Ten Reasons Why The Flip Mino Is The Best Affordable Digital Video Camera

The latest HubPages newsletter included a call for some one to answer this question: "What's the best affordable digital video camera?" And the answer to that question really requires only three words:

The Flip Mino.

Not convinced? Read a review of the Flip Mino at spotcoolstuff.com or continue on for the ten reasons why the Flip Mino is the affordable video camera of choice . . .

In no particular order:

Price. The Flip Mino is extremely affordable when bought through Amazon. The very highest end Mino model, the one that shoots in HD, is less than $250. The Ultra model is under $130!

Size. The Flip Mino is small. Really small. It is about the size of a cell phone. In fact, the Flip Mino HD is the world's smallest HD video camera.

Incredibly easy to use. Point at what you want to film. Push the button to start. Push the button again to stop. Nothing more to it. In about four seconds the Flip Mino can go from being completely shut off to shooting video.

Video quality. The video produced by the Flip Mino does not look like it came from a cheap, small, incredibly easy to use camera. This is especially true of the Flip Mino HD model, the video quality of which can rival some much more expensive video cameras.

No cords required. One of the coolest features of this digital video camera is the namesake USB connector that flips out. Plug the Flip Mino directly into your computer and you'll be prompted to download your video.

No expensive memory cards required. The Flip Mino comes with enough memory built in to hold 60 minutes of video.

No expensive video editing programs required. The Flip Mino comes with free video editing software.

Long battery life. The Flip Mino HD and Ultra can shoot for two hours on a single battery charge. The regular Flip Mino can go four hours! 

Geek appeal. The Flip Mino HD employs the top-end 3.0 Engine Pure Digital Video compression at 9.0Mbps (using an auto-adaptive algorithm) and an 1280 x720 resolution. The senor works at an impressive 2.2µm pixels with light sensitivity rated at less than 1.4 V/lux-sec; automatic low light detection included.

And if that isn't enough:

Fashion appeal. The Flip Mino is, technically speaking, really cool looking. The Ultra Mino comes in a variety of colors. The Flip Mino and HD models can be customized to look as you like.

If you are able, absolutely get the HD model.

Even on a regular non-HD TV you'll notice a difference in the video quality—the Mino HD's is significantly superior to the Ultra and the normal Mino. The video editing software that comes with the Mino HD is also far better. (Of course, this second point doesn't matter to you if you already have video editing software you are happy with).

If you really can't afford the HD model you may be wondering what the differences are between the Mino and Ultra Mino. Counterintuitively, the Mino is actually better than the Ultra. The Flip Mino takes slightly better quality video than the Utra and can shoot for four hours on a single charge via the built-in battery. The Flip Ultra can go two hours on two AA batteries (which cost extra every time you replace them). In short, the Mino is worth the extra ~$30.

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