Recording short videos and sharing them on YouTube or similar sites have been very popular in the last few years.  With camcorder technology advancing, a new market for small and portable flash based cameras have begun to emerge.  One popular device is the Flip series of flash camcorders.  They are made for portability and ease of use but at close to the price of a full featured digital camera with video capabilities, are these flash based camera worth the investment?

There you have it, a direct comparison between the Flip Ultra and the Canon SD1000 Digital Elph.

Where I'm coming from: I am accustomed to using MiniDV camcorders and converting the video.  This is my first experience with flash based camcorders and I must say I'm quite impressed with its performance.  If the Flip HD, which records in 720p, becomes available in Canada, I'll be sure to pick one up.

What I compared it to: Looking at the price, I decided to compare it to something most people would already have, a digital camera.  Most digital cameras will record video at a similar resolution as the Ultra and as you can see, it works in a pinch.  But if you're looking at a dedicated unit for doing lots of YouTube style videos, the Flip series makes a very compelling argument for why you might want one.

What I liked: The ease of use and simple built in uploading functions are fantastic.  Add in the AA battery requirements and you've got a great portable camcorder that will be great for quick shots and fast captures.

What I didn't like: The Flip Ultra lacks a much needed SD card expansion slot.  Without the expansion, you're limited to a 2GB storage capacity that will give you about an hour of video.  The unit also has no optical zoom and that's where the Canon has it beat.  But if you're good with fixed distance recording, then nothing to worry about.  There's also no auto focus on the Flip, so don't think you can take close up videos because the lens is fixed.  Finally, the Ultra series is a tad bulky but you can always opt for the more expensive Mini versions or the HD versions which are also slightly slimmer but costs more.

Value: The Flip Ultra is great value for anyone looking for a portable flash camcorder.  Sure there are lots more choices out there and more professional looking units as well but after uploading to YouTube, resolution doesn't really matter after 480p.  This unit is cheap enough and sturdy enough for travel use and not making you feel like you have to baby your $1000 camcorder.

Final Word: Recommended for the lazy YouTuber and the basic videographer.  Opt for the more expensive HD or Mini versions of the Flip for more features and higher quality recording.  A great alternative to using your digital camera, even Grandma can use this!