Pocket Video Camera Guide

If you are still using video tapes in this day and age then you are severely behind the times. Most of the up and coming generation will never even know what a video tape was. They have really been raised with DVDs and with new ways to get digital content like digital media players, DVDs and even Bluray discs might not be around for much longer either. I recently made the jump into the high definition pocket camcorder market and left my good old mini dv camcorder in the dust. This article provide you with helpful information and insight, and will introduce you to some of the better pocket video cameras that are out on the market and hopefully point you in the right direction.

This is a seriously important question before you ever start shopping for your new camcorder. Decide what you really need. Do you really need 1080p or could you live with a 720p pocket digital camcorder? The answer to that question could save you a few hundred dollars up front. When it came down to it I found a great deal on a 720p pocket camcorder that I just couldn't pass up. So here are a few great deals for the price:

MoviePix MP5A4 720P HD Digital Video Camcorder- This is the camcorder that I ended up buying because I could not beat the features for the price. I had originally looked at HD camcorders from Sony and the Flip Mino HD and the Moviepix just was too good to miss. The Sony and Flip cameras were also between $150 and $300 more expensive. The features I like on this little camcorder are: 720p recording, 8 mega-pixel still photos, 16:9 format recording (this was a big one for me), good sound microphone, and a place for a tripod (this was missing on lots of camcorders I looked at). There are other features too, like the fact that it will work with a 32 gigabyte SD memory card, and that it uses a rechargeable lithium battery. Several of the camcorders I saw ran on regular batteries that only lasted about 2 hours.

Veho VCC001HDKUZO Pocket HD Camcorder- This is the only other 720p HD camcorder that really caught my eye. This one also has great features, and a great price below $100 that I liked also. It has a 2.5" screen for viewing what you are taping, an 8x digital zoom. One difference between this camera and the Moviepix is that this camera comes with a HDMI output. This was not a big deal for me so I went the other direction with the Moviepix which comes with the component video cable. This is an all around great little pocket digital camcorder also.

This is the big leagues for these little guys and would you believe you can get a pocket digital video camcorder that records in full HD and fits in your pocket for less than $150USD? Well, some models are reasonably priced like that. Here are a couple that I really think have merit for their components and features:

Toshiba Camileo S20 Full-HD Pocket Camcorder (Silver/Black)- Toshiba has created one of the highest end pocket camcorders on the market today. It was tough to decide but I leaned toward the 720P models for price. This Camileo S20 records in Full 1080p HD and it is beautiful. It is also a 5 mega-pixel digital camera as well. This thing comes with all the bells and whistles like HDMI output, up to 32 gigabyte SD card compatibility, and easy upload YouTube button.

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera- Truly sleek and basically in the same shape as your everyday cell phone or blackberry comes the other full high definition pocket digital video camera I wanted to get. It was just a little out of my price range but can easily be grabbed for around $120USD. This thing comes loaded, Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution at up to 30 frames per second and in 16:9 aspect ratio! HDMI output, easily upload to YouTube through the included USB cable and it also works with an SD card up to 32 gigabytes. It is a Kodak so it obviously will take pictures also at 5 mega-pixels. It comes with some great video editing software and everything you need to record all of those special moments with this pocket digital video camcorder.

Here is a short video test of the Kodak Zi8 pocket digital video camera that is discussed above. This video was shot as Seaworld in Orlando, Florida. This is just one example of what these little pocket cameras can do.