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"Now that Cisco has condemned the Flip camera to that great recycling bin in the sky, there may be a gap in the market for an affordable, pocket-sized HD camcorder.\nWhile many are content to shoot casual videos with the cameras built into their phones, if you're looking for a standalone gadget that shoots true HD and is still easy on the wallet, check out these alternatives to the once-popular Flip.\nIt's a strange twist that the Flip would flop in the market it helped create, but it's given rise to some seriously capable rival products. While we're sorry to see the Flip go, here's five we'd like to see fill its shoes.\n\n\n5 Fabulous Alternatives to the Flip Cam\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Creative Vado\n\n\nCreative's third gen Vado is a colorful option with seriously pocket-friendly dimensions of 3.9 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide by 0.6 inches deep. Touch-sensitive buttons and a two-inch display make up the front of the camera while a built-in USB arm pops out of the bottom for quick connectivity. \nThe Vado records 720p video but only low-res stills, so it's not the best option if you're looking for a dual-function camera/camcorder. It does video well though, with a wide-angle lens, a simple one-click record option, decent battery life and 4 GB of internal storage. \nRounding off the package is the now requsiste easy-share options for social sites, meaning you can get your content online quickly.\nCost: $169.99\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. Samsung HMX-U20\r\n\n\nBoasting Full HD video capture, 14-megapixel stills and 3x optical zoom, the Samsung U20 is a top-end pocket video camera. \nIt records to SD and SDHC memory cards, has a 2-inch display, a built-in USB arm and offers the easy sharing options you'd expect from such a product. \nAs far as unique features go, those curvy looks are based in ergonomics with a 7-degree body shape for good grip. Another bonus feature worthy of mention is the ability to capture time-lapse recordings for some fun creative experiments. \nCost: $129 on Amazon\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. Sony Bloggie Touch\n\n\nThe Sony Bloggie Touch is a capable pocket video camcorder offering not only 1080p full HD movie recording but 12-megapixel still capture with the ability to grab pics while filming. With a 3-inch touchscreen that auto-rotates for portrait and landscape viewing, ease of use comes in with a swing-out USB port, compatibilty for both Macs (it works with iMovie) and PCs, and easy sharing options to social sites. \nOn the tech side, you get 4 GB or 8 GB internal memory (good for two- and four-hours record time), face detection and SteadyShot image stablization. The only thing missing is optical zoom, but in a 125-gram, slimline and roughly 2-inch by 4-inch body, you can't really complain.\nCost: From $149.99 to $169.99\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Sanyo Xacti VPC-PD2BK\n\n\nSanyo has built up a good name for its handheld Xacti range, and the VPC-PD2BK -- introduced in summer 2010 -- is a nice affordable example at under $125. For the money, you get full HD video, 10-megapixel stills, a flash and the nice touch of 3x optical zoom. \nThe 2-inch screen is on the small side, but you're also getting support for both SD and SDXC memory cards up to 64 GB, a digital image stabilizer and a high speed shooting mode. It's compatible with both Macs (there's iMovie support) and PCs, file transfer is via a USB cable (rather than a built-in port), and the bundled software offers simple sharing to popular social sites.\nCost: $123.99 on Amazon\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Kodak Playfull\r\n\n\nThe Playfull is a good all-around option with middle-of-the-road specs and a decent price tag that puts it firmly in the Flip's old territory. Boasting video capture from 1080p down to WVGA, the slimline pocket video camera can also capture 5-megaixel stills to an SD card with support for up to 32 GB. \nThe built-in USB arm makes transferring files to a Mac or PC simple, while the dedicated \"Share\" button will let you email or post your clips and pics in three quick steps. \nFace recoginition, image stabilization and some software effects including \"70s film\" add to the fun, with the only downsides to the Playfull's spec list being the 1.5-inch display (slightly on the small side), no flash and no optical zoom. \nCost: $149.99\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2011/05/06/flip-camera-alternatives/>