Ask Engadget HD: What's the best on the go HD camcorder?

"For some time now I've been thinking about getting one of these, but still cannot make my mind up. I'm looking for a camcorder that is portable first of all (will mostly use it outdoors, also for paintball and airsoft games), the quality(720p / 1080p) and functionality will come second and storage options third. I know there is quite a few products on the market from Kodak, Flip and Creative (and probably few more), but still do not know which one to choose... Hopefully Engadget's readers will help me with my decision-making."
We can relate Mariusz, you need something easy to take on the go, with good image quality and settings and last of all easy to play back later. Surely a few of you have faced the same dilemma, let us know which hardware you've picked up and how it's working for you.
Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fikhl @ Aug 6th 2009 1:01PM
A decent point-and-shoot with video recording capability.
Cheap, portable, "Good enough" HD video capturing, Cheap.
numerwan @ Aug 6th 2009 1:59PM
I've used a flip... i like it a lot... I also like my point and shoot, but for some reason the Flip seemed ideal for a spur of the moment video capture... Only shotty part is the dang screen... its so tiny and feels flimsy...
But I would recommend trying a flip that someone owns before you buy it...
Wryker @ Aug 6th 2009 2:16PM
I love my Vado! Shoots 720p and is so easy to upload to youtube so my friends and family can keep up with our house modifications, movies of our dogs, vids of our friends parties etc.
It's the size of a deck of cards and easy to use. This isn't for someone to use to shoot their kids playing football since the zoom is inadequate - it's strength is for quick and impromptu video shooting so birthday parties, house renovations etc are perfect. Big screen, easy controls, small footprint, and I purchased it new for @$150. I recommend!
nobodycares @ Aug 6th 2009 2:17PM
Some reviews are just coming out saying the new Kodak Zi8 is good - shoots 1080p with image stabilization. $180 Sept 1. Just sayin'
Xyzzy @ Aug 6th 2009 2:36PM
I think a better question is how do you edit these videos? From my research, most of the video editing suites don't handle HD video from camcorders like the Canon. What software do people use to edit?
The next problem would be burning it to BD...
GolfProRM @ Aug 6th 2009 2:24PM
I've got a Kodak Zi6 and really enjoy it. While it may be slightly larger than the Flip cameras, it was well worth it for the removable storage and price. Outdoors it shoots very well, although fast motion isn't great (don't know that it is for any of the portable cams). The Zi8 that's coming out looks very nice and if they've improved some of the image stabilization, it will be a real winner - especially at a price lower than the Flip cams.
Patrick @ Aug 6th 2009 2:37PM
i don't know why "no internal storage" is always listed as a negative for the kodaks. to me, it's a plus. i'm not limited to what turns out to be 1 hour of hd recording usually, i can have extra storage with me at all times if i don't have a computer to upload nearby, and there's always great deals on sd cards so it's not that much more money.
duuuuuuude @ Aug 6th 2009 2:36PM
sanyo xacti vpc-cg10 http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-VPC-CG10-Memory-Camcorder-Optical/product-reviews/B001Q3M8S2/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
IseWise @ Aug 6th 2009 2:37PM
Samsung is coming out with a 1080p video/10MP still cam in September for about $200. Looks like a winner to me.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/samsung-hmx-u10-full-hd-camcorder-with-1-button-youtube-uploads/
JeffDM @ Aug 6th 2009 2:38PM
So the total lack of optical zoom isn't a concern at all? The little ones with zoom mostly just do digital pixel multiplication, that's no good.
I suggest looking for a still camera that can record 720p. You'll get zoom in a compact camera for not much more than that, likely get a bigger, better sensor, image stabilization.
freeklist101 @ Aug 7th 2009 10:25PM
Sept 01, Kodak is releasing the Zi8...
1080p video, face-recognition, built-in software to upload to YouTube, under $200 and an INCLUDED HDMI cable....
I saw the release on GeekBrief.tv:
http://www.geekbrief.tv/gbtv-604-new-twitter-mobileme-idisk-app-apple-pulls-apps-ricoh-gr-digital-iii
Link for product:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=15340&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=5035
Hope this helps...
Chuck @ Aug 6th 2009 4:18PM
I use the Flip Mino HD. Works good enough for youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndyIxaT3X2Y
Being light, it's hard to keep the Mino steady. Also kinda jerks the camera when using the optical zoom. Plus staring at a postage stamp lcd when filming makes it hard enough. The focal length means I have to be at least 12 feet away from my subjects. The one hour capacity (and 2 hour battery life) is optimized by taking short clips and deleting the not-so-great sequences, so I am editing-in-camera a little. Their new Ultra HD extends by 2x the battery life and recording capacity, so I'd go with that.
