The last time I used or even owned a camcorder was back in the mid-90s. They were always too big and transferring video was only something a pro did unless you were just copying to a VHS tape. It wasn’t worth the time or the effort. My, have times changed. As with most technology, things get smaller and easier to use. Such is the case of the Samsung SC-HMX10C 720p camcorder. I’ve used it extensively over the last few months to bring all of you videos from CES, Macworld, CeBIT and any other video I’ve posted on CG.
The HMX10C is capable of recording video in HD (720p) or SD and has 8GB of built-in storage. The flip out 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD makes navigating through the menus a breeze. The zoom, menu and record buttons are also placed on the side of the LCD for added convenience. On the body of the camcorder where the LCD usually rests you’ll find an HDMI port as well as Component/AV/S and USB port. You’ll also find an LCD brightness switch and display off/on button.
External controls are easily manipulated unless you’re sans thumbs, which would cause a problem. The power button, record, mode, easy, zoom and photo switches are well placed. The one feature that I really, really like is the swiveling handle. It makes recording easier and causes less fatigue.
There are five scene modes: Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight and Beach/Snow. I typically used the Auto mode and achieved desirable results in all situations. Other features that can be manipulated include: WB, Exposure, Anti-Shake, Digital Effects (sepia, negative, etc.), Focus, Shutter, Tele, Macro, varying degrees of Quality (Super Fine HD, Fine HD, Normal HD, SD and Economy SD), Wind Cut, Back Light, Fader, and Digital Zoom. There are also a ton of variables for the 1.56-megapixel camera, but they’re nothing special or out of the ordinary.
When reviewing recorded videos, you can take screen shots in case you want to incriminate someone or you just like the pretty flowers. Transferring video to my MBP was simple and headache free. Drag and drop via USB and you’re good to go depending on your choice of video editing tools. Battery life was fairly good at a little over an hour for HD recording and closer to 1.5 to 2 hours for SD video.
Flash memory on the camcorder is its biggest asset. The addition of an SD slot that supports SDHC cards is also an added plus. I don’t think I ever came close to filling up the 8GB of internal memory, but having an SD card just made me feel more comfortable. However, what I didn’t like was that I couldn’t transfer files from the internal memory to the external card. I can do that on my Helio Ocean — just don’t understand why I can’t do it on the camcorder. But that’s just about the only downfall the HMX10C has as far as I can tell.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the HMX10C and it’s made our time at shows far more enjoyable and much easier to cover. Photos are fine for most things, but having video is 10x better, right? The MSRP is around $750, but you can find it for much cheaper than that by doing a quick search on the Net.
Links to sample videos?
The most recent can be found here, but keep in mind that they’ve been converted from mp4 to flv.
I think it is good chance to get it in good price with it’s features.
; Easy to use, Good Q’ty of videos, shock-free, Available external memory (SD/MMC), Good design.
Since we are living in the digital world, a digital camcorder is one of the electronic devices that we need to handle. I had 6mm tape Sony / Samsung camcorders with built-in SD card for recording and taking pictures. But their quility is not good because of analog. I am thinking to purchase HMX10C. It looks it has great fetures.
I think there was an misunderstanding…
I can copy files from internal mem. to exernal card.
Check it in the menu….
Willy,
You are right. HMX10 can exchange files between internal to external memory.
Thanks.
Did you even really review this product at all. Even at a price of $400 this is the worst electronic purchase I have ever made.
Reading customer reviews before buying this camera I was skeptical but chalked it up to user error. I have been in the tech field for 15 years including working with video conversion. No video player – including the junk software that comes with it will play a video file once xferred to pc.
I admit this camera is great if you just want to view your vids on the small lcd screen or hookup via hdmi. But isn’t this a digital video camera aka have the opportunity to view/edit the files via pc. If it worked on your mac then great but I have read reviews from many mac users that have the same problem pc users have.
I am guessing you got paid or a free camera for this review and that is a shame.
I just bought — easy to use — easy to navigate – the quality of the picture is awesome — It Works!
Thumps Up! I have Samsung SC-HMX10C camcorder and it takes super video. I down load to my PC and have had no problems recording on a DVD disk. Although the pictue was the best on my 1080p TV, The DVD was still clear engough for me. I love taking action shots with this camcorder Can’t wait until high def DVD recorders become cheaper.
When the 4 gig cards drop prices $9.99 or cheaper, I will store all my videos on these recorders. My old 8mm camcorder was over $800 new, I paid $329 for a high def camcorder that is so easy to use, “even a cave man can use it”.
i hate this cam had it for 7 months i can only watch it clearly on the cam itself myspace me if u have solution thestreetsgottaeat
Got this at BigLots for $250. Helluva deal.
Great camcorder, esp outdoors during the day (or dusk). Videos play fine on both my PC and my Mac. I just used the CCCP codec pack and media player classic. Avoid quicktime like the plague (on PC at least). Via Mac I’ve had no issues using imovie.
ledorky can u tell me how to play the videos from this camcorder on imovie cause im having lots of trouble thanks.
Just bought mine at Big Lots too, for $250. Love the camera, works great in low light. I can view my video fine on PC with the latest Quicktime player.
I bought this camera at Big Lots also, and I think it takes great video if it’s played by via the camera or on any TV. It looks great on HD TV expecially. But I cannot get the video to load on my PC so I can make a DVD. I thought it might be the video card in my PC because the camera is HD and my PC is not. Does anyone have any suggestion on how I can transfer my videos to PC? Thank You.