Samsung SCD303 Camcorder Review

Although the Samsung SCD303 is primarily intended for the point-and-shoot enthusiast, it also has the potential to please those seeking manual control at a reasonable price. The Samsung comes equipped with a 20X optical zoom and a 2.5-inch color LCD with color electronic viewfinder. The small, one-sixth-inch, 680K CCD inhibits the camcorder’s ability to shoot with clarity or accuracy in low light situations while in automatic. However, there are plenty of manual controls available on this camcorder, and multiple menus to choose from in an attempt to achieve efficiency, timeliness and breadth of options. Special features on this camera include, DIS, DSE, Nite Pix, and Slow Shutter Speed. The SCD303 retails for US$339.95.

Video Performance (3.5)
The video performance of the Samsung SCD303 didn’t manage to reach the color saturation levels one would expect at 3000 lux. The yellow became muted and dull, with its split complement playing a large role in its tonal integrity, turning it oddly green- and orange-tinged and muddying the overall color. The red is also already losing most of its brilliance, fading to an orange-pink. With this occurring to most of the colors, none of the tests ever reached the brilliance expected at 3000 lux. Even with a 1/6th inch, 680K pixel CCD, better results are expected.

The grayscale was already starting to show a large jump between the darker portion of the scale, without the camera ever being able to garner true, or even near, black. The color one closer to white should be three steps down from its spot. There is already a fair amount of unexpected grain and noise beginning to appear throughout the entire test, with the grayscale having a noticeably hard time producing color bars of consistent tonal quality. Finally, along the borders of the grayscale, an attentive viewer may notice that the grayscale and the color bars are already beginning to impede on one another, allowing for a bleeding of the two. This is especially obvious between the mid-grays and the red, where the noise and darkening of the lower portion of the red color bar is distinct.

The Front (7.5)
The front of the Samsung SCD303 features the 20X zoom lens on the top of the camera body. Running in a glossy black strip down the front of the camera, the user will find the IR (infrared) light. To the left and right of this strip is the internal stereo microphone, oriented accordingly. The attachment for the hand strap is at the bottom right corner. Because of the narrow body, the user should make sure to keep their left hand free from the front of the camera, otherwise audio quality may be drastically compromised some adjustment and holding situations. However, the strap for the right hand has been set far enough back that there is no real danger of moving the hand in front of either microphone or lens.

The Right Side (6.0)
For some reason, the entire right side of the Samsung SCD303 is covered in a nondescript, dull gray plastic coating. Its design aesthetic appears dated and nostalgic for Hi-8 format cameras. The upper front corner of the Samsung SCD303 has a port covered with the embossed symbols for the USB and DV ports that are hidden beneath. With a slight cutaway on the top of the cover, the user must flip the tab downwards to expose the ports. The first time was a bit frustrating; however, the design is such that, after a few times, the rubber hinges relaxed while still maintaining the sense that they would remain attached to the camera body.

Above and slightly to the rear of this port is a clearly labeled Slow Shutter button. When engaged with the fingers of the right hand during shooting, this feature allows the user to engage even slower shutter speeds. Selection between settings is procured by depressing the button, and then choosing among S1/30, S1/15, or S1/8. Toward the back of the camera, slightly raised from the rest of the camera body, the power switch allows for control over Off, Camera, and Playback modes. To switch modes, the user must depress the small green button in the middle of the switch controller. Once depressed, the user can scan among the three modes easily. The hand strap spans the right side of the camera body, moving diagonally from back to front.

The major inhabitant of the right side, though, is the DV tape cassette cartridge, which opens through a switch on the base of the camera that gets pushed forward. This is a bottom-loading model, so loading the camera while it has been attached to a tripod would be nearly impossible and overly complicated. It is best to consider whether tapes will be switched prior to beginning image capture when shooting with this camera.

The Back (5.0)
The Samsung SCD303 has its color electronic viewfinder at the top of the camcorder body. The viewfinder becomes engaged when the LCD screen is closed, and can be pulled back from its recessed resting position, allowing for adjustment via the focus knob located atop the exposed viewfinder barrel. It’s advantageous to extend the viewfinder from the camera body, due to the protruding battery pack located directly beneath, which complicates use of the viewfinder unless extended. The viewfinder will not adjust in any other configuration, making shooting with the viewfinder cumbersome.

