Kodak Zi8 vs Sony HX1 both with a .45x wide angle

I have loaded 2 tours of the same home....one was shot with the newest Kodak Zi8 with a Sunpak .45x wide angle magnetic lens and the other was shot with a Sony HX1 with a .45x lens. 
I think the Kodak Zi8 is perhaps the perfect camera for the agent wanting to start into real estate video. 

Comparison Tours: http://www.hdhat.com/tour-examples/kodak-zi8-vs-sony-hx1-hx-1-side.html

I have been experimenting with the Kodak zi8.  When using any of these small HD camcorders I find the photos in the interior to be poor as you switch from windows to non-windows in a room.  The camera just does not seem to be able to adapt well.  But given the price, I don't really expect it to.  That being said, I have been using this camera to record outside shots and combine them with stills in side (that are sized at 1280 x 720.  This is an example of what I have been doing:

Example

I am interested in the wide angle lens - do you have to "glue" the magnetic adapter ring on the camera?

Down the road I want to buy a better HD video camera, but my concern is with processing AVCHD

Laura, the lens you need for the Zi8 is here http://www.adorama.com/SUCAM2100.html  and doesn't require gluing at all. 

If the Zi8 isn't sufficient there is new cameras like http://www.hdhat.com/tour-examples/canon-eos-rebel-t2i-sample.html  that will do well for you. 

Mark

Thanks for the quick feedback - how does the metal adapter "afix" to the camera?

All of our other equipment is nikon.

 Just peel back a paper cover and the metal ring has some tape on it that actually fits just outside the lens ring perfectly and attaches then the lens pops on an off at will.  Since it isn't glue removing the metal ring if need be would be simple and not messy.  

See pictures here:  http://www.hdhat.com/video-tour-tutorials/add-wide-angle-lens-to-your-kodak-zi8.html

Mark

Mark,

One addtional question, please.  Do you find it better, when using this Kodak camera, to record in 30p or 60p?

Thanks,

 This example was filmed at the 720p - 60fps which is what I prefer on these low end cameras.  

Mark Passerby

 Great stuff Mark.  I have been impressed with the Zi8, at least from what I've seen.  I actually saw  Q3 yesterday, which takes a decent picture, buthas an AMAZING microphone on it.  I'm getting a bit off track, as this thing isn't really built for a tour.  However, if you do a quick video blog type of thing, this sucker is amazing!

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