Christopher S. Penn – Marketing AI Keynote Speaker

Review: Flip Ultra 2GB

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Christopher S Penn

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Flip UltraI bought a Flip Ultra today. Lots of positives and negatives about this little camera, and limitations that need to be understood to get the best performance out of it.

Positives

  • AA batteries
  • 2 GB internal memory for 60 minutes of record time
  • Firmware updates
  • Light
  • Portable
  • Stupid simple

Negatives

  • Not going to sub for a high quality camcorder any time soon
  • Very susceptible to shake without tripod
  • No options for expandability
  • Fixed-length lens (yes, there’s a digital zoom, which is a joke)

Now, I own a lot of gear. When I need to upgrade to quality video, I break out my MiniDV camera because nothing Flash-based captures video with the same quality as tape that I’ve found yet.

When I want a balance of portability and optics, I’ll use my Sanyo Xacti.

When I want to record a lot of video at conferences, this is the camera I’m going to use.

There is one and only one reason I bought a Flip Ultra:

The Flip Ultra uses AA batteries.

When I’m at conferences, rarely do sessions last more than 60 minutes, so the Flip’s built in memory limitation isn’t a big deal.

What is a big deal is that this little camera takes AA batteries. Rare is it when I don’t have a pile of 12 or so with me at any given time. Between sessions, I can dump the memory to my MacBook Pro and swap out batteries.

If I use the MiniDV camera, I have to change tapes and use the AC adapter, which is a huge stumbling hazard for everyone around me.

If I use the Xacti, I have to carry the AC charger with me and recharge the battery (and its two spares) throughout the day, which is a pain in the butt.

If I use the Flip, I just swap out AAs and recharge everything in the hotel room overnight.

The Flip is a single-use camera for me – I bought it specifically for use at conferences. I’m not going to film the next major motion picture with it, and I wholly acknowledge that it isn’t intended for that use at all. It will allow me, however, to capture lots of “good enough” video at conferences I go to, with a minimum of hassle when it comes to power and memory.

Comments

8 responses to “Review: Flip Ultra 2GB”

  1. Clintus Avatar
    Clintus

    I just bought one of these a few weeks ago because I was in a jam and needed something now. It was the cheapest thing I could find at the moment. I really like how simple it is. With that being said, I do like having options. I LOVE my Sanyo Xacti.

    I ended up taking the Flip back since I didn’t really need another camera. Glad I got a chance to use it though, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple point and shoot option.

    Reply
  2. Clintus Avatar
    Clintus

    I just bought one of these a few weeks ago because I was in a jam and needed something now. It was the cheapest thing I could find at the moment. I really like how simple it is. With that being said, I do like having options. I LOVE my Sanyo Xacti.

    I ended up taking the Flip back since I didn’t really need another camera. Glad I got a chance to use it though, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple point and shoot option.

    Reply
  3. Ron Brindle Avatar
    Ron Brindle

    I just bought the Flip Ultra F60. The problem I’m having is loading videos into my PC. I keep getting a message about unrecognized USB device malfunction and then I loose my internet connection. Have you experienced those problems?

    Reply
  4. Ron Brindle Avatar
    Ron Brindle

    I just bought the Flip Ultra F60. The problem I’m having is loading videos into my PC. I keep getting a message about unrecognized USB device malfunction and then I loose my internet connection. Have you experienced those problems?

    Reply
  5. Christopher S. Penn Avatar
    Christopher S. Penn

    Ron – unfortunately, I have a Mac so I’ve never experienced that.

    Reply
  6. Christopher S. Penn Avatar
    Christopher S. Penn

    Ron – unfortunately, I have a Mac so I’ve never experienced that.

    Reply
  7. Barry Reicherter Avatar
    Barry Reicherter

    I was wondering what the world needed with yet another small video camera as I have the Xacti HD and my Pearl captures video and photos in a pinch. But the battery element you touched on is the reason to get this. Countless times getting a call from the Mrs. who is complaining the Xacti wasn’t fully charged when she’s trying to capture something. It almost never gets back on it’s charging station. Knowing that I can just put a pack of AAs in the car and she’ll be fine would be a welcome change. Thanks for the post.

    Reply
  8. Barry Reicherter Avatar
    Barry Reicherter

    I was wondering what the world needed with yet another small video camera as I have the Xacti HD and my Pearl captures video and photos in a pinch. But the battery element you touched on is the reason to get this. Countless times getting a call from the Mrs. who is complaining the Xacti wasn’t fully charged when she’s trying to capture something. It almost never gets back on it’s charging station. Knowing that I can just put a pack of AAs in the car and she’ll be fine would be a welcome change. Thanks for the post.

    Reply

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