Samsung SC-HMX10 Camcorder Review

The SC-HMX10, released in 2007, is Samsung’s first high-definition camcorder. Employing a 720P H.264 compression, the company is well behind the competition in its technology, but the SC-HMX10 has a certain appeal. The compact body, stylish curves, and uber-simple menu will catch the eyes of the fashionable crowd. For a “budget HD” camcorder, this is perhaps the best we’ve seen. But for a few hundred dollars more, far more enticing camcorders are within reach. Can the SC-HMX10 justify its value? Only for a very specific type of user, we believe.

The Front (6.5)
The SC-HMX10 is the kind of camcorder you want to take out to the clubs. Its sleek, glossy black body and ultra-cool swivel grip will garner looks and provide abstract camera angles for your night of excess. In front, the SC-HMX10’s 10x optical zoom lens has a focal length of 3.3 – 33mm. The lens has a 30mm filter diameter for add-ons like a telephoto or fisheye lens. Running along the top arc of the lens is the record lamp, LED video light, and remote sensor. The LED light is just like most other built-in camcorder lights, emitting a weak stream of ghost-like, bluish light. It will help you in the club, though. The built-in stereo microphone resides along the bottom arc of the lens—a wise placement on a camcorder this compact.

The Right Side (3.5)
The only thing you’ll find on the right side of the SC-HMX10 is a large dosage of awesomely sleek architecture. Take a gander at the SC-HMX10’s sexy swivel grip. The SC-HMX10 will undoubtedly boost your cool meter as you demonstrate the camcorder’s ability to rotate 135 degrees toward the ceiling while keeping your hand horizontal. Imagine the angles you can obtain with this baby … what happens in the club, stays in the club. Actually, it probably won’t prove all that useful at all, but the option is there. The SC-HMX10 is outfitted with a classy leather hand strap. Although the strap is not particularly bulky or adequately padded, it gains style points by echoing a Coach or Nine West wristlet. Ooh, that black faux leather and white stitching—yummy! Tucked beneath the right side of the lens is the lens cover switch, which flips open and closed quite smoothly. Samsung is reinventing “Cool” in the camcorder world.

The Back (5.0)
In back, Samsung keeps it light with a tight-knit configuration of essential buttons and ports. The Mode button rests in the center, sheltered by three mode lamps overhead—Video, Photo, and Playback. Beneath the Mode button is the Easy Q button, which activates Samsung’s version of Easy mode. To the right is the voluminous Record Start/Stop button with the power switch located underneath. The SC-HMX10’s power switch is embedded slightly below the surface of the body, making it difficult to access. On the plus side, this also prevents the camcorder from being inadvertently powered off. Along the bottom you’ll find the DC input and Mic jack, both housed by thick plastic port covers that resemble plugs. The covers are hard to pop open and flounder on the flimsy side, but they certainly look cool, which is obviously the intention here.

The Left Side (5.0)
The SC-HMX10’s money shot side. Nothing says stealth like the glossy black external LCD housing. This camcorder is a sniper. When you flip open the LCD screen, you’ll notice how thick it is. The LCD panel is rubberized and feels great on the fingers. The motion of the LCD screen on this camcorder is one of the smoothest we’ve seen. Inside the LCD cavity you won’t find much. The Display/iCHECK and Backlight Compensation buttons are located along the right side of the LCD screen, next to the playback speaker. Along the bottom of the LCD cavity is a thin plastic panel that houses the HDMI, Component/AV, and USB terminals. The cover flicks open with ease and snaps back into place securely. The placement of these ports in not as favorable if the camcorder is attached to a tripod—it’s a bit cluttered. It also proved a little awkward when plugging an HDMI cable in.

The LCD panel contains the Q.Menu button, Zoom In/Out tab, and an additional Record Start/Stop button. Since Samsung opted to follow Sony’s trail with a touch screen interface, there are no external playback controls. Overall, simplicity reigns supreme on the left side of the SC-HMX10.

The Top (4.5)
The top of the SC-HMX10 is barren, aside from the zoom toggle, Photo button, and wait—what’s this covert black panel with an “Open” engraving on it? If you press down and slide it back, it springs up to reveal the enclosed battery and SD/SDHC card slot! Those crafty Samsung engineers. This is definitely cool, but you know how we feel about enclosed battery designs. If you plan on capturing your entire night of Vegas debauchery, think again. You’ll have to invest in several backup packs in order to stick it out. No extended life battery is going to fit in here. The zoom toggle is slight, but gets the job done. The SC-HMX10 has a nifty oval finger bay to aid with grip. If only some of the rubberized material from the LCD panel made its way up top, the camcorder would not slip out of your hand in slow motion.