To the right of the viewfinder is the optional eyelet for a neck or accessory wrist strap. Below the viewfinder is the aforementioned lithium battery holder, with the release located on the base of the camera on the left side. To the right of the battery pack, towards the bottom of the body, the charge light indicates when recharging of the battery is in progress. To the left of the Power Switch, the user will find the Start/Stop button, which will control both Memory Card and MiniDV tape record initiation and termination.

The Left Side (6.5)
The 2.5-inch LCD screen is recessed on the left side of the Samsung SCD303. Its released and opened via a cutaway in the bottom back corner of the surrounding camera body. The user merely pulls the LCD away from the camera body; from this point, a catch is released, and it will open. If opened completely, the user can spin the screen 180 degrees up and 90 degrees down. It is possible to turn the LCD 180 degrees and return the screen back into the recessed portion of the camera body and lock it into place.

Once opened, the LCD screen exposes a series of controls within the recessed portion of the body. The top back portion of this section features a PB ZOOM/MACRO button for Play Back Zoom and, when in regular shooting mode, Macro (or close up) zoom. Beneath the PB Zoom/Macro button is the Display button. The Display button controls the extent to which information is displayed on screen during shooting and review. Beneath this is the Tape/Memory Card switch, allowing for the user to choose between recording modes. It is possible to record short video clips and still images to the memory card, and video images to the MiniDV tape. Finally, at the base of this column of options, is the S-Video Out jack for optional S-Video export.

Towards the front of the recessed portion, represented by a fan of depressed points, the user will find the in-camera speaker. If it is necessary to appraise audio quality, an external speaker should be engaged, due to the quality of speakers installed within these cameras. Directly above the LCD screen, on the body of the camcorder, are a series of buttons that run from the front to the back of the camcorder horizontally. The EasyQ button, toward the front, establishes the camera in a “super-automatic” mode: no buttons are able to be used, and no preset adjustment or other control is possible, beyond zoom and the in and out points for image capture. The presence of this button suggests to me a user that wants to restrict his or her own control, forsaking any sort of choice and, in essence, creating an electronically updated pinhole camera. The purpose is to placate any fears regarding the terrifying presence of technology, but I think even the most technophobic consumer will soon find this option demeaning and useless. Moving backward from this point is the Rewind button in Playback mode, the Rec Search (-) when in Camera Easy mode, and Reverse when in M.Play mode. The next button is Fast Forward/Rec Search (+)/Forward, followed by Play-Still/Fade/Slide Show. The last button in this series is Stop/BLC/Multi Display mode.

Running alongside the side of the back portion of the LCD screen is another set of controllers for the Samsung SCD303. The top button is the Menu button which, when pressed, initiates the onscreen menu on either the LCD or the electronic viewfinder. Beneath this is the Menu Selector, a glorified dial that doesn’t spin but, when turned up or down, scans the Menu options and functions as a control for setting Focus, White Balance, Shutter Speed, Volume, and so forth. When used exclusive of the larger menu, this selector has its own set of abbreviated settings, theoretically created for the purpose of providing shortcuts for the user. However, not all options from the larger, more extensive menu are available, and the user must carefully select which feature to first initiate, because once manual focus is set, the selector then becomes only a controller for focus control. This supposedly quick and annotated system of functions quickly becomes laborious and an irritant to navigate. A port cover comes next, underneath which, once opened from the top, the user will find the external mic-in, the A/V Out, and the DC IN ports.

