I've accomplished that the time I absorb accomplishing my artefact comparisons is generally time that others don't accept so I may as able-bodied allotment what I can.
I'll alpha by adage that you'll see my "Verified Amazon Purchase" on the Flip HD Ultra Camcorder analysis because, obviously, that's the one I anguish up affairs and I'll allotment with you why. But what I like in a camcorder may not clothing your own needs so I'll breach it down and let you adjudge what's best for you via what I begin out:
Here are the abridged camcorders I compared:
Flip UltraHD (will be referred to as "F")
Flip Mino HD 2nd bearing (Will be referred to as "M")
Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB 2nd bearing (Will be referred to as "CL")
Kodak Zi6 Abridged HD (Will be referred to as "K")
Why HD cameras
only? Brighter colors and bigger images, added imagesHD SHOOTING TIME:
F: 120 minutes.
M: 120 minutes
CL:120 minutes
K: 25 account with batteries they included, 120 account if you buy an SD card
MEMORY:
F: 8 GB
M:8 GB
CL: 8 GB
K: internally alone 30 MB recording amplitude but it has 32 GB abundant SD/SDHC agenda slot. Because it comes with such baby recording amplitude you absolutely charge to buy an SD or SDHC agenda to aerate its potential, but the abeyant is absolutely acceptable and this will access your adeptness to shoot longer.
RESOLUTION:
All 720p which is excellent, just one footfall beneath the top 1080p format.
MICROPHONE:
F: Stereo
M: Mono **Update** They are now putting Stereo Mics in the Minos as of 2010.
CL: Mono
K: Mono
SOUND:
F:Premier AAC audio. Best stereo complete superior but still not abundant in winds
M:Good complete quality. Still not acceptable in winds.
CL:Poor complete quality; had issues with complete and account not getting in sync.
K:Poor complete quality
ZOOM:
F: 2x
M:2x
CL:2x
K: poor superior zoom on the one I approved but I still anticipate it's 2x. It has a abundant macro focus for actual close-up altar if, for example, you see a blow bee and ambition to shoot it on a blade a few inches away! Kinda cool.
CAMERA SIZE AND WEIGHT:
F: 4.3x2.2x1.2 4 oz
M: 3.9x2x0.6 3. 3 oz
CL: 3.9x3x0.6 3.5 oz
K: 5.5x2.5.0.9 5.6 oz
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
F: USB cable ancestor out of the aback so you don't charge to accumulate up with a abstracted cable. Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA array backpack (recharges if affiliated to USB); aswell accurate by accepted AA batteries. Note: Some sets arise with the HDMi mini included and others arise with the rechargeable array backpack on Amazon. Looks like one or the added but of advance if you charge both you can buy the other.
M: USB cable ancestor out of the aback on this one as well. Has adolescent safe button to anticipate adventitious abatement of videos. Internal lithium ion array recharges through congenital USB arm
CL: USB in camcorder. Included in box are HDMI cable (nice), USB addendum cable,(nice)silicon derma (cool) & rechargeable battery.
K: Included in box are HD and AV cables and wrist band and rechargeable batteries and array charger. Has congenital in USB arm.
SPEED:
F: 30 frames per second.
M: 30 frames per second
CL: 30 frames per second
K: best of 30 frames per additional or 60 frames per second.
VIEWING SCREEN: All 2" except the Kodak was the bigger at 2.4"
IMPORTANT NOTES:
F: Best low-light achievement for the mini cameras (though not absolute at all) and atomic bulk of abashing and alone frames in my opinion. Best color. Alone one with stereo sound. You can get an underwater case for this one! Admitting that may complete crazy for a Texan, we use the camera ceaseless on vacations and even if we aren't IN the water, we are about the water...on boats, in the beach with sea mist, etc. Then we can dive in and almanac the fish. Comes preloaded with flipshare software...just bung in to computer and it ancestor up. Alone one with stereo sound.
M: Colors don't arise as acceptable on the Mino as the added cameras. Thinnest camera. Accomplish abiding you get the one that alone comes in the blush aluminum or brushed metal. If it comes in any added colors it is the 1st bearing MinoHD and they bigger aloft that one in the newer models. Abundant audio. Bigger cutting in low ablaze than a lot of mini cameras. Camera comes preloaded with FlipShare software. Can get still images through flipshare software.
CL: Decent filming in low ablaze but not about as acceptable as the Ultra or Mino; Software is preloaded in camcorder.
K: This is the alone camera that I compared afterwards the congenital in angel stabilizatin which corrects for all-a-quiver images. What appears to be metal in account is in fact a chrome black plastic. That said, this had the bigger examination awning of all of them. 2.4" Actual poor in low ablaze and seemed to accept far added afraid and blurring. It aswell takes still pictures but they are absolutely absolutely poor quality...same as a lesser-quality corpuscle buzz pictures but acceptable in a compression if you ambition a still attempt and accept no corpuscle or camera I s'pose. Heaviest for a abridged camera. Software is not preloaded in camcorder but a cd comes with it.
HOW CNET'S EDITORS RATED THE CAMERAS
:F Excellent
M Excellent
CL Actual Good
K Actual Good
And, finally, the reviews of the Flip from experts affected me absolutely a bit:
Fast Company: "Flip Ultra HD is Pure Digital's "Best Abridged Camcorder Yet." 6-09
USA Today: "New Flip Ultra Video Cameras Might Flip Your Switch" 4-09
Business Week: How do you Invigorate a Recession? Attending to i-phone, Flip, Kindle, and Zip Car For Answers
There were lootttts added I came beyond if researching the Flip Ultra HD but those are some of my favorites.
CONCLUSION: Clearest account and complete was important to me, able reviews that acicular to the Flip UltraHD as able-bodied and I admired the congenital in software and the case I can get to shoot underwater. It is the amount one affairs camcorder as well. So that was my claimed controlling process. However, accumulate in apperception that if you charge account glasses none of that will amount if the 2" awning is too baby for your examination the shots calmly for playback in which case you may ambition to get the Kodak if that's important to you..
Also: No amount which one you get, you will apparently ambition a mini tripod if you anytime ambition to be in the attempt yourself do don't overlook those.
Also note: It's ambagious because if these manufacturers accomplish changes in the camcorders, they do not change the names on the new versions, nor do they change the names if it's an HD adaptation or a non-HD adaptation so be abiding you attending for the "HD" afterwards the cast name and attending for "2nd generation" or "newer version" on the Mino and Vado if you like one of those bigger so you don't get the earlier models.