INBOX:YOU CAN pack a lot into your pocket these days. Mobiles and cameras seem to get thinner and more powerful every day, and the same is true of pocket camcorders.
They can vary from one that can record YouTube-quality video up to high definition (high def) video.
Which model to choose all depends on what you want to film.
You can go for something under €150 - good for skateboarding teens who want to upload something to YouTube quickly.
Then there is the Sony's TG3, a diminutive 1080i resolution camcorder, which will show the sharpest pictures on an HD set.
The Toshiba Camileo Pro HD and the Aiptek PocketDV sit somewhere between the two. There are lots of other options - which major on audio, zoom, recording times or battery life.
The Aiptek PocketDV Z300HD-V is an HD quality 720p camera with a 3x optical zoom and close-up macro mode. The bundled software works only on PCs, but Apple users can extract the video in QuickTime format via a USB cable.
However a memory card is required for practical use.
The Panasonic HDC-SD9 is slightly larger than your pocket, but still lightweight. It will record at 1080i HD, has a 10x optical zoom and even records surround-sound audio.
However, it is at the pricier end of the scale at about €770.
The Busbi Disgo Video is like the popular Flip camera - one on button, one for record. That's it. However, the 320x240 resolution is poor and there is no zoom.
Yes, it's run on two AA batteries and its 1GB memory card stores an hour of video, but why shoot bad images that you will wish were better looking in a year's time?
Cheap at €50.
The Sony HDR-TG3 is packed with features like a 1080i HD, 10x optical zoom, 4GB Memory Stick and 5.1 surround-sound audio recording.
The Creative Vado is a Flip-copy - note the built-in USB connector that folds into the body, classic Flip style. Although it has the same image quality, it also has a 2x zoom and 2GB internal memory, high/low quality recording options and it's cheaper at about €100.
PC software only, alas.
The Flip Ultra plays on its simplicity, 2GB of internal memory and two AA battery power, but its software only works on PCs. Not great. It sells for about €150.
Samsung VP-HMX20C has much of the mod-cons, but the 8GB of built-in Flash memory is an extra bonus on top of slots for SD and MMC cards. Not cheap at €560 but you get a lot of features - like a touchscreen control panel - for your money.
The Canon FS100 (€300) is a proper "standard-definition" camcorder and does not compress its video, unlike most other camcorders. The DVD-quality video is great for home movie enthusiasts as is the 37x optical zoom.
Get a memory card and away you go.
What's the upshot? Personally, I'm attracted to the Canon, with its great optics and standard definition video.
