Flip Video camera

[Amy]

I just got a Flip to take on vacation with us this summer, and so far I love it! The ONLY negative is that it doesn't have an optical zoom. But it's small and you can just shove it in your purse/tote bag. We have an older, larger video camera with a great zoom, but nobody ever wanted to lug it around, even though it was only about the size of an SLR. So for me, it was a trade-off: give up the zoom but have a video camera that we'd actually have with us when we wanted to use it!

And another note on the Flip batteries: yes, they're rechargeable, but if they die when you're out somewhere and you don't have time to recharge them, you can also use regular AA's.

 

[seashoreCM]

A minus about the Flip (and also some others I don't recall)
You must bring your laptop on vacation. No one (Walgreens, Ritz, etc.) can upload the video and burn a DVD after it fills up to let you take more, and you cannot swap memory chips.

 

[YesDear]

have two flips and love them both. DW took to DL and had a ball getting her Disney fix to watch! I would suggest the newer model and get an extra battery.

 

[Wenny]

I bought DH a Flip HD for Christmas and we were really impressed with the video quality when we uploaded clips online.

But we found that when we tried to watch the clips on the TV, they were really grainy. I even had my brother who is a mega-techie work with it to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong uploading, but he had the same issues.

The format is definitely made to be viewed on a small screen, in my experience. If you plan to do most of your video sharing online, it's perfect. But, we need to be able to burn DVDs for the non-internet folks in the family.

We ended up taking it back and getting a Sony Handycam. We lost quality on online sharing, but gained it on the TV viewing end.

 

[DawnM]

I have considered getting this on as a good alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlaySpo...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275432549&sr=8-1

 

[LoriNSC]

I have considered getting this on as a good alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlaySpo...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275432549&sr=8-1

I just bought the purple one on Amazon friday for $127. I haven't gotten it yet but I've read some good reviews on it & it's waterproof. You also dont have to lug around the laptop on vacation-it uses SD cards.

 

[DisneyDorkORama]

I want one!

 

[Quicklabs]

I love the Flip! So easy and the video quality isn't too bad.

 

[reelmom]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a small shoot & share camera? I was researching the Kodak Playsport but the reviews were not so great. We have been to Disney a lot and have pretty much recorded everything. I was looking for a small pocket size one just in case I might need it, nothing fancy or expensive but lightweight. Thanks.

 

[rtphokie]

I love my HD Flip. Takes up almost no space in my camera bag and now I always have a good quality HD video camera with me whenever I'm out with my DSLR.


Disclaimer: I work for Flip's parent company but have owned one since before the acquisition.

 

[reelmom]

Is the screen hard to see in bright sunlight? How long is the battery life of the Flip HD?

 

[Icemann]

I have the JVC GM-FMI.It has 90 minute run time when the battery is charged up,it depends how much record time with the SD card you use.I can get +2.5 hours of record time with a 16 gb card.It also takes 5mp stills and the HD video is tack sharp and it has image stablization for the video.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

i <3 my playsport!

nice to take and not worry about getting wet!

 

[YodasMom]

Good topic!

Do these make fairly good DVDs? I would be interested just because of the size and weight, if it did. Not interested in the use for sharing on FB or U-tube.

 

[reelmom]

Good topic!

Do these make fairly good DVDs? I would be interested just because of the size and weight, if it did. Not interested in the use for sharing on FB or U-tube.

I am planning on making DVD's also. I don't need to share either.

 

[Shutterbug]

I have a Kodak Zi8, I really like mine. its good for what it is: a small vid cam that I can slip into my camera bag and not take up weight or space.
It will not take the place of a regular sized video cam though.

For me two main pro's of the Zi8 is:
1) Removable media, it uses an SD card. So if you fill it up on a long trip you can replace the card with a new one.

2)..THIS is the big reason I like the Zi8.... it has an option for 60 frames per second. IMO this is a must for any fast action capture.

Here are some samples I have of the ZI8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRhxi460BSw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFXLAfVt-ys


Now the cons of this type of camera not just the Zi8, image stabilization is electronic not optical. With this option turned on, you eat up the battery quite fast. With the ZI8 you can also swap out batteries when one dies.

 

[YodasMom]

I have a Kodak Zi8, I really like mine. its good for what it is: a small vid cam that I can slip into my camera bag and not take up weight or space.
It will not take the place of a regular sized video cam though.

For me two main pro's of the Zi8 is:
1) Removable media, it uses an SD card. So if you fill it up on a long trip you can replace the card with a new one.

2)..THIS is the big reason I like the Zi8.... it has an option for 60 frames per second. IMO this is a must for any fast action capture.

Here are some samples I have of the ZI8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRhxi460BSw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFXLAfVt-ys


Now the cons of this type of camera not just the Zi8, image stabilization is electronic not optical. With this option turned on, you eat up the battery quite fast. With the ZI8 you can also swap out batteries when one dies.

Great sample videos!! I will check on this camera!

 

[seashoreCM]

Disadvantages of the Flip, specifically.

Memory cannot be changed. No one in town can burn a DVD for you. Therefore you must bring your laptop on vacation in order to shoot more than the camcorder holds.

Some models: Batteries cannot be changed. Even rechargeable batteries wear out, and the shooting time between charges goes down as a result.