The Top (6.0)
The top of the Samsung SCD303 has three controllers, starting with the Nite Pix On/Off switch towards the middle of the camera body. This initiates the Nite Pix Lux night-shooting option for image capture in low- and no-light situations. Back from this switch is the Zoom lever, which when pushed left initiates the Wide Angle zoom, and when pressed right engages the Telephoto. At the back of the camera body is the Photo button for capturing still images to the Memory Card. The memory card port is located on the base of the camcorder body, near the tripod socket.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
This camera is made for Automatic control, with the EasyQ button located on the left side indicative of this camera’s purpose. When in the EasyQ setting, the user can control zoom, record on and off, Nite Pix, Fade In and Out, and still-image capture. Any other attempt to negotiate or control the settings will greet the viewer with the statement to disengage the EasyQ button. This ultimately became, as on all of the Samsung cameras, the most aggravating feature. Meant to be a help, it inevitably becomes bothersome.

Specific automatic controls act according to expectations. Automatic focus and exposure adjust relatively well in auspicious conditions, with adjustment lag and ability increasing in low light environments

Overall Manual Control (4.0)
When not in the EasyQ setting, it is possible to control most of the manual parameters one comes to expect from a camera within this price range: presets, Program AE, Manual Focus, White Balance, Shutter, and Exposure. The user can control these settings through entering the menu via the Menu button, or establishing the control through the Menu Selector. On the camera body on the right side, towards the top, is the user control to engage slower shutter spends; on the left side, the ability to Fade during image capture.

Zoom (6.5)
The Samsung SCD303 has an optical zoom of 20x with a digital zoom of 900x. To use the zoom on the Samsung SCD303, the user can either use the zoom lever on the top of the camera or the PB Zoom/Macro button. Pressing the zoom lever left will engage the Wide Angle aspect; to the right, the Telephoto feature. Pressing the Macro button in the recessed portion of the LCD screen will allow for the capture of images at a close range. During playback, the user can use the PB Zoom to focus on specific portions of previously garnered footage.

Focus (4.0)
To engage the focus settings on the camera, the user must press the Menu Selector in, and then scan until the A-within-a-square appears on the left side of the LCD screen. Once this is highlighted, depress the selector again, and choose between Automatic and Manual modes. If in manual mode, the user can control the focus for the camera by pushing the selector up or down. For smooth transitions, just hold the selector up. There is no need to constantly re-engage the selector, allowing for a minimized amount of camera movement during adjustment.

Exposure (Aperture) (5.0)
Exposure is controlled via the Menu Selector menu. Scan down until Exposure is highlighted in the LCD screen. Once selected, the user must use the up and down on the selector to choose settings between 0 and 29. Once a choice has been made, press the selector in, and exit the menu.

Shutter Speed (4.0)
Shutter speed is located above the Exposure option in the Menu Selector menu in the Samsung SCD303, and allows the user to set the shutter at 1/60, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, and 1/10000, respectively. Press the selector in to set shutter and exit this parameter of the menu.

White Balance (1.0)
The Samsung SCD303 features manual White Balance control via the Menu button. Scan down to the Camera Set mode, press the selector in, then scan and highlight the White Balance option again, and depress. In this subsection, the user can choose between Auto, Hold, Indoor, and Outdoor. Pressing the selector in once the correct setting has been chosen will establish that option, and pressing the Menu button again will allow the user to leave the menu and resume shooting. We’ve had trouble in the past getting Samsung camcorders to manually white balance properly. To manually white balance, the hold function must be selected from the white balance menu. (It looks like an anchor.) There is no beeping or blinking or testing for current conditions, as far as I can tell.

Gain (0.0)
There is no gain control on the Samsung SCD303.

Still Performance(5.5)
To control the still image aspects of the Samsung SCD303, the user must first insert a memory card into the memory card slot located on the base of the camera near the tripod socket connection. Once done, the user must switch the Tape/Memory Card switch located under the LCD screen to the Memory Card option. The user can then choose Shutter Speed, Exposure, Zoom, Focus, White Balance, and Program AE, as well as Slow Shutter Speed. It is possible to record still images to MiniDV tape by keeping the camera in Standby within the camcorder mode and depressing the photo button. This option, although feasible, takes at least six or seven seconds for the image to be recorded and processed. It’s perhaps best reserved for times when a picture is needed and a memory card can not be found. All stills are recorded at 640 x 480.

