Samsung SC-MX10 Flash Memory Camcorder with 34x Optical Zoom (Silver)

I paid $169 4 this digital camcorder & it has features I will probably never use. I read all the pros & cons & realized the cons are all operator head space & timing. Read the directions & this is one great camera.

Owners of this product. Please post a video review of this product & let the quality or lack there of speak 4 itself. Thanks

If you are looking 4 a camera with "true" 16:9 recording capability **DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA** as the 16:9 format is nothing other than stretched out 4:3. I saw someone make this comment & thought it cannot be that big of deal. But then after I shot my first video (and realized the images being recorded are in many cases things you see in person i.e. Kids, Pets etc) & they look nothing like what you know them 2 look like (unless of course you want 2 watch your recorded footage in 4:3 which is a complete waste of your investment into an HDTV). If you do not have a 16:9 TV & never plan 2 get one, this camera, 4 the money, is tough 2 beat.

I sent it back & ordered a Cannon with TRUE 16:9 recording capabilty.

This is my first camcorder & was purchased 2 record a new baby. It is very easy 2 use & produces nice clips. The Easy-Q button sets up the lighting & other settings great!

Specs: (Not in Amazon's description)
720p Normal - ~1200kbps 30FPS SDEG AVI w/ 22kHz Stereo ADPCM
720p Fine - ~1800kbps 30FPS SDEG AVI w/ 22kHz Stereo ADPCM
720p Super Fine - ~4000kbps 30FPS SDEG AVI w/ 22kHz Stereo ADPCM
*Determined with Winamp & Media Player Classic.

The normal & fine quality settings both look really bad. The super fine quality setting is decent & performs acceptably in low light when the picture gets grainy. I would consider this 2 be DVD quality, & would look just fine on a normal television.

Here are some things you can only learn by using the device:
- You can record with the display closed!
- There is no startup sound, & you can turn off the menu beeps.
- Menu navigation can be a bit slow, but is by no means annoying.
- You can do a slow zoom using the directional pad on the screen.
-There is a bit of DITHER in the audio from, & the STEREO MICs pick up wind.

On automatic exposure, I was unable 2 pick anything up at night, but results are better with the exposure maxed out in manual mode. I don't think this camera is suitable 4 night filming at all. One can boost the brightness & contrast in a video editor, (I use +.3 brightness & +.7 contrast in Vegas) but the end result is a blocky video.

Rewind & fast forward in preview mode are a bit slow & choppy but playback is smooth.

I may be selling this & buying a DV camera. With DV, you sacrifice some durability, but you get a better quality in return.

Be prepared 2 capture that elusive moment anytime, anywhere with the SC-MX10 Memory Camcorder. It packs a 34x optical, 1200x digital zoom & 680k pixel CCD with digital image stabilization 4 remarkably clear pictures, viewed in the 2.7" LCD display. By offering a choice of shooting in 4:3 & 16:9, Samsung ensures the entire image is captured 4 playback on everything from older TVs 2 your newest, wide-format HDTV screen. With its high quality 34x zoom lens you can get close 2 the action from a safe distance & 1200x digital zoom will let you see in perfect detail 4 those ultra long distance shots. The external memory slot accepts both SD & MMC. Play videos, transfer images, music & documents quickly & easily. The SC-MX10 with its USB port allows 4 easy uploading of MPEG4 movie clips & JPEG still images 2 your PC. Recording Resolution - 720 x 480 EIS Image Stabilizer Back Light Compensation 3lux Low Light Sensitivity Lithium-Ion Battery Running Time - Up 2 120min Compatible OS - Windows 2000, Mac OS X or higher Dimension - 2.4 x 2.46 x 4.76 Weight - 0.62 pounds