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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Conclusion & Comparisons

  • Photo Gallery

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Conclusion & Comparisons
  • Photo Gallery

Performance

Considering all the things the Pure Digital Flip Mino*doesn't* have - manual controls, a traditional grip, optical zoom, etc. - it had better deliver on the things it does do, namely record and upload video. You can read about the upload process in the Editing section. Let's talk about video performance for now.

The Pure Digital Flip Mino uses a 1/4-inch VGA CMOS sensor, which is a mere 640 x 480 (roughly 0.3 megapixels). This is paltry compared most camcorders, which try to boost resolution by packing in as many pixels as they can. Pure Digital's strategy, however, is to sacrifice resolution by making each pixel on the sensor larger, thereby increasing sensitivity in low light. The gambit has worked, for the most part, as you'll see in the Low Light section below.

Pure Digital Flip Mino at 3000 lux

The video quality is nothing to brag about. But it's better than you might think. Pure Digital has come a long way since the CVS One-Time Use Camcorder, the video of which was virtually indecipherable. If your intention for the Mino's video goes no further than the web, you'll have nothing to worry about. As long as YouTube maintains its low standards for video quality (let's be honest, here), the Flip Mino can keep up. Sometime soon we can expect to see better online video quality, maybe even HD, from YouTube. Of course, there are other video hosting services that already allow for much better video, but none so popular.

First, let's look at the lab testing. We shot a DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde at an even 3000 lux. Under these more-or-less ideal conditions, the Pure Digital Flip Mino looks decent. The camcorder does not do a great job defining subtle changes in color tone. Note in the frame grab  above how the green patches run together, as do the red patches. The same thing happens with the Flip Ultra.

The sharpness is acceptable, as long as both the camcorder and subject are at rest. When shooting our test charts, the Flip Mino produces nearly the same sharpness as any other low-end camcorder. Unfortunately, motion is usually the name of the game with camcorders, and our out-of-the-lab testing proved the Flip Mino's weaknesses.

Firstly, we noticed the terrible compression artifacting. Colors often become posterized, wherein subtle variations are squeezed by the processor into ugly chunks. The Flip Mino also shows a tendency to blow-out highlights too easily. Any white area in a shot that has both highlights and shadows blows out.

Due to the high compression, motion does not look terribly sharp. Colors are rapidly processed and come out posterized. There are definite tendencies toward motion trailing, another common artifact. In some areas of fine detail and high contrast, we occasionally noticed strange incidents of a checkerboard pattern appearing.

Be careful when shooting a scene with lots of shadows and highlights mixed together. The Flip Mino has a bad tendency to blow out whites at the slightest provocation. This often resulted in purple fringing around the white area, as well.

One final note of caution - the Flip Mino is terrible for shooting anything up close. If there's less than a foot or so of space between subject and camcorder, it will likely be out of focus. Sadly, there's no way of noticing this on the low-resolution LCD. It's not until later, after uploading, that you may notice this.

Overall, the video is better than you might expect at this price point, but it's really more on par with a webcam than a camcorder.

Video Resolution* (4.5)*

The video resolution was tested by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart at an even, bright light. We then watched the playback on a monitor. Ultimately, we found the Pure Digital Flip Mino produces an approximate horizontal resolution of 300 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) and an approximate vertical resolution of 300 lw/ph. This marks a major improvement over last year's Flip Ultra, and puts it on par with camcorders that, while still 'lower-end,' are more expensive than the Flip Mino. We speculate that this increase in resolution is thanks to the compression engine, upgraded since the previous generation.

It's important to note that the resolution test here has a very narrow definition of the word 'resolution.' This is measuring high contrast lines on a chart under ideal lighting, and it may not represent your real world shooting situations. Please keep in mind some of the other issues we found, like compression artifacting, which reduces the overall picture quality. On the whole, though, we were pleasantly surprised with the performance.

