Flip video camera gets retired, a sign of the future of video

Posted on April 13th, 2011 by 8

Yesterday the home video market got a bit of sad news when it was announced the Flip video camera was being discontinued. Sure the Flip camera had ability to capture great video of your friend doing a faceplant skateboarding or other general acts of idiocy, but the Flip camera also heralded an easy way to grab great video of fish, corals, equipment and other reef-related items on the go and get these video gems online in a simple way. Despite losing a major innovator, the news also signifies the incredible advances in the video camera market coming out now and in the near future.

In its five-year lifespan, the Flip camera launched a video revolution of sorts including a whole generation of copycat products centered around an easy way to shoot quality video, then be able to organize and upload video online in a simple way. The growing smartphones market along with technological advances for onboard cameras with the ability to shoot extremely high quality video means single use products like the Flip are becoming obsolete.

The Flip and other cameras changed the way we thought about shooting and posting video. Sure there will always be those in this hobby that will spend top dollar on a digital SLR or HD video camera (we all know at least ONE of these camera snobs…errr….aficionados….right?!?!) but for the majority of us, having one ubiquitous device is becoming the norm.

Taking a look at the news also signals how much technology has improved in such a short time. We are now at the beginning of a new technological revolution in video that may be even more dynamic than the one launched by Flip just a few years ago. We are getting more bang for the buck with higher resolution and HD video capabilities on smartphones, waterproof still and HD video camera combos and even the emerging home 3D camera market.

While you won’t see too many people popping out their Flip to grab some video of an awesome reef tank in the near future, just imagine being able to shoot some incredible HD 3D video right from your phone. As we say goodbye to one technology, we welcome the incredible possibilities of another.

Posted in Opinion |
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  • http://twitter.com/AMDPhenomX4 Jared Kaczynski

    This is fish related?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Travis-Kraylen-Moniz/100000569446834 Travis Kraylen Moniz

    Did you read it?

  • http://twitter.com/AMDPhenomX4 Jared Kaczynski

    So, if an article about how the Serial interface is almost dead and it said it was used in the aquacontroller Jr. it would fit too?

  • http://twitter.com/AMDPhenomX4 Jared Kaczynski

    So, if an article about how the Serial interface is almost dead and it said it was used in the aquacontroller Jr. it would fit too?

  • Anonymous

    This was bound to happen. I have an HTC droid phone that takes better video than my old flip camera (that I paid more for) and almost as good photos as a mid range digital camera. When you combine that with the ability to instantly upload or email the photos and videos, the flip cam gets tossed the kids’ toybox.

  • http://www.reefbuilders.com Brian Blank

    I agree. The iPhone really set the standard but high end Android devices are matching or excelling on the camera front. For what it was and photog/video in genereal — it’s been great for the hobby to get more “in the wild” pics of coral and fish but mostly equipment, always been a great way to see something installed and working to make a more informed purchase.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1566767051 Andrew Hart

    These overpriced, over-glorified, plastic toys had it coming in my opinion. I mean a 14.4MP sony cybershot equipped with a Carl Zeiss(that comes as a standard lens. Not an expensive option) can do the same job and then some with higher quality parts and software. And did I mention it has a Carl Zeiss lens? Though I’ll give the flip some merit for inspiring young filmmakers and sort of being a cute little device, but I don’t see how this thing can actually compete with higher cameras at such a steep price for what the flip offers. The flip had good intentions, but it’s damn expensive. The flip is simple to use, but so is any ordinary digital camera(if you already know how read a manual and follow instructions you should be good to go too). If you need me I’ll be dancing on the flip’s grave in my best suit.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1566767051 Andrew Hart

    These overpriced, over-glorified, plastic toys had it coming in my opinion. I mean a 14.4MP sony cybershot equipped with a Carl Zeiss(that comes as a standard lens. Not an expensive option) can do the same job and then some with higher quality parts and software. And did I mention it has a Carl Zeiss lens? Though I’ll give the flip some merit for inspiring young filmmakers and sort of being a cute little device, but I don’t see how this thing can actually compete with higher cameras at such a steep price for what the flip offers. The flip had good intentions, but it’s damn expensive. The flip is simple to use, but so is any ordinary digital camera(if you already know how read a manual and follow instructions you should be good to go too). If you need me I’ll be dancing on the flip’s grave in my best suit.