VCR Mode (8.0)
To initiate the VCR Mode for the Samsung SCD303 the user must switch the Power Switch to the Player setting on the right back side of the camera body. The VCR playback mode controls are located on the left side of the camera, allowing for Rewind, Fast Forward, Play/Still, and Stop Modes. When in Playback mode, it is possible to initiate the PB Zoom by pressing this option located in the recessed portion of the LCD screen. Once depressed, the user can initiate zoom while viewing video in playback, highlighting and focusing on specific portions of the onscreen image.

Low Light Performance (2.0)
Overall color and grayscale quality at 60 lux did not drop as much as I had expected after seeing the disappointing results the camera garnered at 3000 lux. That said, other problems have emerged. While the colors remain consistently as strong as the 3000 lux setting, the noise and gain levels are beginning to wreak havoc on the entire test. Especially among the warm colors, the viewer may notice that the distinction between individual color bars grows indistinct. Their lines are blurred and the tonal integrity has to slur together, an attempt on the camcorder’s part to find the correct tonal qualities of multiple colors within one image frame during low-light shooting. With this to overcome, often the solution is to find a median color that four or five similar colors share, clumping and blurring them together slightly. In the warm section of the color bars, there are splotches of lighter colors beginning to impede themselves upon the test colors. The grayscale has begun to even out its uneven steps, allowing for more even gradation overall, although vagrant colors are beginning to appear here as well, especially around the lighter half of the scale. Overall, the colors at 60 lux, have become slightly more dulled. The SCD303 performs worse than the SCD903 (Review, Specs, $411.99) because of the difference in CCD size.

The difference between 60 and 15 lux is huge in the case of the Samsung SCD303 is remarkable and makes a clear case for not shooting video in automatic in low light situations. The entire test has become striated with noise, dappling the entire surface with errant colors and grayed muddied tones. At this point the yellow to green transition appears to be one without any distinguishable color bar, a statement that is applicable to the top of the color chart as well. The grayscale finally got to black, not surprisingly; however, the white is far from being white, perhaps having moved up the scale two or three steps. Throughout the entire test there are pixels beginning to show, with red showing in the blue section as well as in the grays. The entire chart differs incredibly from the 60 lux chart, a large jump downward that surprised me, even though I knew the test results wouldn’t be great for a 680K CCD mid-range camcorder.

LCD/ Viewfinder(6.5)
The LCD for the Samsung SCD303 measures 2.5 inches, and has an electronic color viewfinder that can display onscreen menu options and alterations.

Audio (5.0)
The Samsung SCD303 has the ability to run an internal stereo microphone, as well as an external microphone via the microphone port located on the left side of the camera body, underneath the port cover. This port is equipped to handle a 3.5 Ohm stereo microphone. There is a speaker in-camera for playback. However, an external source should be used if serious audio considerations are to be decided.

Handling (4.5)
Overall handling for this camera is fairly convoluted. The Menu Selector is small and aggravating, forcing constant reassessment and compromising of shooting speed and ease. The buttons are well labeled and easily accessible, and I prefer to have the choice to change menu options while using the viewfinder; even if I never choose to, I like to know that it is feasible. The slow shutter speed button is also a bit awkward in placement. It left me unsure of which finger to use, constantly forcing me to fumble for it. Although the overall functionality and control of the Menu Selector is tedious and irritating, during manual focusing it was nice to have smooth transitions rather than the jerky results achieved when using a more traditional dial.

Ports(7.0)
On the right side of the camera body, the user will find, towards the top front corner, an embossed port cover that conceals DV and USB ports. On the left side of the camera body, externally and behind the LCD screen, is another port which, when flipped down, exposes the A/V Out, Mic in, and the DC IN ports. Within the recessed portion of the LCD screen is the S-Video port.

Other Features(6.0)
BLC
To engage the Back Light Compensation setting for the Samsung SCD303, the user presses the Stop/BLC/Multi Disp. button located above the LCD screen on the left side of the camcorder body. This feature stabilizes lighting situations where the subject is cast in shadow due to harsh or overwhelming light from a source based behind the subject.

Power Nite Pix
The Power Nite Pix switch on top of the camera body allows for image capture during no-light situations. Perfect for shooting at night, or when spelunking.

