Best pocket video camera? *<$200. Flip any good?

zylander

Platinum Member
Aug 25, 2002
2,501
0
76
My girlfriend has been wanting a Flip camcorder for a while so I decided I would buy her one for Christmas. After looking around I see that there are a bunch of different pocket video cameras like the Kodak Zi8 and the Samsung HMX-U10. I currently am deciding between the FLip and the Samsung, anyone here used these before or can anyone give me a reason to look at something else? Just looking for a small pocket HD video camera, on board memory is fine just as long as enough (Flip has 8gb I think).
 

cyclo

Junior Member
May 5, 2007
15
0
0
My girlfriend has been wanting a Flip camcorder for a while so I decided I would buy her one for Christmas. After looking around I see that there are a bunch of different pocket video cameras like the Kodak Zi8 and the Samsung HMX-U10. I currently am deciding between the FLip and the Samsung, anyone here used these before or can anyone give me a reason to look at something else? Just looking for a small pocket HD video camera, on board memory is fine just as long as enough (Flip has 8gb I think).

If you and/or your girlfriend are into action sports (cycling, mountain biking, surfing, skydiving, car/go cart racing, motorcycle racing, etc.) you might want to look at point of view (PoV) video cams like the GoPro HD and VHoldr 1080p. These can be attached to a helmet, surfboard (in case of the GoPro), goggles (swimming or ski) or to an automobile/motorcycle fairing.

They are a little more expensive at around 300 bucks but you get a variety of mounting brackets for attaching them to your helmet, bike, car, on your forehead, and so on.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
49,283
5,833
136
If you and/or your girlfriend are into action sports (cycling, mountain biking, surfing, skydiving, car/go cart racing, motorcycle racing, etc.) you might want to look at point of view (PoV) video cams like the GoPro HD and VHoldr 1080p. These can be attached to a helmet, surfboard (in case of the GoPro), goggles (swimming or ski) or to an automobile/motorcycle fairing.

They are a little more expensive at around 300 bucks but you get a variety of mounting brackets for attaching them to your helmet, bike, car, on your forehead, and so on.

The GoPro Hero Wide is ama-za-zing :awe: Too bad the only surfing I do is in front of my computer :D
 

zylander

Platinum Member
Aug 25, 2002
2,501
0
76
If you and/or your girlfriend are into action sports (cycling, mountain biking, surfing, skydiving, car/go cart racing, motorcycle racing, etc.) you might want to look at point of view (PoV) video cams like the GoPro HD and VHoldr 1080p. These can be attached to a helmet, surfboard (in case of the GoPro), goggles (swimming or ski) or to an automobile/motorcycle fairing.

They are a little more expensive at around 300 bucks but you get a variety of mounting brackets for attaching them to your helmet, bike, car, on your forehead, and so on.

We both actually ride motorcycles and Im planing on getting a VHoldr Contour 1080p. I was looking at the Go Pro HD but I like the Contour more. But, I still want to get her a mini video camera to use for trips and what ever.
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
Wow, that takes really nice videos, might have to consider getting that.

The videos I got from this said camera are quite amazing giving two reasons:
1-It's primary function is a still camera, and it does all the still photo P&S very well.
2-It's good at HD video in a comparable way.

IT does suffer from the usual HD budget video like the jiggly panning stuff, high noise in dark environments, can't be zoomed while recording, etc.
However when comparing it to the budget HD video only products from Flip, Kodak, and Creative, it does extremely well. Hopefully I can post a short clip of a swamp boat tour in the next day or so. It seemed Discovery Channel-ish.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
49,283
5,833
136
Wow, that takes really nice videos, might have to consider getting that.

Yeah, personally I'm torn between the SD780 and the SX200. The SX200 is $100 more, but has a 12x optical zoom plus manual focus control. But the SD780 actually fits in your pocket...it's about the size of an iPhone. My buddy got the black one and let me play with it...it's extremely nice for such a tiny device, plus it's got a metal body (not plastic). I'd love having a camera with that kind of quality in my pocket 24/7...leaning towards the SD780 from Santa this year :D
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
49,283
5,833
136
The videos I got from this said camera are quite amazing giving two reasons:
1-It's primary function is a still camera, and it does all the still photo P&S very well.
2-It's good at HD video in a comparable way.

IT does suffer from the usual HD budget video like the jiggly panning stuff, high noise in dark environments, can't be zoomed while recording, etc.
However when comparing it to the budget HD video only products from Flip, Kodak, and Creative, it does extremely well. Hopefully I can post a short clip of a swamp boat tour in the next day or so. It seemed Discovery Channel-ish.

I've been planning on picking up a VadoHD 3rd-gen pocketcam (with mic input!), but the SD780 just looks so much nicer because (1) it fits in my pocket (really, actually fits in my pocket), and (2) it does stills too. I really like the mic input feature on the Vado, but mostly I just want a camera to have with me at all times, and the SD780 is small enough to do that. /want
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
Say NO to that Samsung, it has terrible reviews

I had an Aiptek GVS HD, 720p @ 60fps was my favorite, but is terrible in low-light (pictures aren't great either)

Right now I'm using a Sony DSC-H20, and its awesome. Pictures look great, and HD in low-light is impressive (to me at least haha). Only bad thing I have against this one is its not "wide enough" - only does 35mm-350mm
 

cyclo

Junior Member
May 5, 2007
15
0
0
We both actually ride motorcycles and Im planing on getting a VHoldr Contour 1080p. I was looking at the Go Pro HD but I like the Contour more. But, I still want to get her a mini video camera to use for trips and what ever.

The Contour 1080p is an excellent camera. Picture quality wise it is probably a toss up between the Contour 1080p vs GoPro HD. However, what the GoPro HD has going for it is the waterproof housing that it comes with. That housing has proven its worth after I got caught in the rain a few times on my road bike.

Below is a link to a video that I posted on YouTube taken using a GoPro HD. Resolution I used is the lowest one... 720p @ 30fps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqww1AKal-Q

Just remember to check the HD button to see the video in HD (720p).
 
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