Low Light Performance* (9.54)*

The low light performance of the Pure Digital Flip Mino was tested in three stages. First, we shot the DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde chart at an even 60 lux and 15 lux, then compared it to other camcorders we've tested.

*

Pure Digital Flip Mino at 60 lux*

At 60 lux, the Flip Mino retains an amazing amount of light. In fact, we're tempted to say it looks better than it did at 3000 lux, as the white balance is more accurate. There is almost no loss in fine detail, which is to say there isn't a whole lot of fine detail at 3000 lux, and it doesn't lose much more. Comparatively, the Flip Ultra looked the same. This is not surprising, as the camcorders share the same sensor. Though there are relatively few pixels on the sensor, each is quite large and able to collect a lot of light. Only the compression has improved since the previous generation, which may explain some of the increase in resolution.

Camcorders in the near price range we've tested this year, including the Panasonic SDR-SW20 and JVC GZ-MS100, both fail to produce the brightness the Flip Mino is able to achieve, though each of those camcorders offer huge improvements in other areas, such as manual controls and handling.

Pure Digital Flip Mino at 15 lux

At 15 lux, the Flip Mino's image is significantly darkened. This is the widowmaker test for all the camcorders in this price range. None of these perform well for color or fine detail resolution.

The second stage of the low light test measures sensitivity. It involves shooting the same DSC Labs color chart chart while slowly lowering the light. We then watch the playback footage on a waveform monitor to determine how might light the camcorder needs to produce a maximum IRE of 50 (a measurement of exposure). Testing shows it takes approximately 7 lux of light for the camcorder to produce this exposure.

The third stage of low light testing involves shooting an X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even 60 lux, then exporting frame grabs to Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. Imatest found the Flip Mino to produce a color error of 12.3, which is about average for a camcorder in this price range. For whatever reason, the Flip Ultra scored considerably better in this test. The noise from the Flip Mino measured 0.4525, a very low noise score indeed. This is not surprising, considering the size of the pixels on the sensor are larger than average, and that there are fewer of them. The saturation measured 69.85, an average score.

Overall, the Pure Digital Flip Ultra is quite a decent little performer in low light, as long as you don't get your hopes up for a really sharp image.

Stabilization* (0.0)*

The Flip Mino is not equipped with an image stabilization system. You'd better have a steady hand.

Wide Angle* (7.6)*

We tested the Mino's maximum wide angle capacity by placing the camcorder on a tripod and measuring the left and right angle degrees using a vertical laser. Test video was later interpreted on an external monitor to attain a true wide angle reading. The Flip Mino's maximum wide angle is 38 degrees, which is a poor performance and is 5 degrees less than the Flip Ultra's measurement.

Format

**

Compression*** (3.0)*

The Pure Digital Flip Mino compressed video in the MPEG-4 AVI format. We don't think there's much need in this review to go into a long and detailed point-counterpoint between compression options in this price range. For one thing, most buyers of the Flip Mino are not shopping with video quality as a top priority (if you are, perhaps you should prepare to spend in the $300-and-up range). For another, nearly all the camcorders in this price range use a similar type of MPEG-4, so there's little choice.

This next bit is for the techies ... The Flip Mino's MPEG-4 video is recorded in 30 fps progressive, then outputted as interlaced. The average bitrate is a paltry 4 Mbps. That's amazing, considering higher-end videophiles are livid that current AVCHD camcorders are maxing out around 18 Mbps. That's over four times the bitrate of the Flip, and with a far more efficient codec. However, the poor compression of the Flip is offset somewhat by the fact that the CMOS sensor, while low resolution, has large pixels that give it an edge in low light performance.

The video produced by the Flip Mino is wrought with compression artifacts, which include blocky clusters of of discoloration and instances of 'posterization,' wherein areas of the picture with lots of subtle differences in color are reduced to a few shades.

