If you are looking for cheap video cameras, you really should make sure to check out product reviews just before buying, due to the fact that often cheap equals poor quality, also the technological level is constantly changing. Just because a video camera is less than $200, doesn’t mean that it is going to be a good purchase. Sometimes they’re cheaply priced for a good reason — they’re poorly designed.
Fortunately technology has now advanced to the level where you can get a cheap video camera that nonetheless provides you with superior quality images and video.
The two most popular cheap, but good pocket-size camcorders are the Kodak Zi8 and the Flip Mino. Both of these video recorders have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s examine the qualities of each one.
The Flip Mino pocket camcorder:
-recording time: 60 minutes
-2GB of fixed internal storage
-additional storage space – none
-records at 720 megapixels
-resolution 640 X 480
-30 frames per second shooting speed
-battery life up to 4 hours
-the rechargeable lithium battery that it comes with is not replaceable, nor can it be removed
-view screen size is 1.5 inches
-2x optical zoom
-weighs 3.3 ounces
-approximate size: 3.94 x 1.97 x 0.63 inches.
The Kodak Zi8 pocket video camera :
-records up to 10 hours of video on 1 SD card
-slotted for up to 32GB video cards
-multiple cards can be used for a virtually unlimited amount of video
-rechargeable lithium ion battery
-battery life: 90 minutes in video recording mode
-records at 1020 megapixels HD
-30 frames per second shooting speed
-has a 16:9 wide screen HD still picture feature
-takes still pictures at 5 mega pixel resolution
-built-in editing software
-2.5 inch view screen
-optical zoom power: 4X
-weight 3.9 ounces
-approximate size: 4.5 × 2.4.× 0.8 inches.
Both allow you to flip open a USB arm and plug it directly into your computer, so that you can instantly upload all your terrific videos to your favorite sites, such as FaceBook and YouTube.
Other options exist for cheap video cameras, but the Flip Mino and Kodak Zi8 are currently the leaders, and for good reasons. These small, handheld video camcorders are ideal options for those who are on a budget, since both can be found at $179.95.
While you can’t err with either product, at this time I would (and just did) order the Kodak. However by the time you see this, technology will undoubtedly have progressed further yet and leadership could well have changed.