Digital Image Stabilization
When this feature is used, either automatically or through the Menu Selector, the user is able to smooth video footage shot during rough or uneven recording circumstances. Use of the Digital Image Stabilizer will slow video speed, a factor to be remembered if audio is being captured onto a different exterior source.

Fade In/Out
It is possible to use Fade In and Out by pressing the Play/Still button on the left side of the camera body during regular video capture.

PB ZOOM
Playback Zoom allows the user, when reviewing previously captured video, to zoom into specific portions of the image via the PB Zoom button and the Zoom lever located on the top of the camera body. You can change the section of video highlighted by pressing the Menu Selector in: once for vertical adjustment, twice for horizontal.

Widescreen Mode
There is no widescreen mode available for the Samsung SCD303.

MPEG
It is possible to run short movie clips to the Memory card used with the Samsung SCD303, which will be recorded in an MPEG4 format for future viewing.

Analog to Digital Pass Through
It is not possible to have analog to digital pass through on the Samsung SCD303.

Comparisons
The Samsung SCD303 has a 20x optical zoom, a 1/6th-inch 680K CCD, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The electronic color viewfinder has the ability to change settings without activating the LCD screen. The camcorder functioned rather poorly throughout the light testing, with colors never reaching saturation and bleeding beginning to occur in conjunction with focus issues. This, combined with noise already beginning to appear, did not bode well for low light situations, where the camera displayed such a large increase in grain and noise that, by 15 lux, the image was almost uniform in its dark gray veil. The colors had almost entirely bled together by this point, with little distinction or crispness remaining. The SCD303 performs similarly to the SCD103 (Review, Specs, $194.95) and SCD6040… that is, not too well. The SCD903 ships with a ¼-inch CCD, which increases video performance quality at the cost of about a hundred more dollars more.

JVC GR-D72 (Review, Specs, $207.95)
The JVC GR-D72 has a 16X optical zoom, along with a 2.37-inch LCD and a color viewfinder. It is equipped with a 1/6th-inch 680K CCD, and line-in recording for analog and digital. In lighting tests at 3000 lux, the GR-D72 performed fairly well in well lit situations, with the camera accurately picking up yellows and reds without the noise or grain experienced by other cameras, and a violet that actually appears accurately for once. At 60 lux, the color bars remained distinct, with clear precision between them, although an unsurprising darkening did occur. At 15 lux, the bars began to slur together, with the darker side of the color chart nearly blending in with the background gray. All in all, the GR-D72 exceeds the SCD303, at a similar price.

Canon ZR80 (Review, Specs, $284)
The Canon ZR80 has a 680K CCD measuring one-sixth of an inch, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and an 18X optical, 360X digital zoom. Supposedly, this camcorder can shoot in conditions down to 2 lux using the camera’s Night vision feature. The Canon ZR80 performs better than the Samsung SCD303, with less noise to help retain color information. The 3000 lux lighting test showed that the ZR80 tended to dull and mute the colors within the color bar. It did not get a pure bright white, and caused the overall scale to look flat. In low light situations, there is an increased amount of grain and noise apparent in the image on the ZR80. The colors have become over-saturated at 60 lux, and muted and grayed by 15. The Canon ZR80 is priced about $50 more than the Samsung SCD303.

Panasonic PV-GS12 (Specs, $401.99)
The Panasonic PV-GS12 has a 20X optical, 800X digital zoom, along with the seemingly standard (within this price range) 1/6th-inch 680K CCD and 2.5-inch LCD. It has a built-in mic, and a top-loading cassette cartridge. That feature alone could make me want this camera, if tripod use is a constant in your shooting practices. The downside is that the viewfinder is black and white. The overall image is crisp at 3000 lux, although the colors are lacking in saturation, with the yellow showing influence from the green portion of the color chart. At 60, the overall crispness is decreased, as is the consistency in the saturation. However, even at 15 lux, the PV-GS12 maintains a fairly balanced and accurate color chart overall. Plus, the camera body is periwinkle; what more do you want? All in all, the PV-GS12 performs better and costs about $50 more.

