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Pure Digital Flip Mino Lightweight Camcorder
 
Sensor: 1/4 in
Optical Zoom: 0 x
HD: No
 
#48
in Camcorders

Pure Digital Flip Mino
Camcorder Review

By Kaitlyn Chantry
Reviewed.com Editorial Staff
Published on July 30, 2008

The Flip Mino is the third generation of Pure Digital's portable, cheap, and easy-to-use camcorders. Following up on the success of the original Flip and the Flip Ultra, the Mino makes a few small improvements while staying true to the simple design that made the Flip so successful. The new Mino is about half the size of its predecessors and offers a much sleeker interface. But with the same low quality video and no colorful models to choose from, the MSRP of $179.99 ($30 more than the current Flip Ultra) might not be worth it.

It's important to emphasize that the Flip's video quality is far inferior to virtually every camcorder we review. But if you're looking for high quality video on the Flip, you're missing the point. What the Flip lacks in video performance it makes up for with sheer simplicity. Forget the confusing clutter of lights, switches, and dials that you'll find on most 21st century gadgets. It's very lightweight and about the size of a candybar-style cellphone — perfect for fitting in a pocket or purse.

Like earlier versions of the Flip, the Mino has virtually no manual controls. The intuitive interface lets you play and delete clips and fast-forward and rewind during playback. The only other buttons are for working the 2x digital zoom. This is about as easy as it gets.

Topping off the user-friendly features is how easy it is to upload your videos to the web. All your video records onto 2GB of built-in flash memory (about 60 minutes of recording) and is accessed by plugging the camcorder right into your computer. The Mino comes with the same cool, spring-loaded USB connector as other Flips. This is also how you recharge the built-in battery - no more bags full of AA batteries to keep your camcorder running.

Once you plug the Flip into your computer, an easy double-click brings up uploading software that's built right into the camcorder. Without even touching an email client or a web browser, you can email your video to friends or upload it to AOL, YouTube, and MySpace. Sharing your home movies could not be easier. The software also doubles as a video editor; it only offers the most basic editing options, but it's simple to use and good enough to create quick videos for the web. The software is both PC and Mac compatible.

Performance (read in-depth lab performance data at CamcorderInfo.com)
The video performance of the Flip Mino falls far, far below the average camcorder. It's appropriate for online video, but not much else.  Of course, video from even the most expensive camcorders looks mediocre on YouTube, so why buy anything better than the Flip? At least, that's Pure Digital's logic. What they don't tell you is how bad this video looks when blown up on a full-size TV, which is how most people still watch their home videos. With the Flip, what you see is what you get: the same low resolution, low quality video no matter how you view it. It's important to note, however, that the Flip Mino will perform better than most cell phones and a lot of digital cameras.

The other good news is that the Flip Mino does surprisingly well in low light situations. Though our lab tests showed it to be a poor competitor in color and sharpness, the Flip Mino produced brighter video than many camcorders, particularly the more affordable options. This makes it a great companion for nights out at the club or barbeques on a summer night. But make sure you're not getting too close to your friends — the Flip can't focus on anything closer than a foot away. As long as you keep everyone at arm's length and are comfortable with low-resolution video, the Flip will meet your needs.

Comparisons (read in-depth comparisons at CamcorderInfo.com)
The previous generation Flip Ultra is larger and uses less convenient AA batteries, but you do get your choice of white, black, orange, or pink, and it's $30 less than the Flip Mino. If you think you might want higher quality video, there are other affordable options. JVC's GZ-MS100 is a good choice, but operating the camcorder and uploading to the web are not as easy as the Flip. Panasonic's SDR-SW20 is another neat option — a waterproof camcorder with better video quality and more powerful manual controls than the Flip. That camcorder, though, has no instant upload software.

As for the host of clones riding on the Flip's coattails, they typically lack the simplicity, flexibility, or affordability of the forerunner.

If you're already considering the Flip Mino, chances are it's the right type of camcorder for you. The low quality of the video and lack of manual controls are a nightmare for any video enthusiast, but may be exactly what weary gadget owners are looking for. Whether you're budget-conscious, intimidated by too many bells and whistles, or looking for a camcorder you can carry every day, the Flip might be just what you need.

For a more in-depth review, visit the Pure Digital Flip Mino Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com
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