Samsung SC-DC164 Camcorder Review

Comparison
Sony DCR-DVD105 
Comparing the Samsung SC-D164 to the Sony DCR-DVD105 is a study in contrast. On paper, the Samsung should smoke this stripped down Sony. It’s got more manual control options a bigger CCD chip and to cap it all off – it’s MSRP is only $449, or 50 bucks less than the Sony. But specs sheets can be, and often are deceiving. While the DCR-DVD105 is by no means an exciting camcorder, it does deliver the goods in terms of great Auto controls, solid if no stellar video quality, and Sony’s famous ease of use. And the Samsung? It’s 1/4.5” CCD is larger than the Sony’s 1/6” chip, but delivered some of the worst video quality we’ve seen. And while it does offer lots of manual controls, an audio input, not to mention an Easy button just like Sony, it's all wasted on a camcorder that just can’t deliver a good picture. Go with the DCR-DVD105 if you’re looking for an entry-level camcorder that’s very easy to use.

Sony DCR-DVD205
The DCR-DVD205 offers more than the DCR-DVD105, but it is priced at an MSRP of $600. With such a large price differential, the question in this comparison is whether the Samsung SC-DC164 offers a better value despite its abysmal video performance. The DCR-DVD205 equals the Samsung in LCD screen size at 2.7”, but the most important advantage is its excellent 1/5.5” chip. This chip delivers a sharp and richly saturated image that puts the SC-D164 to shame, and is markedly better than its step-down cousin, the DVD105. Sony’s camcorders offer little to users who want manual control, but this Sony is a refined product while the Samsung feels like a work in progress.

Panasonic VDR-D100
If the Samsung SC-D164 has a selling point, it would be its wide range of manual controls, and perhaps its impressive 33x optical zoom. The Panasonic VDR-D100 offers all this…and more. Its video performance is adequate for an entry-level DVD camcorder, rivaling the Sony DCR-DVD105 and far exceeding the Samsung. Its manual control set is similar to the SC-D164, including shutter speed, iris and gain, and its optical zoom is nearly as good at 30x. The combination of extensive manual controls and solid picture quality makes a much more compelling case than Samsung’s extensive manual controls with terrible picture quality. The Samsung does add an audio input and a still photo function which the VDR-D100 lacks, and it’s MSRP is $50 less. On all other counts, the Panasonic comes out on top.

Canon DC100
Samsung’s SC-D164 offers some competition for the Canon DC100 which shares its initial price of around $450. The DC10 has better manual controls than the Sony DVD105 and DVD205, but Samsung’s camcorder offers more true control. The Samsung also has an audio jack and can record stills to memory cards, both features that the Canon lacks. In terms of video quality, the Canon was disappointing but it still bested the Samsung. This comparison is a toss-up by virtue of a relatively small gap in video performance between the SC-DC164 and the DC100, but we can’t recommend either camcorder. If you are dead-set on a Canon DVD camcorder, the DC10 costs only around $20 more than the DC100, and is a solid performer.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (4.0)
There are lots of point-and-shoot users out there – people who like to leave their camcorder in auto mode at all times.  Some of these casual videographers are technophobes, and others just prefer not to spend time thinking about settings like exposure and focus when their camcorder can do it for them.  If you fall into one of these camps, this is not the camcorder for you because the video it produces is worse than any competitor.  Go with the Sony DVD105 or 205 – they work very well in Auto mode.

Budget Consumers (3.0)
Street prices for this camcorder may run significantly below the MSRP of $450, and it may be available for less than other DVD camcorders.  For buyers on a budget, the SC-DC164 might be the ticket – but only at a big discount off the list price.  A used Panasonic or Sony camcorder from last year would still be a better value because it would produce better video. 

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (1.0)
The SC-DC164 performs poorly in any image recording mode – video or still, so we can’t recommend it to people looking for a decent hybrid performer.

Gadget Freaks (1.0)
For gadget freaks, this Samsung offers some interest.  While the video it produces is terrible, it is packed with more features than any other entry-level DVD camcorder from its 33x zoom and on-screen focus meter to its external mic jack and memory card slot, its great on paper.  Samsung deserves kudos for packing these features into a low-end unit, but until the imaging improves, the SC-DC164 is only worth a look on the showroom floor.

Manual Control Freaks (2.5)
Manual control freaks care about video quality, and they know how to milk every ounce of performance from their camcorders.  For these users, the SC-DC164 tantalizes with its plethora of manual controls accessed via the well-conceived Quick Menu.  Unfortunately, the camcorder’s video performance doesn’t do the manual controls justice.  Panasonic’s VDR-D100 is a much better choice because it delivers video worth tweaking, and has a better interface and feature set overall.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists (1.0)
Pros and serious hobbyists will not find this camcorder of interest because it produces such poor video. If Samsung manages to significantly improve video performance while retaining the or improving the current feature set, things could change, but until then experienced video makers won’t give the SC-DC164 a second look.

Conclusion
The Samsung SC-DC164 looks good on paper. If a specs sheet was all it took to warrant a purchase, we might all be walking around with Samsung camcorders in our hands. A decently sized imager, a mic input, 800 x 600 stills - what's not to like. Well, if you've read the review, you can see that there is actually a whole lot not to like. Performance was poor across every category and that alone knocks it out of competition with the entry-level Sony DCR-DVD105, Panasonic VDR-D100, and Canon DC100. Additionally, the SC-DC164 has poor handling, due to an oddly-placed and misshapen joystick.

The question that lingers after reviewing the Samsung SC-DC164 is "why?" Why did they make it? And who will buy it? The answer is an unfortunate one, but true nevertheless. There's a sucker born every minute, and many of them are bound to pass through the doors of Best Buy and Circuit City in search of a camcorder. A technologically-unsavvy consumer matched with a unscrupulous or disinterested salesperson might just be the perfect combination for a Samsung purchase.

Samsung is coming up in the world, there's little doubt of that. And "the little company from Korea that could" has their eyes on Sony, the current mega-boss of electronics. We should expect them to make a serious grab for video camcorders in the next few years. But that fact of the matter is that they're not there yet. And the SC-DC164 is certainly not there yet.

You may consider yourself warned.