Samsung HMX-R10 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Kaitlyn Chantry
Published on Jan 11, 2009 10:52 AM

 
Intro Audio
Compression & Media Manual Controls
Still Features
Handling & Use
Playback & Connectivity Other Features
Conclusion Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings



Ease of Use
Samsung brings back a resposive touch screen and intuitive menu structure from last year's lineup. Beginning shooters will have no problem finding the options they want and experimenting with manual controls. If you don't want to bother with manual controls, you can just as easily fly by in EasyQ mode and let the automatic adjustments take over. We praised last year's Samsungs for their simple and elegant user interface... it looks like the 2009 models will carry on the tradition.

Handling
Samsung's new ergonomic design is the star of the show on the HMX-R10. By angling the lens at a 25-degree slope, the camcorder can be held at a more natural angle, reducing stress on the wrist that comes with traditional camcorder grips. It's a surprisingly comfortable way to hold a camcorder. Detractors will probably complain about the lack of a hand strap—a deficiency that makes it a lot easier to drop your expensive piece of personal electronics.

The zoom toggle and record button are within easy reach of the thumb and some secondary controls on the LCD panel make two-handed recording a breeze. The body of the camcorder is light and small, so long shoots should be no problem.

 

The HMX-R10 in hand.


Portability
Measuring just 38.3mm x 57.8mm x 129.7mm and weighing just 220g, the HMX-R10 is a small and light device. With so few buttons and switches on the outside, it also feels fairly robust—this is not a camcorder we would be afraid to drop into a purse or bag. The surface of the LCD is bound to attract greasy fingerprints thanks to the touch screen, but the rest of the camcorder is a durable matte surface that seems highly resistant to dirst and scratches. With no internal memory, the biggest drawback is that you'll want to carry a couple SD/SDHC memory cards or risk hitting your storage capacity relatively quickly.

Battery
Battery life on solid state camcorders tends to be significantly longer than on hard drive, tape, or DVD camcorders. Last year's Samsungs had excellent battery performance and we expect the HMX-R10 will show similar longevity. The IA-BH125C battery is enclosed in a cavity on the bottom of the camcorder, which means that you won't be able to upgrade to a larger size.


The enclosure on the bottom of the HMX-R10
holds both the battery and SD/SDHC card slot.

LCD & Viewfinder
The HMX-R10 sports a standard 2.7-inch LCD, which flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. Resolution is 230,000 pixels, which is about average for a camcorder in this price range and good enough to support the touch screen interface. You can make a couple of adjustments to the LCD from inside the menus, including lowering or increasing brightness of the screen.
The HMX-R10's 2.7-inch LCD.

Menus
As with last year's models, the HMX-R10 has a clear and intuitive menu structure. Everything is organized into two tabs of a single menu. There is also a Quick Menu, which repeats six common functions: resolution, white balance, aperture, shutter speed, backlight compensation, and focus.
Page one of the main menu.

 Page two of the main menu.

Page three of the main menu.

 		Page four of the main menu.
Page five of the main menu.

 Page six of the main menu.

The Quick Menu.




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