The Flip Video — The $100 Digital Video Camera

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://photojojo.com/content/buy-this/flip-video-digital-video-camera-review/' target='_blank'>http://photojojo.com/content/buy-this/flip-video-digital-video-camera-review/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Remember those shoulder-mounted VHS camcorders dad used to haul out at soccer games once a year, “for posterity”? Shrink it down to 1/20th the size, 1/10th the cost, and make it run for a couple hours on a pair of AAs, and you’d have the Flip Video. When technology works, it’s a wonderful thing. This critter packs a built-in flip-out USB port for downloading 640×480 MPEG4 at 30 frames-per-second (geek-speak for “pretty decent quality”) to your PC or Mac, a small LCD to review what you’ve recorded, a cable to watch videos on your TV in seconds, and a friendly user interface that requires no manual. (Really, truly!)"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/camera_small_open.jpg" /><br /><br />Currently the 30 min version is available for $103 and $125 for 60 min one, on Amazon (and batteries are included). But here is my thinking on small devices like this one - while they are convenient to carry around and probably even use, I am always disappointed with the quality of their photos and videos. My main experience has been with the speciality super-slim and micro sized cameras (not the kind by Casio or Canon) and the picture quality was terrible -- grainy and low in contrast. Think of it this way, these cameras a small for a reason. There are compromises that a camera manufacturer has to make in order to get that small a form factor at that low a price point. Having said this, these devices still have a place in the consumer market, just that people should know what they are buying before going in with high expectations.

[Chris Gohlke]

Cheap cameras have come a long way. Sure, they are no substitute for the higher end models, but they have gotten to the point that they are satisfactory for many users. Cheap cameras are convenient and we will take them lots of places where I might not carry my better camera. In addition to an S2 IS, my wife and I each have a cheapo camera. I keep mine in my work bag and she keeps hers in her purse, so 99% of the time, we always have access to a camera.

I have an Aiptek that was under a hundred bucks almost 2 years ago, I posted on it here - http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9422&amp;highlight=aiptek

My wife recently got this Polaroid from Target for $88 on sale - http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_8/601-0335542-2694551?ie=UTF8&amp;frombrowse=1&amp;asin=B000J3ZYQS

The other thread has some samples from the Aiptek and here are some photo and video sample from the Polaroid.

Photos - I think the quality is OK, and I never would have gotten these if I would have had to go to my office and get my S2 from its bag.

http://chrisgohlke.smugmug.com/gallery/2902337#156178192

Video - nothing special, but not bad (actually this looked much better before YouTube got a hold of it)

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AjIZRyHpPqY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed>&lt;/object>

[Jeremy Charette]

For all the bashing of these "disposable" digital video cameras, they're actually pretty good. The quality is at least comparable to those mammoth VHS camcorders we all used up til a couple years ago. No, it's not HD, and it doesn't have connectors and hotshoes for external mics and lighting setups, but for basic "Johnny's first birthday" moments, it's perfect.

[Jason Dunn]

Compelling examples Chris...the quality is indeed pretty good. I've often thought about leaving a digital camera in my car glovebox or something, just so I'd have one on hand when I'm driving and I want to take a picture of something (I'd stop first of course) but I've never quite got around to doing that. One thing I wonder about is battery life - don't the devices eventually go dead if left alone? I don't really want yet another thing to have to recharge...

[Chris Gohlke]

That is what I like about the Polaroid. It uses AA's. So if you put the non-rechargable variety in it, you should have great shelf life.

They have that camera in Silver and I'm thinking about grabbing one to replace my Aiptek next time they go on sale.