Samsung HMX-R10 First Impressions Camcorder Reviewby Kaitlyn ChantryPublished on Jan 11, 2009 10:52 AM
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Auto ModeThe Samsung HMX-R10 does offer an auto mode, but there are no special features that come along with it. You can simply shoot with or without manual image adjustments available. Like most of today's camcorders, the R10 has a face detection feature for use in either video or still mode.
Low Light Modes
The HMX-R10 has a Super C.Nite mode. Off, normal, and super. On last year's models, this mode brightened the image a bit, but also led to extreme oversaturation.
Scene Modes
Like most camcorders, the HMX-R10 comes with a variety of scene modes: Auto, Night, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, Food, and Candlelight.
ZoomThe new zoom toggle on the R10 is a big improvement over last year's flimsy toggle on the HMX20 and SC-MX20. On those models, the toggle was awkwardly positioned under the middle finger for most users. The new ergonomic design puts the zoom toggle right next to the Record button, which rests easily under your thumb.
We're not accustomed to operating a zoom with the thumb, but at least it offers more dexterity and control than the middle finger. Since we weren't operating a final model, it still remains to be seen whether Samsung has given the user a multi-variable speed zoom. We look forward to seeing whether this toggle will be up to the task of careful zoom control.
Zoom Ratio
The HMX-R10 is the first of Samsung's camcorders to use their new Intelli-Zoom technology. This means that the true optical zoom is just 5x optical, but the Intelli-Zoom allows you to achieve an 8x zoom without sacrificing image quality. Canon introduced the technology last year, and we expect to see it on more models in the future.
Focus
There are three methods of focus on the HMX-R10—the same three methods featured on the SC-HMX20. As always, you can rely on the automatic focus, which usually fares quite well. You can do a manual focus by using a touch screen scale (see below). Finally, you can use Samsung's TouchPoint system, which lets you just touch the object you want in focus and the camcorder will automatically focus on that object. None of these systems are as good as a manual focus that lets you use a joystick or lens ring to achieve the perfect focus.
The focus scale on last year's SC-HMX20.
Exposure
As with last year's models, Samsung offers a simple exposure control to make brightness adjustment simple for all users. The EV scale ranges from: -2.0, -1.6, -1.3, -1.0, -0.6, -0.3, 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 1.3, 1.6, and 2.0. The HMX-R10 also has a Backlight Compensation feature.
Aperture
Aperture control is a new addition to this year's Samsungs—a welcome arrival for manual control enthusiasts that might have missed the feature on the SC-HMX20. Aperture is controlled in the touch screen menus. Options include: f/3.5, f/4.0, f/4.5, f/5.0, f/5.6, f/6.3, f/7, f/8.0, f/9.0, f/10.0, f/11.2, f/12.6, f/14, and f/16.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed controls are identical to last year's models, offering a decent range of options: 1/60, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/10000.
White Balance
White balance can be adjusted either via the quick menu or the regular administrative menu. Options include: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten, and Custom. This is a good wide range of options for a camcorder (and the same range that was found on last year's Samsungs).
Gain
Panasonic is the only manufacturer of consumer camcorders to offer a manual gain control. On the R10, you'll have to stick with aperture, shutter, and exposure for controlling the light level within a shot.
Other Manual Controls
The HMX-R10 isn't an amazing camcorder for manual controls, but it should offer enough to keep most advanced users happy. In addition to the options mentioned above, there are a couple other features included:
| Control | Description |
| Guide lines |
Off, Quadrant, Focus, Grid |
| Super macro |
Adjust focal length for shooting at close range |
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