Samsung HMX-H300 Camcorder Review
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- Canon Vixia HF M40 Comparison
Canon Vixia HF M40 Comparison
The Samsung HMX-H300 may be considered a mid-range HD camcorder, but judging by our tests it certainly isn't in the same class as the Panasonic HDC-TM90 (or the Canon HF M40, for that matter). The Samsung's performance in our video testing simply did not show the same stellar results, particularly in low light, that we saw from the TM90. The HMX-H300 also lacks some of the features and controls that make the TM90 such a special mid-range camcorder (like a 1080/60p record mode and 3D capability with an optional conversion lens).
The Panasonic HDC-TM90 is more expensive than the Samsung HMX-H300, but we think the extra couple hundred dollars is worth it. With the TM90 you get 16GB of internal flash memory (as opposed to none on the HMX-H300), and the performance is so much better. The Samsung HMX-H300 is a bit simpler to use, has a longer zoom and better battery life, and it includes a standard definition record mode in addition to HD options, but those are its only advantages over the Panasonic TM90.
If you can spare the extra cash, we think most people will be happier with the Panasonic HDC-TM90 over the Samsung HMX-H300. The controls, performance, and features are all more sophisticated on the TM90, and you'll notice a big difference in low light performance if nothing else.
