The whole premise behind pocket video recorders is small size and portability assures accessibility and more spontaneous use when compared to a full size video camera. For the size and ease of use, however, you make some sacrifices. I did a fair amount of research into this product class to find a pocket video camera that was loaded with features and had the fewest trade offs when stacked up against a full size video recorder. I pulled the trigger on this product and absolutely love it. Here's the highlights:1) Size. This thing is small. It's only a few millimeters bigger than the Flip and Kodak offerings. It's sized just right to hand hold comfortably, but not too big that it takes up too much valuable purse or bag real estate. It also comes with a very nice cordura carrying case! It's only about 4 oz. and some reviews have criticized the Camileo for a "plasticy" feel. Not so, this unit feels solid yet light. True the body is made of plastic, but the weight trade off is worth it, and who cares as long as it's solid. Plus a lighter plastic unit is much more likely to survive the inevitable drop than a heavier metal one (lighter and more pliable).
2) Video Quality. I don't own another pocket video camera so I can't intelligently comment on the video quality compared to other units. That being said, the video looks fantastic on the big flat screen. I actually use the 720p mode mostly to have the option to zoom and image stabilize (both not available at 1020p), and I cannot tell a difference between the two modes when displayed on 52" flat screen. The video is honestly as good as my three year old full size HD video camera in normal light. In dim light there is a little graininess to the video, but there's an integrated light to help with this and I really don't take many recordings in dark conditions anyway.
3) Ergonomics (including the screen). The fold out screen is awesome and I have no trouble viewing it in direct sunlight. It's great to preview videos and twists around for the ubiquitous self portraits too. The Flip and Kodak models are just little boxes that you hold up facing "out" to record. The Toshiba Camileo S20 feels like a real video camera (albeit a really small one) in your hand. It just feels natural to me to record video in this manner.
4) Features The built in LED light is a nice touch but it's really only useful in very dark conditions for close up subjects. I think it's main utility is to augment the light in low-light situations like around dusk or in a dim room. Useful under some situations and a good feature to have when you need it. The time lapse and slow motion are really fun. You won't find yourself using them very frequently but capturing a great sunset or cloud movement is pretty cool. Why not have the option? The YouTube upload button is a big "who cares?" for me, but users that are interested in this sort of thing may like it. The digital zoom is smooth and doesn't pixelate stuff too much. I'm also surprised at how much I DON'T use the zoom on this camera. The default capture angle is pretty good. Kid's sporting events are the only time I've found that I've used it a lot, and for this application the digital zoom works fine. If I know I'll need the intensive use of optical zoom ahead of time, I bring my regular HD camcorder anyway. The built in 5MP camera isn't great. That being said, I've yet to see a camcorder with a decent still camera integrated into it. It will do for snapshots, but you won't be using the pics for your holiday cards. I'm not sure why this is, probably something to do with the image processing and metering on still cameras. Anyway, I didn't expect too much here as my regular size HD camcorder takes stills that are pretty bad too. Bottom line with still pics is that we always have a small point and shoot camera with us in our bag or purse anyway, so this isn't an issue for us. Other features are great, like custom white balance (think skiing or other situations with unique light) and ISO settings. Also the battery is removable and one could conceivably get extra batteries to use when chargers aren't available.
5) Price at $150 this is a steal, especially when compared to the Flip SlideHD Camcorder which is presently $280! The Sony MHS-CM5 bloggie HD Video Camera has optical zoom but is much larger and more expensive. (It also does not image stabilize in HD mode). The Sanyo VPC-CS1 High Definition Camcorder, which also has optical zoom, is big enough at over an inch thick, that I don't really qualify it as a true pocket video camera model. It's also over one hundred dollars more expensive.
6) Extras. Wall charger included, mini-HDMI cord included, mini tripod included, RCA AV cord included, ArcSoft software included (it's actually pretty decent too), nice case included. What's not to like here!