If you feel like there's anything I'd like a lot more, giving the subject matter I tend to record, let me know. I'm looking for something better, always.
--Chuck
Chuck @ Aug 6th 2009 5:08PM
One more thing: I'd like to capture at 60fps or above at 640x360 or better resolution. What do you recommend?
Mark G. @ Aug 6th 2009 4:21PM
My wife just got back from China where she used a DXG-581V ($140ish) to take over 500 hundred stills and over 100 short movie clips in 720p and 1080p. That filled up about half of the 8GB SDHC card. Peter Jackson wouldn't be impressed with the quality, but then again, my wife isn't a cinematographer or film director either! The photos were actually better then I thought (8MP) and the video looked pretty decent on our 50" plasma. As far as audio - well, it will pick up the camera guys voice very well, but not much else unless it's louder than a speaking voice.
Mark G. @ Aug 6th 2009 4:26PM
Just as a note to the purists, the "1080p" is actually 1440x1080 rectangular pixels that display at 1920x1080 on your computer and TV. Then again, you have to go 7-8x as expensive to get "true" 1080.
natebergman @ Aug 27th 2009 12:48AM
I just bought a Panasonic DMC-TS1 digital camera and I like it a lot. It shoots 720p at 30fps in AVCHD Lite (MPEG-4/H.264). 4.6x optical zoom, 12.1 megapixel camera, 28mm wide angle lense, 10ft waterproof, 5ft shockproof, dustproof. Memory card plugs right into my PS3 and plays like its a Blu-Ray.
AVCHD lite little hard to work with since its a newer codec, but if you install the software it comes with and then install updates for the software its very easy to use.
Michael Fidler @ Aug 6th 2009 6:01PM
I'm waiting for image stabilization for the Flip. Kodak has it already, and I'm sure the next Flip will as well.
Wified @ Aug 6th 2009 7:44PM
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 - best portable photo and HD video combo available. See reviews on Amazon. I've had one for months, and I can't believe how good everything it takes is, especially from something this portable and (barely) pocketable.
Paulo Matsui @ Oct 16th 2009 3:41PM
Yeah. I was considering a portable HD camcorder. And while looking for reviews and comparison between a Flip and a Kodak Zi8, came by a reviewer recommending this ZS3 from Panasonic. I'm a huge Sony fan (for gadgets, that is - I'm a Mac-head). After careful side-by-side compare, I went for the ZS3 through Amazon. Now I'm quite impressed with how well it can handle the white balance - either taking pictures, or shooting videos. Always fantastic colors and very smart focus on subjects. I got a small kid back home and taking pictures of this small creature which NEVER stops more than half a second was quite difficult before the ZS3. Not anymore - this camera can track the subject, even if it moves toward the camera. If you have the $$ (it costs about $60 more than Flip and Kodak), you cannot go wrong with the ZS3.
lakersin2025 @ Aug 6th 2009 7:55PM
I got a Flip Mino HD. I got a few movies on youtube under the same name. My only problem with it is the wide angle sucks. I have to glue a step down ring to it to attach a new wide angle lens.
XD718 @ Aug 7th 2009 12:08PM
I think you can get a very good hd camera for cheap from aiptek. The A-HD Pro or the Action HD GVS. They both have big screens. Optical zoom. 720p and 1080p. They have SD slots for memory and are under $200.
riverside_guy @ Aug 7th 2009 2:49PM
Got a Flip Mino HD a while back as a present. Fun item. BUT I'm really wanting to get a ContourHD:
http://vholdr.com/contourhd/helmetcam?q=contourhd/overview
Seems to me to be MUCH more versatile than the Flips or the Kodaks...
John Pombrio @ Aug 7th 2009 5:23PM
I think the most important thing now is image stabilization. As these are all hand held camcorders, I have too many shaky videos to recommend the current crop. Of course, there is the $14 stedaycam option!
http://steadycam.org/
Widescreen is also important to me, as well as low light.
So I am waiting for the Kodak Zi8.
Zingerhill @ Aug 7th 2009 11:45PM
I bought a Samsung sl820. I considered the dedicated camcorders but to me it makes a lot more sense to spend a little more to get a good camera and optical zoom and stabalization. You could also consider the Canon 780.
SABoyce @ Aug 31st 2009 12:23AM
If you're not on a tight budget, go with the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000
http://sanyo.com/xacti/english/products/vpc_hd2000/index.html
Shoots true HD (1080p @ 60fps) as well as 448x336 @ 240 fps and 192x108 @600fps.
HD footage here - http://vimeo.com/4222564