It's important to note that if you plan on uploading your video to the web, especially YouTube, it will most likely be automatically recompressed, further reducing quality. One line of thinking argues that this should give you the freedom to shoot with whatever cheap camcorder you can find. The opposite line posits that this should necessitate an even higher standard of quality from the outset to ensure as little loss as possible. It's your decision. Naturally, we argue the latter because we want your videos to look as good as possible.

Media* (3.0)*

The Pure Digital Flip Mino has a 2GB internal (non-removable) flash memory inside. Expandability with a card slot would have certainly been a welcome option, but Pure Digital strives for simplicity, so perhaps they thought you wouldn't be able to work out the complexities of a removable memory card (after all, you have such a hard time figuring out how to remove toast from the toaster, right?). 2GB is not a huge amount of space, but should suffice for the day or weekend trip if you make sure you're erasing the old clips before you start. By comparison, the RCA Small Wonder, another in the cheap and easy camcorder category, does offer a card slot for expanding the memory.

The Flip Mino has a helpful reminder at the bottom of the screen that tells you how much recording time you have left. Below is a chart of approximate recording times on the Flip Mino and the previous generation, the Flip Ultra.

Editing* (7.0)*

The big feature most people mention when talking about the Flip (aside from ease of use) is the ease of upload to YouTube and other online video hosting sites. The Flip Mino features editing and upload software built right into the camcorder. When you connect it via the pop-out USB arm, the camcorder registers as a drive on your computer. Simply double click on the software icon to boot either the PC or Mac version of the software (yes, it does both!).

First, it reads your contents, then displays your clips in groups of four.

A simple click to any of the clips will expand it to a larger size. This is where you can edit your clip. Click and drag the Start and End tabs at the bottom of the clip to set where you want the clip to begin and end. 

From this point, you can save the edited clip as a new file, delete the clip, or rename it. You can also take a frame from any point in the clip and save it as a photo by pressing Snap. You'll be prompted to enter a new filename.

To stitch together several clips into a single movie, click Make Movie from the menu on the left. You will be asked to create an 'album' into which your clips are sorted. We gave ours the creative title of 'Album Name' and selected two clips. Then click Begin.

Your newly created movie beings to play automatically.

Now for the fun part - uploading to YouTube. From the previous screen, you'll need to hit the Back button a couple of times until the menu appears on the left side again. Click on Share Videos.

All your video clips appear. Click on the clip or clips that you would like to upload. A small blue frame appears around those you have selected. There are three options in the upper right corner: Private E-mail, Share Greeting, and Public online sharing. The first two options compress your video down to a small size that makes it sendable through e-mail. The interface is incredibly simple. You don't even have to open your e-mail client, just enter your name, e-mail address, and the e-mail address of the recipient. A one-minute video takes about one minute to convert and save.

The web page where your 'Private Email' video is hosted

The Share Greeting option is essentially the same, but rather than sending a simple video, the software provides a handful of colorful, banal frames to really nail down the spirit of the greeting. Themes include Birthdays, Holidays, and so on. After you choose a theme, you fill out the same e-mail information.

In both of these options, the video file is not actually being attached to an e-mail and sent. Rather, the video is hosted on a private page somewhere within the recesses of the Pure Digital website. There's little information given as to the privacy of these videos. Though the URL is difficult to guess, you'll probably want to be careful what you post. There's also no information as to how long the videos remain active, so don't plan on using this as your archive.

The final option is Public Online Sharing. The software provides easy upload to AOL, YouTube, and MySpace. You have the option to upload to other hosting sites, but the process is not as easy. If you plan on uploading elsewhere, the software creates a folder on your desktop, then fills it with converted clips that should be easy to upload anywhere, but it won't walk you through the process of how to upload.

The walkthrough is where this software really stands out. Let's upload a video to YouTube as an example. First, the software prompts you to log in. If you don't have an account, click on the Create a Free YouTube Account link.

Once you log in, the videos you've selected begin the conversion process. If you've selected a lot, this could take some time. Go get a drink or a snack.

