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Is anyone able to help me decipher video camera specs and how to compare??
I picked up a Panasonic SDR-SW20 camcorder but I would like to know how it would compare to the flip?
I am testing it out and I am not all that thrilled with the quality but I am using a REALLY old slow 1 GB SD Card. Could that be affecting the quality?
I really just want to know how it compares to the lower end Flip camera?
The Flip is a very different camera compared to the SDR.
The Flip is meant for quick, short videos - the type you would u/l on youtube (it has software designed just for that purpose). It does not have any optical zoom, the LCD screen is extremely tiny, the unit is awkward to hold and prone to substantial hand shake. It also does not shoot well in low light. On the upside it's tiny, idiot proof, and the video quality is acceptable.
The SDR is water/shock/dust resistant (up to 5m for underwater shooting but I would advise against that), easier to grip, and has a 10x optical zoom and a larger LCD screen. On the downside the video quality is not very good.
I ask the same question I tell everyone looking for advice - what do you plan on using it for? Neither the flip or the SDR are that great and there are better alternatives out there.
Thanks so much for the reply Mr. Disco!
I just want it for short clips of my son, you know capture goofy moments etc. I really don't want to invest alot in a camera. I bought a Canon mini DV about 7 years ago and spent aoubt $800 on it and it got very little use and started chewing tapes and needed the mainboard replaced.
But I want the quality to be decent enough to view on TV. I won't be editing much or directing motion pictures! ;)
Quality wise would the flip or SDR be better?
The Flip comes in 2 main varities - Mino & Ultra | MinoHD & UltraHD
It then breaks down into memory/recording size
HD does 720p while the non-hd model does 640x480 resolution
http://www.theflip.com/en-us/Products/specs.aspx
The quality is fine for the tv. Lots of example video clips on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsqpp...eature=related
keep in mind this is a sealed unit. if you max out the recording space you're stuck until you can get back to a pc to u/l your files.
For flash based video there are other competitors:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0121197&catid=
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0126635&catid=
There's also a bunch of flash based camcorders also within the same price range. Goto the big box stores and try a couple out to see how they feel.
Thanks again. I picked up the Panasonic at Costco on clearance for 149.98, which I think is a good deal for it. They have a 90 day return policy and I am testing it out. Liek I said I have an old sd card and am wondering if the quality I am getting is because of that. I am gonna pickup a newer faster SD card and see how it does.
The card won't make a difference.