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  • Introduction

  • Product Tour

  • Color & Noise Performance

  • Motion & Sharpness Performance

  • Low Light Performance

  • Compression & Media

  • Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling & Use

  • Playback & Connectivity

  • Audio & Other Features

  • Flip UltraHD Comparison

  • Sony MHS-CM5 Comparison

  • Kodak Zi8 Comparison

  • Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Specs and Ratings

  • Introduction
  • Product Tour
  • Color & Noise Performance
  • Motion & Sharpness Performance
  • Low Light Performance
  • Compression & Media
  • Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling & Use
  • Playback & Connectivity
  • Audio & Other Features
  • Flip UltraHD Comparison
  • Sony MHS-CM5 Comparison
  • Kodak Zi8 Comparison
  • Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery
  • Specs and Ratings

Introduction

Product Tour

 

**Lens & Imaging System**


 

The lens on the Flip SlideHD is fixed, which means it has no moving parts (no optical zoom, no autofocus mechanism). Also because the lens is fixed, you have to be at least a few feet away from your subject in order for the camcorder to an image that's in focus. We found that if you were three or more feet away the image produced by the Flip SlideHD was usually properly focused.

**Front**


**Right**


**Back**


**Left**


**Top**


**Bottom**


**In the Box**


 

Color & Noise Performance

 

**Color***(4.26)*


The Flip SlideHD had trouble with its auto white balance system in our bright light color testing, which means the camcorder couldn't render colors with very good accuracy. In our testing, the SlideHD registered a color error of 8.21 with a saturation level of 124.2%. (More on how we test color.)

 

Sometimes we found the Flip SlideHD's white balance system worked fairly well, but during some of our testing, the camcorder's entire image had a warm, orange hue. The color test chart image shown above was had the best color accuracy amongst the various clips we shot during this test. As you can see from the sample image below, the Flip SlideHD rendered colors much better with our still life setup than it did with our test chart.

 

Being an ultracompact camcorder, it shouldn't be a surprise that the Flip SlideHD has no color modes or manual color settings. The colors produced in auto mode are the only colors you're going to get with the camcorder. Of course, you can tweak colors in post production, but we doubt this is going to be high on a list of priorities for a Flip user.

 

We've seen some color problems on Flip camcorders before, as you can notice a slight green tone on the image from the Flip UltraHD below. The SlideHD's color issues are entirely different, however, as its image is warmer and has more of an orange flair. This is similar to the problem we saw on the Sony MHS-CM5 and Kodak Zi8.

 

The Flip SlideHD's color accuracy performance is worse than last year's Flip UltraHD, but the camcorder really didn't do any worse than most ultracompact models (as you can see by the score comparison chart below). When we brought the model outside to shoot some footage we didn't notice any glaring white balance problems like we did with our lab testing. Still, it is disconcerting to see the camcorder have such problematic issues with standard tungsten lights (the lights we use for our bright light testing).

 

 

**Noise***(11.58)*


The Flip SlideHD did very well on our bright light noise test, with the camcorder averaging just 0.4375% noise. This is a similar, albeit slightly better, performance compared to last year's Flip UltraHD. (More on how we test noise.)

 

As you can see from the crops above, the Flip SlideHD captured a decently sharp image in our bright light test, although it's image wasn't nearly as crisp as what the Sony MHS-CM5 could manage. The Sony MHS-CM5 can record a Full HD 1920 x 1080 image, however, while the two Flip cams top out at 1280 x 720. The Kodak Zi8 also records a Full HD image, but the camcorder had a very limited focal range, which resulted in consistently blurred footage during our tests.

 

 

Motion & Sharpness Performance

 

**Motion***(5.5)*


Pure Digital didn't add any frame rates or change the recording resolution for the Flip SlideHD. The camcorder has only one record mode—1280 x 720 with a 30p frame rate—that is the same setup found on all Flip HD cams.  (More on how we test motion.)

