Samsung SCD103 Camcorder Review

by James Murray
Published on Jul 28, 2004 4:00 AM



The Samsung SCD103 comes in at an MSRP of US $300, making it a camcorder intended for the first time buyer or a point-and-shoot consumer looking for a lower-priced model without too many add-on features or controls. It is equipped with a 2.5-inch LCD monitor and a black-and-white electronic viewfinder. It’s a still/video hybrid, with playback controls in both modes. It has an 18x optical, 900x digital zoom, and a 1/6-inch, 680K CCD. The Samsung SCD103 can capture to either MiniDV tape or MemoryStick, though still images can only be captured to the memory stick with JPEG format, and movie clips can be recorded to MPEG4.

Video Performance (3.5)
For a low-priced camcorder, the Samsung SCD103 performed fairly well during the testing at 3000 lux. Although the colors were slightly lightened and washed out, there is clear separation and procession throughout the grayscale. The transition between colors is fairly even, although the color bars are lacking the brilliance and clarity possible in this lighting. While some blurring and washing is expected at 3000 lux and high light levels, the lack of vibrancy in these colors is abnormal. Noise is beginning to appear, mostly in the darker grays, and the color bar directly beneath magenta shows a drastic amount already. Unfortunately for the SCD103, it’s only downhill from here.

As far as video performance goes for a low-budget machine like the SCD103, we weren’t expecting much; however, even considering this given, the user is better off looking at the cheaper Canons like the ZR80 for a good video performance value.

The Front (5.0)
The front of the Samsung SCD103 has its 18x optical zoom located on the upper portion of the camera body, slightly extending out from the camcorder. Beneath the lens of the camera, the user will find the incredibly brilliant LED light, useful for low-light or no-light shooting situations… or, honestly, whenever a flashlight is needed around the house. Behind the glossy black frame for the LED lights is the Infrared Light (IR).

The Right Side (5.0)
The Samsung SCD103 is a bottom-loading model, making cassette changes while shooting on a tripod virtually impossible. The cassette cartridge opens via a switch located on the bottom of the camera body, and releases the cartridge outward. Moving forward from the cartridge portion of the Samsung SCD103, the user will find a port cover clearly labeled 'DV Interface.' Underneath are all of the port options for the camera. Once the tab in the upper right corner is flipped out and the port cover removed, the user will discover the USB port and the FireWire port, beneath which is the A/V port, the S-Video port, and the Mic port. To the left of these three ports is the cartridge for the Lithium Ion battery. To retrieve the cartridge for the battery, the user must squeeze the bottom and top of the light gray plastic together, then pull out. Above the port cover, the user will discover the Slow Shutter button, for engaging one of three slower shutter speeds registered on both the electronic viewfinder and the LCD. Spanning the entire right side of the camera body, in a diagonal position, is the pleather and Velcro hand strap.

The Back (5.0)
The battery pack on the Samsung SCD103 is released via a switch located directly beneath the pack on the bottom of the camera body. The user must pull the switch towards the front of the camera, at which time the battery will slide away from the camera body. Directly above the battery pack is the black-and-white electronic viewfinder. The viewfinder has onscreen displays, and unlike other models, mode changes can be made while using only the viewfinder. The viewfinder can flip up approximately 45 degrees from its resting position, which allows better viewing and less battery pack obstruction, a common problem in other models. Once the viewfinder is flipped up, the user will find the lens adjustment beneath, so individual users can set their focus preferences. On the left side of the battery pack, towards the bottom of the camera body, the user will find a camera strap eyelet. Also on the left, and set apart from the rest of the back portion of the Samsung SCD103, is the Power Switch. This portion of the camera controls whether the camera is set in Off, Camera, or Player mode. In the center of the Power Switch, the user will find the Start/Stop button for initiating and halting image capture.

The Left Side (5.0)
The 2.5-inch LCD is the most prominent feature on the Samsung SCD103’s left side. The LCD monitor is opened via a tab located on the bottom of the screen. Towards the back of the camera is the PB Zoom Macro button, for playback zoom potentiality of 1.2x to 8x. Beneath the PB Zoom button is the Display button, which turns Menu and Mode features on and off. Under this button is the V. Light button, which engages the LED lights on the front of the camera for low and no light situations. Finally, the user will find the Memory Card/Tape Switch, for switching between those two modes. Embedded into the camera body itself, in this recessed LCD region, is the in-camera speaker for audio playback. (However, do not rely on this speaker to accurately represent the captured audio quality of the video. Always use an auxiliary system to test the sound.)

