The Flip outperforms them all
How is the picture quality?
The Flip MinoHD is the kind of camera you either love or hate. If you're a videophile and analyze specs and features then this camera isn't for you. Using the Flip MinoHD reminded me of why I was skeptical about buying an iPhone when Apple first launched it and why I ultimately bought one and why I feel the iPhone is a fantastic device despite all of it's limitations. Now on to the Flip...There's not much in the box (camera, soft case, strap), the battery can't be changed, and the memory can't be expanded. There's no CD included (the software is on the device) and no cables are included (or needed for most users). There are almost no settings to play with: set the date, time, beeps on/off, recording light on/off and you're ready to go. The ergonomics are ok. It's tough to make a small device easy to hold and use and the display is small but that's to be expected of such a tiny package.For many products this kind of simplicity would suggest that the manufacturer tried to cut costs (e.g. Apple not including an AC Adapter with iPods). In the case of the Flip the message I heard was clearly different: you don't need any of these things. Since there's not much fiddling to do with settings you're left with actually using it!I tried it outdoors and indoors and took videos of the kids and of scenery. It perform wells in all lighting conditions including low light. Based on on my experience low light is the weak point for the HD Video Mode in my Panasonic P&S; as well as in the mini-DV HD Cameras that I own. The Flip outperforms them all. The audio isn't bad at all and the picture quality is better than anything I've seen in a P&S; and is very comparable to what I get with my Canon mini-DV HD Camera.Overall it's easy to pocket and a pleasure to use for making small video clips. 