The Kodak Zi8 portable digital camcorder  is one of the best portable digital camcorders for making YouTube videos with since it is small, and easy to use, so most people who used a basic point and shoot digital camera can start recording digital videos in seconds. The Kodak Zi8 portable digital video camera is what I use to record most of my videos on youtube.com/johnsonyip1 which is my PC help video channel.
I like that I can keep it in my pocket, and record videos whenever I like, and don’t have to wait for it to startup, or unlock it like a smartphone. It is also less heavy, and the battery life is great.
The Built-in USB plug makes it very convenient for me to transformer my recorded video to my computer to upload to YouTube without any need for converting it since video are recorded in MOV video file format which is compatible with YouTube. I also like recording my video in 480P/WVGA because the file size is smaller, and uploads faster on YouTube, so I don’t need to wait hours for a 720P-1080P video to upload to YouTube, and I can use a 2GB SD memory card to upload to YouTube. It can also record in 720P-1080P, and take 5 Megapixels still photos. You can also use an external mic if you need a better mic to record audio for your video.
The Kodak Zi8 also has a macro mode for recording close up of things like flowers, insects, and small rocks, and a regular mode for recording objects which are farther away.
There is also a 2x digital zoom for zooming in closer to objects to record.
The Kodak Zi8 has a big LCD screen for seeing what you record , and to review your videos and photos which you took with the Kodak Zi8.
It also has a tripod screw on the bottom to mount your Zi8 to a tripod stand, so you can stabilize your video more, and sit in front of the camcorder while it records. The Zi8 also has digital video stabilization to reduce shaking video while you hold your camcorder while you record.
When you are done recording, you can preview your videos and photos on your HDTV, TV, or monitor by using the bundled RCA, and HDMI video cables to preview your video.
The Zi8 also comes with a instruction manual and basic video editing software for Windows. You can also use Windows Live Movie Maker, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and other video editor software which supports the Mov video format which the Kodak Zi8 uses.
If you don’t want to edit your videos, you can just upload them to YouTube from your PC or laptop with an internet connection.
The Kodak Zi8 uses SD memory cards, so if your SD memory card fills up, or breaks, you can just use a less full and working SD memory card to record video.
You can also replace the battery on the Zi8, so if one is low on power or broken, you can open the front door and add a new one in.
The Kodak Zi8 is a small, and affordable but feature rich HD portable digital camcorder which is great for people who are looking at starting a YouTube video which has higher quality videos which are in HD, and not look like it is recorded from a cheap webcam or digital camera.
Tip for making YouTube Videos: Make videos on what you enjoy, and want to share with others rather then to gain fame, money, beat your competitors, or free products from companies. If you are having fun, you’ll be more likely to upload more video, and be happy being part of the YouTube community where you would meet a lot of people who share the same interests as you.