 

Interestingly, we found the motion on the SlideHD to be slightly worse than last year's Flip UltraHD. There was more noticeable artifacting on the SlideHD's test footage and its image was a bit choppier. Motion is probably the biggest problem for ultracompact camcorders when you compare them to a regular HD model. All of these little camcorders struggled to capture smooth motion, although the Kodak Zi8 did a decent job.

We also noticed a rolling shutter effect with the Flip SlideHD at times. By 'rolling shutter' we're talking about a wobbled image when the camcorder is panned from side to side rather quickly. This is a common problem with many camcorders, particularly video-capable DSLRs or models with large CMOS sensors.

 

**Video Sharpness***(8.89)*


The Flip SlideHD measured a horizontal sharpness of 575 lw/ph, and the camcorder's vertical sharpness also came in with the same 575 lw/ph. These numbers are lower than what the Flip UltraHD measured on the same test, but not by much. Overall, the two camcorders managed nearly identical results in our sharpness test. The Sony MHS-CM5, which can capture a Full HD video image, was far ahead the rest of the pack with this test. Strangely, however, the Kodak Zi8 didn't do all that well—despite the fact that it also can capture a Full HD image. (More on how we test video sharpness.)

 

 

Low Light Performance

 

**Low Light Sensitivity***(7.7)*


The Flip SlideHD needed 9 lux to reach 50 IRE on our waveform monitor during our sensitivity test. This is a pretty good score for an ultracompact camcorder, but we're surprised to see that the Flip UltraHD did better on this test last year (needing only 7 lux of light). Still, there isn't *too *much of a difference between 9 lux and 7 lux, and we doubt many Flip users will ever notice the difference.  (More on how we test low light sensitivity.)

 

All of the ultracompact camcorders in this set did a good job in our sensitivity test. The worst camcorder was the Sony MHS-CM5, but even it only needed 12 lux of light to mark 50 IRE on our waveform monitor (which is a better than average sensitivity performance for an HD camcorder).

 

**Low Light Color***(8.83)*


The Flip SlideHD didn't have any white balance problems in our low light test, so the camcorder managed better color accuracy at 60 lux than it did at 3000 lux. In this test, the SlideHD registered a color error of 3.75 with a saturation level of 104.3%. These numbers are quite good—and they represent better scores than the competition (but not by much). (More on how we test low light color.)

 

As you can see from the two images above, the SlideHD did very well in rendering blue tones with strong accuracy. Some of the red and brown colors were a bit inaccurate, but the camcorder did a good job for the most part. The strong saturation level in low light is also impressive, but we saw the same vivid colors from the other ultracompact camcorders we tested.

 

Notice how much better the SlideHD's low light image looks compared to the Flip UltraHD. The UltraHD has a strong green tone to its low light image and its colors don't look nearly as strong or accurate. The Kodak Zi8, however, looks nearly as good as the SlideHD and produced a slightly brighter image in our low light testing.

 

 

**Low Light Noise***(12.69)*


The SlideHD registered 0.5125% noise in our low light testing, which is a very strong score. Part of the reason the camcorder had low noise levels, however, is due to the fact that its low light image simply wasn't that sharp. Check out the cropped images below to get a better idea of what the SlideHD's low light image actually looks like. (More on how we test low light noise.)

 

Looking at the images from the two Flip camcorders above it is difficult to say which produced the better picture. The Flip SlideHD produced an image with less discoloration and ugly pixelation, while the UltraHD offers a sharper picture and it didn't create jagged lines on the horizontal trumpet (near the bottom of the image). What's clear from these images above, however, is that all of these camcorders have major problems with sharpness in low light. The Sony MHS-CM5 probably does the best, but even its image is fuzzy and dark.

 

 

Compression & Media

 

**Compression***(5.75)*


The Flip SlideHD uses the same compression codec as all Flip HD camcorders: H.264 with files saved in an MP4 wrapper. This codec is easy to use and is compatible with most non-linear editing systems. Best of all, it isn't nearly as taxing on your computer as something like AVCHD, which is used by most HD camcorders (other than ultracompact models). Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of H.264 compression.

