There is a 2x digital zoom, but quality deteriorates fast.
The Flip Video cameras use 2 AA batteries for power, with approximately 2 hours of life for standard AA batteries and up to 5 hours using the lithium AA batteries.Īs with anything at the low end of the price spectrum, there are a few tradeoffs: no optical image stabilization and no optical zoom are two missing pieces the microphone isn't the best at filtering out noise there's no tripod mount on the original Flip Video (the Ultra has one). TV Out right from the camera over composite makes it easy to connect to the closest screen to show off your footage. You can even upload straight to YouTube without ever using other software.
WHO MAKES THE FLIP VIDEO CAMERA SOFTWARE
The people that designed the Flip have the novice in mind, integrating a USB connector right into the camera body and including rudimentary editing software on the camera's internal drive. I'm not about to replace my Canon HV20 (or a Canon GL2) with the Flip, but for many situations, it's the perfect camcorder for catching impromptu moments.
And for that price, the Flip shoots video I'd put up against any of the DVD camcorders on the market and some of the low-end MiniDV camcorders. The $120-$150 price makes it not the end of the world if you ever drop or lose your Flip. You can't possibly shoot decent looking video for under $150 at least that's what I thought.Īt just thicker than an iPod, the Flip easily fits in your pocket meaning you have no excuse to not take it with you. I was highly skeptical about the Flip even after reading rave reviews in places like the Wall Street Journal and Forbes. If you're in the market for an ultra-portable, highly affordable camcorder, the Flip Video and slightly improved Flip Video Ultra may be two of the best choices you can make.