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Best Camcorders Under $200 2

by Tom Samiljan on September 8, 2008 at 06:02 AM





Flip Video Mino

What it is: The deluxe version of the Flip Ultra adds a rechargeable battery, backlit, touch-sensitive buttons, MySpace capability, and a size-reduction.

What we like: While the Flip Ultra can be a bit too big to lug around for a night on the town, the Mino -- at just under an inch thick -- is as unobtrusive in your pocket or bag as a cell phone. Its sleek design in glossy black or white with a metallic border has a kind of retro-'80s feel that'll please most hipsters and style mavens. Some other additions make it a bit easier to use -- the retractable USB now comes out of the top of the camera rather than the side, which means it's less likely to interfere with any adjacent USB connections. The fun and user-friendly Muvee movie editing software is included with this model, and allows for one-click uploading to YouTube, AOL Video, and MySpace (not to mention e-mailing). Though about as grainy as what you'll get from a digicam, the video quality is acceptable even when plugged directly (A/V cable included) into a big 46-inch screen, with vivid colors -- certainly good enough for anyone who grew up with first-gen camcorders or Super 8 movies.

What we don't like: It only shoots about an hour's worth of video, and charging the thing via USB on your laptop (the only way you can do it) takes about three hours. Though the new USB placement allows you to easily plug it into your PC without unplugging other devices, it still feels as though the weight of the camera is putting a strain on your computers input. Despite the higher price, the LCD screen remains a measly 1.5-inches.


Final verdict: The Flip Video Mino is almost $200, and yet the quality of the video is still well below what you'll get with an entry level camcorder for just $50-$60 more. Though small, it's still relatively thick for pockets, making the argument for using the video function on your cell phone or digicam all the more compelling. Still, what you're paying for here is the portability and the Web-friendliness, which makes it ideal for anyone who likes to share videos on their MySpace or YouTube pages, since that functionality is built right in. Still, it's smaller than the Kodak Zi6, making it the best choice for anyone who wants something compact without sacrificing too much video quality.

Price: $179

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