The SlideHD has only one recording mode and all video is shot using a 30p frame rate.

 

**Media***(6.61)*


The Flip SlideHD has 16GB of built-in flash memory, which is double the storage capacity of the Flip UltraHD (8GB internal memory). What makes the Flip camcorders stand out, however, is the fact that none of them have the option of recording to removable memory cards (like SD/SDHC cards). This means once you fill up the SlideHD's 16GB of internal flash memory you can't record any more video—until you copy your footage to a computer or delete your clips that is. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of internal flash memory here.

The good news is that the 16GB of internal memory on the SlideHD should be good for storing up to four hours of video. This should be plenty of space for most users, as long as you remember to back up and delete your footage every now and then.

**Editing***(8.65)*


The Flip SlideHD comes with built-in FlipShare editing software. The software looks nearly identical to what came on the Flip UltraHD, but there are a few updates (including a new Facebook upload option and a feature called Space Saver).

For an overview of the software that ships with the Flip SlideHD and other Pure Digital camcorders, see our article: 'Video Editing Software For Your Camcorder'

 

 

Manual Controls

 

**Auto Mode***(4.75)*


Since the Flip SlideHD has no manual controls to speak of (other than a minuscule 2x digital zoom), you must rely on the camcorder's automatic capabilities. Like all previous Flip camcorders before it, the SlideHD has a fixed focus lens, which means there isn't even an autofocus mechanism on the camcorder. With a fixed focus lens you have to worry about your image being out of focus when you shoot too close to your subject. The SlideHD doesn't have a major problem with this, however, and as long as you're roughly three feet away from whatever it is you are recording you should get a nicely focused picture.

Auto exposure on the Flip SlideHD was fairly quick and accurate, much like we saw on the Flip UltraHD. The camcorder sometimes changed exposures a bit too drastically when we moved from light to dark scenes, but overall we were fine with the way the SlideHD handled light levels.

 

**Zoom***(2.0)*


To operate the digital zoom on the Flip SlideHD you must use the camcorder's touchscreen interface. The touchscreen icons are clearly based on the actual button design found on the Flip MinoHD, and the touch system on the SlideHD is about as effective. The buttons don't always respond when you press them—a problem we've seen on most touchscreens—but they do work most of the time. The screen is large on the camcorder as well, so it doesn't feel cramped when you're activating the zoom buttons.

 

**Zoom Ratio***(0.0)*


The lens on the Flip SlideHD has no optical zoom capability, but the camcorder does have a measly 2x digital zoom. Using this zoom doesn't give you much magnification and it degrades image quality, so we don't recommend using it very often.

**Focus***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD has a fixed focus lens, so the camcorder has no manual focus options (it has no autofocus system either).

 

 

**Exposure***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD has no option for adjusting basic exposure control, but neither do any of the ultracompact camcorders we compared it to.

 

**Aperture***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD has a fixed lens, which means its aperture cannot be controlled manually.

 

**Shutter Speed***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD has no manual shutter speed controls.

 

**White Balance***(0.0)*


White balance control on the Flip SlideHD is entirely automated—there are no manual settings.

 

**Gain***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD does not allow for manual gain control.

 

**Color & Image Controls***(0.0)*


Pure Digital likes to keep its camcorders simple, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Flip SlideHD doesn't include any color or image controls.

**Other Manual Controls***(0.0)*


Ultracompact camcorders definitely aren't known for their manual control capabilities. The Flip SlideHD and its comparison models don't really offer anything in the way of manual control adjustment.

 

Still Features

 

**Still Features***(0.0)*


As with all Flip camcorders up to this point, the Flip SlideHD is not capable of taking still photos. You can grab still images from recorded video, however, but you must do so using the provided software (or any third-party editing software you happen to be working with). Frankly, we aren't really disappointed by the fact that Pure Digital has kept still image controls off of its Flip camcorders. It keeps the models simpler and lets people focus on shooting video, which is the primary component of any ultracompact camcorder.