When you return, it should tell you the upload is complete.

Click on Go, and your browser opens and go right to the video. Unfortunately, Pure Digital felt you might not be the best product ambassador, so it went ahead and branded your video for you. If you'll look in the video description on any of your YouTube clips, you'll read the following; 'Recorded on (Month, Date, Year) using a Flip Video camcorder.' Feel free to change this description if, for some reason, you think it misses the artistic intention of your video.

That's it. It's that easy to upload to YouTube. The camcorder doesn't do much, but it sure makes uploading easy.

 

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
**

*** Automatic Control (4.5)*

There is likely no camcorder that is easier to operate than the Pure Digital Flip series. The Flip Mino follows in that tradition. Does it have an automatic mode? In fact, it has nothing but an automatic mode. There are virtually no manual controls on the camcorder, except for a 2x digital zoom.

The real question we need to address, then, is how well it responds to dynamic shooting conditions. In general, the camcorder can get the job done, and better than you might think. Responses to changing light conditions are about as fast as the average camcorder. Major exposure shifts - from bright sunlight to dim shadows - take about 2-3 seconds. When required to make a slow, subtle shift, the Flip Mino does a decent job, though we detected a slight stuttering as it increases and decreases exposure. The auto white balance holds up under most conditions.

Auto focus is an issue, which is not surprising considering this is a fixed focus lens (f/2.4; 1m - ∞). Practically speaking, it can't focus on anything closer than a foot from the lens. This is the type of camcorder that is going to be shoved in front of people's faces all the time (you've seen enough party clips on YouTube to know this is true). When this is the case, the footage looks blurry. Maybe your beer goggles will forgive some focus issues, but the Oscar committee will not. Remember this well.

Overall, the auto controls are adequate for the intended use. Just be sure to give the camcorder a little distance from the subject.

Overall Manual Control (0.25)

There is very little to write about when it comes to manual controls on the Flip Mino. This should come as a joy to some, especially those who are sick and tired of not understanding their increasingly complex electronic devices. To others, the bald simplicity of the Flip Mino may come as a disappointment. As someone who spends all day long playing with camcorders, this thing is shockingly simple. It records video, it zooms (2x digital), it plays back your video, and - brand new to this generation of Flips - it can fast forward and rewind in each clip. Aside from the plug-in upload software, that is the comprehensive list of features.

Pretty much every other camcorder offers more manual control than this, typically 10 times as much control. Digital still cameras that record video have a lot more control. Even some cell phones have an exposure control or white balance control. But therein lies the hook that has made the Flip so popular: what good are those features if they leave so many people confused?

If the Japanese and Korean manufacturers are smart, they'll see a lesson here. Mindlessly adding and subtracting features to make the spec sheet look more attractive is no longer the key in this lower-end market. Instead, they'll have to compete on user experience, which is probably where they should have been focusing all along.

Zoom (2.5)

As stated above, a 2x digital zoom is about the only manual control the Flip Mino has going for it. The zoom is operated by pushing and holding the plus and minus buttons on the back of the camcorder. The placement of the controls is less than ideal for tight control, but that line of thinking won't get you very far with this camcorder. Even though it's only a 2x digital zoom, there is a range within the space from 1x to 2x. It doesn't just leap forward when you tap the button.

The lack of an optical zoom is a shame, even for a camcorder of this size and price. We understand that in order to accomodate a moving lens element, Pure Digital would have had to make some serious modifications, but a digital zoom inherently decreases image quality. When the resolution is so low, you don't want to degrade the image any further. However, it appears to be the norm for camcorders of this ilk. The previous generation, the Flip Ultra, does not offer an optical zoom either, nor does the Sony NSC-GC1.

Zoom Power Ratio (0.0)

There is no optical zoom on the Pure Digital Flip Mino. You will find a 2x digital zoom.

