We're looking to get a video camera that doesn't cost too much. Do any of you have the Flip video camera? Please tell me all your pros/cons about it. Thanks mamas!!!
I have one! I like it!:
Pros: eaaaaaassssyyyyyy to use
Cons: heavy files and hard to have a stable image
I have a Flip and love it. I was using my camera to video but had a hard time sending them via e-mail etc. with the camera software. It just got to be to much trouble, so I bought a Flip. It fits in my purse so I have it with me at all times. It is so easy to e-mail the clips. Just plug it in to your computer and it downloads and you save it and send it. So very simple. I would highly recommend one for anybody. Best investment I did. I had to video tape things with my job and I use it for that as well and just e-mail the clips to my client. Love it. Go buy one. You will be glad you did.
We received one as a gift 4 years ago. Well it lasted us maybe a year and then one day when we were uploading a video to our computer the stupid little camera froze and read error and has not worked since. We tried EVERYTHING to get it fixed (besides shelling out $100 for someone to fix it) but the company did not respond to our calls, e-mails and when we did get through it was hold please and no one ever came back on.
Now that was 4 years ago, I am sure the product has gotten better and HOPEFULLY the customer service has too.
This is for a Flip video camera 4 years ago
CONS: poor video quality (we could take better video with our digital photo camera), took forever to upload the videos to the computer, we never found a program that worked to make the file playable on the TVs DVD system, it stopped working about into a year of using it, the camera went through batteries left and right (so we started to use it less and less to save money), depending on which computer start up program you use it could cause conflict (vista was touch and go for us).
PROS: It was easy to use (till it went into an error state that no one could tell us how to fix), It seemed durable, great size to carry everywhere.
I would go check them out at a store if you can, then try to find it on sale or online for a cheaper price if you do decide to purchase one.
it doesn't have a really great frame rate and also have a shallow angle lens. We had one (didn't buy it, won it in a contest) but sold it on ebay after a few uses because the videos weren't good enough quality for us.Try one out at the store before you buy online or anything! I am sure you could get one for a great deal!
Yes! It is great! Except for one little thing... it won't burn to a DVD that can play on your TV. It will only play on your computer. We're told that there is some software you can buy to convert it, but we haven't been able to get a clear picture as to what software will 100% for sure work before we go out and spend $100 on it. But other than that, it is a great value, great camera, and easy to use!
we got a free one (well sort of) with our phone internet bundle. And we used it for 6 months on and off and it was cute for getting the little sillies that the kids did. BUT then the battery that came with it died and if there is a way to charge it we can't figure it out. so the alternative is to use regular AA batteries or somethign like that but i've read that they don't last for more than 20 mins so i would hate to be replacing them allll the time. Do some searching on the internet for other reveiws of it, I liked it because it was so small and light weight compared to our 14 year old mini vhs tape playing camera but it just hasn't panned out.
We got one for our 7yo for xmas last year (amazon had them on sale for $40). He absolutely LOVES it.
If I were getting one for myself, I'd save (and wait for the xmas deals) and get something better... but for what he uses it for, it's fantastic.
i absolutely love mine. i use it for everything. i quit carrying my camera b/c you can use the flipshare software to go scene by scene and pull out the pictures you want. the only negative to that is that sometimes the scenes are a little blurry if it's a fast action scene. the only complaint i have is that once the pictures are deleted from the camera they are gone forever - don't let your kids grab it!! let me know if you have any more questions. i can always email you one of the videos i took so you can see how it looks. i have the flip ultra hd.
as far as the others comments, i know they did have a lot of issues with older models that have been corrected. check out this cnet review:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/flip-ultrahd-w...
i did get an error message with my computer where the program will freeze. i called tech support and emailed and got lots of help. turned out my apple computer was the problem as it worked fine on every other computer i tried.
ps i got mine as bundle at walmart.com you get to choose 2 accessories (i got extra batteries and a charger) plus the camera for the price of just the camera at other stores. you can also get the 3 year extended protection plan from walmart for like $30
Sony Bloggie is AMAZING. Great video that automatically transfers to PC or Mac. Easy to upload online. IMHO better than the flip because it also does 5MP stills. No flash but great pictures if there is sufficient light. $200 gets a 4gig card and a panoramic lens. Apple's new Nano is cheaper but not as good video, but it has awesome features too.
I just got a Kodak Zi8 for mothers day and love love love it. I wanted a flip but also wanted something that took stills. The Zi8 is so simple to use and is great quality. The screen is huge and it only has like four buttons. Huge plus for me! I just want to turn it on and use it and that's exactly what you do. It has a usb built right into it and also uses an sd card. That way you have lots of options in getting the pictures from the camera to the computer or photo kiosk. It is $179 and well worth the price. I think target has them for 30% off right now. It also has better reviews than the flip. Check it out, you will love it.
My hubby is Mr. Techy and kept making fun of me for wanting the flip. He was always aking why I wanted a flip he would say, "We have a nikkon camera, a sony video (dvd) camera and smart phones that are of the best quality." Well he bought this for me and was so impressed he got himself one for work (he often has to send pics of machines via email)!!!