This being said, both the Sony MHS-CM5 and Kodak Zi8 can capture still images (as can most ultracompact camcorders other than the Flip). We were fairly impressed with the CM5's still image performance, but you'd still be much better off using a cheap digital camera to take photos instead.

**Still Color***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD does not capture still images. (More on how we test still color.)

**Still Noise***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD does not capture still images. (More on how we test still noise.)

**Still Sharpness***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD does not capture still images. (More on how we test still sharpness.)

 

Handling & Use

 

**Ease of Use***(8.25)*


The Flip SlideHD is definitely a simple camcorder. It has no manual controls, a very basic menu, and it is essentially a point-and-shoot device. It is, however, a bit more complicated than previous Flip models—mainly because of its slide-out LCD design for playback. This added component isn't anything outrageously complex, but it may be enough to scare some technophobes away. We don't really think this will happen, though, as the slide-out LCD is very easy to understand and get used to after just a few minutes of playing around with the camcorder.

The touchscreen setup on the camcorder that is used during recording is also very easy to understand. The touch-buttons may not be as responsive or easy to press as the physical buttons you get on the Flip UltraHD, but we have no doubt that people will figure out how to use them. If you need help figuring out the Flip SlideHD, the camcorder does come with a basic, no-frills instruction manual (well, it's more like an instruction page). The manual outlines all of the camcorder's features and tools by using helpful photographs and labels.

 

**Handling***(6.35)*


In many ways, the SlideHD handles just like all the previous entries from Flip. There are very few buttons to push and most people would find the interface incredibly simple to use. However, there are a number of significant changes that are unique to this new model. For starters, the back of the camcorder is now a large 3-inch LCD. When in record mode, the upper portion of this LCD is a tiny display screen and the lower portion is a touchscreen control interface. Flip has made a nice move by replicating the MinoHD controls in touchscreen form: the design is so easy to use and translates easily onto the Slide.

The display portion of the screen, however, is very disappointing. It's smaller than any other camcorder LCD except for the Mino's. Not only does the size make it hard to see what you're recording, but it's also incredibly deceptive. As you watch the LCD while you record, you might think you have a nice shot lined up, but when you play back the video, at least ten more degrees of wide angle has been recorded. The true wide angle of the Slide is a respectable 43°, but you can't see a big chunk of that in the LCD while you record. Sure, we'd rather have more than we expect instead of less than we expect, but it's startling to think you've got the perfect shot lined up, then go home and see that there are unexpected people and objects in the video.

 

In terms of portability and general handling, the SlideHD feels much like its cousins, the Ultra and Mino. It's small, easy to carry, and can be used easily in either your left hand or right hand. The eponymous USB connection is hidden right inside the camcorder and flips out at the push of a button.

 

Of course, the most exciting new feature on the Slide is also the raison d'être behind the big LCD. Just slide the back of the camcorder up and away and you have a 3-inch playback display. This makes it easier to watch your recently recorded footage right there on your Slide. The FlipShare software also has an option to allow you to compress video for optimal playback on the Slide, allowing you to fit more video on the internal memory.

 

 

When the LCD slides away, a simple touch strip is revealed. This strip functions much like the Laser Touch controls on JVC camcorders, allowing you to quickly 'swipe' through your library of stored videos.

 

**Stabilization***(0.0)*


The Flip SlideHD does not have an image stabilization feature. Previously, we would have said this was the norm for a camcorder of its class, but we have recently seen IS modes appear on a few ultracompact models. The Sony Bloggie MHS-CM5 has a digital stabilization setting, but it is only available in certain shooting modes (720/30p and VGA). [(More on how we test stabilization.)

](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/camcorders/content/How-We-Test-Camcorders-36180.htm#stabilization)

**Portability***(11.87)*


Portability is a key element to all ultracompact camcorders, and the design alterations made to the SlideHD do make it a more portable product than its predecessors (in a way). The camcorder is only slightly lighter and smaller than the Flip UltraHD, but its slide-out LCD makes the camcorder very convenient for watching videos during playback. You can rest the SlideHD on a flat surface and gather the family around to watch your recently-recorded clips on the automatically propped-up LCD. We're not saying this feature is supremely convenient, but it definitely is worth noting. As an actual recording device, however, we can't really say the SlideHD is all that more portable than the UltraHD—and the Flip MinoHD still takes home the award for the most portable member of the Flip family.

