Apple iPhone 4S Camcorder Review

Introduction

That's the exact point of this review: to give you a better idea where the iPhone 4S stacks up against similar ultracompact camcorders. By the way, if you're curious about the phone's still image performance, check out the full-length iPhone 4S review at our sister-site, DigitalCameraInfo.com.

The iPhone 4S is available in black or white and with three different amounts of internal memory. A $199 model comes with 16GB of internal memory, for $299 you get 32GB of internal memory, and the 64GB model costs $399. All these prices are contingent on signing a two-year cell phone contract with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. Apple also sells "unlocked" versions of the phone that aren't tied to a specific cell phone carrier for an additional $450 (for a total of $649 - $849 dollars per phone).

Front

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Back

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Left

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Top

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Bottom

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In the Box

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Color

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Compared to other cheap, ultracompact camcorders, the iPhone 4S did well in our color accuracy test. Compared to more expensive camcorders, however, the iPhone's colors weren't up to snuff. The phone measured a color error of 5.49 in our bright light video test, and the saturation level came to 106.4% on those colors. In the end, we felt the colors still looked rather good, and if you look at the color error map below you can see where the iPhone 4S had the most trouble. More on how we test color.

Reds and browns were not rendered with great accuracy on the video captured by the iPhone 4S, while most blue tones were recorded with excellent accuracy. The phone itself has no special color modes or settings, although there are countless apps that can be downloaded to enhance the features of the iPhone's camcorder.

The iPhone 3GS, which is the last iPhone we tested as a camcorder, produced slightly more accurate colors than the 4S model, although the difference wasn't huge. Check out the crops and comparisons on this page to see the colors captured by the two iPhones for yourself (as well as video images from the Samsung W200 and Kodak PlayFull Ze1 camcorders).

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Low Light Color

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Colors captured by the iPhone 4S in low light looked great, and they turned out to be more accurate than what the phone managed in bright light. The 4S measured a color error of 4.25 and a saturation level of 119%. These numbers are a bit worse than what we saw on the iPhone 3GS, which is strange, but they aren't hugely different so it's not something we're concerned about. More on how we test low light color.

It's the saturation level on the iPhone 4S videos that really stands out. The colors captured by the phone popped in low light, and they may be too vivid for some people's standards. We think they look pretty good, though, and you'll definitely be a fan if you like deep, strong colors. Like we saw in bright light, the 4S was able to capture certain blue tones with the best accuracy, while reds, browns, and yellows gave the phone trouble.

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Noise

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The iPhone 4S averaged 0.57% noise in our bright light video test, which is a bit more noise than we measured from the iPhone 3GS' videos. Still, this is a good score for the 4S, and it's on par with the better ultracompact camcorder's we've tested this year (like the Samsung W200, which measured a nearly identical amount of noise). More on how we test noise.

Looking at the crops above, you can see the level of detail and sharpness—as well as any noise and discoloration issues—that each camcorder was able to capture in our bright light video test. The iPhone 4S handled itself fairly well, capturing video that was nearly as sharp as what the Samsung W200 and Kodak PlayFull Ze1 produced. Since the iPhone 3GS recorded a 1280 x 720 instead of a Full HD 1920 x 1080 image, it's crop looks different (and much less sharp) than the other camcorders in this group.

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Low Light Sensitivity

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In our low light sensitivity test we found the Apple iPhone 4S required 8 lux of light to record an image that is bright enough to be used on broadcast television. That's a good performance for the iPhone, but it's also a bit more light than the other camcorders we compared it too required. Except for the iPhone 3GS, of course, which also needed 8 lux of light in this test. More on how we test low light sensitivity.

Since ultracompact, budget camcorders like the iPhone 4S use fixed lenses with wide aperture settings, they usually do a very good job in this test. This does not mean they have better low light performance than more expensive camcorders. Cheap models do record bright video in low light, but it isn't as sharp or crisp as a good mid-range or high-end HD model. Still, compared to other camcorders in its class, the iPhone 4S did quite well in this test.

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Low Light Noise

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Noise levels were decent in our low light test, with the phone averaging around 1.3% noise. But these numbers aren't quite as good as what we usually see from budget camcorders, and they are a tad worse than what we measured on the iPhone 3GS (which appears to be a reoccurring theme in our noise and color tests). Looking at the crops below, you can get a good idea of how much sharpness the iPhone 4S' image was able to retain in low light. More on how we test low light noise.

