The Creative Vado HD appears to capture pretty good quality for a tiny $129 (after coupon) solid-state video camera. Ostensibly it's 720p30, though after compression I'm not sure the resulting file is left with any more detail than a clip shot with the average DV camcorder. I'll have to run a test or two to see how this thing compares to my friend's Flip Mino HD, whose picture looks sharper in my memory. I do like that the Vado HD has a wide-angle lens, and I think it's exhibiting less rolling shutter than the Flip.

Regardless any image quality shortcomings, this is a very cheap and convenient device. I can't take my HV20 and Steadicam Merlin everywhere :) This thing will accompany me into the ocean, on my next marathon, etc.