Located to the back of the LCD screen are the Menu button and the Enter button. At the bottom of this row of buttons, there is a tab which, when pulled upwards, reveals the DC in jack. Running along the length of the camera body, above the LCD screen, are: the EasyQ button, the Rewind button, Fast Forward button, Play/Pause button, and the Stop button. When the camera is placed in Easy Mode, the user can choose among Rec Search-, Rec Search +, Fade, and BLC (backlight compensation), respectively. Finally, when in M. Play mode, the user can control REV, FWD, Slide Show, and Multi. Display, also respectively. The LCD screen itself solarizes easily, making viewing aggravating, and the overall LCD saturation is horrible; its color saturation is diminished as well. Most objects and scenes will appear dull and lifeless when viewed on the LCD, and will also appear to be blue and green hued overall.

The Top (5.0)
The top of the Samsung SCD103 has, located towards the front of the camera, an oddly and poorly placed stereo microphone. It’s perfect positioning for simultaneous voiceovers and overhead recording of seagulls, but atrocious for other situations. This feature alone would prompt the user to use an external mic for any sort of audio recording, although it would have to be either handheld or taped to the camera body due to the obvious lack of an accessory shoe. Behind the mic is the Power Nite Pix switch for the camera, engaging the ever-trendy and amusing Nite Pix feature, which is great for simulations of news coverage of wars at night, and the recreation of bad horror films. Located near the viewfinder, at the back, is the Wide Angle/Telephoto Zoom lever, which controls both optical and digital zoom. To the right and slightly back from the Zoom lever is the Photo button.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
The Samsung SCD103 does has a button located on the left side of the camcorder body called EasyQ. When engaged, the user immediately forfeits any and all control over the camera’s functionality beyond the zoom and the on/off switch. This feature seems incredibly limited. You forsake any control, allowing the camera to dictate any visual decisions. Also, automatic focus is eternally irritating and annoying to watch when it fluxes into focus to begin with, but this camera also takes an inordinate amount of time to finally settle on the object being captured. The menu is completely inaccessible during EasyQ mode, so no menu options are available to the user at all. The user cannot control lower shutter speeds when in EasyQ mode, and it appears the only things within your means are the Nite Pix, LED lighting, and Zoom, making this mode incredibly demeaning.

Overall Manual Control (4.0)
The Manual Control for the Samsung SCD103 allows for designation of Zoom, Program Mode presets, White Balance, Digital Zoom off/on, Slow Shutter Speeds, Focus, DSE (digital special effects), and DIS (digital image stabilization).

Zoom (6.0)
The zoom for the Samsung SCD103 is an 18x optical zoom, with a digital zoom maximum of 900x, but it is important to remember that digital zoom will drastically compromise the image quality of the video. To activate digital zoom, the user must enter the Menu via the Menu button on the left side of the camera, turn the Menu dial to Camera, and press Enter. Then from this listing select the subsection labeled D. Zoom. Press enter and select within this window from the following settings: 100x, 200x, 400x, 900x, digital zoom function, or off. The controller for optical zoom and digital zoom function is located on the top of the Samsung SCD103 and is a zoom lever, which allows for Wide Angle and Telephoto capabilities.

Focus (4.0)
The automatic focus for the Samsung SCD103 should be avoided at all costs. Its lag time is so long it will be a visually distracting element to anyone’s video work. To change the Focus, the user spins the Menu dial to the Focus settings, which will appear on the left side of the LCD screen or electronic viewfinder. Once selected, the user can choose between automatic and manual; when in manual, the user can then spin the Menu dial to alter the focus for the scene being recorded.

Exposure (Aperture) (5.0)
On the Samsung SCD103 the user must spin the Menu dial down until an icon that looks sort of like a manila folder, or a rectangle with a black square in the middle, appears in the bottom left corner of the screen. Once it appears, press enter, and exposure settings between 00 and 29 will then be available. This is available in both M.REC and Camera modes.

Shutter Speed (4.0)
The Shutter Speed is also controlled via the same odd icon as the Exposure settings. Look for a manila folder with a black square and two dots when spinning the Menu dial, and press enter. Once within this subsection, the user of the Samsung SCD103 can decide among 1/60, 1/100, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, or 1/10000. These settings are only available when the camera is Camera mode. Along with these settings, the regular Program AE settings of Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand/Snow, and High Speed are also available.