We like what the iPhone 4S was able to do in low light, but its video image clearly loses some detail in less-than-ideal lighting situations. This happens to all camcorders (even great ones), and the image from the 4S still looked good. The numbers and lines appear a bit faded, but the image is bright and strong. Some discoloration and artifacting was noticeable in low light (and you can see it in the crop above), but we saw similar distractions from the other camcorders we compared the 4S to.

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Low Light Color

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Colors captured by the iPhone 4S in low light looked great, and they turned out to be more accurate than what the phone managed in bright light. The 4S measured a color error of 4.25 and a saturation level of 119%. These numbers are a bit worse than what we saw on the iPhone 3GS, which is strange, but they aren't hugely different so it's not something we're concerned about. More on how we test low light color.

It's the saturation level on the iPhone 4S videos that really stands out. The colors captured by the phone popped in low light, and they may be too vivid for some people's standards. We think they look pretty good, though, and you'll definitely be a fan if you like deep, strong colors. Like we saw in bright light, the 4S was able to capture certain blue tones with the best accuracy, while reds, browns, and yellows gave the phone trouble.

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Motion

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Th motion captured by the iPhone 4S looked surprisingly smooth, despite the fact that the phone uses a 30p frame rate when recording video (30p frame rates will occasionally produce more blur and choppiness than 60i or 60p frame rates). The video also looked crisp without much noticeable artifacting. The only bad thing we saw was some fringing around the rotating pinwheels, specifically the black and white pinwheel. There was also an average amount of blur and trailing during our test, but nothing worse than what we normally see from a budget camcorder. More on how we test motion.

Video Sharpness

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Since the iPhone 4S records Full HD video (at a 1920 x 1080 resolution), the phone did far better in our sharpness test than the older iPhone 3GS we tested a couple years ago (the 3GS topped out with a 1280 x 720 video resolution). In our testing, the iPhone 4S managed a horizontal sharpness of 625 lw/ph and a vertical sharpness of 575 lw/ph, both of which are significantly higher than the numbers we measured on the iPhone 3GS. Other 1080p camcorders, however, did better than the 4S in this test: the Samsung W200 managed an excellent horizontal and vertical sharpness of 750 lw/ph, for example. More on how we test video sharpness.

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Stabilization

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Apple does include a digital image stabilization feature on the iPhone 4S, but the function cannot be turned off. This makes it impossible for us to test the capability of the stabilization, as we can't compare it to the shakiness of footage recorded without stabilization. Still, it's good to know Apple included this feature. It's something most budget and ultracompact models have started to include over the past year, so Apple is keeping pace with the competition. More on how we test stabilization.

Ease of Use

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Using the iPhone 4S is relatively simple, and we found, for the most part, the camcorder element of the phone was as easy to use as your average budget or ultracompact camcorder. In some ways, the iPhone was actually easier to use. The touchscreen is very responsive and has a superior design to the screens you find on most budget camcorders, and the iPhone 4S offers horizontal or vertical shooting, which is something many "upright design" camcorders don't allow you to switch between.

The autofocus system on the iPhone 4S may drive a few people batty, as it does require some user input in order to change focus during recording. This means you can't simply point and shoot if you want to keep a moving subject in focus—you'll have to tap on the screen in order to change the focus setting, although the phone then updates the focus automatically (it's not like you have to adjust dials or press buttons repeatedly). It's a simple "spot focus" system, but users who want a completely automated experience may find it annoying.

Unlike most camcorders (even very cheap ones), the iPhone 4S does not offer multiple recording options. All video recorded with the phone's main camera will be Full HD 1920 x 1080 video with a 30p frame rate. This eliminates a confusing menu system where one must choose quality settings, frame rates, resolutions; all things that are confusing to a novice camcorder user. There is a second camera on the iPhone 4S, however, that can record 640 x 480 standard definition video. This is the front-mounted camera that is mainly used for the phone's FaceTime video chat function. It can be good for recording videos of yourself, though, and it is something that is very simple to use (a little touch button on the LCD switches between the two cams).

