Hands-on with Aiptek's GO-HD Camcorder

I've been trying out Aiptek's GO HD high definition 720p Camcorder for a few reasons, but mostly these two: price and size.

The 4.5-inch by 2.8-inch video camera shoots in high definition and standard video in a compact package with easy-to-use controls. You can find it for between $237 and $250, and that's a price that appeals to me because I'd have no problem letting my kids pick it up anytime to make videos. It's probably one of the only HD cameras on the market that I'd be be able to say that about. It's terribly affordable.

Of course, there's got to be some kind of trade-off if most HD camcorders are closer to $700 to $1,000 in price. The picture quality is very good but not spectacularly sharp. Still, it does a fine job, and its size makes it easy to slip in a bag and take anywhere.

The 3X optical zoom camera can record 1280- by 720-pixel video at 30 frames per second. There's a 2.4-inch LCD screen, which turns on the camera when you swivel it open, and a night mode for low-light shooting. It is simple to use and a good camera for amateur filmmakers.

Related: Aiptek's Compact HD Camera: Just $300