If you’re a photography junkie like me, you like to bring your camera gear when you travel.  Safety is always a concern though and personally, I stopped bringing my digital SLR because I was afraid I’d always be sticking out and a target for thieves.

Probably the most important thing to consider when traveling with a digital SLR camera is what kind of bag you’ll use.  Most camera bags stick out like a sore thumb and scream “I HAVE EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT IN HERE!”  Whether you’re on the street or in a hostel, you should be careful with who letting people know what you’re carrying.

Earlier this year I began to shop for camera bags that don’t obviously look like typical camera bags.  Here’s a few options:

Think Tank Retrospective

The Think Tank Retrospective series is very cool. On the outside it’s a plain, incognito messenger style bag. Inside, it’s a great camera bag with adjustable padded dividers.  There are several sizes available depending on how much gear you want to hold.  There aren’t a plethora of pockets but it has the basics and Think Tank’s quality is always in the top of the class.

The pinestone model looks like a typical canvas bag, though it feels just as high-quality as you’d expect out of Think Tank.  I like the pinestone since it doesn’t stand out.

The Think Tank Retrospective series starts at $129

Check them out on Amazon and come back soon for a full review of the Retrospective 20.

Tenba Small Messenger Bag

I got to test out the Tenba messenger bags while in a local camera store and I was pretty impressed. There’s a small and a large model available. Both will carry a laptop in addition to your camera gear with the small model carrying up to a 15″ laptop.  Not bad.

There’s a ton of pockets for your gear so you can stay organized. A feature I like is the top has a zipper where you can slide things in and out quickly. Nice when you want to grab something from the main compartment without opening it up and completely exposing your camera gear.

My only gripe with the Tenba messenger bags is that they look like laptop bags.  If you’re trying to stay a bit incognito, this probably isn’t the bag for you.

Amazon has them starting at $95 in a variety of colors.

Kelly Moore Boy Bag

The Kelly Moore Boy Bag may not be as functional as above bags but it’s definitely the nicest looking.  It’s not real leather but the quality is very nice.  The dividers are removable to fit your gear needs and it has quite a bit of room.  This bag definitely wins the “I’m just wearing a cool messenger style bag and there’s nothing important in here” award.

Cons? It’s a bit pricey at $199. They’re available on Amazon.

Kelly Moore B-Hobo Bag

Here’s another bag from Kelly Moore and it’s the reason I was comfortable recommending the Boy Bag without seeing it.  I bought the B-Hobo bag for the lady in my life and she loves it.  The photos online really don’t do it justice. The work that went into these bags is really top-notch.  She loves to throw a couple of lenses and her camera in it and carry it on her while she’s shooting kids or a wedding.

The pros should be obvious.  It looks like a stylish purse.  The cons are that it’s hard to hold a professional digital SLR body with a grip attached.

Kelly Moore makes a few other styles for ladies starting at $169.  You can check them out on Amazon.

10) Banff

9) Yosemite

8) Niagara Falls

7) New York Skyline

6) Yellowstone

5) Metropolitan Museum

4) Carlsbad Caverns

3) Chichen Itza

2) Teotihuacan

1) Grand Canyon

Thanks to Howard Hillman for the Top 10 list and the wonderful photographs who have utilized the Creative Commons license on these beautiful photos.  Click the appropriate photo for more from each photographer.

I‘m excited to announce the launch of a new project I’ve been working on.  It’s called DigiTraveler and it’s the sister-site to Have Pack, Will Travel.

I’ve reviewed and featured products here before, but I’m looking to separate them and expose my inner geek over at DigiTraveler.  I hope this site site proves to be helpful for travelers with gadget-lust, digital nomads, and location independent professionals.

I encourage you to stop by, sign up for updates, and maybe even leave a comment somewhere if you are so inclined.

Thanks!

Panasonic was kind enough to send me a DMC-ZS3 to test out during my recent trip to Argentina.  At first I wasn’t too excited to try out a new camera.  I really like my Nikon S600 for its wide-angle lens and small compact body.  It’s easy to us and takes good photos.  I don’t like to mess with success.

I took a look at the DMC-ZS3 anyway and was quickly excited to try it out when I saw some of the specs: 25mm wide-angle lens, 12x zoom, and best of all, 720p HD video recording.  OK Nikon.  You’re sitting this one out.