 

**Battery Life***(5.45)*


The Flip SlideHD went for 109 minutes in our battery life test (1 hour, 49 minutes, 25 seconds), which is roughly 10 minutes better than the Flip UltraHD did when we tested it last year. This is a good battery life for an ultracompact camcorder, but you must keep in mind that there is no removable battery in the SlideHD. So, once you use up the battery you'll have to connect the camcorder to a powered USB port and recharge it before you can continue to record. (More on how we test battery life.)

 

**LCD & Viewfinder***(6.58)*


The improved LCD is one of the biggest changes to be found on the Flip SlideHD. The specs say the LCD is three inches in size, which is true to an extent, but there's also some fuzzy math going on with this description. You can only take full advantage of the screens 3-inch size when playing back videos on the SlideHD. When you shoot with the camcorder, the majority of the LCD is taken up by touchscreen buttons like the large start/stop record button and the two zoom buttons.

 

So, when the SlideHD is in video record mode it's LCD is actually no bigger than the 2-inch screen featured on the Flip UltraHD. It is only in playback mode that you get to take advantage of the 3-inch widescreen LCD that the Flip SlideHD is known for. Frankly, we're somewhat disappointed by this fact and we wish the camcorder had an option for using the entire—or, at least a larger portion—of the LCD during video recording.

 

 

Playback & Connectivity

 

**Playback***(5.5)*


 

There are two ways to watch your videos on the Flip SlideHD. During the regular record mode, you can press the playback touchscreen icon and watch your video just as you would on an UltraHD or MinoHD. The display screen for playback is incredibly small, but it's a quick and easy way to watch what you just recorded. As usual, the left and right arrows will allow you to advance through clips and rewind/fast-forward. The up and down buttons control playback volume.

The second manner in which you can view your videos is by far the preferably method. Sliding the LCD out from the camcorder puts the SlideHD into a dedicated playback mode. Here, your videos are arranged as large icons and you can shuffle through them by sliding your finger along the touch-sensitive strip that is located on the back of the camcorder (this strip only appears when you slide out the LCD).

 

With the SlideHD setup this way you can also set the camcorder down on a flat surface to provide a good viewing angle for multiple people. The camcorder uses the entirety of its 3-inch screen during playback when the SlideHD is setup like this—unlike the minuscule viewing screen you have when the camcorder is in its upright position.

 

**Connectivity***(2.38)*


The Flip SlideHD has the same connectivity features as the Flip UltraHD, with one notable addition: a headphone output. Yes, the camcorder still has an HDMI terminal and its classic built-in USB arm, but the headphone output is something of a surprise. This addition does make sense, however, when you consider the fact that Pure Digital is pushing the Flip SlideHD as a media playback device as well as a video recorder.

 

 

We're a bit disappointed with the placement of the HDMI terminal on the SlideHD because the port gets covered (along with the headphone jack) if you mount the camcorder to a tripod. We can't really imagine this being too big of an issue for most users, but it did come into play for us during our testing (there's probably nobody out there but us putting a Flip camcorder onto a tripod).

 

 

Another glaring omission on the SlideHD is the lack of an AV-out port. This means you can't playback videos shot with the SlideHD on a standard definition television (it also means you have to buy an HDMI cable to connect the camcorder to your HDTV).

 

 

Audio & Other Features

 

**Audio Features***(2.0)*


The headphone terminal on the base of the Flip SlideHD is the camcorder's only surprising audio feature. There are no manual audio modes to speak of and the camcorder doesn't have an external microphone input. The SlideHD's built-in microphone does record stereo audio, however, which is more than you can say about many ultracompact camcorders. Of course, the audio recorded withe the SlideHD isn't anything to write home about (and the placement of the onboard mic isn't great either).

