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Tech Review: Flip MinoHD vs. Kodak Zi6 – Part 3

Posted by Agent Squirrel on February 22, 2009

Make sure you’ve read the Intro before continuing on with this part. I also strongly suggest watching the test videos I made. To make this easier, I created a YouTube Playlist. Since I encoded each video in HD, and it just so happens that YouTube is now allowing full HD video, you will get the full effects of the videos if you watch these in HD. Once you click on the individual video, just click the “View in HD” link that is under the video on the right side.

Part 3: What the Biggest Differences Are (specs not performance)

1. Size – see #1 in Part 2. I don’t think this is a real difference but again, The MinoHD is smaller so I guess it does belong in this category too.
2. The Zi6 records HD60: 720p at 60 fps-16:9 and HD: 720p at 30 fps-16:9. The MinoHD only records in HD: 720p at 30 fps-16:9. Is this a big difference? It can be if you are recording things that are moving faster or really, really want higher quality. Yet you have to look at the other features. The Zi6 at best quality is why – I think – the lighting can be better on it (see more later).
3. The MinoHD uses built in memory where the Zi6 uses an SD card.
4. MinoHD uses and internal rechargeable batteries. The Zi6 uses two AA batteries (it comes with rechargeable batteries and charger).
5. Price. There can be close to a $100 difference between these two. As of this writing, the MinoHD is $209, the Zi6 is $152 at Amazon.com. The retail price for the MinoHD is $229 and the Zi6 is $179.
6. Screen size is different. The Zi6’s screen is larger – 2.4 inches compared to 1.5 inches on the MinoHD. That makes a difference when you are viewing the images back on the camera itself but doesn’t effect the quality of the video.
7. The MinoHD model only comes in black. The Zi6 also comes in silver/black and also in pink and red.

Those really are the biggest differences in these two models until you get to the performance. No wonder why it was hard for me to pick when comparing the two. Yet I really liked the idea of the Zi6 because of the SD card and batteries. The MinoHD only gives you one hour of recording before you run out of battery power and internal memory. So, if you do not plan to be near a computer anytime soon, the MinoHD is going to give you very limited recording time. With the Zi6, you are only limited by the number of SD cards and batteries you have with you.

Continue on to Part 4 – A Comparison of the Two Side-by-Side