Focus (0.0)

There is no manual focus control on the Pure Digital Flip Mino. By comparison, the Sony NSC-GC1 had a small switch to flip between tele macro and wide angle shots. Considering the intended audience, a fully automatic focus is probably the wiser choice.

Exposure & Aperture (0.0)

There is no manual exposure on the Pure Digital Flip Mino. This is perhaps the most surprising omission. The concept of 'making the picture brighter and darker' is the easiest of all manual controls - far simpler than conveying white balance or how to focus. And yet, it's absent. Clearly, Pure Digital operated on the Doctrine of Least Resistance when designing the Flip Mino. If people don't need a control, if something could be dome automatically by the camcorder, they simply didn't add it.  

Shutter Speed (0.0)

Of course, given the above statement, there is no manual shutter speed.

White Balance (0.0)

Nor is there a manual white balance.

Gain (0.0)

Certainly there is no manual gain. Of all the major manufacturers, only Panasonic offers manual gain control.

Other Manual Controls (0.0)

There are no manual controls on the Pure Digital Flip Mino. For more details about the camcorder special uploading features, jump to the Editing section.

 

Still Features

Still Features* (0.0)*
**

**The Flip Mino does not possess the ability to capture still images, just like the first and second-generation Flip camcorders. However, the included software allows you to easily export stills from the video clips and save them as JPEGs. The nearest competitor, the RCA Small Wonder, does have the capability to capture stills right in the camcorder via a button.

Still Performance* (0.0)*

There is no still functionality on the Flip Mino, so there are no tests for still performance.

Still Resolution* (0.0)*

Again, there is no still photo capture directly on the camcorder.

Handling and Use

**

****Ease of Use*** (10.0)*

A camcorder that's the size of your cell phone, lets you record video with one press of a button, and can plug right in to your computer for instant upload is an Ease of Use machine. Three steps is all it takes before your Flip Mino video is on its way to YouTube. Point, shoot, upload. Technophobes, grandmas, and even very intelligent animals like parrots and poodles can operate the Flip Mino.

The Flip Mino is fully automatic--there are no Manual Controls. Cruise control is how you drive the Mino, and most novice shooters will enjoy the ride. The miniscule 2x Digital Zoom is the extent of onboard control, and using it is a snap because the buttons are above and below the Record Start/Stop button.

There's also no need to stock up on AA batteries, since Pure Digital went for a rechargeable internal system with the Mino. On the downside, you can only record for as long as the internal battery allows - there's no option to swap out a new battery pack. Make sure your Mino is fully charged and ready to rock before you head out. All in all, the Mino's improvements hold an edge over the Ultra.

Handling* (4.75)*

Traditional camcorder girp methods have to be tossed out the window here. Equate shooting with the Flip Mino to shooting with a slightly thicker Blackberry Pearl. There's no right or wrong way to hold the Mino - just don't drop it or it will fall through a sewer grate in the sidewalk, never to be seen again. Pure Digital includes a cheap wrist strap that is constructed of a thin braided nylon weave with a clear plastic casing. Though this setup looks flashy and shimmery, keep in mind that a cord that thin can only withstand so much pressure before snapping right off.

It seems as though the most comfortable way to hold the Flip Mino is to place your index finger and middle fingers across the face of the camcorder, just below the lens. The ring and pinky fingers support the Flip Mino from underneath while the thumb remains anchored to the Record Start/Stop button. Of couse, every shooter has their own distinct style. Some shooters may want to place all four fingers on one side of the Flip Mino and the thumb on the other. You can also pinch the Flip Mino from the bottom, using your thumb and index finger like a lobster claw. Once you transition yourself from the traditional camcorder grip, the Flip Mino is easier to work with.

