The Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

[MotionMan]

I just got back from a neighborhood 4th of July parade and every other person had a Flip.

On Amazon, the "Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)" is selling for a great price (IMO).

What are the Pros and Cons of the Flip and what would you recommend instead of it, if anything?

MotionMan

 

[imported_Irse]

I didn't buy a flip because there is no image stabilization. I just bought a point and shoot that has image stabilization and can shoot video while zooming. The only downside is that they only do 720p instead of 1080. But for the good stuff, the ones that you really want to keep, I would still use a dedicated HD camcorder. The JVC flash memory ones at Costco seem pretty small.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Irse
I didn't buy a flip because there is no image stabilization. I just bought a point and shoot that has image stabilization and can shoot video while zooming. The only downside is that they only do 720p instead of 1080. But for the good stuff, the ones that you really want to keep, I would still use a dedicated HD camcorder. The JVC flash memory ones at Costco seem pretty small.

There's no image stabilization on any of those little pocket cams, at least not yet.

OP, I'd suggest with the Vado HD (if you want picture quality) or the Kodak Zi6 (if you want the convenience of a removable SD memory card and standard AA batteries).

 

[California Roll]

Reviews I've seen say the Vado has the best picture quality out of the three (Flip, Kodak). I was just about to buy one but decided to go with a digicam that is 720p capable. Still trying to pick a model tho.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Kaido
OP, I'd suggest with the Vado HD (if you want picture quality) or the Kodak Zi6 (if you want the convenience of a removable SD memory card and standard AA batteries).

Why do the Vado and Kodak cost so much less than the Flip?

MotionMan

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: Kaido
OP, I'd suggest with the Vado HD (if you want picture quality) or the Kodak Zi6 (if you want the convenience of a removable SD memory card and standard AA batteries).

Why do the Vado and Kodak cost so much less than the Flip?

MotionMan

Flip is like Bose, kind of the name-brand of the pocket-cam world. It's not a bad cam, but the Vado has better picture quality (plus a wide-angle lens) and the Kodak is nicer to use in terms of convenience since it uses a standard memory card and batteries. The Vado looks much better than the Kodak though.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: Kaido
OP, I'd suggest with the Vado HD (if you want picture quality) or the Kodak Zi6 (if you want the convenience of a removable SD memory card and standard AA batteries).

Why do the Vado and Kodak cost so much less than the Flip?

MotionMan

Flip is like Bose, kind of the name-brand of the pocket-cam world. It's not a bad cam, but the Vado has better picture quality (plus a wide-angle lens) and the Kodak is nicer to use in terms of convenience since it uses a standard memory card and batteries. The Vado looks much better than the Kodak though.

I see (re: the Bose reference).

I have seen what the Flip can do, quality-wise. How does the Kodak compare to the Flip?

Also, the Flip comes with rechargeable batteries, but can also run on regular batteries. Does the Kodak do that, too?

Also, I just noticed a couple reviews that say both the Vado and Kodak software is not Mac compatible. Is that still true?

MotionMan

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: MotionMan
I see (re: the Bose reference).

I have seen what the Flip can do, quality-wise. How does the Kodak compare to the Flip?

Also, the Flip comes with rechargeable batteries, but can also run on regular batteries. Does the Kodak do that, too?

Also, I just noticed a couple reviews that say both the Vado and Kodak software is not Mac compatible. Is that still true?

MotionMan

They're all more or less the same in terms of features/functions - some are just slightly better in some areas than others. The Kodak runs on two AA batteries, I believe it comes with two rechargable AA's and a charger, but you can use just regular alkies as well. I prefer the image quality from the Vado over the Kodak, but I got the Kodak for my sister because the convenience of using any SD card and any AA batteries was better for her. The Flip HD is a cool camera as well, so if it fits you, buy it!

The thing with the video files is compatibility out of the box. For example, if you're using iMovie, then I believe the Kodak's recording format works OOTB. The Vado HD simply requires encoding, using either VoltaicHD or Compressor (part of the Final Cut Studio suite). It's the same deal with consumer video camcorders - they record in the AVCHD format, which isn't native to too many editors. It's not a big deal, it just means you have to convert the files first.

Regarding image quality, Chris Pirillo did a shootout with all three. Click "HD" and watch the samples:

Flip Mino HD

Vado HD

Kodak Zi6

I really like the Vado because (1) you get a wide-angle lens, which captures a lot more (especially good for indoor shots), and (2) you get a sharper picture - both the Zi6 and Flip HD are noticeable softer. The Zi6 is sharper than the Flip, but the Flip handles colors better than the Zi6. So everything is a tradeoff - if you get the Vado, you get better image quality and a wide-angle lens, but you're stuck with a special battery. If you get the Zi6, you get the convenience of standard batteries and memory cards, but the colors aren't as good as the Flip. If you get the Flip HD, you don't get the sharpness or wide-angle of the Vado.

Decisions, decisions First, pick the one that looks the best to you. Next, look at the following features:

1. Type of battery
2. Type of memory
3. Type of recording format, vs. the app you want to use to edit footage (straight up compatible, or requires transcoding?)

