Flip Video Camera - Good for WDW?

[OhioDisneyDad]

The wife and I leave for our trip in about a month. We both HATE carrying stuff in the park. I keep hearing about the Flip video camera and it looks like it would fit in my pocket. Do others on here use one of these and do they work well? Is the HD version that much better than the regular version? Just looking for some real world experiences. Thanks.

 

[figmentgirl]

We took a trip to WDW in March 2010 with the boys (9 and 12) and my husband and I. We stayed at the Poly. My 12 year old wanted to bring his Flip camera to make a home movie. I figured it wouldn't pan out to much but of course we brought it. Well we ended up with the best home movie of our times at Disney. Video footage of Wishes, inside some of the rides (not the dark ones like HM or SM but there's footage of IASW and winnie the pooh and jungle cruise at night), as well as our hotel room and places we ate. The footage is clear and the camera was so easy to work. You press the power button on top of the camera then hit the big red button to record. you hit it again to stop recording. we did not need to upload anything until we got home, meaning all of our week long trip fit on the Flip, though we did need to come to Florida with it already cleared out of all previous movies. I was worried it would not be steady at the images would be all shakey but it turned out that was my 12 year old not the camera. All my footage was still. Its small and easy to handle and fits right in your pocket. No complaints at all. I would get one.

 

[kjblovesdisney]

Thanks for this post...I've been wondering the same thing.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for posting, I was thinking of buying a Flip for our next trip b/c everytime my husband brings the video camera he forgets in our resort but if I have it in my pocket book maybe I'll finally get some video of a Disney trip of my son (4 Disney trip with my son and a total of 10 mins video memories but 5000 pictures thank goodness I love to take pictures)

 

[phyllis1966]

We took our new Flip to WDW last November and it worked out great! The videos look great - those taken in low light are not as clear, though, but they still look really good. I only have to put them all together to make a movie...the Flip has a program that does this for you, but only with pre-selected background music, and I wanted my own music...

As a PP said, it's so easy to use, even my 10-year-old DD took good video.

I highly recommend it!

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Any tips or hints in using this? Anyone willing to post a part of their video?

 

[diddldonna]

My daughter got one for her birthday which we plan to take

 

[Rekenna]

Thanks for the post-we were wondering the same thing.

It sounds like the Flip has glowing reviews, maybe we will invest in one as well.

 

[MinnieMouseLove]

My husband and I bought one for our honeymoon at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, the video came out amazing! Its not an HD version, that wasn't available at the time but we still watch the video on it and marvel at how well it came out for a handheld video camera, and its so easy to use. Definitely bring it! We plan to bring it on our next WDW trip

 

[Tom Kurowski]

We don't have a flip but I carry an old Canon powershot that has video built in. The thing is on its last leg (probably 15 years old by now) but it still takes great video and stills. I have some larger equip that I bring but 95% of the time I carry the pocket camera. Its easy to carry and store in my backpack and we have a blast with it. Plus since it is so old I have used it on the big drop in Splash Mountain without worry of it getting wet.
In my opinion if you dont want to worry about carrying something to big these cameras are fantastic!!!
tom

 

[btwitkin]

We just bought a Flip HD last month. It takes great videos, very clear. It is extremely easy to use and hold up to 2 hours of video. I can't wait to use it for our trip in November.

 

[2Tiggies]

I got the Kodak Zx1 HD, which is often compared to the Flip. I haven't tried shooting in low light with it, but will bring it with this trip as it is quite similar in features and size to the Flip. The footage I have shot with it came out great and it uses SD cards which is also convenient.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We bought the Kodak version (it's called PlaySport) and it's great! It was only around $150 and it worked out so well on our trip! I literally kept it in my back pocket and would take it out at any moment to capture something. It also takes 5mp stills AND is waterproof which was so awesome because we had such a rainy trip and instead of worrying about getting the good camera wet, I just used that to take pics when it was raining.

The ONLY slight problem was that because it's so small and light, you have to hold it be careful to hold it steady or else the footage looks shaky.

 

[2Tiggies]

We bought the Kodak version (it's called PlaySport) and it's great! It was only around $150 and it worked out so well on our trip! I literally kept it in my back pocket and would take it out at any moment to capture something. It also takes 5mp stills AND is waterproof which was so awesome because we had such a rainy trip and instead of worrying about getting the good camera wet, I just used that to take pics when it was raining.

The ONLY slight problem was that because it's so small and light, you have to hold it be careful to hold it steady or else the footage looks shaky.

The PlaySport gets very good reviews. It was a bit more expensive than the one I got. As for camera shake, that goes for any small camera.

 

[joe1946]

Anyone willing to post a part of their video?

I took this video of Off Kilter with a Flip, not the HD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YYxMfqtdqU

 

[tiki23]

How are the still pics? Has anyone had them printed out?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

How are the still pics? Has anyone had them printed out?

The still pics on the Kodak PlaySport are great! They are 5mp and they printed just fine! Here are a few I took in July...

Only thing is, it doesn't have a flash.

Here's one I took in the pouring rain!

It's great for filming rides too!

AND the best is that when you put the mem card in the machine at Walgreen or wherever you print your pictures...you can make a still from your videos!

 

[2Tiggies]

Those pictures are amazing! I also really enjoyed your videos in your signature.

 

[lucyem]

I have a flip but if you already have a digital camera that takes video it is kind of redundant. It takes video of the same quality as my digital camera. The digital camera takes better photos. So I just bring the digital camera. Only one thing to carry. They are cute and easy to use. Very easy to put in a pocket and go. But like I said I never use mine.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Those pictures are amazing! I also really enjoyed your videos in your signature.

Thanks!