The Canon is overkill for strictly web video. HD is the way to go for getting a good key with a green screen. Here are some pocket cams we recommend:

Creative Vado Pocket Video Cam

The good: Ultraslim design; removable, rechargeable battery; easy to use; relatively inexpensive; one-touch video uploading to YouTube and Photobucket.

The bad: Included desktop software is almost featureless; no SD/MMC expansion slot; Mac users have to manually copy video files to their computers.

The price: $100

The bottom line: While its video quality doesn't quite measure up to some of its competitors, there are enough pluses to make this device a worthy contender. It includes 2 GB of internal memory and a removable rechargeable battery, and offers features similar to models from Flip Video and RCA.

Flip Video Mino

The good: Ultraslim yet functional design; easy to use; relatively high-quality sound and video; one-touch video uploading to YouTube and AOL.

The bad: A bit expensive; no SD/MMC card expansion slot; rechargeable battery isn't removable or replaceable.

The price: $180

The bottom line: The Flip Video Mino is the fourth generation of Pure Digital's popular straight-to-Web mini camcorder, designed to make shooting and sharing low-resolution videos very easy. Despite some minor flaws, it's the best mini camcorder for straight-to-Web video currently available.

Flip Video Ultra

The good: Pure Digital has upgraded the design, video quality, viewing LCD, and software of its lightweight video camera that makes it very easy to capture and share low-resolution video via e-mail and the Web.

The bad: No SD/MMC card expansion slot; don't expect video quality to match that of a MiniDV camcorder's. The Muvee editing features only work with PCs, not Macs.

The price: $150

The bottom line: Compatible with Macs. With improved video quality, a slightly trimmer design, and upgraded software package, the Flip Video Ultra is becoming a force to be reckoned with.

RCA Small Wonder EZ205

The good: Improved low-light performance over its predecessor; flip-out LCD; ships with a removable 1-GB memory card.

The bad: Design isn't as slick as its competitors; no rechargeable battery; video quality is still fairly mediocre; bundled software isn't Mac compatible.

The price: $95

The bottom line: Has some significant advantages over its competitors, but it also has a lot more drawbacks. Unlike the Flips, it offers a flip-out LCD and expansion slot for additional memory. Its image quality is nothing to rave about, and it's not as compact as the others.

Last update: 09:54 AM Sunday, January 4, 2009