Camcorders for YouTubers
Webcams are limited in portability. Cell phones also have their limitations when it comes to shooting video. For YouTubers who are looking to upgrade to a "real" camcorder, here's a rundown on a few of the better low-cost, but high-value light-weight camcorders on the market today.
- It's dead simple. Very few controls or options to mess with.
- 640x480 is YouTube's preferred resolution for uploaded videos, but still looks pretty good on a TV.
- It has 2GB of onboard memory, standard, which is enough for 60 minutes of video.
- It has good low-light performance, which makes it useful in many different lighting situations.
- Its built-in software gives you simple editing and direct uploading to YouTube from any PC or Mac.
To learn more about the Flip Video Ultra, check out these links.
The Aiptek Action HD looks different from the others. We haven't been able to get its precise size and weight. It features a 3X optical zoom, which is quite nice. It also has auto-focus, but some users don't think it works very well. It only comes with 128MB of internal memory, and includes no external memory. It's pretty easy to find 4GB SD cards for about $5, but this is already the highest-price camera in this group. Still, with its 1080i HD capability, you kind of have to give this one a look.
To learn more about the Aiptek Action HD, try these links.
Check out the sample video, which can be found among these links.
The RCA Small Wonder EZ300 is the most recent entry in this field. Like the Kodak Zi6, it shoots 720p HD video. As far as I can tell, it's currently only available from Circuit City. I haven't found any footage to examine, but this could be the best value of the bunch. It comes with 2GB onboard memory and takes up to 16GB in SD expansion. It has a flip out lens for use for videoing yourself. The literature claims that the camera is good in low-light situations. With Circuit City offering this camcorder for $129.99, it bears looking at.
For additional links and information, click here.
This kind of camcorder seems to be a big hit, and its ranks are quickly expanding. That's good news for video enthusiasts who are interested in good value in a small package.
These camcorders were designed with the YouTuber in mind. They are all pocket-sized, light, and under $200. None has image stabilization, but all have tripod mounts. They have USB interfaces for offloading your camera to your computer. All require you to be satisfied with audio recorded from a small, built-in mic, because none has a mic input jack.
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