Auto Mode

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The Apple iPhone 4S is most similar to a budget, ultracompact camcorders, and like that set of products, the iPhone has no manual video controls. You can't set shutter speed or aperture, and controls like exposure and white balance are set manually. The auto white balance gave us some trouble at times, particularly in scenes with multiple light sources. Usually the phone was able to calibrate the white balance properly after a few seconds, which is something we can't say about a lot of budget camcorders we come into contact with.

Focus is setup a bit different on the iPhone, as it requires a simple input by the user in order to control. It works like this: before recording begins (but when you're in video mode), the phone will continually update its autofocus mechanism as you point the lens at different subjects. The adjustments are fairly quick, but we did notice some focus popping, especially if multiple people were moving around in the frame. To get more precise focus, the phone is equipped with a "spot focus" feature that allows you to tap the portion of the screen that you want to bring into focus. A little box appears to let you know the process is working (and the subject in that box will be brought into focus).

Handling

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Since the iPhone 4S wasn't designed as a camcorder, it shouldn't surprise anyone that it doesn't handle all that well as a camcorder. The phone fits in your hand very well... as a phone. But when you hold it to shoot video, you'll find there is very little to grip onto. Worst of all, the lens is positioned in such a way that it is very easy to slip a finger over it by accident (not to mention the built-in mic is very easy to cover with your palm). We can't say these issues are due to shoddy design by Apple, it's just that Apple's priorities for the iPhone 4S were to design it as a smartphone first (the phone's handling as a camcorder probably wasn't very high on Apple's list).

We like that recording with the iPhone 4S is possible when holding the phone vertically or horizontally. This was true about the iPhone 3GS as well, which was the first iPhone with built-in video capabilities. When you begin a recording, the aspect ratio of that recording will remain the same throughout the clip. So, if you start out recording holding the phone horizontally, your entire video will be 16:9 widescreen (like a normal camcorder). If you start out recording vertically, the video clip will have an odd 9:16 aspect ratio—a very tall and slim video clip. Again, the aspect ratios don't change when you rotate the phone during recording.

When we first started shooting with the iPhone 4S, we thought the LCD had a terrible problem with underscanning the frame. By this we mean the phone would record at a much wider angle than what we saw in the LCD frame while we were recording. If you don't like this setup, you just have to double-tap the LCD and the display will change to show the actual recording frame. We prefer shooting in this mode, but we wish Apple would make this choice more obvious. There's nothing worse than recording a carefully framed video clip, only to find out later that an annoying kid was making faces in the corner (that you couldn't see because the LCD didn't show the whole picture).

Portability

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According to Apple, the iPhone 4S weighs 140g, which is just under 5 ounces. Our scale measured the 32GB version of the phone to weigh roughly the same, although we had added a clear screen protector and a SIM card (which bumped the weight up to 142g). This means the 4S is a light camcorder, although not nearly the lightest camcorder we've reviewed this year. The Kodak PlayFull Ze1, for example, weighs just 95g.

The iPhone 4S is very slim compared to most budget camcorders we review, but its tall height and wide base make up for that. Still, the slim design makes the iPhone 4S one of the easiest "camcorders" we've reviewed for slipping in and out of your pocket. After all, that is the design that Apple was going for—nearly everyone prefers to carry their phone in their pocket. The overall dimensions for the iPhone 4S are: 58.6 x 115.2 x 9.3mm (2.31 x 4.5 x 0.37 inches).

Battery Life

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There's been plenty of talk about the diminished battery life on the iPhone 4S, but our test found the phone was able to record video continuously for over 140 minutes. This is 13 minutes less than the iPhone 3G was able to record video for, but it's still a good 20 to 30 minutes longer than most budget camcorders are able to record for on a single charge. We can't attest to the phone's battery life for other things, like phone calls or internet use, but for video recording the 4S seems to have fine battery life. More on how we test battery life.

Like all iPhones, the battery on the iPhone 4S is not removable and is built into the phone's body. The phone does warm up a bit after a lot of continual use, but the heat wasn't excessive. Most camcorders we test actually get warmer than the iPhone 4S did during our battery test.

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LCD

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The iPhone 4S features a 3.5-inch LCD that has a 614,000-pixel resolution. The screen looks better than the LCD on any budget camcorder we've reviewed, and the touchscreen interface is far superior than what we normally see on camcorders (even high-end models). Yes, there are LCDs on high-end camcorders that are just as big and have better resolutions than the iPhone's screen, but the quality of Apple's screen is simply better. The images look brighter and the contrast ratio appears stronger, which makes for a screen that provides crisp, sharp images all the time. Simply put, this is a fantastic LCD compared to the screens offered on traditional camcorders.