Last year's Flip Ultra had a four-way directional pad that was easy to navigate. This year, Pure Digital upped the ante and threw a smattering of touch-sensitive buttons on the back. They're not actually buttons in the traditional sense - there's no click or tactile response. It's just a touch-sensitive area. JVC attempted a similar interface on its 2008 standard definition Everio camcorder line, but the model we tested, the GZ-MS100, lacked the responsiveness the Flip Mino offers. It's simple, it looks very slick, and it works. What more could you ask?

Menu* (6.5)*

The Flip Mino does not have a menu interface, but relies on a series of touch-sensitive buttons to perform tasks. Play/Pause, Add, Delete, Previous Clip/Rewind, Next Clip/Fast Forward, and Zoom are all accessed beneath the LCD screen. No menu, presumably, means less confusion for the owner. Given the lack of manual controls, Pure Digital was correct in this decision. Adding a more interactive interface would have needlessly complicated things. Sony's NSC-GC1, by comparison, is equipped with a full menu goverened by a small joystick.

 
Portability* (10.5)*

A camcorder that can easily be confused with a cell phone is definitely at the far end of the Portability scale. The Flip Mino measures a petit 100 x 50 x 16 mm (3.94 x 1.97 x 0.63 inches) and weighs a feathery 93.5 grams (3.3 ounces). You can pocket the Flip Mino with ease, just like you would a compact cell phone. There's no need to carry around clunky external media either, thanks to the Flip Mino's built-in 2GB flash memory. However, Pure Digital also went with an internal battery, meaning if you run out of juice on the road, you'll need to find a USB port with power behind it. The Flip Ultra used AA batteries, which fared better for portability's sake.

LCD and Viewfinder* (2.0)*

The Mino has a built-in 1.5-inch LCD screen with a 69,696-pixel resolution, the same as the Flip Ultra's. The image is sharp, but still lacks in fine detail and accurate color depiction. It tends to give an overly optimistic view of image quality. 'Wow,' you might say while shooting, 'this picture looks incredible.' Well ... wait until you see it on a full-sized TV before you get too excited.

The LCD is embedded in the body of the Flip Mino and does not extend or rotate. Pure Digital could have upgraded screen resolution, if not the size. Perhaps the next-generation Flip will address this.  

Battery Life* (15.4)*

We tested the life of the Flip Mino's internal battery by recording continuously until the juice was drained. Strangely enough, the Flip Mino recorded a single video clip for well over the 60 minute mark, despite the advertised 60-minute capacity. This serves to demonstrate just how much of a factor the content of your picture has on recording length. The Flip Mino uses a variable bitrate, which means that static or simple shots are recorded with a lower bitrate. More detailed shots record more data per second.

The Flip Mino's total battery life was 153 minutes and 51 seconds (2 hours, 33 minutes, and 51 seconds). This is a stellar performance, but be aware that you cannot swap out the battery when it has drained, due to its internal design. The Flip Mino must be connected to power via a USB terminal between shoots, while the Flip Ultra features AA batteries for continued recording.

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

**

****Audio*** (3.0)*

On a low budget camcorder this compact, don't expect any audio features ... at all. The Flip Mino, like the Flip Ultra, has a built-in microphone located to the right of the lens that is effective within a 12-foot range. There is no Wind Cut, Zoom, Levels, Mic input, Headphone input, or accessory shoe within the expanse of the Flip Mino's real estate. The Sony NSC-GC1 is also short-staffed in the audio department as well.  

Playback* (4.75)*

Playing back video clips on the Flip Mino is nearly identical to the Flip Ultra. In this generation, all action is governed by the Mino's touch-sensitive buttons instead of a four-way d-pad. In order to play back video clips, press the Play/Pause button. Video clips will begin playing within the LCD screen. The Zoom buttons raise and lower the playback volume, Left and Right shuffle between video clips, and Delete erases a clip entirely. You can play back Flip Mino video clips on a TV by connecting the included AV cable, but there is no preview on the LCD screen, only the TV. 

