Flash Memory Camcorders
vs
Hard Drive Camcorders

Flash camcorders come in High Definition (HD) models as do hard drive camcorders.

Flash camcorders compress their video whereas hard drive camcorders do not, so hard drives preserve a higher quality video. However, what I've read in reviews, you'd hardly be able to tell the difference in quality between the two.

Hard drives have moving parts, which make them more likely to break if the camera is dropped or treated roughly.

Flash memory camcorders, on the other hand, are one solid unit with no moving parts, which makes them more rugged and shock-resistant than hard drives.

Hard drives also won't work above a certain altitude, usually around 10,000 feet above sea level. So this is a major consideration if you plan to go hiking or mountain climbing with the camera.

The primary advantage of the hard drive is that it can hold more footage. However, once the hard drive fills up, that’s it. Unless you can download the footage off your camera onto a computer or external hard drive, you’re out of luck. However, with a flash memory card, you can swap out the card with another empty card and keep shooting. The problem is that flash cards can be pricey.

When comparing hard drives and flash memory, there are outside considerations. Lenses play a big part in capturing quality video footage. A flash camcorder with a good lens will probably look better than a hard drive model with a poor lens.

SUMMARY

Hard drives provide higher quality and more recording space for less cost that flash drives. However, hard drives are more prone to getting damaged and are useless at high altitudes.

Related Articles

• Choosing a camcorder that shoots great looking video
• Videography Tips 101
• Types of Camcorders

Return to Types of Camcorders from Flash Memory Camcorders

Return to Desktop Documentaries from Flash Memory Camcorders