White Balance (1.0)
White Balance for the Samsung SCD103 is controlled through the onscreen Menu by pressing the Menu button, and then scrolling to the Camera Set option. Once within this subsection, the user can highlight the White Balance feature, and press enter again. Now the user can choose among the following options: Auto, Hold, Indoor, and Outdoor settings. The Hold feature (the one that looks like an anchor) allows for the current situation to become the White Balance setting for the camera. We’re a little bit dubious of whether or not the manual white balance setting actually works on the Samsung SCD103. We had a tough time with the SCD107, which wouldn’t adjust to our bulb for low light testing. A replacement bulb makes the SCD103 tests look better; however, it's uncertain whether the hold function (the one represented by the anchor) is actually adjusting at all.

Gain (0.0)
Gain is not a controllable feature on the Samsung SCD103.

Still Performance (5.5)
To access the still image capture settings for the Samsung SCD103, the user must press the Photo button on top of the camera body. However, the speed between shots is laboriously slow… long enough so that setting up any sort of multiple shot would be amusingly futile. When in playback mode, it is possible to review still images in multi-display, slideshow, or single format. Using the fast-forward and rewind buttons, the user can scan and move between images in single-image mode. To view in slideshow mode, the user must press player mode, then press the play/pause button. The camcorder will then replay the images with a 3-4 second delay between each. Finally, in multi-view mode, the user presses the Multi Disp button, and can scan between images using the fast-forward and rewind buttons. You can record still images to the memory stick and tape, but the only image setting size is 640 x 480. Image quality settings located in the M Rec section of the menu where all of these controls are located are Super Fine, Fine, and Normal.

VCR Mode (8.0)
When the camcorder is placed in VCR mode, the user engages the settings located above the LCD screen on the left side of the camcorder body. The user can then rewind, fast-forward, play, pause, and stop. The PB Zoom Macro button allows the Samsung SCD103 to zoom in on specific portions of the captured video during playback. VCR mode can be used to view playback on an external monitor, or on the camera’s LCD screen.

Low Light Performance (2.0)
In low light situations, the Samsung SCD103 did less than splendidly in the tests. At 60 lux, there was a dramatic increase in gain across the board. This was evident not only in the gray bars, but also in the resolution and color bars. The reds bleed together, their borders becoming blurred and indistinct. The grayscale is tinted green, although the bars still hold their integrity between the gradation and their borders.

At 15 lux, the overall quality of the image has been almost entirely compromised, with excessive gain pushing magenta splotches throughout the entire test. The grayscale has become tainted by red, green, and light brown; each section of the color bars has become one overall color. The grayscale’s dark end has become a slurry of indistinct dark gray, with the light end of the scale slightly better.

The good news is that if the user is willing to give up some zoom distance, he or she can get video and low light performance comparable to the SCD303 on the SCD103 for the obvious reduction in price. The bad news is that the JVC GR-D33 (Review, Specs, $329.94) rules house in the low light, low price camcorder market. Bottom line: if you’re thinking about buying the SCD103 for its low light performance (and you shouldn’t be), check the JVC GR-D33 charts.

LCD / Viewfinder (6.5)
The LCD is a 2.5-inch color LCD, with an adjustable brightness feature, a date/time feature, and a TV Display control. It is essential to adjust the LCD color saturation upon buying the Samsung SCD103. Otherwise, you will spend all of your time overcompensating for strong lighting and fighting the desire to get a red to look red on the LCD. It solarizes like nobody’s business. These settings are found in the Menu, under the heading Cam Mode.

The Viewfinder is black-and-white, and electronic, but it does offer the user the ability to use the manual controls on the left side of the camera with the LCD closed. This is a nice change from other models, which force the user to use only the LCD when manual control of image parameters is desired. Also, the black-and-white viewfinder offers a nice opportunity to see the contrast of the image.

Audio (5.0)
Why, I wonder, do camcorder manufacturers think it’s appropriate to place microphones on the top of the camera body? Is it just an attempt to make bad audio quality even worse, or do they really think that the predominant desire of the user will be to record whatever happens to be flying overhead during shooting? Either way, the mic is on the top of the camera body, inappropriately and amusingly, and is stereo. I’d definitely suggest either making all of your video work have breathy voice-overs and using commercial jets and seagulls as soundtracks, or just give it up and use an external handheld mic of better quality.

Handling (5.0)
The handling on the Samsung SCD103 is a bit awkward. When in Menu options, the user has to constantly remember to press either Menu or Enter. Some features are only available when the Menu button is pressed, and other features are only available when the Menu dial is spun. This sort-of-dual mode, which overlaps occasionally but not always, became frustrating after a while. I just wanted the same options to be available in both a full menu format, as well as a shorthand mode. This, however, was not the case.

