Comparing video quality

When it came to video quality, I compared the highest quality setting on the Sony camcorder with the only quality setting that the Flip camcorder provided.

The Sony cam features a 2-2/3" flip-out LCD screen.

The Sony produced decent videos in daylight and in well-lit situations. It didn't do as good a job in environments with low lighting, but this is an issue that occurs with a number of camcorders. The one thing I really liked about the Sony cam was that I could change my video resolution setting before I started shooting video. I chose a more compressed video size when I shot a video that I was planning to e-mail to family and friends, and saved room on my memory card for recording more videos later that day. Because of the selectable video resolution, the storage capacity of this camcorder varies. I was able to store between one and eight hours of footage using a 1-gigabyte Memory Stick Duo card. Buying a larger Memory Stick Duo card, or carrying extras, would have given me more recording time.

The Flip comes in multiple colors and fits easily in your hand.

With the Flip camcorder, I got approximately 60 minutes of recording time. I found that the Flip had slightly better video color reproduction than the Sony cam — people and animals appeared more natural, and painted walls in my apartment more closely maintained their shade of "Martha Cooper Rose" pink during playback. The Flip really excelled when I shot clips as the sun was setting, and the lighting of the room was less than ideal. The cam was able to show the detailed wood of a bookcase in a dark corner, and then adjust quickly when I panned to an open window where sunlight streamed into the room.

Videos from both camcorders had a similar amount of detail when I played them back. They were a bit pixelated when watched on a TV or in full-screen mode on my computer, but looked great in a smaller window.

I only shot short video clips — nothing longer than five minutes — so I didn't come close to exceeding my recording capacity with either model. In fact, the ease of connecting to a computer made it very simple to transfer video files, clear the camcorder's memory, and start recording again.

The Flip (left) reproduced more accurate, natural colors, while the Sony camcorder (right) offered more recording options.

Uploading and editing software

Both camcorders connected to my computer via a USB input. The Sony camcorder came with a USB cable, while the Flip used a flip-out USB arm that plugged directly into my PC. This flip-out interface was very convenient. When I wanted to upload videos while I was at work, I didn't have to remember to bring a USB cable with me. But, when I plugged the Flip camcorder into my computer, it jutted out in mid-air because of the way the PC's USB ports were positioned — one wrong move with my foot and I might have snapped the USB arm off the camcorder. The flip-out USB arm would work better with a laptop, where the camcorder could lie flat against a desk or table. (Pure Digital does sell a USB cable as an accessory for the Flip, so you can plug the camcorder into hard-to-reach USB ports, but it doesn't come in the box.)

When I connected these cams to my computer, the software that's built into each popped up for automatic installation. Interestingly enough, the included programs were very similar. I was able to save videos to my computer and upload them to the web, or upload them directly to a video-sharing website like YouTube or Crackle. The Flip's software also allowed me to snap photos from video footage, and compress videos into a smaller, e-mailable resolution (496 x 370).

My final thoughts on these web-worthy camcorders

These camcorders are both great options for folks who want to record and upload videos on sites like YouTube, or e-mail them to friends and family. But which model would be a better fit for you?

The Flip might be for you if:

• You want super-simple, point-and-shoot operation
• You're not concerned about capturing photos while you're shooting
• You want more natural-looking colors, or will be shooting in low light

The Sony might be for you if:

• You want to take photos and videos
• You want a little more creative control
• You want to stream live video
• You want expandable storage

The Sony and the Flip are well designed for their intended audience. However, if you're interested in playing your videos on a large TV, or doing any serious editing, you may want to consider a more traditional camcorder. For my purposes — shooting a few funny videos of my co-workers and friends, and uploading them to my computer — these camcorders were just about perfect.