I played with the camera a bit and noticed a few things right off the bat.  It’s a little larger than most Point & Shoot cameras, the black metal body looks pretty slick, and the menus and settings are pretty easy to navigate.  In reality, those are probably the top three things shoppers look at when purchasing a camera.

Picture Quality

Technology has moved incredibly fast over the last few years and even the cheapest cameras take great photos.  If you are shopping for a new camera and you’re spending hours browsing the internet comparing photos to see which camera takes the highest quality photos, you’re wasting your time.  They may not be identical, but nearly every camera being produced takes great photos.  I don’t care if it’s $99 or $499, you are going to be hard pressed to find much difference in picture quality between them.

The DMC-ZS3 is no exception.  The pictures look great, just like I’d expect.  Shots taken around town, indoors, and other normal photo situations look great but don’t exactly stand out above any other consumer grade camera.  Where the DMC-ZS3 shines is in harsh lighting conditions.  Maybe it’s the high quality Leica lens that has been coated in ways only professional glass ever receives, or maybe it’s the great 10megapixel sensor.  I’m not sure, but either way, it excels in harsh light.

Many cameras couldn't handle the exposure range and flare from the sun, but the DMC-ZS3 does so wonderfully in this photo from Ushuaia, Argentina

The Lens

Speaking of the lens, the DMC-ZS3 is packed with a 12x wide-angle Leica zoom lens.  Most cameras that are advertised to have a wide-angle lens have a focal length of 28mm and widest.  I’ve never seen it before in a Point & Shoot, but the DMC-ZS3 is 25mm at its widest.  3mm doesn’t sound like much, but it does provide a somewhat significant increase in viewing angle.  It’s a great bonus for travel photographers who constantly find themselves shooting beautiful landscapes, classic architecture, or even large groups of people.  Most standard Point & Shoot cameras have 35mm lenses and the difference is astounding.  I always recommend people look for a camera with a wide-angle lens.  It’s a necessity and I’m glad Panasonic not only recognized this, but expanded on it.

The only thing better than the 25mm wide-angle is the 12x zoom.  Roughly equivalent to a 300mm telephoto lens in traditional film photography, the 12x zoom allows you to get photos that were impossible with most other cameras.  I realized how powerful this can be when taking a boat tour of the Beagle Canal down off the southern tip of Argentina.  While the other people were using their 3x zooms to capture half of the island pictured below, I was able to use the 12x zoom and optical image stabilization to capture great close-up shots of the sea lions that were posing for us.

12x zoom, from a boat - Isla de los Lobos - Ushuaia, Argentina

Sea Lion eating a Southern King Crab

Wide-angle shot from hostel window - Beagle Canal in the distance

The Video

There has been a lot of hype on this camera and most of it has been surrounding the 720p HD video.  I’ve used several flash camcorders and always have been underwhelmed with the video, even when it’s 720p.  Encoding HD on flash memory has been around for a couple of years now, but due to the codecs and processes used to encode video into a usable format that is also small enough to fit on a memory card typically causes some pixelation.  It’s a trade off that most people can live with if they want a compact video recorder.

Some pixelation is present in the DMC-ZS3‘s video, but it is, by far, the best flash memory video I have seen with a compact camera.  Even the stereo audio sounds good though users should be careful of covering the mic with their finger when holding the camera.

Overall the video is clean and sharp, the audio is good, you can zoom while shooting video, and best of all, the optical image stabilization does wonders.  Without OIS, it would be practically impossible to hand hold the camera and shoot at 12x zoom without making your viewers sick.

Take a look at the video I shot during my boat tour of the Beagle Canal.

Watch this video in HD: Beagle Canal – Ushuaia, Argentina on Vimeo.

Keep in mind that much of the above video was shot with the lens fully extended to 12x and was on a moving boat.  It moves up and down quite a bit, but there is very little shake from hand holding the camera.  Overall I am extremely impressed.

Another thing you might notice with the video is the purple lens flares when shooting directly at the sun.  This is pretty common with video as the sensors can’t handle the full range of bright colors like still photography can.  It’s unfortunate, but I’m not surprised.  I doubt there is a consumer level camera that could do better.

Size

The last thing, and possibly most important to many people is the size of the camera.  Because of it’s impressive lens and beautiful 3″ LCD screen, the DMC-ZS3 is larger than most current Point & Shoot cameras.  As somebody who has used Digital-SLR cameras for most travel needs, it’s very small.  It’s not a “pocket” digital camera though.  I held mine in a waterproof Tucano neoprene case and it fit decently in my pants or jacket pockets, but it was more bulky than others I have used over the past couple of years.  It’s a trade off.