7) Recording Media and Format. One great feature is the SD card format which means that on vacation you can take multiple cards with you rather that a laptop for archiving. The Flip doesn't have removable/changeable media, which for me was an absolute deal breaker. The recorded file format is AVI which I like for video editing applications. Oh also, the lack of an integrated USB connector is actually a big plus for me. I'd rather use a cord to connect to the computer, and the USB mini port doubles as a charger. Our cell phones use this format, so I already have car chargers for this camera! Who want's to struggle with plugging the recorder body directly into the computer my computer is on the floor in a cabinet. The Arcsoft software is pretty darn intuitive for burning DVDs and uploading to the web. Any minimally computer literate individual will not have an issue and the user manual for the camera and software is really quite good it was obviously written by a fluent English speaker and not software translated from Japaneses.
Criticisms:
A lot has been written in on-line reviews about the confusing menu system. The menu system structure is fairly intuitive and resembles that of most full sized video cameras, but the navigation buttons within the menu tree are not. OK, so I had to remember that when in the menu mode one of the buttons advances, a different one goes up one level, and the record button selects choices. It's really not that hard or big a deal. As much as we find ourselves using this video recorder, we have no issues with remembering navigation buttons and navigation.
I wish . . .
1. there were optical zoom (but I'm willing to live with digital zoom and a much smaller unit a trade off that's worth it in my opinion. I've found that I don't use zoom all that much anyway.)
2. there were zoom and image stabilization available in 1080p mode. (Most pocket video cameras don't have this either. . . no big deal to me really as I've found 780p mode looks great and saves on recording space on the SD card. The recorders that have the features at 1080p are much larger units and really not honestly classifiable as "pocket" video recorders)
3. this took better still shots, but as I mentioned, no video recorder does this well. If you want to take still photos, use a camera that's made for the job.
In all, I'm very satisfied with this purchase. This unit is small and light and packed with features, some you'll use and others that you may experiment with once in a while, but are nice to have when and if the need arises. Compared to other models referenced and linked in this review, this model has almost every feature but optical zoom, and the ones having this are much larger and not really "pocket" models (and they are a lot more expensive). I expect to get about 2 years out of this product and by then the next generation of pocket video cameras will integrate even more features (wireless transfer, optical zoom, smart phone integration etc. . ). Until then this product is perfect for my needs.
Buy Toshiba Camileo S20 Full-HD Camcorder Bundle - Silver/Black Now
Have friends that have the new Kodak model Z8 and I have had the Flip ultra. My neighbor has the new Sony model PM5. Here's the thing on pockets. You are never going to get great pictures with the 1080 in that small of a package. The Kodak does not hold up for the long haul as friend had two that broke with in three months and my Flip gave up the ghost in about eight months and battery charging was a joke! It may charge and it may not....it was a crap shoot. Neighbor has sent his Sony back three times in five months with problems.Sony takes pictures in low light are just terrible. My little Toshiba just plugs right along. Picture quality at 720 is just fine and low light is certainly acceptable. This little unit is tough and a work horse. If your looking for a pocket camcorder that takes a good picture loads right up with no prblem, another issue I had with the Flip and simply does a good job for a reasonable price.......well the Toshiba is the way to go. It is well made and tough, which seems to be the big issue with pocket models. Sadly, not many reviews on this model but believe me I did my home work and I will admit I did purchase this camcorder simply from my experience with Toshiba. Man, I am so glad I did becuase this little work horse is really the way to go. You want something small that takes good decent movies and is very simple to use and most importantly hold up to much use..........this little guy is perfect. I hope more folks pull the trigger on this little camera and give their remarks as well. If you want high picture quality then don't waste your time with any pocket camcorder regardless of what the company or others tell you. If you want something that is light, small, well made and takes good picutres but nothing on a grand scale.......well this little camcorder is it! Bar none!!!! Oh.......and got it in three days from Amazon with their usually dependable delivery.Read Best Reviews of Toshiba Camileo S20 Full-HD Camcorder Bundle - Silver/Black Here
I was considering purchasing either this Camileo S20 or the Flip 2nd Gen Brushed Metal model. Obviously I ended up choosing the Camileo S20, and here is why:**I looked at the many reviews of the Flip model, and didn't like what people had to say. Many reviews complained about the bulit-in USB connector not fitting any of their USB ports for uploading or charging to the PC. Eventually Flip finally responded to this major concern, after denying the issue for a long time, leaving their early customers out to dry according to the reviews. Not great customer service in my opinion, and others that had their FLip break down had much trouble with customer service in getting it fixed. Read the reviews for yourself. There are many complaints BEYOND the supposedly resolved USB issue. The Camileo doesn't have many reviews, but the ones it has are good.
