If you haven’t heard, the iPhone 4 was announced earlier this month, and is set to be released in the US and other countries tomorrow! One of the major features that Apple has added to the smartphone is an HD video camera. The iPhone 3GS shot videos too, I’ve made quite a few of them, but the iPhone 4 raises the bar in this department.
Since here at Gazaro we are big fans of the Flip MinoHD (we are giving one away right now!), now is a great time to see if iPhone 4 has what it takes to compete with the Flip in the compact video camera department. I collected the technical features of the Flip MinoHD and iPhone 4 into the table below:
| iPhone 4 | Flip MinoHD | |
| Price | $199 (two-year contract) | $199 |
| Storage | 16Gb (shared w/ OS, music, apps) | 4Gb |
| Battery Life | unknown | 2 Hours |
| HD Video | 720p | 720p |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps | 30 fps |
| Focus | Tap to focus | Fixed Focus |
| Zoom | unknown (still pictures at 5x) | 2x digital zoom |
| TV-Out | Cable $50+ | Cable Included |
| Tripod Mount | No | Yes |
| Editing | On-device (iMovie for $4.99) | Software for computer included |
| Dimensions | 4.5″ x 2.31″ x 0.37″ | 3.94″ x 1.97″ x 0.63″ |
| Weight | 4.8oz | 3.3oz |
As you can see, the iPhone 4 beats the Flip MinoHD in most of the technical categories. Though there are two big ones that we need to consider: Price and Convenience.
Flip MinoHD Price vs iPhone 4
Price is tough due to the iPhone 4 being a smartphone, typically subsidized by wireless carriers in exchange for multi-year contract agreements. In the US that carrier is AT&T, who sells the iPhone 4 for $199 with a two-year contract.
Ignoring the contract for the moment, that puts the iPhone 4 at the same price as the Flip MinoHD which also costs $199 – though unlike the iPhone 4, the Flip camcorders often can be found on sale for a large discount, such as this deal on Amazon that Gazaro currently is tracking – just $151.95.
If are going to get a new phone (and contract) anyway, the fact that the iPhone 4 comes with a contract doesn’t really matter – and makes getting one a no brainer given the little price difference and many other benefits of the iPhone and iOS. If however, you already have a phone and are still tied to a long contract, it would add even more to the cost of the iPhone 4 to cancel your current contract and start a new one. The Flip will ultimately be the cheaper option regardless of whether you need a new phone or not, especially if you can find one on sale.
Flip MinoHD Convenience vs iPhone 4
There is a saying that the best camera is the one you have with you. In that instance, the iPhone 4 is definitely the best, since practically no one goes anywhere without their cellphone. Another factor to consider is whether you want to bring two devices with you, a phone and a Flip MinoHD, or if it would be significantly more convenient to have just one device. But there is another way to look at this convenience: do you really want your cellphone tied up being your video camera too?
For example, if you spent the morning taking some great videos, then have to ration out your remaining battery life for the rest of the day so you can still receive calls. Or if after a long day of work your iPhone 4 is low on battery, leaving you unable to capture a video later that night. Sometimes it just isn’t convenient to have all of your devices crammed into one smartphone!
Another issue with using your iPhone as a video camera is the chance of the video being interrupted by a phone call. If you were taking a video at your child’s baseball game, and they were up at the plate, about to hit an amazing home run – and your phone rings as they swing – the iPhone 4 would stop recording video and ruin any chance of being able to see that amazing hit again. A bit dramatic, but I have lost a few great videos myself due to phone calls coming in a bad times on my iPhone 3GS!
Flip MinoHD or iPhone 4?
If I weren’t tied to my phone contract for another two years, I’d be jumping at the opportunity to get an iPhone 4. Since a new phone doesn’t make sense for me right now, the Flip MinoHD would be an excellent fit for me – given the low price and strong feature set.
It really comes down to your needs. If you are in the market for a small HD camera of decent quality AND a cellphone, the iPhone 4 is a no-brainer. If on the other hand you don’t need a new phone since you are already in a contract or just don’t want one, the Flip MinoHD in an inexpensive way to start shooting HD quality videos. If you are not trying to make every device obsolete with a smartphone that does everything, get a Flip and you won’t regret it – better yet, win one in our contest for a Flip MinoHD!
Related posts:
