I decided for my birthday that I wanted another video camera, after mine got stolen on a flight to London. The main reason I rarely used my other Panasonic camcorder is that it was a handycam-type, not bulky or anything, but required a separate bag and was a hassle to drag around. Not so with the Flip Ultra HD, which I've had for a couple of weeks now. Although it is a fatty compared to the MinoHD, the video quality, in my opinion, is better than that of the Mino.
Pros:
HD quality 720p- absolutely stunning, may not be quality of $400+ Canon HD's, but I can see in good detail during playback. Motion is good too- no blurring. Mini HDMI on camera is a +.
Screen Size- the screen is around 2 in. I believe it says in the review, vastly bigger than that of the Mino. The screen just makes it easier to view, which in some cases, is a must-have.
Battery- I like how Pure Digital gives you the opportunity to use its rechargeable or 2AA batteries. I am going on a foreign trip soon, and I need disposable batteries for convenience. This attribute and screen size were the deciding factors over the mino. Battery life is pretty long.
Price- compared to other cameras in this price range, it is relatively cheap, especially to the mino. The others in the market may be cheaper, such as the Zado and Zi6, but for the factors listed above, the Ultra ultimately was the top contender.
Simplicity- for people who hate format and technical issues, Flip is the way to go. I don't mind the formats or technical jargon, but it does make life just a tad bit easier. Flipshare software pre-installed is quite helpful, it can take snapshots and is a breeze to use. Forgot to mention: start up time takes about 2-3 sec. pretty fast for point and shoot.
Memory- It holds 8gb, and 2hrs worth, unlike other camcorders.
Sound quality- it's quite good, can pick up nuanced details.
Accessories- comes with some useful stuff, though they could add more, but it's basic and good.
Cons:
Stability- You need steady hands/2 hands to have a really balanced video. One hand is fine too, but it might get irritating during playback.
Size- It is *kind* of thick, but lack of thinness gives it durability. Still quite small, thinner than some digital cameras.
USB arm- some have a beef with its position, & since I have a desktop, it is in a somewhat awkward position, but I don't think it will break off, but it is recommended to get a usb cable (female to male) for peace of mind.
Editing- on the camera itself, I kind of wish I could pause, and then take it again, but it's not that big of a problem.
Zoom- This is one of the bad things about it- they sacrificed optical zoom to make it more compact and less complicated and put on digital; the quality doesn't degrade that badly, but it's noticeable. The shake on the video does increase though, if you're holding it. Zoom not that great, but better than nothing.
Pixels- after scouring the net for research on this camcorder, Pure Digital is clever enough to not release the amount of megapixels. Perhaps because it is lower than other cameras? Certainly doesn't seem like it. For whatever reason, they neglect to mention.
Last word: Some people expect this camera to do a ton of things it's not supposed to, such as give a $500 picture, image stabilization, 30x optical zoom, etc etc. This is a point and shoot camera, perfect for home movies, impromptu videos for friends, taking videos of something surprising or spontaneous, for uploading on Youtube, and a cheaper HD picture. Buy with these expectations and you won't be disappointed.Get more detail about Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black).
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