Video: Samsung SC-HMX20C 1080p camcorder hands-on

Here you go kids, hands on with Samsung's SC-HMX20C 1080P camcorder. We'll let you in on a little secret though, these were actually shot last night under a cloak of ninja stealth. The result? Hands-on photos and video taken on the sneak and in a hurry. Still, we thought you'd like to see Samsung's new Full HD 1080p, solid state camcorder up close and personal. After all, we risked life and limb for 'em. Brief video after the break.

Hands-on with Samsung's SC-HMX20C 1080P camcorder

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2008 5:12PM]

Pretty horrible design in my opinion, looks like a pain to hold still while shooting video.

[Wwhat Posted Jan 6th 2008 5:45PM]

I like the look, but yeah not practical, hard to keep level too I imagine.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 7th 2008 4:53AM]

I disagree. I think you can swivel around the part that you're holding with so I don't think it's that difficult to hold.

Maybe it's just me but I think it looks quite pretty

[Eugenia Posted Jan 6th 2008 5:37PM]

1080/24p? filter thread? manual focus ring?

[Tony C Posted Jan 6th 2008 6:00PM]

Specs list 1080P 30 FPS with capability of 300 FPS super-slow-mo for up to 10 seconds. Doesn't mention whether it supports 24 FPS...

The three photos showing the circular business end of the camcorder make it appear like it's threaded, so I'd say it can accept filters. Only problem is since the ring around the lens is so huge, you'll be paying more for the glass -- something in the DSLR 50-60+mm range, I'd guess.

Doesn't look like it has a manual focus ring though, depends on what price point this sucker is aimed at.

[Tony C Posted Jan 6th 2008 6:30PM]

Ah, nevermind my previous filter size estimate... The fine print below the lens clearly says "49", meaning a 49mm thread. But that's still pretty huge -- my Olympus UZI has a 49mm filter thread and it looks like an oddball DSLR!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2008 5:54PM]

Lens is 6.3 to 63mm @ f/1.8. Not too shabby. Too bad fixed-lens digital still cameras don't come anywhere as close to taking advantage of small sensor design possibilities.

[Tony C Posted Jan 6th 2008 6:12PM]

I'll believe that f1.8 when I see the quality of its 4 megapixel photos (and whys is the capture frame so small when the sensor is 6.3 megapixels?). Camcorder sensors and optics are typically much lower quality compared to still image digicams. Especially considering there's no lens branding like Samsung's typical Schneider-Kreuznach offerings.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2008 6:03PM]

Is this camcoder going to continue with the "headache giving" AVCHD format or is it going for other compressed- hdv -format?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2008 6:18PM]

Why do you say "headache giving"? I've read that it's only flaw is slightly worse picture quality than HDV. It can play natively on Blu-Ray as well. It is HDV that has horrible splice points or something, along with some other issues. It also takes up more memory.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2008 8:18PM]

"headache giving" because of the editing software support problem that the avchd had, and the processing power that you need to not only edit it, but also play it. Yes, I'm aware of the software products now available, like vegas pro 8,ulead video studio 11 plus ect, but avchd is still unstable, and requires plenty of power!!!

[Meltz Posted Jan 6th 2008 7:49PM]

*CANcorder*

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2008 11:54PM]

looks like a stripped down version of some underwater video camera. I kind've like it, but now I wish it was waterproof to 100 feet