Connectivity* (3.5)*

On a camcorder this small, don't expect a bounty of ports. You get a spring-loaded USB arm and a naked AV jack. The USB arm functions by shifting a small tab on the right side of the camcorder. Snap! Up springs the USB arm and you're ready to throw it into a USB port for uploading. Since the body of the camcorder is connected to the USB arm, be careful when it's connected to your computer—one inadvertent karate chop will shear the arm right off. You can purchase a USB cable to prevent this.

The AV jack is located on the bottom of the left side of the Mino, and should be shrouded with at least a small rubberized plug. Dirt and debris will nest inside the AV jack if you don't keep the Mino's environment tidy.

                              *                                                                       *

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Flip Mino ships with the following items:

-TV Cable

-Wrist Strap

-Soft Case

-Quickstart Guide

This is a minimal offering, but you don't really need much with the Flip Mino. One of the main selling points is its utter simplicity.
**

Other Features*** (0.0)*

The Flip Mino is not equipped with any additional features.

Conclusion & Comparisons

**

Conclusion**

The Pure Digital Flip Mino ($179 MSRP) will get the job done - so long as that job is forgiving of poor video quality. This is a product in a categeory almost all its own, defying traditional camcorder manufacturers to compete in the under-$300 market. The Flip boasts little, but makes good on what it does promise:

1) The Flip Mino is cheap. This is certainly true. 

2) The Flip Mino records video. Yes, it's hard to argue with this.

3) The Flip Mino is easy to use. Regardless of experience level with any piece of consumer electronics, we feel pretty confident stating almost anyone can use this camcorder.

4) The Flip Mino makes it easy to upload to YouTube. The boldest of the claims, we found this to be fairly bulletproof as well. If your Internet is connected and your computer runs bug-free, even the greenest of users should be able to make it through the upload process.

Other benefits we didn't anticipate include a surprisingly great low light performance. The sensor in the Flip Mino is large, but the pixel density (a.k.a. resolution) is low. Therefore, each pixel is quite large and can take in a lot of light. Considering the price and expectations of this camcorder, a great low light performance is nothing short of amazing. Because it's great in low light, you can shoot with confidence in almost any environment and know your subjects will be - if not very detailed - at least recognizable and well-exposed.

The downside to all this simplicity is that the camcorder lacks so many of the basic elements that come to mind when we consider the word 'camcorder.' First, the video resolution is so low that this really compares better with webcams than traditional camcorders. The MPEG-4 compression plays havoc with colors, as well, converting subtle gradations down to jaggy blocks of flat color.

There are virtually no manual controls to speak of, except for a 2x digital zoom. This is great news for some, and a clear warning sign for others to stay away. Don't expect an improvement in this area on future generations of Flips, either. The simplicity is clearly part of its appeal, and Pure Digital has stated that it intends to keep it that way.

Pure Digital is certainly not the only manufacturer trying to convince you theirs is the perfect match for YouTube, but it is the closest to the truth. Sony had a decent showing last year with the NSC-GC1 Net Sharing camcorder, though the software was PC-only and not quite as simple. JVC recently released the Everio GZ-MS100, which even had the YouTube logo on the side of the camcorder. The GZ-MS100 is certainly a better standalone camcorder than either the Flip or the Sony, but missed the target on the essential simplicity that is the hallmark of this new category.

Overall, this is strong showing once again for Pure Digital. The Flip Mino is incredibly compact, inexpensive, and easy to use. This could be the perfect gift for someone who has commented that they'd love to share video with family and friends but can't figure out how to work 'that camcorder in the closet.' It's also a great item for little hands that might not be trusted with a $500+ investment item just yet. Always wish you had a camcorder on hand, but can't afford to lug a big device around in your bag? Again, the Flip Mino could be a good choice. We recommend playing with one at your local camera shop or megastore. The reason for its success is simple: the thing just works.

