Need to buy a Flip Video, Kodak Zi8 or Sony Bloggie TODAY (help needed)

[rossagrant]

Hi guys, I'm looking for a pocket HD video camera to use over the holidays and also for a video blog for interviews when my new site launches.

I'm totally torn between the flip Video range, the Kodaks and the Sony Bloggie.

Has anyone used all 3 or bought any of them? I need to know which one works most seamlessly with mac, iMovie and Final Cut?

Sound quality is a major factor for me as I will be using the camera to blog on interviews in the new year so it needs to be of good audio quality.

I've heard reports of bad quality video on some models in low light so wondered which one performs best?

Tripod mountable is also a must.

Thanks and so sorry for it being such a rush job but with Christmas approaching I have very limited time!

 

[ctyhntr]

I compared the Flip Mino and the Kodak Zi8, and hands down chose the Kodak Zi8.



1. Removable battery. You can get spare batteries on ebay for $6 a piece. The mino battery isn't user replaceable. Having a spare battery have saved me a few times already.

2. External microphone port
If you're worried about sound quality of the built in microphone, get an external mic like this Technica Lavalier mic.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATR-...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1292977963&sr=1-16

You can also google Radio Shack wireless microphone hack.

2.A Get an accessory rail, mount an external boom mike, video lights and external battery pack, add a 32 GB card and you can be shooting for up to 10 hours.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AA-External-Bat...846?pt=Batteries_Chargers&hash=item45f704d68e

3. Remote control option

4. Accepts SDHC card up to 32 GB. Mino is limited by

5. FWIW, the Kodak is currently priced cheaper than the Flip.

For 2 & 3, nothing at this price level have these features.

If you're going to be doing livestreaming interviews, regardless of the camera you'll still need external lighting.

Kodak Zi8 save in mov file, works seamlessly with QuickTime and iMovie. I don't have FinalCut but assume the experience would be similiar to iMovie.

 

[paulrbeers]

If you are looking for one that is highly pocketable (i.e. smallest), then go with the Flip MinoHD. Otherwise the Kodak is the way to go. My wife wanted one for her purse but already carries a digital cam so we went with the MinoHD simply due to its size. Otherwise we would have gone with the Kodak (it's been a long time since I recommended a Kodak product).