Pocket Cameras are full HD camcorders that are capable of delivering high-definition video in a box smaller than a mobile phone for about £100. With selling points like these, it's no surprise that pocket video cameras are being bought in their millions by consumers hungry for affordable, high-quality recordings on the move. It's a trend that's only been fuelled by the cavernous gulf between camcorders and mobile phones.
Only a handful of smartphones have made the jump to 720p video recording, and in the last 12 months they've come back to threaten the pocket camera.
The iPhone 4 and HTC HD7 boast the capacity to consign dedicated devices to history. Despite the fierce competition, though, pocket cameras are still astonishingly cheap, and make perfect gadgets for beach holidays and skiing trips, or even toys to help kids get creative.
Let's find out the best pocket HD camcorder to buy.
6 best pocket HD camcorder reviews
Flip MinoHD
The Flip MinoHD is in its third generation, but the market is now a tough place for the company that first took the pocket camera niche by storm.
This is a true pocket cam, and by far the smallest in our test. However, the range of features is just as light as the camera itself, and it's clear that sacrifices have been made to keep cost and bulk down.
Sony Bloggie MHS-PM5K
The Sony Bloggie is a unique-looking camera with a rotating lens to give users extra control.
Sony hasn't made a secret of its intended audience, and is hoping to pick up the increasing numbers of amateur directors promoting home content online. The main feature is the lens, which folds into the body when off, and turns to face forwards or backwards.
Creative Vado HD
The Creative Vado HD has been around for a while, and the fact that its competitors have brought out replacements and stepped up performance has left it looking exposed.
The spec sheet doesn't make for great reading, and the 30fps, 720p recording and 0.9MP still images are easily beaten by most its rivals.
Kodak PlayTouch
The PlayTouch might sound like a lewd product from a chemist, but it's actually Kodak's latest pocket camera. The sleek black body houses just one button, which handles the recording. All the other options are located on the 3-inch touchscreen.
Toshiba Camileo P20
Toshiba's Camileo range is a departure from the traditional flip-style camera, and its roots are firmly in the camcorder rather than the phone.
The P20 benefits from a pistol-grip form and fold-out screen, which make it feel natural to use. With excellent image stabilisation built in, it isn't a victim of the shake associated with many models.
Conclusion