Camcorders are handy little gadgets to have around, and in case no one has noticed several people are earning quite a substantial sum of money from home videos these days with Youtube. While the video camera has shrunk quite a bit since the shoulder mounted monsters of the 1980’s, the compact video camera or camcorder is the tool of choice for video makers or vloggers across the country. The advantages of these cameras is of course size. They can be carried around and generally require only one hand to operate efficiently. However, another great advantage to compact camcorders is the price. Several great models are available for less than $200, so here is a look at five great compact camcorders or video cameras under $200.
The Kodak Zi8 Pocket video camera retails for $179.99 at Best Buy or www.bestbuy.com. This camera sports a nice 2.5″ Color LCD screen which makes seeing what you are shooting a breeze. The rechargeable lithium ion batteries help maximize camera life as well. The 4x digital zoom allows you to get up close and personal with your subject matter, and the image stabilizer helps eliminate that bouncy feeling from handheld video. In addition, the Kodak Zi8 is a 5 Mega Pixel still image camera with 128MB of internal storage. Of course, the camera also has a memory expansion slot for Secure Digital or SD memory and also takes SDHC or Secure Digital High Capacity memory cards up to 32GB, and that is a lot of video. The built in USB connector makes connecting and sharing videos fast and efficient, so you can go from live action to Facebook in no time at all. This is a High Definition camcorder as well so images are crisp and clear no matter what screen size you have.
Flip Video Ultra HD U2102B
This Flip Video Ultra HD model U2102B features a 2″ antiglare LCD monitor and one touch recording features. The camera comes ready for up to two hours of high definition video courtesy of the 2GB of internal memory. Of course, the Flip Video Ultra HD U2102B also comes equipped with rechargeable batteries and the textbook flip out USB arm that makes Flip cameras so popular. This camera is built to shoot video and get it shared in as little time at all with the Flip arm and HDMI port built in. The Flip Video Ultra HD U2102B retails for $199.99 at Best Buy or bestbuy.com.
Flip Ultra U1120
For those not into the high definition revolution theFlip Ultra U1120 is available from Wal-Mart or www.walmart.com for $109. While lacking in features of its HD ready big brother, the Flip Ultra U1120 is a great VGA quality camcorder in its own right. This camcorder comes equipped to record 120 minutes of video with the internal 4GB of memory. The 2″ LCD screen makes keeping track of the action a simple process, and the Flip out USB connector makes sharing and viewing videos a very uncomplicated process. Again, this is not a high definition camcorder, but still results in some great looking videos.
Aiptek MDV Flash Camcorder
For $79 at Wal-Mart or walmart.com, the Aiptek MDV Flash Memory Camcorder makes a nice entry level or child friendly camera. For the price tag this camera features a 2.4″ LCD screen, nigh shot capability, 4x digital zoom, and media recording ability. The media recording ability is an interesting take because multiple video sources can be imported into the camera. The Aipteck MDV also makes a nice 5 Mega Pixel still camera. The SD expansion slot allows for up to 4GB of flash memory for storing video, which means sharing video is as simple as swapping out the card. All things considered, this is a nice camera for anyone looking for a basic model.
Sony bloggie High Definition MHS-CM/5
While not as streamlined as the other cameras on this list, the Sony bloggie MHS-CM/5 features enhanced zoom capabilities at 5x optical and 20x digital. This means getting those crystal clear close ups from any distance is an easy feat to accomplish. The 2.5″ LCD screen is big enough for just about anyone to keep track of the action, and the image stabilization keeps everything onscreen even when the camera is being moved around. The Sony bloggie MHS-CM/5 is also a capable still image camera and supports a variety of memory cards: SD (Secured Digital), SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), and of course Memory Stick (hey, it’s a Sony). The USB interface makes connecting this to the computer easy, and the A/V port allows for quick hook up to the television for instant viewing of the footage. This Sony MHS-CM/5 camcorder has many bells and whistles and is available from Best Buy for $199.99.
sources:
personal experience
www.bestbuy.com
www.walmart.com