The Verdict

The Panasonic DMC-ZS3 is by far, the most impressive Point & Shoot digital camera I have ever used.  For the traveler, this camera should be a no-brainer.  I can’t imagine a better option in its class.

For the average user though, it may be a little overkill.  If you like to tuck a camera in your pocket and bring it out with you to the bar or club, this may not be the camera for you.  If you like to get out and go hiking, play sports, travel, or shoot high quality video, you’ve found the right camera.  It’s sturdy enough to get tossed around and take a beating so it will serve travelers well.

Overall, I’d give the DMC-ZS3 a 9/10.  The only thing that could use improving is the size, but if making it smaller means losing any features, I’d stick with the size it is.  It’s worth it.

MSRP is $399 but Amazon has the Panasonic DMC-ZS3 for closer to $300 currently.

The four hour flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia gives passengers amazing views of Patagonia and the snow-capped Andes mountains that stretch all the way down through South America.  Flying in, it’s hard to imagine there is a modern city anywhere in the vicinity.

Ushuaia is considered the southern-most city in the world.  Battling with Puerto Williams, Chile (officially not a recognized city) for the title, Ushuaia is connected to the rest of Argentina by Route 30 and a small but modern airport.  Even five minutes from landing, there is absolutely nothing in sight other than most impressive mountain range in the entire world.

A ten minute taxi ride from the airport reveals a small, but very modern and comfortable city.  Plenty of restaurants line the main street of San Martin and the harbor is busier than one would imagine given it’s remote location.  In fact, Ushuaia has become a major launching pad for cruises to Antarctica.

Port of Ushuaia, Argentina

During the winter months most visitors are Argentinians taking a break from their lives in Buenos Aires to enjoy the wonderful skiing.  Even the hostels are packed during this time and are transformed into party central for the lively Buenos Aires locals.

Ski bums will enjoy a day on the mountain.  Cerro Castor appears the be the popular one with most visitors.  I was treated to a foot of fresh powder from the night before going and bright sunny skies throughout the first half of the day.  I was told that the weather changes five times a day in Uhsuaia and that was evident by the snowstorm that started around 1pm.  It took several hours to escape the parking lot due to how quickly the snow fell on the roads.  Be careful if driving or better yet, pay the AR$30 for a round trip shuttle ride from your hotel or hostel.

Jeff snowboarding at Cerro Castor - Ushuaia, Argentina

Visitors to Ushuaia have to treat themselves to a boat ride of the Beagle Canal.  If you get seasick easily, be sure to take some Dramamine!

There are a handful of boat operators lined up down at the warf waiting for your business or you can book it through your hotel/hostel.  I paid AR$135, about $35 US, for a 4-hour cruise on a small but comfortable boat.  Unfortunately the penguins weren’t around during this time of the year, but a visit to Isla los Lobos made for some great photo opportunities.

Sea Lion eating a Southern King Crab

Sea Lion posing for my camera

King Cormorants - Beagle Canal - Ushuaia, Argentina

For an archeology buff (I’d be a young Indiana Jones if I had a museum funding my adventures) a short stop at a Yamana island was interesting as you get the opportunity to see former dwelling sites of the Yamana people that are all but extinct now.  Move the brush a little and you’ll find shell midden from hundreds of years ago.

An Archeologist's Dream Come True - Yamana Island

I would recommend any visitor to Argentina to hop on a cheap LAN or Aerolineas flight down to Ushuaia and enjoy the southernmost city the world.  Great food, great people, and amazing terrain all make for an incredible experience.  Just be sure to dress a little warmer than I did.

Please take a moment to enjoy this video I shot during my tour of the Beagle Canal.

Beagle Canal – Ushuaia, Argentina from Jeffery Patch on Vimeo.

All photos and video shot by Jeffery Patch with a Panasonic DMC-ZS3 12x zoom digital camera

I‘m glad to announce another contest for our wonderful readers here at Have Pack, Will Travel.

One of our great sponsors, DigitalRoom.com, has offered to give one lucky reader a free 18×24″ print of any photo of their choice.  If you are a travel photographer and have ever had large prints made, you know how difficult and expensive it can be to find a quality printer.

