Creative has launched a pocket sized video camera called the Vado Cam to compete with Flip Video which currently is the best-selling video camcorder at Amazon.
When it comes to features, Vado and Flip video cameras are very similar - both allow one-click video recording and also sport a built-in USB connector to quickly transfer video from the camera to your PC or Mac.
So should you buy Creative’s Vado Camera or Flip Video from Pure Digital?
If you are looking to buy a new video camera to gift your dad or for your own self, here are few things you should consider before deciding between The Flip camcorder and Vado Pocket Cam.
*this comparison is between the 30 minute Flip video camera and Vado since both are in the same price range - $99.
Size & Weight: If you compare the size of these two video camcorders, Vado (represented in blue) is much thinner than The Flip camera (yellow) - the width and height are roughly the same so both can easily slip in your shirt pocket. The Flip weighs around 136 grams while Vado is just 84 grams.
LCD Screen: Vado has a slightly larger screen at 2" (640×480) while Flip’s screen size is 1.5" (280×120 pixels) - both however shoot video at 640×480 resolution but the screen display will be much better in the case of Vado.
Recording Capacity & Format: The $99 Flip can record up to 30 minutes of video (512 MB internal memory) but with Vado, you can shoot video footage for up to 2 hours since it has 2GB memory. Both record video in MPEG4 AVI format that can be viewed using any media player and is also ready for sharing on the web.
Battery: Flip Video uses the regular AA batteries while Vado is fitted with a rechargeable battery that can easily be removed - another advantage for Creative.
Paris Hilton with her Flip VideoExtras: You can attach Vado to a tripod but this tripod slot is available only in the expensive versions of Flip. Both camcorders have a TV-out port so you can watch videos / pictures on a large TV screen without a computer just like the iPod. The A/V cable is included with The Flip while you have to buy it separately in the case of Vado Camcorder.
Overall: The Flip introduced the concept of pocket sized video cameras and they have received some great reviews from experts like David Pogue and Walt Mossberg. However, Creative’s Vado camera definitely has the potential to unseat Flip from the top slot because it’s thin, light and offers much more storage space.
Going forward, I expect Pure Video to bring down the cost of Flip Ultra series to match that of Vado - that will be the perfect time to buy this as a gift for you dad.
Related: Camcorder Buying Guide: NTSC vs PAL Cameras
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/gadgets/computers/compare-flip-video-camera-with-creative-vado-camcorder-review/3314/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Hey Amit ,
where can you buy any one of these in India ? , searched a lot couldn’t find them .
The Flip Video camera is not available in India yet. The same is true for Vado Pocket Cam.
Both are available on Amazon.com but Amazon doesn’t ship electronic items to India so the best bet is to ask someone in US to get one for you. Else keep watching eBay.
Cool review. I haven’t tried one of the Vado’s yet, but I certainly will. As you know I’m a huge proponent of the Flip cam as I do a daily video show with it, but I’m willing to try something new or switch. If anyone from Vado reads this, please contact me. :)
Thanks for posting the first detailed head-to-head review between the two cameras - however, some comparison between the video quality should be in there. According to reviews on Amazon, the Flip has amazing video quality in low light. I’d be interested to know how the Vado fared.
Written by Kuen-Wah Cheung on 05.23.08
Mac users should consider my comments before purchase:
My MAC Updater downloaded the new QT 7.4.5 on 5 Apr 2008. I have been making movies in iMovie, and then posting them to YouTube. In the beginning I uploaded the movies as MOV files but soon discovered AVI files (larger file and longer time to upload) had more clarity when viewed on YouTube. Once the new QT 7.4.5 downloaded all my AVI files had picture, but no sound! I downloaded the Perian component as posted in QT discussions. The sound returned to the AVI files. However, when I Exported an AVI movie from iMovie the picture quality was worse than the MOV movie. There is something wrong with the new QT 7.4.5 when working with AVI, my AVI movies look terrible. These AVI files were all downloaded from my Ultra Flip Video camera with Flip’s codec 3vix. Flip is aware of this problem and acknowledged it last Friday. Flip says Apple is aware of the problem.
