@Navin R Johnson: Ok, I found it at the Vivitar site. Weird thing is, it says it has 8Mb AND 2Gb of built in memory. Also it says fixed focus lens (read: crappy cell phone camera lens)
Video Clip 640x480 VGA at 30 FPS or 320x240 QVGA at 30 FPS
Built In Memory 8 MB, 2 GB NAND Flash
Storage Media SD Card (Up to 4 GB)
Zoom 8x Digital Zoom
File Format AVI
LCD Display 1.8" TFT LCD
Video Out NTSC/PAL
PC Interface USB 2.0 / 1.1
Power Source 4 x AAA (1.5V)
Infrared Night Vision Yes
Water Proof Yes (with included cover) #vivitardvr150
so would the verdict be that zi8 is still a better deal? picked a zi8 up last week after reading the giz review when i was looking into a cheap video camera. so far i like it. #flipminohdreview
@krztov: So you just want affirmation on your purchase? Well, let's see: zi8 has an SD slot and 1080p recording, so out of the gate it's got a leg up on the mino hd. for the price, I'd be pretty happy with the zi8. #flipminohdreview
In addition to the touch-sensitive buttons, the lens location on these is ridiculous. It's right where your fingers would be if you were holding it in one hand. #flipminohdreview
It seems that a lot of review websites tend to neglect the fact that the Mino HD has a bigger, better sibling, the Ultra HD. It has tactile buttons, removable battery, increased capacity, etc.
Still no optical zoom or image stabilizing, though :/
@windupbird81: I'll have to agree with macpatrik. I've owned both, and the Zi8 just felt bad compared to the flip. the latter is much more solid, and won't let you down (for general purposes) #flipminohdreview
I used the mino hd. I didn't like it. The touch buttons were too sensitive, the lens was right where you'd put your fingers if you were to hold it in one hand, and the button combination to go to the settings is also the record button.
I don't understand all the rush to these HD digital camcorders for the regular consumer. Maybe for youtube length shots this might be useful but when I take 3 hours of SD vacation footage, edit it then run it through my filters and finally add any SFX I want to add every 20 minutes of 720x480 takes 48+ hours to render out on my quad core system. I couldn't imagine trying to do that with HD.
Personally I would rather have a nice SD digital that produced colors on the level of a professional camcorder with better low light and less noise before I would even THINK about going to HD.
I've been waiting all summer to post that rant and I finally got live internet privileges at the institution after they were taken away in May. Read only Gizmodo printed out on old newspapers can get frustrating.
@John Herrman: You didn't mention the Picsio's durability, but I won't be upgrading my Kodak with something that isn't weatherproof and slightly ruggedized. And I wouldn't want to look like a foppish dandy.
Edit: After finding out what it means, I can proudly say I am a foppish dandy. (the non-gay type)
Hmm. I'd like to see this compared to the Flip HD. Can't wait for the battlemodo.
But the Kodak Zi8 is absolutely terrible. Do not waste your money on this. The picture, although higher quality, is washed out and the Flip Ultra performs way better in low light conditions. And the "video stabilization" or whatever they called it it complete bullshit. The Flip out performs it in that area too. Not to mention the mic on the Kodak. It's terrible. And until I see how this one performs the Flip Ultra HD is still top dog.
@macpatrik: You obviously have never used a Kodak Zi8. The mic is decent, but it has audio inputs which is huge. Flip doesn't have that. The video Stabilization on the Kodak actually does work. I have tested both the Flip HD and the Kodak, and there is no comparison. The colors of the Kodak are rich, and the blacks are great. The only thing I was'nt in love with was the 1080p, which looks great on a tripod, but the jello effect is there during fast movement.
I have both, and its a no brainer. The Kodak beats the heck out of the Flip Hd, and the Sony DSC-T500 and T900.
@redban: I have used both heavily. And the Kodak doesn't perform half as good as the Flip does. To say the video stabilization works is absolutely ridiculous. A lot of my filming this summer was on a boat where stabilization is a HUGE deal, and the Flip outperformed every time.
And I can admit, in perfect lighting condition the Kodak will give you a better picture. But that's about it. When I use a Flip most of the time I'm in sub par lighting conditions or generally am not even thinking about them. And yes the Kodak does have audio import, but that is completely defeats the purpose of it in the first place. It's supposed to be a portable video device, and carrying a mic around is a no go.
So yes you could say the Kodak is better, in absolute perfect conditions with a separate mic, but with what I'm actually filming with a Flip, is never the case.
10/26/09
I looked up 150 and 510 and it's neither of those. The 150 doesn't exist and the 510 is discontinued?
Is this really a product or what?
10/26/09
Video Clip 640x480 VGA at 30 FPS or 320x240 QVGA at 30 FPS
Built In Memory 8 MB, 2 GB NAND Flash
Storage Media SD Card (Up to 4 GB)
Zoom 8x Digital Zoom
File Format AVI
LCD Display 1.8" TFT LCD
Video Out NTSC/PAL
PC Interface USB 2.0 / 1.1
Power Source 4 x AAA (1.5V)
Infrared Night Vision Yes
Water Proof Yes (with included cover) #vivitardvr150
10/26/09
10/26/09
(Note: punching in one letter and one number and having it get lodged in a giant spring is also acceptable.) #vivitardvr150
10/26/09
still...orange? #vivitardvr150
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/26/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/20/09
10/19/09
Still no optical zoom or image stabilizing, though :/
and is it too much to ask for a macro lens?
10/19/09
10/19/09
10/19/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
-Removable battery (Ultra HD has one though)
-1080p capable. Lower res available.
-Still shots
-Image stabilization
-OPTICAL zoom, at least 2 or 3x
Wouldn't care if it added a few millimeters or dollars. I just want a true HD pocket camcorder that's not a fugly square (lookin' at you, Kodak).
10/14/09
Personally I would rather have a nice SD digital that produced colors on the level of a professional camcorder with better low light and less noise before I would even THINK about going to HD.
I've been waiting all summer to post that rant and I finally got live internet privileges at the institution after they were taken away in May. Read only Gizmodo printed out on old newspapers can get frustrating.
10/13/09
I love my Zx1, it's 60fps 720p is good enough for me.
10/13/09
10/13/09
Edit: After finding out what it means, I can proudly say I am a foppish dandy. (the non-gay type)
[www.urbandictionary.com]
10/13/09
But the Kodak Zi8 is absolutely terrible. Do not waste your money on this. The picture, although higher quality, is washed out and the Flip Ultra performs way better in low light conditions. And the "video stabilization" or whatever they called it it complete bullshit. The Flip out performs it in that area too. Not to mention the mic on the Kodak. It's terrible. And until I see how this one performs the Flip Ultra HD is still top dog.
10/14/09
I have both, and its a no brainer. The Kodak beats the heck out of the Flip Hd, and the Sony DSC-T500 and T900.
10/14/09
And I can admit, in perfect lighting condition the Kodak will give you a better picture. But that's about it. When I use a Flip most of the time I'm in sub par lighting conditions or generally am not even thinking about them. And yes the Kodak does have audio import, but that is completely defeats the purpose of it in the first place. It's supposed to be a portable video device, and carrying a mic around is a no go.
So yes you could say the Kodak is better, in absolute perfect conditions with a separate mic, but with what I'm actually filming with a Flip, is never the case.