Then ask yourself:

1. Do I care about standard AA batteries or not?
2. Do I care about built-in memory or not?
3. Do I care if I have to transcode the footage or not?

That will help you make an educated decision for your situation!

 

[abaez]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: MotionMan
I see (re: the Bose reference).

I have seen what the Flip can do, quality-wise. How does the Kodak compare to the Flip?

Also, the Flip comes with rechargeable batteries, but can also run on regular batteries. Does the Kodak do that, too?

Also, I just noticed a couple reviews that say both the Vado and Kodak software is not Mac compatible. Is that still true?

MotionMan

They're all more or less the same in terms of features/functions - some are just slightly better in some areas than others. The Kodak runs on two AA batteries, I believe it comes with two rechargable AA's and a charger, but you can use just regular alkies as well. I prefer the image quality from the Vado over the Kodak, but I got the Kodak for my sister because the convenience of using any SD card and any AA batteries was better for her. The Flip HD is a cool camera as well, so if it fits you, buy it!

The thing with the video files is compatibility out of the box. For example, if you're using iMovie, then I believe the Kodak's recording format works OOTB. The Vado HD simply requires encoding, using either VoltaicHD or Compressor (part of the Final Cut Studio suite). It's the same deal with consumer video camcorders - they record in the AVCHD format, which isn't native to too many editors. It's not a big deal, it just means you have to convert the files first.

Regarding image quality, Chris Pirillo did a shootout with all three. Click "HD" and watch the samples:

Flip Mino HD

Vado HD

Kodak Zi6

I really like the Vado because (1) you get a wide-angle lens, which captures a lot more (especially good for indoor shots), and (2) you get a sharper picture - both the Zi6 and Flip HD are noticeable softer. The Zi6 is sharper than the Flip, but the Flip handles colors better than the Zi6. So everything is a tradeoff - if you get the Vado, you get better image quality and a wide-angle lens, but you're stuck with a special better. If you get the Zi6, you get the convenience of standard batteries and memory cards, but the colors aren't as good as the Flip. If you get the Flip HD, you don't get the sharpness or wide-angle of the Vado.

Decisions, decisions First, pick the one that looks the best to you. Next, look at the following features:

1. Type of battery
2. Type of memory
3. Type of recording format, vs. the app you want to use to edit footage (straight up compatible, or requires transcoding?)

Then ask yourself:

1. Do I care about standard AA batteries or not?
2. Do I care about built-in memory or not?
3. Do I care if I have to transcode the footage or not?

That will help you make an educated decision for your situation!

Damn! :thumbsup: Good post! Would read again.

 

[knawlejj]

Originally posted by: abaez

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: MotionMan
I see (re: the Bose reference).

I have seen what the Flip can do, quality-wise. How does the Kodak compare to the Flip?

Also, the Flip comes with rechargeable batteries, but can also run on regular batteries. Does the Kodak do that, too?

Also, I just noticed a couple reviews that say both the Vado and Kodak software is not Mac compatible. Is that still true?

MotionMan

They're all more or less the same in terms of features/functions - some are just slightly better in some areas than others. The Kodak runs on two AA batteries, I believe it comes with two rechargable AA's and a charger, but you can use just regular alkies as well. I prefer the image quality from the Vado over the Kodak, but I got the Kodak for my sister because the convenience of using any SD card and any AA batteries was better for her. The Flip HD is a cool camera as well, so if it fits you, buy it!

The thing with the video files is compatibility out of the box. For example, if you're using iMovie, then I believe the Kodak's recording format works OOTB. The Vado HD simply requires encoding, using either VoltaicHD or Compressor (part of the Final Cut Studio suite). It's the same deal with consumer video camcorders - they record in the AVCHD format, which isn't native to too many editors. It's not a big deal, it just means you have to convert the files first.

Regarding image quality, Chris Pirillo did a shootout with all three. Click "HD" and watch the samples:

Flip Mino HD

Vado HD

Kodak Zi6

I really like the Vado because (1) you get a wide-angle lens, which captures a lot more (especially good for indoor shots), and (2) you get a sharper picture - both the Zi6 and Flip HD are noticeable softer. The Zi6 is sharper than the Flip, but the Flip handles colors better than the Zi6. So everything is a tradeoff - if you get the Vado, you get better image quality and a wide-angle lens, but you're stuck with a special better. If you get the Zi6, you get the convenience of standard batteries and memory cards, but the colors aren't as good as the Flip. If you get the Flip HD, you don't get the sharpness or wide-angle of the Vado.

Decisions, decisions First, pick the one that looks the best to you. Next, look at the following features:

1. Type of battery
2. Type of memory
3. Type of recording format, vs. the app you want to use to edit footage (straight up compatible, or requires transcoding?)

Then ask yourself:

1. Do I care about standard AA batteries or not?
2. Do I care about built-in memory or not?
3. Do I care if I have to transcode the footage or not?

That will help you make an educated decision for your situation!

Damn! :thumbsup: Good post! Would read again.

Very nice post and informative. I've been looking for a semi-cheap video camera to take with me on vacation and to Warped Tour. The Vado HD looks great!