My MAC PowerPc G4 has performed well in the past two months when working with the Flip Video camera. So, at Flip Video’s suggestion I upgraded the operating system to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. Flip Video says their camera works with OS 10.5. Once OS 10.5 was uploaded I soon discovered that iMovie 08 would not operate on my PowerPc G4, 1.86 MHz. The speed requirement for iMovie 08 is 1.9 GHz.
At this point of “spinning my wheels for nearly a month” with this Flip Video camera, I decided to purchase a new iMac. On May 2, 2008, I walked out of the Apple Store in Walnut Creek with the new iMac 20-inch: 2.66GHz. Now the Flip video camera should work and all my video problems solved. However, this was not to be.
When I attempted to Import Flip Video AVI and MOV files into iMovie 08 the files were “grayed out” and would not Import. None of my previous Flip Video files would Import. I tried making new Flip Video movies, they also would not Import into iMovie 08.
At another Apple Store, the tech suggested I download the previous version of iMovie HD. I did this and with hours of working through the different Export options I was able to create movies to post again on youTube. However, the picture quality of the newer iMovies has never approached the quality of my last post before QT 7.4.5 downloaded. Remember my problems started with QT 7.4.5. Well, my new iMac came with QT 7.4.1, I have not Uploaded QT 7.4.5 and won’t until Flip Video fixes this problem.
Examples of my Flip Video movies can be viewed on youTube at: sffoggydays. The last video with excellent picture quality was posted 6 Apr 2008 titled “A Day at the San Francisco Zoo, Chapter Nine, L-Taravel Ride to BART.” This video was made in iMovie and Exported before QT 7.4.5 downloaded. All the youTube Flip Videos made after 6 Apr 2008 have poor picture quality.
It is time for Flip Video camera to stop “passing the buck” to Apple. When manufactures of operating system such as Apple and Microsoft create newer and upgraded systems, it is the responsibility of the manufactures of applications to redo their programs for operating on the new systems. Here is where Flip Video is not accepting this responsibility to Mac users of their camera. The Flip Video application/codex/drivers need to be updated in order to fix the following problems:
- No sound on AVI files in QT 7.4.5
- No Import of AVI and MOV files in iMovie 08
- Poor picture quality for youTube in Export of iMovie HD
I like my Flip Video camera, want to continue making movies for youTube, and recommending the camera to others. The Flip Video camera people need to fix these problems for Mac users. 26 May 2008.
Here is the Flip Video email response on 27 May 2008:
Hello,
Thank you for your response.
We are not authorized to support third party applications, which is why we do not provide specific instructions regarding iMovie or any other third party application. We only support the Flip and the Flip program, while offering suggestions regarding other programs.
The Apple website also offers Perian as a workaround regarding audio on the Tiger operating system with the latest QuickTime. The latest QuickTime upgrade didn’t allow for audio playback of AVI files, which is why Perian is now offered as a work around by us and by Apple.
It seems as though you are able to playback your videos, as well as use them in outside applications. If this is not the case, and you are having issues using your Flip video or your Flip video program, feel free to contact us further.
Thank you,
Consumer Support
Pure Digital Technologies, Inc.
Written by Gary Barton (sffoggydays) on 06.03.08
I have both Flip and Vado. I love both cameras but not to use on my MacBook. For PC use, both are excellent. I’m hoping that both companies fix the QuickTime component and have them working soon. Just downloaded my videos via iPhoto on the Vado and got sound and no picture with a clean install and no binary adjustments.
Back to square one for Mac users…
Written by Tamara Busch on 06.17.08
I have to say, I was not impressed by this review. The writer compared the two cameras in every catagory but video and sound quality. It really doesn’t matter which is the sleekist looking or has the larger viewing screen or most accessories. What matters is the end product.
In the video and sound quality of the Flip is far superior. Perhaps the second generation Vados will narrow this gap but as of now, the Vado is not the Flip killer that the author suggests.
Written by Bryan on 06.25.08
You are missing the mains points, Bryan. Both little guys here have equally compromised video quality capped at VGA standard (640×480). BUT it is enough for taking video notes so to say. The Flip was first device of this kind yet it could have been thought out better. It is no surprise that somebody took the concept and made a better product out of it (read: Vado). As we talk of portable electronics and gadgets - the looks matter and so does the rechargeable battery, not to mention the capacity.
I have tried both the vado and the flip and hands down the vado is a much better product.