JVC GR-DX77 (Review, Specs, $279.95)
This camera by JVC has a 12X optical zoom lens, 700x digital zoom, and a 1/6th-inch 680K CCD, all seemingly standard for this price bracket. It is equipped with Night Alive functioning for low light situations, and has a 2.5-inch LCD screen and a color viewfinder. This camcorder is a vertically designed matchbook-style camcorder, with an upward-swinging LCD screen. The yellow tile does not contain the hue autonomy hoped for at 3000 lux; however, it is separate from the green section that often intrudes in yellow’s hue structure. The blue is a bit violet, with the violet leaning more towards the reddish-pink end of the spectrum. The black and white ends of the grayscale are acutely rich and brilliant. With almost equal color intensity and accuracy at 60 and 15 lux, this camera does begin to suffer focusing problems at these lower light levels, but all in all, this camcorder is a phenomenal low light performer for the money. With lower accuracy levels on the colors continuing from the original 3000 lux test, the lack of noise and grain overall is distinctly commendable. Video performance-wise this is a great deal, and if you can afford the $409.95 price tag, it’ll probably make you happier than the Samsung SCD303.

Who it’s For
Point-and-Shooters (7.0)
For the point-and-shooter, this camera is definitely a feasible option, with the EasyQ setting enabling the user to limit the amount of manual control they have to muddle through. It will, however, lock the menu, and the most function the user can engage comes from the Zoom lever located on the top of the camera body.

Budget Consumers(6.5)
For a budget consumer looking for the duality of hybrid camcorders, this camcorder may work out for you, with added features such as Nite Pix and Power Nite Pix. The 1/6th-inch, 680K pixel CCD and 2.5-inch LCD monitor don’t hurt, as long as the lighting situation isn’t detrimental.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid(5.0)
With the ability to record moving images to both memory stick or MiniDV tape, and still images to memory stick, allow the user seeking a hybrid camera to consider this. If the user wants the digital camera control and the camcorder controls separate, this camera could be a distinct possibility.

Gadget Freaks(6.0)
Oddly, this camera may be a feasible option for the gadget freak, if only for the excessive amount of buttons, navigator wheels, and mode dials. It has all of the features available to a digital camera and a camcorder without much crossover between the two, which may aggravate other users less interested in complex system controls. For those wanting the challenge, I would think this camera might keep you occupied and amused.

Manual Control Freaks(6.0)
There are definitely manual controls available for the user of the Samsung SCD303, although the menus are a bit too circuitous, and the multiple features listed in the gadgets section may illustrate the problems inherent to quick and immediate Menu changes. It is essential to memorize where specific Manual Control options are located within each particular menu.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists(4.0) The pro or serious hobbyist might consider this mid-range consumer hybrid camcorder to be a good choice when a larger camera or the prospect of carrying two cameras is daunting and unnecessary. Having a working and professional knowledge of both systems and their controls will make the slightly confusing menus easily manageable.

Conclusion
This camera is situated in an awkward spot. Unlike the Samsung SCD6040 with its DuoCam dual lens, this camera is reliant upon one camcorder lens for both its camcorder and digital camera functions. The amount of overlap and confusion within the menus makes this reasonably priced camera for the point-and-shoot user seem insurmountable. Yes, EasyQ mode does exist, and works fine if a user never wants to leave pure automatic mode. Eventually, though, one would expect that they would want to venture slightly into the world of manual control. The viewfinder does display the same menus as those found on the LCD, and unlike some camcorder models, it is possible to access these menus while only using the viewfinder, due to the button and control placement on the outside of the camera body.

The low light tests show that the Samsung SCD303 suffers dramatically once lighting conditions are impaired, forcing this camera, not surprisingly, to be most practical when in well-lit shooting situations. Priced for the point-and-shooter, with manual controls and menus more suited to a manual user, and a discombobulated layout and design to confuse both, this camera would be best suited perhaps for those users distinctly familiar with both camera formats, and who are looking for another camera to serve as a stand-in hybrid for another model. Otherwise, I’m afraid the point-and-shooter will never progress beyond that, and the casual manual user will become aggravated by the functionality of the model.