upload. It shoots 1280x720 high-definition video, at 30 or 60 frames per second, and records to SD or SDHC card.

It must be Christmas, because Kodak has included an HDMI cable in the box, along with pre-charged AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and a charger. Generous! The Zx1 comes in black, red, pink, blue or yellow, and will cost stateside cousins $149 (£103), dropping in April 2009.

No word yet on UK pricing or availability, but you'll hear it first right here on CNET UK.

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