I am personally about to get this image printed as an 18×24″ print to hang in my living room.  This was taken in the Beagle Canal off the cost of Ushuaia, Argentina.

Ushuaia, Argentina - del Fin de Mundo - photo by Jeffery Patch

How to Enter

It’s easy! All you have to do to enter is post a comment on this article and tell us which travel photo of yours you would have printed.  Please paste a link to the photo.  You can upload it to Flickr or your own website.

One winner will be randomly selected on September 29th, 2009 and will be announced here and via Twitter.  Be sure to follow @HavePack on Twitter for the fastest way to find out if you are the winner!

Note that the winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org – your travel images will not be judged or reused in anyway.  Contest is only open to U.S. residents.

Bonus Entry

Want to an additional entry in the contest?  Simply retweet this message on Twitter:

I entered to win a free 18×24″ poster print of my #travel photo from @HavePack and @uprinting #giveaway – http://su.pr/1rKUvL

Thanks for entering! Be sure to check out Digitalroom.com for your digital printing and poster printing needs!

With all the excitement and preparations of traveling it’s easy to (initially) forget the family and friends you’re leaving behind. But we’re interested, honest; and most of us (for the time being anyway) are living vicariously through you, so don’t forget about us. We want to know about the interesting guy you sat beside on the plane who invited you to dinner afterward. Or the hidden cave you explored while swimming in the Mediterranean. So please, fill us in.

With the internet and advances in modern technology it’s easier now more than ever before to keep in touch, especially when you know your options. Of course, it needs to be cost effective as you’re on a budget – every penny counts. I’m familiar with this as I’m currently living in the UK, my parents are in Canada, sister in Australia and friends scattered across the globe! Yet I still manage to fill them in on a regular basis without breaking the bank and I know that when we all meet up again it’ll feel like no time has passed. Here are some suggestions that I’ve come across that helped me over the years.

Stories

Instead of sending personal emails, usually outlining the same information to individuals, try posting your stories/news to one location thus allowing your followers to access the information at their leisure. For longer trips I’d recommend starting a blog. Have Pack, Will Travel has already discussed your options for this, check them out here . For shorter trips you can use Facebook and either set up a group, invite selected family and friends, or simply post a note to the news feed through your account.

Photos

There’s no better way to share an experience then through a collection of photos. There are several great options here and it’s just a matter of picking one that suits you best. If you’re going down the Facebook route for your stories then uploading pictures to the same account would be easiest. But if not, check out these popular options that can all easily be linked up to your blog or shared with friends and family in other ways.

Flickr

An online community built around photo sharing that’s accessed through the web. You can upload photos, edit them, organize and share them. You have full control over your privacy settings and your friends don’t need to be members to view your albums. Basic accounts are free.

Picasa/ Picasa Web Account

Owned by Google and can be accessed via a G-mail account. It has all the same benefits as Flickr but without the community. The web version allows for 1 gigabyte of free storage equating to roughly 4,000 wallpaper-size photos.

My Photo Album

Similar to the above where you can upload, edit and organize the photos but you can also upload videos and the original file stays intact (no downsizing), great for when you want to offload your memory stick. Users receive their own web address where the space can be personalized. No storage limit and you can order prints (and printed accessories) through the site.

Chatting

For a more personal touch or when you just need a friend/mom/dad/sister/brother; like when you’re in France with a cold and pink eye (sadly my true story) and only the sound of your mom’s voice will do the trick. These options will get you through just about any ‘down’ you might be going through and bring you closer for any joys that need sharing.

Skype is a great way to make free (video) calls from user to user through the internet. Before you leave make sure everyone you want to stay in touch with has an account. It currently runs off of software that needs to be downloaded (again free) which is a bit tricky when you’re travelling without a computer/advanced phone (both of which support the software). There is, however, a (legal) solution: transferring the software to a USB stick, which can then be used in any internet cafe. Directions, more elegantly described than I ever could, can be found here – now all you need is a headset with a microphone which can be found cheaply.

A mobile/cell phone is obviously the more expensive route but it’s always good (not necessary) to have one, just in case. Quad-band phones can be used in most parts of the world. ‘Quad’ refers to the number of frequency bands (4 in this case) the phone supports, which is useful for roaming between countries. One way to cut down costs is to use SIM cards and purchasing (nominal fee), switching and topping (credit-wise) them up as you travel from country to country (more cost effective if you’re in one area for a while). This way you’re paying local charges for any calls or text messages. Now a days there are various service providers who offer cheap international calling services. Some of them also offer free international calls between many countries. So you can consider this as well as one of the option and enjoy the convenience of calling internationally using your regular phone.