We mentioned before in this review the two display options on the screen when recording video. If you're shooting video and your content takes up the entire screen, then you are recording at a wider angle than you can actually see. Double tapping the screen puts it into a widescreen mode, which will actually reflect the frame you are recording. This is the mode to use if you care about getting a proper framing of your video. You can always double tap the screen during playback to have the video appear full screen on the iPhone.

Stabilization

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Apple does include a digital image stabilization feature on the iPhone 4S, but the function cannot be turned off. This makes it impossible for us to test the capability of the stabilization, as we can't compare it to the shakiness of footage recorded without stabilization. Still, it's good to know Apple included this feature. It's something most budget and ultracompact models have started to include over the past year, so Apple is keeping pace with the competition. More on how we test stabilization.

Manual Focus

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Audio Controls

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The iPhone 4S has a lot of audio features, but most of them don't apply to video recording. The mic that is used to pick up audio during video recording is hard to locate—it's the tiny hole (about the size of a pinhead) located next to the headphone jack on the top of the phone. This little mic records mono audio during video recordings, which means you need to be careful not to cover it up with your fingers while you shoot.

If you connect a microphone into the 3.5mm jack on the top of the phone, the iPhone 4S will record audio via that connected mic during video recording. For example, if you plug in the headphones that come with the iPhone 4S, all audio will be recorded via the remote mic on those headphones when you shoot video. Unplugging the headphones will revert the audio recording back to the tiny built-in mic. Audio on your recorded clips will play from the phone's speaker on the bottom of the phone, or from headphones if they are connected to the headphone jack. You can adjust the volume output during video playback by pressing the volume buttons on the side of the phone, or by using the onscreen volume control slider.

There are, of course, plenty of other microphones and speakers on the iPhone 4S. There's the speaker on the front of the phone that is used to listen to during phone calls, and there's a speaker and a microphone on the bottom of the phone as well (the speaker is used to pick up your voice during phone calls, among other things). Apple also says the mic used to capture audio during video recording functions as a noise cancellation mic during phone calls.

Editing

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The iPhone doesn't "ship" with editing software, but there are a ton of applications available that can help you edit your footage (some are even free!). Apple even makes an iMovie app that works right on the iPhone 4S itself, which will allow you to do in-camera editing with your video clips. The iMovie app for the iPhone 4S costs $4.99 and you can read more about it on Apple's website.

Without downloading any apps, the iPhone 4S still has a basic in-camera editing function that allows you to trim clips before uploading them to the internet or sharing them with friends. The function works fairly well considering the trimming is controlled via the phone's touchscreen interface. When you open a recorded clip, a small filmstrip of thumbnails will appear at the top of the frame. You can drag in and out points along this filmstrip to adjust the starting and stopping points of the clip. You can't rearrange the clip or insert other clips—it's just a trimming function—so if you want to do more you'll have to download iMovie or research other video editing apps.

The best feature of the iPhone 4S may be the camera's wireless capability. It is a phone, after all, so the ability to transmit photos and videos wirelessly is a huge advantage over other camcorders. In fact, the feature is so cool we're surprised more regular camcorders haven't included some kind of wifi capability. We have more information about this feature here.

Compression

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Video recorded with the iPhone 4S is captured at a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) and is compressed using the MPEG-4/H.264 codec. There are no alternate record modes on the phone, but you can record video using the alternate "face" camera on the front of the phone. This camera is usually meant for video chatting with the iPhone's FaceTime feature, but it does record a standard definition (640 x 480) video image if you choose to use it. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various high definition compression types.

Media

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Unlike most camcorders, the iPhone 4S is available with three different media capacities: a 16GB version, a 32GB version, and a 64GB version. The prices, of course, are different for each model, ranging from $199 to $399 with a two-year cell phone contract. The phone does not have a memory card slot, so you can't expand the media capacity beyond the internal memory of the model you purchase. You also have to keep in mind that with the iPhone 4S, you're likely to have a lot of storage space taken up by non-video items like music, apps, or photos. Still, with a 32GB phone you should be able to record quite a bit of video before you have to clear up space to fit more. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Still Features

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One of the premier updates on the iPhone 4S, as compared to the original iPhone 4, was the improvement of the built-in camera. The iPhone 4S can capture 8-megapixel photos, which is a significant increase over the 5-megapixel feature on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4S is also the first iPhone that can record Full HD video, as the iPhone 4 topped out with 720p HD recording.

We won't get into the full details about the photo capabilities of the iPhone 4S here, as our sister-site DigitalCameraInfo.com did a full review of the phone's photographic features and performance. All we'll say here is that the iPhone 4S can capture 8-megapixel stills, has a built-in flash (also functions as a video light), and it can't take photos during video recording. There's also a grid feature and a special HDR setting that has the camera layer three photos together to create a single photo with better exposure levels (HDR stands for high dynamic range).

And, don't forget, you can use the front-facing camera to capture 640 x 480 images as well—just like you can use that camera in video mode.

Lens & Imaging System

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On the back of the iPhone 4S is the phone's main camcorder lens. It's a fixed 35mm-equivalent f/2.4 lens that has no cover, but blends in perfectly with the phone's body (no raised bump where the lens sits). Our biggest problem with the lens is its placement, which is easily covered by a wandering fingertip or the side of your palm depending how you hold the phone when shooting. There's no optical zoom on the lens and you can't digitally zoom when recording video either.

The smaller lens on the opposite side of the iPhone 4S is also capable of recording video and taking photos, although its videos and photos are limited to standard definition 640 x 480 images. This lens is mainly used for the phone's FaceTime video chat function, but it can be used to do self recording as well (only one lens, either front or back, may be used at the same time). The image sensor on the iPhone 4S is an 8-megapixel CMOS chip, which, according to Chipworks is manufactured by Sony (on most models, at least).

LCD

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The iPhone 4S features a 3.5-inch LCD that has a 614,000-pixel resolution. The screen looks better than the LCD on any budget camcorder we've reviewed, and the touchscreen interface is far superior than what we normally see on camcorders (even high-end models). Yes, there are LCDs on high-end camcorders that are just as big and have better resolutions than the iPhone's screen, but the quality of Apple's screen is simply better. The images look brighter and the contrast ratio appears stronger, which makes for a screen that provides crisp, sharp images all the time. Simply put, this is a fantastic LCD compared to the screens offered on traditional camcorders.

We mentioned before in this review the two display options on the screen when recording video. If you're shooting video and your content takes up the entire screen, then you are recording at a wider angle than you can actually see. Double tapping the screen puts it into a widescreen mode, which will actually reflect the frame you are recording. This is the mode to use if you care about getting a proper framing of your video. You can always double tap the screen during playback to have the video appear full screen on the iPhone.

Connectivity

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The iPhone 4S has less connectivity features than most camcorders because, well, because it's a phone rather than a camcorder. Apple also puts an emphasis on simplicity with the design and look of its products, so the iPhone 4S only features two ports. There's a headphone jack that can also work with certain microphones on the top of the phone, and there's Apple's proprietary connection on the bottom of the phone. The phone ships with a set of headphones that include a remote microphone (that is meant to be used for hands-free cell phone talking), and a USB cable that plugs into the bottom connector.

All sorts of official and unofficial cables are available for connecting the iPhone 4S to a television, and all of the cables work by utilizing the proprietary port at the bottom of the phone. So, if you want to connect your phone to your TV in order to watch videos you've recorded, you'll have to purchase a special cable first. Cables that are available from Apple include Composite AV cables, Component AV cables, and digital AV adapters that allow you to connect the phone to a TV with an HDMI cable.

But, we must reiterate, without purchasing these special cables (which cost around $40 from Apple), the iPhone 4S cannot be connected to an HDTV. The phone can be connected to a computer, however, using the provided USB cable.

Battery

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Like all iPhones, the battery on the iPhone 4S is not removable and is built into the phone's body. The phone does warm up a bit after a lot of continual use, but the heat wasn't excessive. Most camcorders we test actually get warmer than the iPhone 4S did during our battery test. Find out how the product:model/product:model performed in our battery life test. Find out how the iPhone 4S performed in our battery life test.

