HD Mini Cams

Which HD Mini Cam Should You Buy?

I have to admit that I was very impressed with the original Flip Video Cams when they first came out. But since then, plenty of companies have come up with their own mini cams and the Flip has progressed through several models as well. Their latest is the high-definition MinoHD. I recommend that you get an HD mini cam instead of the standard definition models for two reasons. First, the quality of HD video is so much crisper. If you've ever watched a sporting event on television in HD, and then switched to the same game on a standard definition (SD) channel, the difference is quite stark. Details such as faces, the seam of the ball, and even blades of grass pop right out at you in HD. Secondly, the price of HD mini cams has fallen below $200, with some as low as $100. So why bother with grainy SD videos? Let's look at the MinoHD and compare it to a batch of other HD mini cams, to see which is right for you...

The Flip MinoHD now has an internal memory of 4GB, giving you an hour of footage with an HD resolution of 1280x720. Like its predecessors, it has a rate of 30 frames per second (fps) and a screen size of 1.5 inches diagonally. It can get up to 2 hours of use and takes about 2 hours to recharge by adapter or 3 by USB connection. It has automatic white balance, black level calibration and exposure control. Using one is incredibly simple with one-touch recording and results that you wouldn't expect for a cam this small. I gave my daughter one of these as a Christmas gift and she loves it. The Flips can painlessly upload your videos to Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other video sites. Even editing is simple once you get the hang of it. The MinoHD is available for $229.99, more if you want to design your own.

Creative, not to be left out, came up with the Vado HD. It features a 2-inch display with a wide-angle lens and a 2x digital zoom. The pocket cam has 8GB internal memory and 3 recording modes. It can record 2 hours of 1280x720p HD, plugs into your USB like the Flip, and has a removable battery that you can change out. Again with one-touch usability, the Vado gives you up to 4 hours of HD or 8 hours of standard resolution. It, too has the simple upload and editing with Vado Central software. It has a $229.00 price, worth the extra if you want the extra memory.

Kodak has their own pocket-sized cam. Their Zi6 has a nice big 2.4-inch LCD, 128MB memory with an SD/SDHC card expansion slot, a 2X digital zoom and HD resolution of 720p (1280x720) at 60 fps. It will hold up to 32GB of recorded video, comes with included software and rechargeable batteries and charger, and can easily upload to YouTube or other sites. At a price of $179.95, the 2.5 x 4.5 x 0.9 inch cam has a weight of only 3.8 ounces (without batteries).

It didn't take long for Sony to come up with their own mini-cam. At this year's CES, they introduced the Webbie, a smaller HD cam for uploaders and wannabe videographers. While this is a bit larger than most mini cams, the 1.7 x 2.4 inch cam is fairly petite by Sony standards. It takes up to 8.5 hours of HD MPEG-4 video or thousands of 5 megapixel images. With a 5x optical zoom and a 2.5" swivel screen, it is available for $199.99. As far as I know, this is the only mini cam that can record in 1080i HDV (1440x1080), but it can also do 1280x720 as well as standard definition (640x480). Clever as Sony is, they will also be offering an upright version (pictured) with a swiveling lens system this spring for only $169.99. The only drawback to the pair is that they use Sony's Memory Stick PRO Duo which, while compatible with other Sony PCs, may not work with others.

RCA's Small Wonder EZ300HD is another noteworthy HD minicam competitor. You get HD recording (1280 x 720 in H.264 format at 30 fps) that you can save on its internal memory of 2GB (an hour's worth in HD mode or up to 6 hrs. in regular) or SD card for up to 16GB. With a 2.4-inch display, its flip-out lens, similar to that of the Webbie, allows you to record yourself. It also captures 5mp stills, has built-in Memory Manager software for downloading, editing and uploading to the Net. It features both landscape and close-up modes. Like the others, it is a simple matter of point and shoot, and you can view your videos on you TV with AV or HDMI cables. The EZ300HD is available at prices beginning at $140.00.

Of course Hammacher Schlemmer offers their own HD mini cam, and the Shirt Pocket Cam is top of the line. This 5mp camcorder captures HD 1280x720 at 30 fps and super hi-resolution 3744 x 2808 still pictures. Included is 64MB of memory, with an SD card slot for an additional 4GB. The cam has motion stabilization, an 8X zoom, and a somewhat larger than most 3-inch TFT LCD screen that pivots 290 degrees. At a mini-size of 4-1/4 x 2-1/2 x 1 inches, and a weight of only 6 ounces, the SPC can upload and playback through both AV and HDMI. The included rechargeable Li-ion battery is good for 110 minutes of recording and only needs 4 hours for a recharge. This elite cam will cost you $299.99 but comes with a lifetime guarantee.

On the opposite end of the scale, if you like your cam to look like your iPod at a lesser price, then the DXG-567V is for you. At a size of 4.21 x 2.36 x 0.81 inches, it has a 5mp CMOS sensor and also records 1270x780p HD at 30fps. It holds 32MB memory and has an SD card slot for expansion. It has a small 2-inch TFT display and a 2x zoom lens. Available in 4 colors, it has the same up/downloading capability of the others via USB and its own Vidco software for editing. Shop around as you can get the DXG-567V for as little as $99.00.

All of these cams are fine for quick point and shoot videos, and perfect for the Youtube generation. Choose one depending on your needs and budget, but don't expect them to have the same bell and whistles as the larger camcorders. Often electronics stores will let you test a couple of them out and you may want to talk to others who own them.

Note though, that you no longer have an excuse to not record those home movies and stupid pet tricks with simplicity and prices like these. Do you have an HD mini cam? Post a comment below...