An Apple iPhone or iPod Touch is also a great way to have a small, portable phone or mobile internet device handy at all times.  With the increase in free public WiFi and hostels that realize their customers needs, a quick email with a few photos or a Skype session is never far away.

Now that you know your options there’s no excuse for not staying in touch. Have a great trip and stay connected!

About the author:

Jessica La Grassa has taken St. Augustine’s famous quote “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” to heart, making her way through the (very large) ‘book’, one page at a time. Domesticated traveler most of the time, rugged and adventurous at others, she is always up for a challenge and loves exploring and learning new things.

Check out her blog, Provoke, or follower her on Twitter.

1. Zip lining

Also referred to as canopy tours, zip lining entails putting on a harness and attaching to a series of cables strung throughout the trees. These tours are everywhere throughout Costa Rica and run between $50-100 depending on the location and amount of runs you get.  Between 8-12 runs seems to be average.  High in both adrenaline and excitement!  As scary as it sounds, it’s actually very safe and the most difficult part is usually walking between the cables.

2. Hike a volcano

Costa Rica is littered with volcanoes.  Some are active, like the popular Arenal which offers visitors views of red falling lava at night and constant rumbles throughout the day.  Most volcanoes are located on federally reserved national park land and offer great hikes with amazing views.  The Poás Volcano is a popular day trip from the San Jose area and a big tourist draw.

3. River rafting

photo by BallGame68

With the amount of rainfall Costa Rica receives it’s no surprise that white water rafting is a popular activity.  Most rafters set out for Turrialba, about two hours from San Jose where they can ride the Pacuare or the Reventazon for anywhere from four hours to three days.

4. Surfing

photo by DLH Creative

It’s no secret that Costa Rica is one of the top surf destinations in the world.  Surfing legends like Robert August now make their homes in Costa Rica for it’s legendary surf.  Breaks like Jaco and Playa Hermosa provide surfers with consistent waves on the Pacific side while Puerto Viejo de Talmanca and many others are great in the Caribbean.

5. Play with monkeys

Who doesn’t love monkeys? They are everywhere in Costa Rica swinging from trees or digging through restaurant’s trash cans (please don’t feed the monkeys).  National parks like Manuel Antonio provide great opportunities for hikers to see capuchin monkeys swinging overhead or even sharing the trail with them.  Other areas like the Arenal Volcano are filled with Howler monkeys who can nearly deafen nearby visitors with their calls.

6. Watch turtles lay eggs

photo by Arthur Chapman

Turtle lover?  Head up to Tortuguero where conservationists are working hard to preserve the endangered turtles who make the beaches their nesting grounds.  Only reachable by boat or plane, Tortuguero is a prime example of eco-tourism.

7. Volunteer

photo by theburied.life

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer in Costa Rica, especially if you are interested in animal conservation.  Tortuguero, mentioned above, is a wildlife conservationist’s dream.

8. Drink coffee

What better way to start your day than enjoying some Costa Rican coffee.  Stop by a grocery store and pick up a bag to take back home.  Not only does it taste better than anything you can find back home–it’s a lot cheaper!

9. Climb a waterfall

Climbing and rappelling a waterfall is an extremely fun and exciting activity in Costa Rica.  There are tour operators all over the country that offer waterfall rappels, but if you find yourself in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area, give Quepo Canyoning a call as they are the only one (currently) allowing you to climb a waterfall.  Believe it or not, going up is actually more exciting than going down!

10. Kayak through mangroves

photo by bawish

If you’re looking for something a little slower paced but still plenty of fun, rent a kayak and explore the mangroves.  You’ll see wildlife you never imagined.

1. Acropolis / Parthenon

photo by Kyri Sarantakos

2. Colosseum of Rome

photo by wenzday01

3. Fjords of Norway

photo by padraic woods

4. St. Peter’s Basilica

photo by Christopher Chan

5. Sistine Chapel

photo by vgm8383

6. Alhambra

photo by Ela2007

7. Louvre Museum

photo by Djof

8. Canals of Venice

photo by martino.pizzol

9. Versailles

photo by Danielo_Bolo

10. Pompeii

photo by Edgley Cesar

List courtesy of Howard Hillman

If you’re anything like me you love gadgets, especially cameras.  I’ve done a lot with digital cameras and video cameras over the years and the innovations that are constantly being released never cease to amaze me.  If you’re an independent traveler, you better have a camera with you.  And, chances are, you find yourself in some interesting places and environments so let’s take a look at some of the coolest cameras for these various uses.

