Samsung's SMX-C20UN is compact, oddly angled, and YouTube friendly
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted March 30th 2010 11:09AM
posted March 30th 2010 11:09AM
Samsung's had this thing with the angled lenses lately. Apparently the camera is much more ergonomic when pointed down 25 degrees -- which is probably a much less natural shooting position as well, but we'll leave that up to you to decide. Anyways, the company's newest such beauty, the SMX-C20UN, features a 2.7-inch display, 1/6-inch (680K) CCD sensor, 10x optical zoom, SDHC storage, and support for H.264 video. As is usually the case nowadays, video can be edited on the camera and uploaded directly to YouTube -- perfect for capturing those embarrassing v-blogs before you sober up and your social filter kicks in. Available now for $200.
It's worth the wrist pain, to not have to awkwardly tilt the camera.
@JustThatNerdyGuy
Well, if you look at how big budget film cameras are used you'll see the operator often looks down the viewfinder at the same angle as this camera.
http://www.lightillusion.com/images/aldo-camera1.jpg
@JustThatNerdyGuy
I got one of the SMX-C20s for my grandma and grandpa to take to India. While it does seem a little awkward at first, it is perfect for trips. It is very comfortable to hold and my grandpa sat through 4 hour services (not sure why he needed to film it all) with it and had no problem. It was very small, could fit in their pocket, light, and easy to use (although the button navigation was a little too small for her.)
So while it is definitely not for everyone, it does serve a purpose. I understand some of the gripes and as I would never use it for what I do as I do video production, it is perfect for them and that specific use. That and it was cheap!!
I suppose it makes sense, it's just become convention to hold a camera in the awkward way (or less awkward way, depending on how you look at it).
@Gordonator
It just makes more sense to a camera that films in the direction you point it at.
I think the Sanyo Xacti is a better ergonomic device that this. And they have a good track record.
Don't get me wrong, I love quite a few Samsung product, but not to the extent of a fanboi.
Who still uses these? TBH i haven't seen someone use a cam corder in a long time. I guess if you have kids its good to have.
@DeFlanko DSLR and a phone w/ camera FTW. Everything else just duplicates functionality, while unfortunately, doing just the opposite of duplicating your money...
@eko2
For certain audiences this is perfect. Not everyone has awesome phones or a DSLR to carry around. Or, not everyone wants to carry around a DSLR while traveling in another country. If this gets stolen, meh. If your DSLR gets stolen....well that's another issue.
Here's an idea: Make it lighter and smaller, without the angled head. That will help my wrist issues.
How is one supposed to put this on a traditional tripod?
what do you mean? you just have to tilt it down
sure, the handle will be a bit higher but i don't see that being a problem (at least with my tripod)
@indeed
nice one XD...common sense KO.
I gotta try this camera before I believe it,
I'd be really interested to see what this feels like to use- although, does anyone use a camcorder long enough to develop wrist pain?
This might be a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It seems Samsung's focus group would disagree...
You young whippersnappers don't remember old school camcorders with handles? The handles were angled just like that for the very same reason. Much more comfortable.
@jstraw Angled grips are still used on professional camcorders. Some have adjustable grips too, it really helps. It sounds like most of these naysayers haven't tried holding a consumer camcorder for more than a few seconds. Ideally, you'd have a tripod, but that can introduce other problems, because there can be ground space issues (not good for a crowd) and other awkward limitations.
I used to sell orthopedic implants -- Wrist fusion plates being one (and sat through MANY surgeries while they were implanted).
I will tell you that there is something to that angle thing. Your hand naturally angles toward your pinkie. When they fuse your wrist, they follow that angle.
I can believe that after even a short time, you would notice a difference.
I have one of these, and I'm telling you it's only weird for the first day or two.
After that, it's the most natural thing - especially since you're not looking through a viewfinder. You're looking at a flatpanel.
I did have to get used to the odd angles when mounting it on the tripod, though.
I would like to use one to see how different it is. Good idea but I agree, use a camcorder long enough and you will get wrist pain.
I had an old Sharp viewcam that had an articulating handle. Really nice for shooting, as I always had it at about a 45-degree angle. This is a good idea.
Bad design , no innovation , ...............
@XRX
Because every other camera is at this angle...
I've been using a pistol grip style (Xacti), for a several years, because it is very comfortable to shoot with.
It's about time a manufacturer provided a solution, for the palm-corder style of camcorder!
I've resisted buying a camcorder for a long time, because every time I pick one up, it is awkward to hold and I immediately feel the discomfort in my wrist.
Yes! My hand gets so tired with these small handhelds, the angle is very awkward and the wrist really takes a beating. I think this is worth a try, it makes sense from the experience I've had.
I used an SMX-C10 for the first time this weekend.
Really nice device. The angled lens takes a little while to get used to but it's definitely more comfortable.
What is the resolution of the camera ? How many mpixels ?
most cameras that size come with a handstrap the goes diagonally across the side to prevent the exact problem they claim to address with this but the point is moot in my mind because...WHO THE HELL HOLDS A CAMERA LIKE THAT ANYWAY? extend the elbow, dummy!
So has anyone seen filming for an action sports video? generally the camera is held close to the ground by someone who is rolling, this was not designed for that. Not feelin it.
Finally, a camera for wimps!
the angle is kind of cool, worth checkign out
What happens when you want to set it on the dresser to make a sex tape?
@cconroy: http://www.target.com/Targus-Extendable-Tripod-50-TG-5060TR/dp/B001DAIW74/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton
Now after grandma and grandpa's trip we can be treated to 3 hours of footage of the sky over the Grand Canyon...
Again, interlaced recording (unless you're using the youtube low quality mode). Fail. Is it that hard to have this do 480p recording? Plus Samsung seems to not use the widescreen flag correctly in past camcorders (don't know if they have fixed this for this one), resulting in a video with weird aspect ratio. So, not only you have to de-interlace, you have to correct the aspect ratio too. Waste of time. >:(
More ergonomics are always a good idea, when they're research-supported like these and not just gimmicky like half the generic mice out there.
But the thing for us users is, now that we've perfected aiming the traditional equipment with eyes off, we'll have to re-learn it all over again for each of these new devices. Sucks.
Samsung had these camcorders out for a while. They even have swiveling hand grips that rotate from a regular camcorder to pistol grip style.
it's just one of the models of the SMX-C20
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/samsung-overhauls-camcorder-line-has-something-for-everyone/
Quite a few cameras utilize these "odd angles", do they not?
I like
Good Post