Flip Video Flip UltraHD

Sony’s launch of its Webbie HD camcorders, the MHS-CM1 and MHS-PM1, are designed to directly compete against the Flip line of camcorders. While the MHS-PM1 has a similar upright design to the Flip UltraHD, the Sony MHS-CM1 offers a traditional, horizontal body layout. The camcorder has no handstrap, but it’s light and small enough for this to not be a problem. Since it has a horizontal design, however, the MHS-CM1 is nowhere near as pocket-friendly as the Flip UltraHD. The Sony camcorder also features a 2.5-inch flip-out LCD screen, a 5x optical zoom, and is available in 3 colors (orange, purple, and silver).

As far as video quality is concerned, the Sony MHS-CM1 and the Flip UltraHD are fairly equivalent performers, although the Sony has a much sharper video image, while the Flip UltraHD did far better in low light sensitivity. The MHS-CM1 also has some decent still image capabilities, while the Flip camcorders don’t even offer a photo option. Overall, the MHS-CM1 is definitely a more versatile camcorder—video can be captured in a number of different sizes (topping out at 1440 × 1080), clips are stored on removable MemoryStick Pro Duo cards, the camcorder has a video light, and the 5x optical zoom is quite useful. The CM1 also uses a traditional USB cable to connect to your computer, rather than a gimmicky flip-out USB arm.

Still, the attraction of the Flip camcorders comes from their ability to be so damn simple. The mere fact that you don’t have access to any settings or options on the Flip UltraHD makes it easier to use and more comfortable for beginners than the comparatively complex Sony MHS-CM1. Our other big gripe with the MHS-CM1 is its embedded software, which was a nightmare to install and isn’t compatible with Macintosh computers. The Flip camcorders, in comparison, offer a very simple software experience, and uploading videos to YouTube or the web was a breeze.

If you’re looking for the simplest camcorder out there, with quick and easy internet uploading capability, the Flip UltraHD is one of your best options. The Sony MHS-CM1 does offer you more controls and features, but it also comes with more headaches and difficulties—especially when you try to use Sony’s provided software. The MHS-CM1 gets a slightly better score in our overall ratings, which is due to its extra points for having still photo capabilities.