Pure Digital introduces Flip Mino video sharing camcorder

It's been quite awhile since Pure Digital's YouTube-lovin' Flip Video Ultra came around, but folks looking for its rightful successor can finally stop peering around every bend in vain. Announced today, the Flip Mino checks in at just 4- x 2- x 0.6-inches and weighs 3.3-ounces -- a full 40% smaller than the previously mentioned Ultra. You'll also find 2GB of internal storage for holding an hour of footage, along with a sealed rechargeable Li-ion, 1.5-inch anti-glare screen, touch-sensitive buttons and a TV output to boot. As predicted, this pocket-friendly camcorder comes ready to upload to some of the most popular video sharing sites on the web, and users in the US can procure their own (in black or white) on June 5th for $179.99.

[Mike S. @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:28PM]

My friend bought me a Flip Ultra, and at first I thought it was a toy, but when my actual camcorder broke and I was forced to use it, I was pleasantly surprised.

I might just go pick one of these up.

[Aguiluz @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:50PM]

I'd pick up the $99 cheapcorder instead.

[jim kukral @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:15PM]

What The Flip needs is not to be smaller, but more features. They're going the wrong way. Make it have more features like the ability to have a wireless mic, or a flip out screen so you can see yourself filming.

Nobody has been a bigger evangelist for this camera than I have. I just hope they move it into the right direction. Their competitors are breathing heavy down their necks now.

[Zero @ Jun 4th 2008 8:38PM]

Who's their competition? As far as the affordable decent camcorder market goes, they seem to be the best.

[Nicholas D. Heer @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:08PM]

...and it's still not available in Canada. Joy.

Hitting eBay up on June 6th.

[psilver @ Jun 4th 2008 11:00AM]

Ugh, I bit the bullet and got one on the flip website. =:O

[Fernando @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:12PM]

...deja vu

you guys had totally posted about this already, didn't you?

[Darak @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:48PM]

I swear I saw this post earlier too...and it was one insulting the camera. I call shenanigans!

[LondonConsultant @ Jun 4th 2008 5:09AM]

Yep, Engadget's earlier post dissed this camera, but only the URL now remains: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/03/pure-digital-unveils-flip-mino-for-smaller-sexier-crap-videos/

Perhaps it was unfair calling the Flip's videos crap... They actually produce good quality VGA video for the price; much better VGA quality than cameraphones such as LG Viewty, Nokia N95, etc.

[Frank Borges LL0SA- Broker FranklyRealty.com @ Jun 4th 2008 1:41AM]

I still don't get it!! Every point and shoot camera has better video. Buy a $10 memory card that has built in USB and you can pop it into any computer.

Oh well, they will be rich!

[Danny Jiang @ Jun 7th 2008 7:29PM]

Totally agree with you... either 1 of our 5 digital cameras in the house (2 Olympus, 2 Canon and 1 Casio) all takes better movies than the Flip... which is so cheaply built and feel like it's going to break at any given moment. With the MSRP of $170.... I simply don't get the people who's buying it...

And for those who think that they need to add "more features" to the Flip Cam.... like "wireless mic".... you'd better prepare to pay more $ for it... I got my Canon SX100IS camera couple of months ago which takes great movie clips with more Zoom and functions than the new Flip.... And I got it for $190 new on sale.... HELLO?!

[nikster @ Jun 8th 2008 7:28AM]

How do you define better? I never use my point and shoot for video, it's a pain. Clip length is usually limited to 30 seconds or so. So why not get a cheapo dedicated quick video shooter? Just for fun...

[qader @ Jun 4th 2008 2:09AM]

Looks cool i hope its available in india.

[DaisyField @ Jun 4th 2008 2:54AM]

Anyone know if it can stand up on its own like the flip can without a tripod?

[AA @ Jun 4th 2008 7:52AM]

Still no optical zoom-although the videos it takes are fine for Youtube, optical zoom is much better than a digital zoom.

The Sony and JVC YouTube cams have optical zoom-but not the Flip.

Perhaps Pure Digital should seriously consider adding a model with folding optics type optical zoom.

[shanoboy @ Jun 4th 2008 8:44AM]

Damnit if I didn't just buy the regular sized version of this player two weeks ago! Oh well, the regular size is still pretty compact and I got it for about $60 less.

These players are great. If you're on the fence about buying one go ahead and get it. They're awesome little cameras.

[psilver @ Jun 4th 2008 11:01AM]

Ugh, I bit the bullet and bought one off the Flip website. =:O

Yes, it has a tripod mount.

[psilver @ Jun 4th 2008 11:04AM]

I was considering the way cheaper Vado but the quality isn't as par with the Flip models. Quality of the video comes first for me. I would love to have a larger screen but I can live with the puny screen.

[Paul @ Jun 5th 2008 10:05PM]

I'm a photojournalist and I just ordered one from Flip's own site. Can't wait to play with it. Amazon says it has stereo mics, is that true? I was going to rig it up with a stereo field recorder and condenser mic for syncing in post. Could be a good small rig for producing films for the internet. My goal is to produce enhanced multimedia for my website,
http://www.photohumourist.com
We'll see how it goes.

[psilver @ Jun 7th 2008 12:56AM]

Based on description from the website, mic is not stereo. Same mono as the ultra but this time, it is omnidirection type.

Ordered mine from the flip site too hoping it would arrive this week but it turns out I have to wait til wednesday next week.

www.silverph.com

[Danny Jiang @ Jun 7th 2008 7:39PM]

Like your work a lot.... Thanks for the link ;-)

[Paul Treacy @ Jun 9th 2008 2:09PM]

Danny, if that's at me, thank you.

Looking forward to making some fun with the little Flip.

Cheers,
Paul Treacy
http://www.photohumourist.com

[Antney @ Jun 21st 2008 11:04PM]

I purchased the Flip Mino today. It is great! The ONLY thing I didn't care for was that someone from Apple must have quit and started working at PureDigital and has convinced them to make the battery sealed inside so that it is not user serviceable. The video quality is great and the camera is so small that it will be easy to have it with me at all times. The white model is sexxxxxxy!

[PAHNATION @ Aug 12th 2008 2:49AM]

we love this camera - the non-profit i work for - Christopher Coppola's (nephew of Francis Ford, brother of Nicolas Cage) PROJECT ACCESSIBLE HOLLYWOOD - has fallen in love with this product - we are now using them for our traveling new media film festivals - we empower the everyday person to tell their story - so these cameras are perfect - easy to use and can go anywhere! great for video bloggers!

[PAHNATION NAME DROPPER @ Aug 28th 2008 10:25AM]

Pahnation - half your review was name dropping and telling us how important the people for whom you work are.
Stick to the product at hand next time.