Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black)
by Pure Digital Technologies, Inc.
|
List Price: Our Price: $128.78 You Save: $21.21 (14%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $115.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black)
Customer Review: Cute overpriced toy, but nothing more - Here's a NO-BRAINER alternative
Summary: 2 Stars
A friend gave me her Flip to try out for a few days, and I was not impressed. Rather than give it a full review as others have, I've written only written a semi-review, with much of it explaining why a point-and-shoot camera is a MUCH better choice.
==========
THE FLIP vs A POINT-AND-SHOOT --- NO BRAINER
Before considering this toy, keep in mind that you can get a real point-and-shoot camera for about the same price or less -- even from reputable companies like Nikon, Canon, Olympus, etc. And they all do 640x480 videos at 30 frames per second. Furthermore, they are limited only by the amount of free memory available, which you can add on-the-fly by simply swapping memory cards. You can't do that with the Flip. Some will even have 3-5x OPTICAL zooming that you can use while recording (like my $59 Samsung S85, fifty-nine dollars). Plus you get high quality autofocusing glass lenses. The Flip is fixed focus, much like that in a disposable camera. And digital zoom is a joke. it's basically cropping the video's edges and then magnifying what's left to fill the screen. The quality is horrible and noise is amplified.
Models vary, of course, but those real cameras are generally no larger or heavier than this Flip, and they all feature a larger LCD screen (2"-2.5" vs the Flip's 1.5"). Most also use AA batteries so you need not be by an outlet or computer to recharge (rechargeable models generally cost more). Being point-and-shoot, they are no harder to use than the Flip. Just turn on and press a button. Most also have built in editing functions. And of course, you get a VASTLY superior still camera than what the Flip can do, i.e. more than 7 megapixels, shake reduction, multiple scene modes, face recognition, etc.
A criterion that many photographers use to critique a camera is start up time, i.e. the time it takes for the camera to power up. The Flip took 4-7 seconds whereas my $59 Samsung S85 takes about 1.5 seconds. Virtually no point-and-shoot will take more than 2.5 seconds. You can miss a lot of action in 7 seconds.
My favorite feature of point-and-shoots is that you don't even need to plug the camera into a computer. You can simply remove the camera's memory card and plug that directly into the computer. Many laptops and desktops have card readers built in, or you can buy one for under ten dollars. It's all drag-and-drop from there on. And if you need to print a photo, you can just take the card to a local drug store. Or plug the camera to a compatible printer. No need to turn on the computer at all. Can the Flip do that? And no need to install drivers or bloatware.
Because most cameras use standard video formats -- usually AVI or MOV -- you can simply load the files off the memory card for editing in any standard program (I sometimes even use WIndows Movie Maker). Want to email it? Simply attach the video off the memory card to your email. Much easier than what is described for the Flip. No special software, drivers, folders, etc. You treat the movie just like any other file. And yes, many cameras will also allow you to simply plug them in like USB memory without installing any special software.
To me, it seems like a no brainer to choose a real point-and-shoot camera over the Flip -- especially for roughly the same price. They win hands down for features, price, ease-of-use, quality, etc. And if you need HD videos, go for the Kodak Z1285 11 meg camera, which is frequently available refurbished for $79, seventy-nine dollars. The camera is decent but the videos are amazing, true HD 720p (and you can use the 5x optical zoom while recording). In fact, some film students are actually using the camera for their class assignments instead of a much more expensive HD video camera. You can find sample videos by Googling "Kodak Z1285 videos."
In summary, I can see absolutely no circumstance or reason for choosing this toy over a reputable point-and-shoot camera that can cost as little as $59. The cameras win or tie for every criteria imaginable: price, ease-of-use, quality, features, capacity, speed, etc.
Customer Review: Awesome!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This video camera is one of the best I've ever had buy it!! (note) it is better to buy it used, great condition, and less money, always. i bought used, but i couldn't even tell the difference from a knew one.Customer Review: Flip camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this video camera my last camera cost 1000 and I used it very little this camera is so simple to use and so small that I use it all the time I don't even have to think about charging the battery It uses 2AA batteries that can be replaced in a few seconds and last for about 2 hrs the one hour of filming is plenty for my needs video quality is excellent I like it so much I bought 2 more for gifts
Customer Review: Piece of Junk
Summary: 1 Stars
Bought this from Amazon in March 2008, used it very lightly until summer 2008, put it in storage until December 2008. When taken out of storage it no longer would power on. Pure Digital said they only warranty for 90 days. Steer clear of this camera, just lightweight junk.Customer Review: A Clever camera with style and very easy to use
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned 2-3 video cameras in my life---from old school vhs to the sony one that records on dvd. Too many wires and or other drama to download the video--NOT enough patience. To top it off, if I am going t spend time shooting anything, I prefer my Nikon DSRL. Basically I like photography best.
However, I saw this product and some things about it got me intrigued: 1) I liked the design style, compactness (just regular old batteries too) and especially the built in usb for connection. 2) Living in a modern world demands owning a video camera too. You never know when you will be unlawfully pulled over or want to shoot footage for TMZ (smile). I wanted a quick way to capture video when a photograph just wont due
Over thanksgiving I filmed my Mom and Pop as they talked about how they met, their kids etc. Camera $150 (very reasonable); DOWNLOAD FOR DUMMIES (very easy and fast); video footage of Mom and Dad---PRICELESS
All thumbs up from me so far. So, go ahead and treat yourself!