**Even if the Flip's USB arm is truly fixed, I prefer connecting my camcorder with a USB WIRE. It sounds much better than expecting your Flip to float in the air while connected to your PC. Using a wired connection you can set the Camileo camera in the floor, on top of your PC tower, on your desk, ect.
**The Camileo can shoot in 1080p (without zoom or stabilization) or 720p with these features enabled. The Flip max resolution is 720p only. (And now that I have the Camileo for myself, both of the higher resolutions look absolutely brillant in bright outdoor environments. As others have stated, the low-light indoor video looks OK at best. This is how all pocket cams are apparently though, and reviews of the Flip's low light video doesn't sound any better.)
**Camileo has a 3-inch LCD screen, the Flip is only 2-inches.
**Camileo has a much greater value. As of this review, the Camileo is $50 dollars cheaper than the Flip. The Camileo does not have the built-in 8GB storage like the Flip. Once could buy a 8GB HDCP card for $15 dollars here on Amazon, equaling this Flips spec. Even better, you could expand the storage all the way to 32 GB if you want, while the Flip is locked-in at only 8GB forever. Let's say you buy the 8GB card for the Camileo. You are still saving $35 dollars in comparison, and we haven't even got to the other great things packed in the Camileo box....
**Superior Accessories. The Camileo comes packed with an AC adapter, perfect for when you don't want to lug around your computer to charge up the power. The Flip not only does not come with an AC adapter, the official model costs $13 dollars, and multiple reviews of it say it is faulty, and causes the Flip to shut down because of overheating, defeating the point of this accessory altogether. The Camileo also comes with a free tripod. Flip owners have to pony up an extra $9 dollars for one. HDMI cables for direct HDTV viewing? Free with the Camileo, $14 dollars for the Flip. USB cables are also free with the Camileo, and $14 dollars for the Flip if you are like me and don't like the idea of the built-in arm attatchment on the Flip. I am not sure if the Flip comes with a standard AV cord for older TVs, as it isn't a listed accessory, but the Camileo DOES come with one free as well. You also get a free travel case with the Camileo, the FLip cases start at $7 dollars and up. Doing the math, the Flip costs $86 dollars more, and you are still stuck with a faulty AC adapter and may not even have standard AV cables.
**I cannot speak to the video files on the Flip, but the Camileo videos save to the PC in AVI files, which can be edited either with the included software, or better yet, Windows Movie Maker easily and immediately after upload with no conversion needed. Maybe the Flip does too, I don't know. Both have instant Youtube uploads, so that one is a wash.
**CONCLUSION: The Camileo has better specs with the larger LCD screen, and higher 1080P video resolution.The Camileo is $86 dollars cheaper after considering the need to purchase an 8GB card for Camileo and purchasing a boatload of accessories for Flip.Camileo can be expanded to 32GB, the Flip is locked in at 8GB. The Camileo USB connection is superior and more accessible than the FLip IMO. Flip has a spotty customer service department, Toshiba has always been good to me in the past, and I haven't even needed them with the Camileo. This Camileo model does not have the massive advertising campaign that the Flip does, so Toshiba is able to pass the saving on to consumers. Flip might have the "coolness" factor due to being all over television, but I would rather have a superior camera at a cheaper cost, so I went with the Camileo.
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This camera just isn't very good, period. The price is cheap, the size is small, but if you are planning to shoot with this thing after 4pm, forget about it... The led light on the camera is practically pointless... If you are looking at this as a somewhat combo-camera thinking you can shoot stills, have fun with that...blurred images are essentially all you will capture... However, all is not bad on this camera. If you are filming with daylight this thing is actually quite impressive...But as an all around pocket camera you're better off searching elsewhere... I know it looks cool but resist unless you're only planning on filming in daylight.
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