Pure Digital Flip UltraHD Camcorder

After releasing an HD version of its Flip Mino camcorder late last year, Pure Digital has finally provided the same update to its larger Flip Ultra models. The Flip UltraHD , which features a new video compression engine, 8GB of internal flash memory, an HDMI output, and 720/30p HD video recording, is currently on the market for $199—that's $30 cheaper than the Flip MinoHD if you're taking notes. The camcorder also features the same, easy-to-use uploading software that has made Flip camcorders the favorite of YouTubers and video bloggers alike. With YouTube now firmly supporting HD video, the Flip UltraHD is arriving at just the right time for novice users to catch onto the high definition bandwagon.

Our testing showed the Flip UltraHD offered a significant improvement over the Flip MinoHD when it came to video performance. The UltraHD doesn't have any additional settings or modes—everything is still bare-bones recording—but its auto white balance and exposure gave us better results than previous models. Still, there is some good competition coming out there from Sony in the form of the Webbie HD camcorder (the MHS-CM1 and MHS-PM1. Read on to see which of these ultra-compact products is the best fit for your camcorder needs.

The $200 Pure Digital Flip UltraHD is a bulkier, AA-battery-powered cousin to the tiny but impressive flip minoHD. Like its predecessor, the Flip UltraHD records smooth 720p video to MP4 format with the H.264 codec, and it includes FlipShare software for managing and editing clips, as well as for uploading them to YouTube. Flipping out the UltraHD's USB connector and plugging it into a Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Mac OS X 10.4 (or higher) computer launches FlipShare automatically.

According to our test results, this is Pure Digital's best pocket camcorder yet. The new Flip UltraHD has a wider-angle lens than the Flip MinoHD--though the Creative Vado HD remains the clear leader in the wide-angle realm. The videos below show how the UltraHD's wide-angle lens stacks up against the Creative Vado HD and the Flip MinoHD. (Click the 'HD' button on the bottom right corner of each player to see the best representation of the source video.)