Note: How to Choose the Best Digital Camera for Traveling has been discussed here before.  The truth is, just about any camera will work for most jobs.  But if you’re picky, a gadget freak, or find yourself in some adventurous and unique shooting environments, you might want to consider these innovative cameras.

Olympus Stylus Waterproof Cameras

Olympus really is the leader in consumer waterproof digital cameras.  They come out with more models than anybody else and really, they’re all pretty good.  Definitely do your research and find the one that fits your needs the best, but I personally like the slightly outdated Olympus Stylus 1050SW since it is considerably cheaper than some of the newer models and still a very capable camera.  They’re pocketable and work just as well in standard weather as they do underwater

Olympus PEN E-P1

I have nothing against Olympus, but I never thought I would write about their cameras twice in the same post.  Then again, it wasn’t until earlier today that I learned about the Olympus PEN E-P1.  This camera looks SLICK.  Every camera aficionado loves classic rangefinders and the PEN is certainly stylish.

But it’s not impressive just because of its looks.  The small size packed body is equipped with a micro four-thirds sensor that offers both the quality and features of a standard DSLR.  It is nothing to ignore, especially for travelers.  I’ve found it too difficult to travel with a DSLR camera lately and usually opt to leave it home.  The Olympus PEN E-P1 just might be what photography enthusiasts need for traveling.

The PEN E-P1 starts at $749 and is available for pre-order.  It’s set to ship in July.

Nikon D5000

Sure, I just finished telling you how I don’t like to travel with a DSLR anymore but that’s just me.  Many still do and let’s face it, they are the ultimate in quality.  If you are serious about photography, you’re either currently using, or planning to start using, a Digital SLR camera.

There are higher end cameras available, but the Nikon D5000 is a great mid-range model.  Lots of features, great quality, and best of all, the first articulating LCD screen on a DSLR.  This can come in very handy in many awkward shooting angles.

The Nikon D5000 is available with an 18-55mm kit lens for $799 or less (sale prices have been common lately)

VholdR ContourHD Helmet Video Camera

The ContourHD helmetcam is part of the new wave of affordable helmet cameras available for extreme sports.  Of course these can be used for plenty activities like hiking or rock climbing.  I’m considering one for a motorcycle trip to Peru this fall.

What sets the ContourHD apart from the rest of the pack is, if you couldn’t tell by its name, the ability to shoot in HD.  It records about 8 hours of 720p H.264 encoded video to a microSD in a very compact unit.  The best part? They list for only $299.

The VholdR ContourHD is currently on sale for $279 at Amazon and if you purchase before June 27th, you’ll receive a $50 gift card, bringing the price down to only $229 with free shipping.  Hard to beat that!

Canon VIXIA High Definition Camcorders

Canon keeps updating their VIXIA line of HD camcorders faster than I can memorize them.  They’re sold to consumers, but don’t let the sub-$600 prices and soccer mom followings fool you.  These are very capable devices!  If you’re pretty serious about producing travel video, these are a great start.

A standard camcorder will rarely make professional quality video right out of the box, but the VIXIA line of camcorders are darn close.  Add on a decent microphone and wide-angle lens, then learn how to shoot, and you can be making 1080p HD footage that rivals most Travel Channel shows.

Canon VIXIA camcorders come in several different models with built in hard drives, flash memory, or HDV tape recording and start at $599.

Flip MinoHD Pocket HD Camcorder

The 3.3oz Flip MinoHD pocket camcorder is the ultimate in portability.  If you are shooting memories, you’d be hard pressed not to justify owning one of these to slip in your pocket or bag and be able to shoot decent quality HD video wherever you are.

They are extremely easy and convenient to use, but the video quality is nowhere near as good as the above mentioned Canon camcorders.  Nor should you expect it to be for less than $200.  But if you want to capture memories and share them online, you can’t beat it.

The Flip MinoHD costs less than $200 and also comes in various flashy colorings as well.

If you like this article please consider subscribing to our RSS or Email feed or following @HavePack on Twitter.