What should I consider when buying a camcorder?

What should I consider when buying a camcorder? Are smart phones good enough or do camcorders have special features?

• Answer:

  Depends on what you want one for. I use my Blackberry video, and it's good, and I have a Flip video camera. Both take pretty darn good videos. I like the small size--easy to fit in a pocket or purse or whatever. The phone is always with you (isn't it??), so it's always available for video taking when needed. The Flip is a little bigger, but not much, and takes more video and the battery lasts longer. I can recharge it in the computer or plug it into the wall with an adapter. If you really want to get into videoing and want to do all the editing and stuff, then maybe a larger camera is what you will want. I'm happy with my Flip and phone!