Media

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Unlike most camcorders, the iPhone 4S is available with three different media capacities: a 16GB version, a 32GB version, and a 64GB version. The prices, of course, are different for each model, ranging from $199 to $399 with a two-year cell phone contract. The phone does not have a memory card slot, so you can't expand the media capacity beyond the internal memory of the model you purchase. You also have to keep in mind that with the iPhone 4S, you're likely to have a lot of storage space taken up by non-video items like music, apps, or photos. Still, with a 32GB phone you should be able to record quite a bit of video before you have to clear up space to fit more. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various media types.

Still Features

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One of the premier updates on the iPhone 4S, as compared to the original iPhone 4, was the improvement of the built-in camera. The iPhone 4S can capture 8-megapixel photos, which is a significant increase over the 5-megapixel feature on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4S is also the first iPhone that can record Full HD video, as the iPhone 4 topped out with 720p HD recording.

We won't get into the full details about the photo capabilities of the iPhone 4S here, as our sister-site DigitalCameraInfo.com did a full review of the phone's photographic features and performance. All we'll say here is that the iPhone 4S can capture 8-megapixel stills, has a built-in flash (also functions as a video light), and it can't take photos during video recording. There's also a grid feature and a special HDR setting that has the camera layer three photos together to create a single photo with better exposure levels (HDR stands for high dynamic range).

And, don't forget, you can use the front-facing camera to capture 640 x 480 images as well—just like you can use that camera in video mode.

Other Features

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Video Light

The small LED light that rests just to the side of the iPhone's lens functions as both a flash (for still photography) and a video light during video recording. Don't expect the light to provide an amazing amount of illumination, but it will give you a boost in low light situations. We found the light added about 10 to 15 lux of brightness when we held it about three feet away from our subject. So, like we said, it's not perfect, but it can help (which is the same thing we say about most built-in video lights on camcorders).

Face Camera

The small camera on the front of the iPhone 4S is mainly used in conjunction with the phone’s FaceTime video chatting feature. It can also be used to record standard definition video, however, and it’s the perfect camera for doing some self-recording. So, if you want to make a few video-notes with yourself in the frame, this camera may be the solution. A little button on the LCD allows you to swap between the front camera and rear camera on the iPhone 4S. Check out our motion test shot with the front-facing camera below.

Wireless Capabilities

The fact that the iPhone can connect to wi-fi hotspots, as well as transmit data using your cell phone provider's 3G network, makes the phone an invaluable tool for quickly uploading video content to the internet. You can share videos with friends or upload them to YouTube moments after you finish recording. Uploading videos works best if you're connected to a wireless network, but it is possible to upload video over 3G as well.

With the iPhone, uploading clips to YouTube couldn't be easier. You simply open a clip in playback mode, press the share button, and three options pop up on screen: email video, message (as an MMS text message), or send to YouTube. Clicking the YouTube option brings up a page where you enter your YouTube login information, and then you can adjust settings before uploading the video. You can add a video title, description, choose between an SD or HD upload, add tags, select a category, and publish the video as public, unlisted, or private. The title, description, tag, and category fields must be filled out in order to publish to YouTube.

The process is incredibly easy, and once the upload is complete you can view the video on YouTube right on your phone! A box also pops up allowing you to email a link for the video to friends.

Kodak PlayFull Ze1 Comparison

The Samsung HMX-W200 was the winner of our coveted Best Budget Camcorder of 2011 award, but get ready for a shocking fact: the Apple iPhone 4S scored higher in our overall rankings. To be fair, the iPhone's success wasn't entirely related to better video quality—the HMX-W200 still has the iPhone beat in most performance categories—but its higher numbers in our rankings instead has a lot to do with the phone's special features (like wifi capability, an excellent LCD, and it's dual cameras).

Does this mean you should go out and buy an iPhone instead of a Samsung W200? Well, not exactly. For starters, the iPhone 4S is far more expensive, ranging from $199 to $399 (depending on how much internal memory), plus the cost of a two year cell phone contract with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. This puts the overall cost of the iPhone 4S well over $1,000 dollars, and that's way to much to pay for something you'll just use as a camcorder. The HMX-W200, on the other hand, is available for less than $160 bucks online.

If you already own the iPhone 4S, however, you probably don't need to go out and buy a separate camcorder like the Samsung W200. There's not much of a point since the iPhone is already capable of recording solid 1080p HD video and doing nearly everything the W200 can. But the HMX-W200 has one more trick up its sleeve... it's waterproof. That's one special feature the iPhone 4S doesn't offer. So, if you find the non-waterproof design of the iPhone 4S is holding you back from recording in the rain, then the HMX-W200 is the the camcorder to buy.

