Samsung SC-HMX20

Samsung SC-HMX20 is a compact high definition camcorder with fresh design allowing for unusual handling and shooting.

Intro:
Samsung SC-HMX20 is perfect for beginners: it is easy to use and has clear menu structure. Moreover, it has a large LCD touchscreen, plenty of ports and even good still pictures quality for those who enjoy taking photos as much as making videos.


Samsung SC-HMX20 pros:
+ Big, high resolution CMOS sensor
+ Excellent performer for its price range
+ 8 GB of built-in memory
+ Very good performer in bright light
+ Not so bad in low light
+ Nice design
+ 2.7 inch touchscreen LCD
+ Good battery life
+ Perfect for beginners
+ Good still features
+ Swivel grip

Samsung SC-HMX20 cons:
- Lack of viewfinder
- Lack of optical image stabilization (O.I.S.)
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Few manual controls


The design:
Samsung SC-HMX20 measures 66 x 67.2 x 139mm (2.6 x 2.65 x 5.35-inches) and weighs 456g (1 lbs.). The front of the camcorder is dominated by the lens, but below it is the built-in stereo microphone. On the right side is the quite unconventional swivel grip thanks to which you can easily hold Samsung SC-HMX20 like a torch and make some unusual shots. On the left side is the 2.7” LCD screen with some terminals within the screen chamber: HDMI terminal, component / composite-AV / S-video jack as well as USB port. On the back there is the battery cavity, DC and Mic jacks and a comfortable Record Start / Stop button. On the top of Samsung SC-HMX20 is the retractable flash. This camcorder is only slightly bigger than Sony HDR-SR12, Sony HDR-CX12, or Canon HF10, yet it is much prettier than both of them and comparably powerful.

Performance:
Samsung SC-HMX20 produces sharp image with good colors in outdoor environment. Sometimes saturation might seem a bit too high but many non-professionals like that. All the details are clearly visible although in some parts of the videos there is too much noise. In low light Samsung SC-HMX20 performs surprisingly well thanks to its large CMOS sensor and the only thing that might be annoying here is the slow autofocus. Apart from that the Samsung SC-HMX20 is quite comparable with both Canon HF10 and Sony HDR-SR12.
Along with very good video performance Samsung SC-HMX20 offers excellent (for a camcorder) still features. The camcorder can take photos in 4 megapixel resolution and has plenty of features and effects that make the pictures really good. Samsung SC-HMX20 has the Self-Timer, Continuous Mode and face detection. However, I admit that competition (for example Sony) has better face detection feature.
Samsung SC-HMX20’s battery lasts for over 90 minutes of moderate use.

Menus / ease of use:
The menu system in Samsung SC-HMX20 is easy to grasp and after a few minutes of getting used to it is really easy to operate. Unfortunately, it lacks any hints, or descriptions of particular options so you will have to consult the manual or get to it by trail and error. As all menus are navigated using the responsive touchscreen everything is clearly visible, at leat up to the point that you have too many icons on the screen. When you add to it that Samsung SC-HMX20 has also the easy mode for real-beginners and additional features such as Slow Motion, of effects such as negative, sepia and so on you can reach only one conclusion:
Samsung SC-HMX20 is a really good camcorder for its price.
Selected Samsung SC-HMX20 specs:

Optics
Sensor
1/1.8″ CMOS

Lens
f-stop/1.8-2.5

Zoom
10x Optical
100x Digital

Filter Size
49mm

Recording
System
NTSC

Format
HD flash memory

Audio
AAC 2 channel

Image Stabilization
Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)

Lux
1 lux (Color Nite mode)

Line In Recording
No

A/V Dubbing
No

Tape Loading
N/A

Display
Display Type
Touch LCD

Display Size
2.7″

Viewfinder
No

Camera Features
Manual Controls
Focus, shutter, exposure

Built-in Speaker
Yes

Built-in Mic
Yes

Accessory Shoe
No

Fader
Yes - in/out

Effects
Not Specified by Manufacturer

Built-in Light/Flash
Yes - flash
No - light

Digital Still Mode
Still Recording Media
SDHC/MMC

Resolution
3264 x 2448 (8MB interpolation), 2304 x 1728 (4MB)

Input/Output Connectors

Inputs
No

Output
HDMI
Component
S-video
Composite
USB 2.0

Microphone Input
No

Headphone Jack
No