Is the Kodak PIXPRO C1 good for beginners?

Yes. The controls are simple and the automatic modes do most of the work. It is a reasonable first camera for learning framing and zoom.

Does it take better photos than a phone?

Usually not. The small sensor and slow autofocus mean a recent phone will beat it in low light and for quick shots. Its advantage is the 4x optical zoom.

Does the PIXPRO C1 record video?

Yes, it records video as well as stills. Expect basic resolution and stabilization, not the quality of a dedicated action camera.

How does the zoom work?

It is a 4x optical zoom, so the lens moves rather than cropping the image. That keeps more detail than digital zoom at the long end.

Is image stabilization optical or digital?

It is digital stabilization, which crops and shifts the frame to reduce shake. It helps a little with stills but is not as effective as optical stabilization.

The camera comes with a wrist strap, a USB cable and a quick start guide. A memory card and batteries are typically not included, so check before buying.