 Comparisons
**

***Pure Digital Flip Ultra*

The three major differences between last year's Flip Ultra ($149.99 MSRP) and the flashy new Mino are as follows: size, battery, and control interface. The Mino is about the size of a typical cell phone and weighs less than the Ultra - this thing is a just slightly thicker than a Blackberry Pearl. The Mino also utilizes an internal battery, much like an iPod. The only problem is that this hinders portability. The Flip Ultra let you swap out AA batteries on the fly, and offered a great battery life. With the Mino you'll have to find an outlet stat if you want an extended shooting block. Last but not least, the Mino's touch-sensitive interface is like lightning on crack - buttons are highly responsive and rapid. The Mino also has a slightly revamped video processor (Pure Digital Video Engine 2.5) and a more conveniently located USB arm. The Mino is definitely where it's at, but if battery life is a main concern, give the Flip Ultra a shot.

*

JVC GZ-MS100*

JVC's GZ-MS100 ($349 MSRP) set out to be the top dog in the Internet video world, but it's more of a Yorkie than a pit bull. JVC's first attempt is a valiant one - full manual contols, 1/6-inch imager with vastly improved low light, and a highly compact size. The GZ-MS100 has a much bigger zoom, 2.7-inch LCD screen, and video light. You can also capture stills. In short, it's a real camcorder, in the traditional sense of the word. Right now the GZ-MS100 is looking quite nice, but its touch-sensitive controls are not nearly as effective as the Flip's. Also, uploading to YouTube is not as simple compared to the gloriously easy method offered by the Flip. Also, the JVC software is PC-only, and has to be installed with a disc, making it less convenient than the built-in software on the Flip Mino. Power shooters will want to stick with the GZ-MS100, but the masses will gush over the cute little Mino.

*

Sony NSC-GC1*

Sony's first attempt in the Internet cam world yielded the NSC-GC1 Net Sharing Cam ($199.99 MSRP). Now, you can only find the NSC-GC1 on Sony's website listed as refurbished. Sony will likely have a replacement out soon. The NSC-GC1 offers a small cluster of manual controls, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, all black style, and the ability to upload to YouTube. The NSC-GC1 features a menu system governed by a small Joystick and the ability to capture stills. This is a toss-up, but the Mino will most likely win out due to its stellar ease of use factor, tiny size, and cheaper price.

*

Panasonic SDR-SW20*

Unlike the Panasonic SDR-SW20 ($399 MSRP), this Mino can't swim underwater. The flash-based SDR-SW20 is waterproof up to 5 feet, shock-proof up to 4 feet, and dust-proof. The SDR-SW20 captures video up to 640 x 480 in resolution and features a basic 1/6-inch imager with 680,000-pixel resolution. Of course, the video quality is better, but it'll be a little more of a climb to put your clips on YouTube, as Panasonic does not include any uploading software. Snorkeling fanny-pack toters will go for the SDR-SW20, while every other form of consumer will opt for the Flip Mino.  

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters

The Flip Mino is the peanut butter to the Point-and-Shooter's jelly. The two were made for each other - it was written in the stars.

Budget Consumers

This is budget at its prime. The Flip Mino will delight beginners around the globe for $180. Of course, simplicity is part of what you pay for.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid

The Flip Mino can't take stills, so photographers - this is not your day.

Gadget Freaks

The Flip Mino serves up a hearty plate of gadgety goodness. It's basic video at its best, just in an ultra compact, sexy body with instant upload capability.

Manual Control Freaks

Manual Controls do not exist on the Flip Mino, so power shooters are out of luck.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

Maybe as a joke...

Meet the tester

David Kender

David Kender

Editor in Chief

@davekender

David Kender oversees content at Reviewed as the Editor in Chief. He served as managing editor and editor in chief of Reviewed's ancestor, CamcorderInfo.com, helping to grow the company from a tiny staff to one of the most influential online review resources. In his time at Reviewed, David has helped to launch over 100 product categories and written too many articles to count.

See all of David Kender's reviews

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