What is a good, yet inexpensive camcorder to buy?

This one is on sale today only.

Also, camcorderinfo.com has extensive reviews on most camcorders.

I got a Flip Ultra for about 120$ a few months ago. I’m pretty happy with it. The quality isn’t great but it is good enough. And the best thing is it is about the size if a pack of cigarettes. I keep it in my pocket and can be shooting video in five seconds. You pull down this lever and wait two seconds and then you hit a single button to start recording.

The quality isn’t the best. I could post a sample video if it a direction you might want to go in.

@kevbo nice one, you got me! ;)

@johnpowell I was considering one of those and that is in the price range for me. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

If you’re looking at the Flip the Kodak Zi6 seems to be slightly better in terms of video quality.

In that range of pocket cams you’re really just looking at the Flip or Kodak lines so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one you like.

I looked into the Zi6 and a bunch of comparisons that gave the Flip a better review. Like the Flip was better in low light. Things like that. I was really excited for the Zi6 but I read enough bad stuff that made me go with the flip. And now they have a HD version of the Flip.

And here is a video I took to show Allie the cutting board I made for my sister back when I was in high school.

Video

edit: and the audio what was coming out of headphones plugged into my iMac.. I know, I am going to destroy my hearing.

Well, you’ve convinced me. I was on the edge about that Woot, but seeing the video has pushed me over. Thanks, JP!

I didn’t notice Kevbo’s link earlier. I think I might pick up one for my sister. That is a good deal.

I’ll be able to give a good review on the Flip (the HD one) when mine comes in (a delayed Christmas present, thanks Canadian Border Control!).

I just recorded a video of myself yesterday. I used my digital camera’s movie mode. My camera is a Canon Powershot 1100IS and it records video in 640×480 30 frames a second. The quality was well beyond what I was expecting, and it did a good job on the audio too! So if you already have a digital camera, or you’re thinking about buying one in the future, perhaps consider buying one that has a good movie mode too.

I gave my partner the HD flip for Christmas and she’s a fan. The claims of high definition are stretching it a bit, but the picture is nice quality, the sound is better than expected, and you certainly can’t beat the ease of use. It’s ridiculously convenient.

John, I’m in on the woot based on your reviews. Thanks for the 4–1-1. I appreciate it.

Huh. Well, that was supposed to be a woot.com link, obviously. Don’t know how that happened.

kevbo, just knowing about the woot is enough for me. I have a link on my google homepage but I passed right over it this morning. But with your direction, I’m in for one. I ordered the black but I was tempted to order the pink. People steal pink stuff less often.

I feel like I should add one more thing. You can only shoot one hour of video on it. After an hour you need to offload it to a computer. You can’t swap memory cards in it.

But you can delete clips if you want to on the camera.

I just thought I would toss that out there. It is something people should know. And the battery life is fantastic. I am still using the original AA batteries that came with it.

Just wanted to add that my friend that recently got one remarked that the hour limit actually helped him be a little more critical and judicious with his use of shots that resulted in better footage.

Before he had a large DV tape cam and just shot bunches of tapes with a lot of dead footage that he never felt like editing through…

Thanks for the information everyone! It’s nice to hear from someone who has actually used the products.

I have a flip and it’s great for basic non-zoom video; I have also seen the new Flip Mino and it shoots in HD and is only about $40 more (depending on where you buy it). Tapeless is the way to go IAC.