The word “best” in the title is not really accurate. How do you choose between the Kodak Playsport Zx5 and the Kodak Playtouch Zi10 when they are both such great units? With so many great features in common, choosing one that is objectively “better” is impossible. Still, there are differences that can help you select one or the other.
The first difference begins with the case. The Kodak Zx5 is waterproof. The Playtouch model is not. If you plan on shooting video or taking pictures during a monsoon, taking a dip in the backyard pool, or sliding under the waves, the Zx5’s waterproof housing is a must. You can lower it to 10 feet for two hours. The Playsport Zx5 is also dust and shock proof and withstands drops of up to five feet.
Still, the Playtouch is sturdy enough for normal outdoor use. Take one on vacation to Cancun in the summer and you’ll be fine. Wear it to a New York club in the winter and you’re still good to go. It is rated to withstand temperatures from 32 ° F (0 ° C) to 104 ° F (40 ° C) and manufacturers often underestimate those figures.
If appearance is important to you, there are a few minor differences. The Kodak Zx5 comes in bright colors like orange and aqua. The Zi10 offers a more subdued business look. For those heading for a cruise, Playsport might be the preferred option. If you are heading to a business conference in Phoenix, Playtouch might work better. With that said, does anyone, including you, care what your pocket camcorder looks like?
The Zx5 and Zi10 are small and light enough to take anywhere. The Playtouch measures 4.3 “high x 2.3” wide x 0.6 “thick and weighs less than 4.2 ounces. The Zx5 measures 4.4” high x 2.3 “wide x 0.7” thick and tips the scale at 4.4 oz. There’s not much to tip the balance one way or the other in this case.
The Zi10’s 3-inch LCD screen is much larger than the Zx5’s 2-inch screen. However, keep in mind that those numbers are always measured along the diagonal. The rectangles are visually quite similar in size. They are also visually close in other ways. Both offer Kodak Glare Shield LCDs so viewing in sunlight is surprisingly good. They are both clear and bright.
The Zx5 might have a slight ease-of-use advantage in one respect. Uploading photos or videos to social media sites only requires a simple three-step process. Press a button, choose YouTube, Facebook, or one of several others, and upload. The Zi10 lacks such a button, but loading is extremely easy using the menu.
Other similarities make it even more difficult to choose between the two.
Both models offer a setting to record Full HD (1080p). The Zx5 is newer so it could be a bit better, but the final quality would be hard to spot unless you connect to an HDTV. Both units have a built-in 5MP digital still camera, extensive in-camera editing options, and software that works on both PC and Mac.