Samsung FullHD camcorder, SC-HMX20 reviewed from Quebec Audio &
Video Magazine, Section: BANCS D’ESSAI, August/September Issue, 2008
Samsung high-definition digital Camcorder SC HMX20C
By Patrick Grenier
Samsung offers us a good arrangement with the new digital camcorder Full HD 1 920 x 1 080, SC-HMX20C. Small but robust manufacturing, the camera records in H.264 format on internal fl ash memory or memory card SD / SDHC. Its main components are a 10x optical zoom light, a CMOS 1 / 1, 8 inches by 6.4 megapixels, a touch screen LCD 2.7 ", an electronic image stabiliz er, a lithium long-term (1 h 30), a lot of manual control, taking a stereo sound and an externa l microphone.
Ergonomics and design
My first reaction was to recognize a high quality of manufacture, both for the screen as the gr ip. The grip allows rotating very quickly move from shooting normal (eye level) to the shooting diving, while keeping a good balance. Even if the X20C is distinguished by its very compact fo rmat, the grip is strong. You might want to carry everywhere.
User Interface
We find here an excellent use of a touch screen. The user interface is clear and intuitive. The Quick Menu includes six core functions (image quality, focus, white balance, etc.) To simplify i ts use. For those who prefer more controls, the menu touch is very good and allows complete control of the image and sound. It passes easily from movie mode to photo mode and method of recording the mode of viewing.
Performances
We now know that his menu is intuitive, he has a good manufacturing and we know its main t echnical details, but what about picture quality? Among the different choices of quality, you can choose 1080/30p Super Fine (H.264) in better quality, whi ch allows approximately 71 minutes of video recording on an SD memory card / 8 GB SDHC (al so compatible 16 and soon 32 GB). The SlowMotion mode is a little adds very interesting becau se it offers the possibility of idling on a short period of time in standard definition (720 x 480) . Overall the video image quality is excellent, colors, the treatment of sharpness, white balanc e and exposure, even automatic, seemed excellent. In some cases, exposure deserved perhaps more personalized settings. The only improvement would be for the image stabilizer, the sensitivity in low light (even thou gh Samsung has made miracles with a small image sensor 1 / 1, 8 inches) and the brightness o f the screen.
Mounting
For the transfer to the computer, the software suite provided or autopilots in Windows are ade quate. The transfer was done very quickly. Personally, I did a little editing with Adobe Premier e Elements 4, and in so doing, I also tested the limits of my computer. If you are considering mounting from high-definition videos, check the performance of your computer.
Conclusion
Samsung provides a high definition camcorder to the solid performance in a very compact form at that uses the recording medium (SDHC card) is most appropriate for future generations of c amcorders family. General Information Price: $ 899.99 Warranty: 1 year parts and labour Distributor: Samsung Electronics Canada inc., Tel.: 1 800 SAMSUNG, www.samsung.ca
Quebec Audio & Video Magazine