 

 

**Other Features***(0.0)*


There are no other features on the Flip SlideHD.

 

Flip UltraHD Comparison

The Flip SlideHD didn't do any better than the Flip UltraHD in our performance testing, so you shouldn't splurge on the SlideHD if you're simply looking for better image quality. In fact, the SlideHD's poor auto white balance system and the strange wide angle discrepancy between what is shown on the LCD and what ends up on the recorded image make a strong case for the UltraHD as being the better overall camcorder. The UltraHD is also cheaper than the SlideHD, although it does have half the amount of internal memory.

Really, the only difference between these camcorders is playback design. The SlideHD has its slide-out LCD for video playback and it has a headphone jack. It also uses a touchscreen system instead of dedicated buttons for shooting video. If the playback features of the SlideHD appeal to you then you may want to purchase it over the Flip UltraHD. Otherwise, there's really not much of a reason to shell out the extra cash for the SlideHD—the UltraHD is just as good of a camcorder.

 

 

 

 

 

Sony MHS-CM5 Comparison

In nearly every way, the new Flip SlideHD is a superior camcorder to the Sony Bloggie MHS-CM5. It's a sleeker design, it's easier to use, it's more portable, it has internal flash memory, and it has better performance in virtually every area.

There are, however, a handful of reasons to purchase the Bloggie. First and foremost, there's the price. The Bloggie is about $80 cheaper than the Slide and will probably be available for even less in the months to come. The Slide is unlikely to go down in price any time soon. The pistol grip design of the Bloggie allows for a 5x optical zoom and the CM5 has still photo capabilities—two features conspicuously missing from the Flip series. Don't overestimate the importance of these features, however: 5x optical zoom isn't all that much and the still photos captured by the Bloggie aren't as good as those taken with even a cheap digital camera.

The one performance difference we'll emphasize is the sharpness and resolution of the Bloggie. The Sony model has much better sharpness and a 1080/30p recording mode, while the Flip offers only 720/30p. This means that the video you capture on the Bloggie has more detail and is more appropriate for burning to DVD.

When it comes down to it, though, most people use the Flip because it's portable, cool, and takes simple video for uploading to YouTube. The Bloggie might have a few advantages over the SlideHD, but not enough to convince us that it's the better camcorder.

 

 

 

 

 

Kodak Zi8 Comparison

We found the Flip SlideHD to be easier to use and more streamline than the Kodak Zi8. If you like having access to a few manual controls and features, however, the Zi8 may be more up your alley. The Zi8 has an external mic jack, face detection, digital image stabilization, and a tele macro focus switch amongst other controls. It definitely isn't as sleek or easy to use as the Flip SlideHD—and it had plenty of performance issues (including a very bad focal range)—but it is one of the more rugged and feature-laden ultracompact camcorders.

The Kodak Zi8 can also capture still images and offers a number of record modes, including a Full HD 1080/30p setting. If you're not great with gadgets and you want something simple, we say go with the Flip SlideHD. If you like having versatility, however, and you aren't afraid to adjust some menu settings, then the Kodak Zi8 is an interesting option. Plus, it's quite a bit cheaper than the SlideHD.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

Specs and Ratings

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Meet the testers

Jeremy Stamas

Jeremy Stamas

Managing Editor, Video

@nematode9

Jeremy is the video expert of our imaging team and Reviewed.com's head of video production. Originally from Pennsylvania and upstate NY, he graduated from Bard college with a degree in film and electronic media. He has been living and working in New England since 2005.

See all of Jeremy Stamas's reviews
Kaitlyn Chantry

Kaitlyn Chantry

Vice President, Editorial Management

@WhyKaitlyn

Vice President of Editorial Management, Kaitlyn oversees the editorial departments of Reviewed.com’s various sites. She has been writing about technology since the turn of the century. Outside of her Reviewed.com home, Kaitlyn is also a theatre director and avid gamer.

See all of Kaitlyn Chantry's reviews

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