Samsung SC-HMX10 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Feb 11, 2008 10:00 PM
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Still Features (8.0)
There’s not much in the way of photo options on the SC-HMX10. You can capture stills to internal memory or SDHC/MMCplus card in three sizes: 2048 x 1536, 1440 x 1080, and 640 x 480. All manual controls apply in Photo mode, aside from shutter speed. You can also capture stills from Video mode in 1280 x 720 (HD) or 720 x 480 (SD). A Continuous Shooting mode is available and allows for capture of up to 15 images in a rapid fire stream. The SC-HMX10 is DPOF compatible, meaning images can be printed directly from the camcorder. This is common to nearly all camcorders.
The Photo Q. Menu is identical to the Q. Menu in Video mode, but the Administrative menu is altered and whittled down, containing the following options:
| Photo Administrative Menu | |
| Image Control | Scene Mode, Resolution, Continuous Shooting, Exposure, White Balance, Focus, Tele Macro, Back Light |
| Settings | Date/Time Set, Date/Time, File No., LCD Control, Storage Info, Format, Beep Sound, Shutter Sound, Auto Power Off, LED Light, Rec Lamp, Remote, USB Connect, TV Type, Component Out, Default Set, Language, Demo, Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), Product ID |
| Record Media | Memory, Card |
During Playback, images are arranged in icons that can be selected and viewed within the entirety of the LCD screen. You can zoom in on an image using the zoom toggle. The Photo Playback Menu consists of the following items:
| Photo Playback Menu | |
| Image Control | Slide Show, Delete, Protect, Copy, Move, Print Mark (DPOF) |
| Settings | Date/Time Set, Date/Time, File No., LCD Control, Storage Info, Format, Beep Sound, Shutter Sound, Auto Power Off, LED Light, Rec Lamp, Remote, USB Connect, TV Type, Component Out, Default Set, Language, Demo, Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), Product ID |
| Record Media | Memory, Card |
Still Performance (9.13)
The still performance of the Samsung SC-HMX10 was tested by shooting a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart at an even, bright light, then running the stills through Imatest imaging software. At best, the camcorder is able to produce a color error of 6.57, which is on par for a camcorder of this price range. The camcorder manages to keep the noise fairly low, at 0.805 percent. The saturation measured 105.9 percent.
Outside the lab, the pictures prove to be a lot noisier in less than ideal light. The sharpness leaves something to be desired, as well. However, the color performance looks acceptable.
Still Resolution (12.17)
The still resolution of the Samsung SC-HMX10 was tested by shooting an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart and running those stills through Imatest imaging software. At best, the camcorder is able to produce a horizontal resolution of 955.5 line widths per picture height (lw/ph), with an undersharpening of 0.589 percent. The vertical resolution measures 773.3 lw/ph, with an undersharpening of 8.74 percent.
In order to get this best score, we had to take the camcorder out of Auto mode and into Manual mode. The simplest and most effective tool in the camcorder’s arsenal is the exposure function, which has a straightforward scale and whole number increments. The best score we found had an exposure setting of 13. The EXIF data revealed this to be an aperture value of f/2.8 and a shutter speed of 1/100.
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