Apple iPhone 3G S Comparison

The Kodak PlayFull Ze1 and the Apple iPhone 4S are very different in their look, feel, and design as camcorders. The PlayFull feels and is cheap—it sells for under $120 at most retailers—and it has an incredibly light and compact design. In comparison, the iPhone 4S looks stylish, feels substantial in your hand, and is very expensive (compared to what most budget camcorders cost).

The Kodak PlayFull Ze1 is not a great camcorder. Its LCD is extremely small, its video performance, while decent, was disappointing at times, and its controls and menu system were confusing to operate. But with a price tag that often hovers around $100, the PlayFull Ze1 is a bargain. It's a great camcorder for kids or people who want to fool around with recording video without spending a ton of money. Of course, that's what the iPhone 4S is great for too, especially if you're buying the phone with the use of its camcorder feature as an afterthought.

And that's the point we're trying to get to here. The iPhone 4S can be a great "camcorder" for people to discover video recording with. The video recording function is just another part of the phone that users can play with, and Apple designed the video system very well even though it's something many people will use sparingly.

COMP 3

The iPhone 3GS is still available from Apple, and it sells at the reduced cost of zero dollars with a two-year cell phone contract from AT&T (8GB version only). Unlocked models of the 3GS, which are not tied to any cell phone carrier, are also available for $375. While these prices may sound like a good deal, the enhancements that Apple has made in terms of performance and capability, essentially make the iPhone 3GS an obsolete model in comparison to the iPhone 4S.

Just looking at video features and performance, and it's easy to see how much better the iPhone 4S is. While the two phones put up similar numbers in our noise and color tests, the iPhone 4S was able to produce video that was far sharper than the 3GS. This is thanks to the new 1080p HD record mode on the iPhone 4S—the first iPhone to include Full HD video recording (the 3GS recorded standard definition video and the original iPhone 4 recorded 720p HD video).

In addition, iPhone 4S has far better still image performance than the 3GS, as the phone is equipped with a new 8-megapixel camera, and the 4S also includes a second front-mounted camera that can record standard definition video and take photos. Thanks to the improved processor, the iPhone 4S responds much faster when recording video than the iPhone 3GS as well, not to mention the LCD on the 4S is far superior.

In terms of video recording, the iPhone 3GS was a good "camcorder", but it feels very dated now. Nobody records in standard def anymore, and that's the only mode possible for recording with the 3GS. The iPhone 4S, however, is comparable to (if not better than) the best budget camcorders on the market. People may feel like Apple didn't make enough improvements to the iPhone 4S, but it's hard to complain about the enhancements the company has made to the phone's video recording capabilities.

Conclusion

Based on our variety of tests, as well as real-life shooting experiments, we feel the Apple iPhone 4S is better than most (if not all) of the budget ultracompact camcorders on the market. The iPhone 4S is the first phone from Apple to include a Full HD 1080p record mode, and the addition of that mode helped make the 4S capable of recording very sharp imagery. Video captured by the phone weren't as sharp as some of the camcorders we compared it to, but the phone's videos looked very good nonetheless.

Of course, the iPhone 4S has plenty of benefits that make it a more versatile and entirely superior device to any budget camcorder you can find. Its wireless features make sharing videos a breeze—and you don't ever have to connect the phone to a computer to do so. The LCD on the phone is large, responsive, and makes recorded video clips look great due to its excellent resolution (far better than your average budget camcorder's LCD). The iPhone 4S is also very easy to use, with an intuitive interface that, while having a few quirks, is very easy to figure out overall.

The iPhone doesn't have any advanced video controls, which is one thing it lacks compared to certain budget camcorders, but the amount of third-party apps that are capable of enhancing the phone's video mode are plentiful. Apple even has a version of iMovie available for the iPhone, so by spending an extra 4.99 at the app store you can get a robust built-in editing program on your phone.

When you take into consideration the cost of a two-year cell phone plan, the iPhone 4S is a very expensive gadget. If all you want to do is record video, you should probably save yourself several hundred dollars and buy a cheap budget camcorder instead of the iPhone. If you already own an iPhone 4S, however, or you're planning to get one, you can rest assured that the phone has a good video mode that is capable of recording video on par with what that of a $200 camcorder.

Photo Gallery

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