Camcorders are cool, and offer some amazing picture quality in high-definition, but they're also pretty expensive and delicate. You wouldn't necessarily want to take one to the beach or anywhere else that might threaten its fragile construction. And while they've gotten a whole lot smaller, they still aren't as convenient as they could be.

Hence, why pocket camcorders, or pocket video cameras (as they're better known), seem better suited for the spontaneous among us who want to capture life's best moments as they happen. They're less expensive, easier to use and are diminutive and durable enough to stay out of sight and handle some wear and tear. But they've also gone high-definition now, which means that picture quality has improved from the models that came out last year.

Now, that doesn't mean these pocket video cams will give you the kind of HD quality a fully-loaded camcorder will, but at least you get some solid imagery that is easy to record, playback and ultimately get onto your TV or computer. All three of these work with Windows PCs and Macs, and offer quick uploads to YouTube.

The first of these is the Flip Mino HD from Pure Digital, a company recently acquired by Cisco. The Flip is a product that basically started the category of pocket video cameras, and it still remains a major player now that it has added HD cams to the Canadian market. It's the smallest of the three units I've tested here, but it's also the most vulnerable to scratches and blemishes on the front (especially the black one). Luckily, the case that comes with the Mino HD doubles as a cleaning cloth.

The Mino HD has a 1.5" LCD screen on the back and touch-sensitive playback controls that light up when the device is turned on. All you have to do is press the middle button to record and then press it again to stop recording. You can then browse through your video clips and delete any that you don't want. The whole process is so simple that you will be able to start shooting in minutes.

The 4GB internal capacity will get you up to 60 minutes of HD footage at 720p resolution, which is a bit low when compared to the other two models I reviewed. With no memory card slot or removable battery, the Mino HD is basically as formidable as it's been built to be. Battery life will last about two hours. Unlike the other two, the Mino HD lacks an HDMI output, which you could use to connect directly to a TV or computer that has an HDMI input. The Mino HD has a standard-definition output, which isn't as good at all.

The Mino HD currently sells for $279.99.

Up next, we have the Kodak Zx1, the most durable of the three here. Its design is rubberized with a panel that looks like stainless steel, combining for a more rugged look. Even the 2" screen is pretty resistant. It's not waterproof, but the Zx1 can take some punishment, handling drops of water that might come from rain, splashing pool water or anything in between. It can even withstand sand and snow, so long as the Zx1 isn't buried in either one.

The lens on the Zx1 doesn't have as wide an angle when compared to the other two cameras. Shooting the same scenes with all three cameras consistently showed that the Zx1 zoomed in a little bit more by default. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes shooting close-ups a bit awkward because you have to pull back more than actually getting close to the subject. And like the other two cameras, zooming in on a subject isn't a good idea because the zoom is digital, which means that the centre part of the image is enlarged, but at a loss of quality.

The best results were typically found outdoors, which lends more credibility to the sports and nature value proposition of the device. The HDMI output and cable is great for viewing on a nice HDTV, but again, don't expect the HD video to blow you away, especially when compared to a Blu-ray movie.

The Zx1 is the most durable of the three, except it also has no internal memory, so you will need an SD HC memory card (they start at 4GB capacities) to actually record anything. Battery life isn't bad, and you can always recharge or replace the two AA batteries that come with it.

The Kodak Zx1 currently sells for $169.99, and Kodak SD HC memory cards start at $19.99.

The Creative Vado HD isn't the sleekest, nor the most durable of the three in this roundup, but it's got some impressive functions and performance.

While not as durable as Kodak's Zx1, Creative did include a protective rubberized housing that literally wraps itself around the curves and contours of the Vado HD. This will at least shield the device from the elements a little bit more. The Vado HD has a wider angle lens, which means it can see a fair bit more than the both the Zx1 and Flip. This is very important for obvious reasons, not the least of which is the ability to cram more into a scene without having to pan too much. The one thing about pocket video cams is that they're prone to the shakiness of your hand, which could make it difficult to view recorded clips afterward.

The integrated 8GB capacity is good enough to get you two hours of footage in 720p resolution at the highest setting called HD+. There are other shooting modes you can try that could get you up to four hours of footage, but it won't be in HD. The battery life isn't great at all, but at least you can get a backup and swap it in easily. Avoid the digital zoom, and don't expect great results in low-light.

The included HDMI output and cable are a nice touch. The included software is decent, but it only works on a PC. It offers some features that make it easy to upload to YouTube, but given that some footage might need some editing, it's just as likely you could prefer to use a video-editing program to do the job. Mac users can only drag and drop clips onto the Desktop or a folder on their Mac.

The Creative Vado HD had the best consistent video quality with good audio to complement the visuals. It isn't the flashiest device, and even the rubberized casing won't repel the elements completely, but the wider angle makes a big difference in shooting with a steadier hand.

The Vado HD currently sells for $229.99 U.S., and can be purchased directly from Creative's website or Amazon.com.