The camera itself is lightweight, which is great, although this is a bit disquieting at first and makes you feel as if something vital is missing from the camera. The buttons are fairly clearly labeled, although certain icons are absolutely arcane and require the aid of the manual to decipher. Finally, EasyQ mode: so simple that slow-witted monkeys could shoot with it, yet so demeaning and confounding that it will frustrate you eternally.

Ports (7.0)
The port options for the Samsung SCD103 are located mainly on the right side of the camera body, under the frontally positioned port cover. Underneath the port cover, the user will find the USB port, the FireWire port, the A/V port, the S-Video port, and External Mic port. On the left side of the camera, in the back lower corner, the user will find the DC in jack for exterior power supply.

Other Features (6.0)
Nite Pix Mode
This setting is such that, when the camera is shooting in low or no light situations, the camera uses its infrared light to illuminate subjects up to ten feet away. However, the shutter speed will be slowed in capture time, giving it what Samsung calls a “slow motion like effect.”

BLC Compensation
BLC mode allows for the camera to compensate for lighting situations where a subject is being illuminated by strong background light. Set the camera to Camera mode, and press the BLC button to enhance the subject of the shot.

Audio Dubbing
In case the poor audio of the Samsung SCD103 actually bothers you, the user has the ability to re-record the audio for the video footage recorded. This option is only available in Playback mode. Once in the playback mode, press the Play/Pause button until the proper scene is chosen, pause the tape, press the A.DUB button on the included remote control, and begin to play the video.

Fade In/Out
When the camera is in Camera mode, before fading, press the fade button, which is the Play/Pause button when in Playback mode. Press the fade button down, and the sound and image will fade out; press the start/stop button and release the pressure from the Fade button and the recording’s sound and image will slowly return.

Slow Shutter
Located on the right side of the camera body, towards the front of the Samsung SCD103, the user will find the Slow Shutter button. When engaged, this button allows the user to choose among 1/30, 1/15, and 1/8 Shutter speeds. To exit this setting, press the Slow Shutter button. This option is only available when in Camera Mode. This will also compromise the video speed; giving it again the Samsung-phrased “slow motion like” effect.

Navigation Function:
Overall navigation on the Samsung SCD103 is a bit tedious. The uneven dispersal between the regular Menu features, and those the user can initiate only via the Menu dial, make it so that the initial choice of button or dial is often incorrect, although there is the offhand chance that the desired option exists in both sets of menus. Also, some of the symbols aren’t explanatory or intuitive, forcing the user to revert to the menu for a clearer explanation of their purpose. The camera is sized appropriately for my large hands, and the fact that I can use the manual controls at all when only using the electronic viewfinder does give this camcorder some distinct advantages.

Widescreen Mode
There is no widescreen mode available for the Samsung SCD103.

MPEG
It is possible to record in MPEG4 format with the use of the USB, FireWire, or Memory card ports on the Samsung SCD103.

Analog to Digital Pass-Through
Analog to digital pass-through is not possible on the Samsung SCD103.

Comparisons
The Samsung SCD103 is a lower priced model, most suited for the point-and-shooter not looking for a high-end model to worry over. It is limiting, and the menu is such that most users would opt to use the EasyQ setting, demeaning as it is, to avoid having the hassle of in-menu option changes. It is equipped with an 18x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, a 1/6-inch 680K CCD, and a black-and-white electronic viewfinder. It has an MSRP of US $300, and many of its features and controls reflect this lower price bracket.

Samsung SCD303-- The Samsung SCD303 is one step up in the price range for this series of cameras. It has a slightly higher optical zoom level at 20x, allowing for more shooting options. It is also a hybrid camera, with both memory stick and MiniDV options, and the greatest difference between these two models appears to be that, in this model, the electronic viewfinder is color rather than black-and-white. With 680K effective pixels on the CCD, the SCD303 performs similarly to the SCD103, with nearly identical chart results.

Panasonic PV-GS12-- This camera is equipped with a 20x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and a 0.167 680K CCD, making it highly comparable to the Samsung SCD103 in regards to pure specifications. While reviewing the Panasonic, I found that while the LCD screen menu was simpler and didn’t include the preset EasyQ mode of the Samsung SCD103, the actual construction and design of the camera was ill-suited to my hands, and I found myself repeatedly engaging two hands in what would otherwise be a one-handed operation. Its oddly placed features, poorly conceived port placement, and low-quality construction are reflected in the price. It also costs nearly $100 more than the Samsung. but the GS12 wins hands down in any low light competition, showing crisper colors. At 60 lux, the Samsung’s violet tones bleed heavily into red, and are not distinct at all. At 15 lux, the Samsung’s grain is so intense that distinct colors are not present.

