Fun Flip

I’m back from my blogging hiatus. Sorry for the disappearance. To make up for it, I have a product review. As with all my other reviews, I offer the standard disclaimer. I am not being paid by or am affiliated with the product being reviewed, etc. etc.  So, on with the program. I have a review of the Flip Ultra Video Camera.

In the last couple of months, Flip Video cameras have been mentioned in several magazines and blogs such as USA Today, Time, and Team Sugar. All the talk really piqued my interest. Its biggest selling points are that it is affordable, compact and easy to use. I take a multitude of still photos, but am clueless about video. I frequently use the video function on my point-and-shoot camera, but I wanted something that offered better quality videos.  My grandma blowing out her candles on her 100th birthday. The silly way my dog chases her tail. My three-year-old niece singing “Do-Re-Mi” from Sound of Music. These are moments that are better captured on video not just as stills.  As someone who has no experience with video, a Flip Video camera sounded right up my alley.

{photo from Author’s Personal Collection}

I ordered the most basic model available from our trusty friends at Amazon.com. At present, Flip has 4 different models. 2 standard video models and 2 HD video models. I bought the Flip Video Ultra 30 minutes. Why? I was offered a stellar deal by Amazon.com. I paid a whopping $59.99 for it with free shipping.

{photo from Author’s Personal Collection}

I took the camera out of the box, placed 2 AA batteries and I was ready to go.

{photo from Author’s Personal Collection}

{photo from Author’s Personal Collection}

It was unbelievably easy to use. I just pressed the big red button on the back to start recording and press it a second time to stop recording. The camera comes with a digital zoom. {You sacrifice a bit of the picture quality when you record while zoomed all the way out.} It was also remarkably easy to download my videos onto my computer. The camera comes with a built in USB connector that “flips” out of the side.  Also included is software for both Macs and PCs. The software installs when you connect the camera to your computer. The software isn’t elaborate, but it allows for basic editing. For Mac users, you can easily take your videos into iMovie and iDVD and have a field day.

Because the Flip Ultra is so compact and easy to use, I bring it everywhere. I slip it into my purse or my dSLR camera bag. This has allowed me to capture videos of moments that would have otherwise been missed because everyone else forgot to bring their camcorder. Let’s face it. What good is the $1000 camera if it’s sitting at home?

As with everything, there are pros and cons.

Pros

• Very easy to use. It is so easy to use that my technology-challenged sister was also able to successfully film my nephew’s elementary school graduation. My nephew also used it to film his friends skateboarding at a local skate park.
• Compact size. Fits in a purse or a pocket
• Available in fun colors and patterns. See the Flip Online store for details.
• Highly affordable. The most expensive model is $229.
• Good picture quality
• Takes AA batteries (Ultra models only)

Cons

• Its simplicity sometimes works against you. It does not have image stabilization or a self-timer.
• It doesn’t capture images well in low lighting situations
• It small size makes it difficult to hold steady.
• Quality of recorded sound could be better. In some instances, it picks up more of the background noise instead of your main subject.

Overview

It’s worth it for the money and convenience.  The only thing I would change is I would opt for an HD model.  The upgrade in picture quality would go a long way.

For a more detailed and technical review, please check out Beau Coburn’s blog. He shows side-by-side comparisons of the Flip Ultra vs. Flip Mino HD.