Camcorder Tests: pocket-sized Flip MinoHD and powerful Canon HF S21

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The two camcorders whose tests we're publishing today couldn't be more different.  At one end of the spectrum is the Flip MinoHD, a trendy, easy to use ultra-compact pocket camcorder which has arrived in Europe after conquering the US.  At the other, the Canon HF S21, a high-end camcorder that's just the latest addition to a line of well-known video cameras.

The Flip MinoHD is a small pocket camcorder that records 720p HD video on its 4 GB of internal memory, which also stores the editing software you can use to upload your clips to the web.  That's its primary purpose too: it's not the cheapest pocket camcorder, or the best, but its stylish looks and incredibly simple interface seem to have won it a lot of fans.  What's it actually like though?  Let's take a look …

Canon's latest AVCHD camcorder is the HF S21, a follow-up to the HF S11.  Along the way, it's gained a viewfinder, an excellent quality LCD screen, a double SDHC card slot (to go with the 64 GB of internal memory it already has) and a powerful new stabilisation system that prevents any movement even when zoomed in 10x.  It's also the first time Canon has included a touchscreen interface, and although it takes a little bit of getting used to, it makes checking the video you've shot great fun.

> Test: Flip MinoHD
> Test: Canon HF S21

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