JVC GR-D33-- The JVC GR-D33 gives the user more manual control, although it has a lower optical zoom of only 16x and no still image memory card options. The user searching for a hybrid model should continue looking elsewhere. It has the same size LCD and CCD, with 0.68 MP. It also is equipped with JVC’s noise reduction system, which supposedly has the potential to eliminate noise up to 30%. Finally, if viewfinders are important to you, this model is equipped with an electronic color viewfinder. The GR-D33 is priced similarly to the SCD103. The SCD103 suffers the same crushing defeat in the low light realm when it does battle with the JVC GR-D33. This makes the JVC GR-D33 is one of the best camcorders for low light performance for its price.

Canon ZR80 The Canon ZR80 is assured to have Canon’s lens quality. It’s equipped with a 2.5-inch LCD, and the potential to exercise 18x optical zoom. It has a much lower digital zoom: only 360x, although when you recall that image quality is compromised horrifically during digital zoom, this may actually mean that Canon has realized upping the digital zoom on their cameras is meaningless and trivial. The Canon ZR80 is available right now for around $40 more than the SCD103, but lists for about $100 more. The SCD103 performs admirably better than the Canon ZR80 in the low light setting, producing more alive colors, albeit not as crisp. In overall video performance however, especially in normal bright light conditions, the Canon wins the bout.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
Since the Samsung SCD103 is equipped with an EasyQ button that makes it impossible to do anything beyond turning the camera on, pointing it, and recording, it’s fair to say that, yes, this camera is for the point-and-shoot enthusiast. However, the two versions of the onscreen menus with their differing agendas will immediately become confusing. Best if used without any sense of curiosity.

Budget Consumers (6.5)
This camcorder has the manual controls to allow for some maneuvering, as long as you want to take the time to learn the menus by heart, and it is low priced, making it feasible, but spending a little bit more may be a better option in the long run. This camcorder doesn't really let a user grow, so investing in a slightly better camera to begin with will perhaps negate the necessity for buying a new one in a few years.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (4.0)
The user can shoot both still and video footage on the Samsung SCD103 and can also record onto either MiniDV or Memory Card. If a low-priced hybrid camcorder is desired, this may be a feasible option, although your overall control options are constrained. The only still resolution setting is 640 x 480, which is unfortunate, but expected.

Gadget Freaks (3.0)
For the gadget freak, I would look elsewhere and not consider the Samsung SCD103. This camera doesn’t have the features or the controls to entertain, and the illogical menu will frustrate you, while the EasyQ will make you smile at its Big Brother-like control over the camera functions. Spend a little more, or switch to Hi8; either will be a more profitable venture in the long run.

Manual Control Freaks (3.0)
The best feature on this camera is actually the ability to access manual control options while using the viewfinder. Finally, a camcorder with the controls available outside of the recessed LCD screen! However, the two menus will, as with the Gadget Freak, most likely aggravate. Weigh the importance of the viewfinder when looking at this camera. Remember, it is black-and-white.

Pros/Serious Hobbyists (2.0) This camera is not recommended for the pro or serious hobbyist. The Samsung SCD103 will not fulfill any of the desires of these consumers. Even with its low price, other cameras for slightly more would make much better backup camera options.

Conclusion
The Samsung SCD103 is a camera meant for those users seeking a camera which has presets and automatic control options, and want only to point and shoot. Its low MSRP of only US $300 makes it so that it could potentially be a camera for the first time user worried about overcoming their phobia of technology. With the EasyQ setting, the user can stop any sort of setting melodrama by surrendering all control. I found it to be demoralizing, but perhaps it is well intentioned and easily used.

The lighting tests on the camera did reflect its lower price. Low lighting situations made captured footage abysmal, which is most likely why the LED light on the front of the camera has the ability to function as a household torch, its brilliance is so overwhelming. If you want better low light for the price, look into the JVC GR-D33 or the Panasonic PV-GS12. The user can apply the menu options while using the electronic viewfinder is an advantage over other similarly priced cameras, and is a much appreciated change. However, the differing and conflicting menus may immediately confound you and make any ease of adjustment benefits vanish. If you are looking for an extremely low priced, introductory MiniDV camera and plan to shoot in bright daylight situations, and are worried about a camera being too complicated for you, this may be a choice to consider.