IGOpeople

I don't know too much, but the Kodak one looks the biz. There is another one, Flip, (www.theflip.com) which is pretty cheap. My only advice would be to stay away from the mini DV tape camcorders - my second one has just packed up :-(

I was going to say that the Flip would be a good choice too. The Aiptek HD Camcorder looks good too and its €199 http://www.firebox.com/product/2107/Aiptek-HD-Camcorders

I picked up a Flip on holidays a few weeks back. It does exactly what it says on the box, and nothing more. Fine for a cheap pocket camcorder.

I think even Scoble is a Flip Fanboy.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. After far too much deliberation I decided to go with the Aiptek z500 plus.

Did you buy it? Used It - if so how is it? How much was it? (yes i know lots of questions)

So far all looks good. It's light, compact and very very easy to use. The internal memory in it is really low - less than five mins of HD video so I need to get a memory card before I can really test it out. My two minute trial run confirms that I need to put the lights on in the sitting room to get a decent picture but I had read reviews about that so no great surprise. The camera on it is also really good, 5megapixel but can go up to 8 - though yet to work that one out.

It cost £189 from Firebox who, I must say, were pretty impressive. I ordered it yesterday at 3pm - standard delivery - and it arrived this morning at 10am.

@Campbell - you can borrow my shot gun mic which I plug into N95

Cool - where did you get it? Did you get the connector made up?

@Campbell - It's a standard lead.

Aoife,  How you finding life with your aiptek after a month?

I'm in the market for a cam now that we've a little 'un and am trying to decide if the 720p @ 60fps on the aiptek makes it worth an extra £50 over the Toshibe Camileo Pro HD which only manages 30fps. (Z500 does 1080p @ 30fps too like, but its more the fps i was interested in)

Can I ask what you think of the angle on the lens?  My brother has a Sanyo Xacti HD800 and it makes you feel like you're about a metre closer to everything than you actually are.

Also how are the shots for steadiness bearing in mind it doesn't have a stabiliser? Granted it depends on the operator but in general how'd you find it?

Also how's the battery life?

Should I have brought a spot light for this interrogation? :)

Hi Scott,

For a camcorder used just for 'capturing the moment' I am really pleased with it.

The camera is by far better outside and in bright well lit rooms but add shade and it becomes  a bit grainy. It does have LED light and night mode support however, neither are that effective. Given the right conditions the picture is really very good and clear and it captures movement very well.

Like your brothers Sanyo it too makes you feel about a meter closer to everything which can make close ups and framing difficult but when you put the film on a laptop or TV it always looks much better then you think it will.

As for the steadiness, film mode is fine but some of my photos have been a bit shaky and I've learned not to breathe as I take photos with it, however, unshaky photos have come out really well (I've only been using 5 megapixel)

Battery life is about 90 mins and it can be charge by mains charger or USB.

It's a neat litttle thing, a touch to big for the average pocket but great for throwing in the handbag.

Hope this helps

Aoife