Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been doing quite a bit of research on small pocket size video cameras, similar to the Flip Cam that so many bloggers are using nowadays. I wanted something that I could use to do videos for the site – that I could take with me in my pocket unlike my big Canon EOS T1i DSLR. I also wanted it to have HD video so that I could do good quality movies of my son.
After doing a ton of research, and getting reccomendations from other bloggers, I settled on two finalists.
I like the Flip because it’s pretty small sized, simple to use and because it’s got everything you need in one compact package. I’ve also seen videos done with the Flip, and they seem to be pretty good quality. I liked the Zi8 because it takes nice looking video, it has expandable memory and an SD card slot, and it also has a jack for an external mic. Having a mic for blogger interviews and other on the go stuff would be pretty nice to have given the so-so internal mics of these cams.
In the end I just liked the features of the Kodak camera more, and on top of that it was only $99 on Amazon, as compared to $178.99 for the Flip. Granted, I have to get a SD card for the camera, but I can get a 16GB one on Amazon for around $25 -so the camera is still cheaper! I also added in a remote for the camera for another $10. All in all only $138 for the camera and all the accessories. Not half bad!
Lines For The Ipad 2 At Mall Of America
Here’s a video I took yesterday after receiving the new camera. I went to the Mall of America to do some quick video over lunch, and saw that people were waiting in line to get the new Ipad 2 which was launching yesterday. All I can say is – wow. I can’t believe people would wait for hours in line to get an Ipad when they can wait a week or two and get the same thing without waiting! I overheard one person saying that they had been waiting since 6am that morning. You gotta say one thing about Apple, they’re good at selling and hyping up their products!
Post Roundup
Here are some good posts from around the web this week.
- Cable Alternatives – Legal Alternatives to Cable TV ( Read in tandem with my article on ditching cable)
Thanks for the link! I can’t believe how long the line was for this…especially during a prolonged recession! I wonder how many people purchased the first generation model a few days ago for the same price as the new one!
It was an amazingly long line, especially for something that is essentially the same as a previously released product – but with a few tweaks. I don’t get it but, then again – maybe I’m not the target market.
Great video! I enjoyed the car ride!
I’m glad you did, I had a comment on youtube about the car ride making someone sick because of the up and down!
Congrats on the new camera Pete… that was my 2nd time to the MoM. :)
Your second visit, huh? When was the first?
Great video and nice job with the sound track. Great incorporation with post content.
Thanks Andy!
Wow, that was done on a little hand held?!? Awesome.
It’s funny, I won’t even go into the Apple store if it’s too crowded, which happens to be most of the time. I can’t imagine waiting hours in line.
Yup, a little handheld. You might be able to tell because of how shaky some parts are. That’s one thing I’m finding so far – that these pocket cams are harder to keep steady because they’re so light.
Yeah, the only Apple device I own is an Ipod Touch – i’m a PC kind of guy I guess. :)
Nice job on the video. I’m not very good at video editing. It’s certainly a nice skill to have. :)
And yeah, I don’t have an iPad either. I’m waiting for the market to stabilize a little bit. I prefer to buy something once, and not upgrade every time something new comes out.
Yeah, i didn’t buy my ipod touch until they were on the 3rd generation i think – and even then I bought a 1st generation one refurbished for quite a bit off the price. :)