HD Pocket Camcorders Go Head-to-Head

Big-name companies are taking notice--Cisco acquired Pure Digital for $590 million in stock in March, and major players are trotting out small, cell-phone-size pocket camcorders to chip away at the Flip's throne, armed with the same dead-simple operation, easy sharing features, and cross-generational appeal as Pure Digital's pioneering moviemaking device.

These ultraportable camcorders make uploading and sharing videos very simple, usually with flip-out USB connectors and on-board software. Though the clips lose a lot of quality once uploaded to the Web, the pocket camcorders tested here are all high-definition models. That gives you greater flexibility with the source video--you can choose to view it on an HDTV or upload it to an HD-friendly Web service.

None of these models can replace a full-on, $1000 HD video camera (see our camcorder buying guide). But you don't have to read a manual to use one, and all are built for quick-and-easy video sharing, are in the $200 price range, and are small enough to tuck into a bag, pocket, or purse.

So can any of them beat the Flip Mino HD at its own game? We tested competing high-definition pocket camcorders from Creative Labs, Kodak, and Sony against the Flip to see which offered the best video quality, the most cinematic footage, the nicest feature set, and the most colorful clips.

In video quality, the Creative Vado HD outshone the competition, and its wider-angle lens is a great touch; but its microphone is one of the weakest. Flip's MinoHD is a great low-light performer and captures filmlike footage, albeit with a yellow tint; its rigid flip-out connector may not play well with your PC's USB-port arrangement. Sony's Webbie HD MHS-PM1 has the best feature set-for a great price, too--but its video quality is middling. Kodak's Zi6 and Zx1 offer the best frame-rate options, but the Zi6 often produced oversaturated colors, and the Zx1 has a weak microphone.

Note: Pure Digital's $200 Flip UltraHD was announced a few weeks too late to make it into this head-to-head battle, but it's another excellent HD pocket camcorder. It shot better low-light video than any camcorder in this roundup, has an HDMI-out port, and runs on AA batteries. Read the full review of the Flip UltraHD.

Here are links to the rest of this package:

In Video: Six HD Pocket Camcorders Side-by-Side

Slide show: HD Camcorders That Fit in Your Pocket

Chart: HD Pocket Camcorders

Full Reviews (In order of ranking):

• Creative Vado HD
• Pure Digital Flip MinoHD
• Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1
• Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera
• Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera

Some Limitations: "They Call This High-Def? When Small Means Less"

Side-by-side comparison videos:

• Wide-angle test
• Normal lighting test
• Low-light test
• Audio test