Pocket Video Camera Quality Comparison – Creative Vado vs iPod Nano
Today I received the Creative Vado (SD) that I ordered a couple of weeks ago.
Levision, iPod Nano and Creative Vado
It is a pocket video recorder, very similar in vein to the Flip Mino.
You can find the specs for it here.
It is very easy to use, comes with 2Gb built in Flash memory (which includes software for Windows computers) and a great flip-out USB plug, for downloading the .avi video files, and also charging the Li-ion battery.
I have been looking at different pocket cameras, in an attempt to find something cheaper than the Flip cameras, but with similar quality and functionality. I previously reviewed the LeVision (link to blog post) and found it good value for money, but the video quality was not really up to scratch compared with the iPod Nano, which for almost twice the price has about a hundred times the functionality as the LeVision! The only thing the LeVision really has going for it, is the fact that it takes video (.mov) AND still shots (.jpg).
The Vado is much the same. Video quality is not great. The Nano wins hands down in outdoor AND indoor (low light) situations. Download some samples to see the difference (right-click and choose “save linked file as…” or “save to disk”).
The Nano files are MP4s, whereas the Vado files are AVIs (requiring DivX).
Vado-outdoor (30 seconds – 16Mb)
Nano-outdoor (30 seconds – 10Mb)
Vado-lowlight (30 seconds – 12Mb)
Nano-lowlight (30 seconds – 10Mb)
I would go so far as to say that the Vado and the LeVision have similar quality video, with the main advantage of the Vado being its flip-out USB plug. The LeVision, however, is half the price, at just under $AU100. The Vado costs just over $AU200 (this included shipping). I notice now that Flip cameras are available at Dick Smith and Harvey Norman at just over $200 each, as well. It appears that a price war is happening!
I have also seen JVC and Samsung pocket video cameras. I have heard that the Samsung one takes still shots, too, rather than having to capture a still image form your video, like with the Nano, Vado and Flip.
I’ll continue to update more, as information comes to hand.
