Here is a user review about Samsung R10 digitalcamcorder.
Memory is the thing you forget with. - Alexander Chase
HMX-R10 used for this review is Sample type,
which is different from manufacture type
Recently, lots of compact cameras with Full HD movie recording feature have been introduced. There’s even a DSLR camera with HD movie recording function. HD image format has become a trend. The reason for that is that HDTV has been widely spread, and the consumers have got keener eyes now. With the trend, domestic market of HD camcorders is expanding tremendously. HD camcorders consist around 40% of the domestic camcorder market. It means 4 out of 10 camcorders are HD camcorders. Considering only about 15% were HD camcorders 1-2 years ago, it has grown a lot. This means the consumers’ interest about HD is increasing more and more.
Clearly changing life style
Wide-spreading HDTV is changing consumers’ life style. It is a trend for newly weds to buy a HDTV for their new home. You can see the TV commercials that talks about extending HD channels to 45 within a year. However, consumers still don’t have definite understanding of Full HD, HD, and SD. HD is just known as ‘clear quality.’ It is right, but to be able to enjoy HD better, you’d better have more accurate concept of it. Commonly, the resolution is divided into HD(High Definition) and SD(Standard Definition). It is SD when it is under 800×600, and HD when it is over 960×720 and under 2048×1080. When it is 1080 vertical, we call it Full HD.
New Digital Paradigm, HD
Not only cable but also sky wave TV is expanding its HD broadcast. Even EBS and home shopping channels are now available in HD. Now HD is a new digital paradigm. Accordingly, digital appliances start to provide HD format. Also, camcorders changed from SD from HD, and to Full HD now. Camcorders’ storage medium has been changing from tape/DVD to HDD/flash memory type. According to the industry, camcorders with flash memory as its storage medium had increased from 300,000 in 2007 to 2,900,000 in 2008. And it is expected that it will increase up to 5,100,000 in 2009. Therefore, Samsung is planning to concentrate on the memory type camcorders more.
Domestic digital camcorder market
Samsung is the world-wide number one HDTV manufacturer in the market. There’s about 10% gap from the second best manufactures, Sony. Based on the research, it is expected for Samsung to dominate the domestic HD market. But ironically, Sony occupies more than 50% of the domestic digital camcorder market. 50% is a figure that cannot be destroyed easily. So far, it has been not too much to say that Sony has stood alone without a rival. However, even Sony cannot help but hold in check Samsung in Full HDTV market. Compatibility between digital appliances –TV, camcorder, and camera- is an important issue, and Samsung has the highest potential in that area in domestic digital camcorder market.
Hmx-R10 introduced in CES2009
Samsung has introduced a new style camcorder in CES200 held at Las Vegas Convention Center on the beginning of January. It was HMX-R10 that can record Full HD videos based on CMOS sensor. R10 is a convergence compact camcorder with capsule type design which goes with the newest trend. It can not only record Full HD video but also take 12,000,000 pixel high-quality pictures. But there is a definite functional distinction between videos and photos. It is not like just adding extra function to the main one, but more like 2 in 1 camcorder with two complete functions. Besides, it records 1980×1080 Full HD movie in two ways; interlace and progressive. R10 with flash memory type storage medium also has the revolutionary built-in software. It is made for more daily use of Full HD videos.
What R10 means in the camcorder market
While it has been a transition period for Full HD camcorder market until 2008, 2009 is a time for its settlement. Not only Samsung but Sony, Sanyo, and Canon also have released lots of Full HD camcorders. It means that demand for the Full HDTV has raised sharply, thus the related consumption increased. Consumers know that it’s better to appreciate Full HD camcorder quality in Full HDTV. So entrance of HMX-R10 is meaningful. In a way, it had fired Full HD camcorder market. It differentiates itself from other models with similar styles that only emphasize their Full HD quality. In this review, I’d like to objectively analyze Samsung HMZ-R10 point by point.
HMX-R10 used for this review is Pal type, which is different from domestic NTSC type,
and it supports 60i and 30p actual resolution.
Remember that lost time does not return. - Kempis
Some people always check their type and components when they purchase drugs. Since there’re too many similar drugs, they try to screen out ingredients that are not suitable for them. It is the same when you purchase digital appliances like camcorders or cameras. In the past, people usually relied on salesperson’s comments to decide what to buy, but nowadays, consumers are not like that. They check the products specifications carefully. The specification of digital appliance is like ingredient/content of drugs. In the second and third section, we will look into R10’s specifications.
HMX-R10 records/plays according to 1920×1080 standard in Full HD resolution.
Full HD recording that goes with16:9 screen
HMX-R10 supports Full HD recording that fills the screen with 16:9 ratio. It means it’s good enough for 1920×1080 resolution Full HD standard. Regular HD camcorders record in 1440×1080 resolution for 4:3 ratio screen and then extends it to 16:9 screen. But R10 records in actual size of 1920×1080 in Full HD resolution and plays it as it is. Its recording type keeps the exact Full HD standards.
R10’s CMOS sensor is good for low-sensitivity/low-noise indoor shots.
CMOS sensor restrains smear or blooming phenomenon under strong lighting.
1/2.33 size CMOS sensor
HMX-R10 has 9,150,000 pixel 1/2.33 inch CMOS sensor. 1/2.33 inch CMOS is usually used in digital cameras and is relatively big size. CMOS sensor over 1/3 inch is rarely used in home camcorders. Having big sensor means it has high light exposure rate. If exposure rate that takes in light is high, it can record low-noise, clear image under high-sensitivity situation. In addition, CMOS sensor has low power consumption and high charging efficiency. It prevents Smear or Blooming when directly facing strong light source like sunlight or streetlight.
H.264 Codec with excellent compressibility
What influences video quality as much as sensor and lens is codec. Which codec you use can decide the video quality. HMX-R10 uses H.264 codec by MPEG4 tech. H.264 codec is a video format that can record high capacity HD on a digital media like flash memory. H.264 keeps the clear image with high data compressibility and takes up little space, so its efficiency is very high. Video clips taken by R10 are saved as MP4. If you want to play it on a computer, you must have a codec.
Interlace(up) & Progressive(down) Scan Type
Interlace 60fps, progressive 30fps
Videos on camcorders can be recorded by two scanning methods. One is interlace scanning, and the other is progressive scanning. Progressive way is usually used in making movies and it consists of 24 frames. Since it doesn’t divide frames and scan all at once, it shows high quality. But, it is said that large movement is not naturally expressed. HMX-R10 have two options of interlace and progressive scanning. R10 that is released domestically records and plays in 1080/60i and 1080/30p according to NTSC way. But, R10 that is delivered to Dizin supports 1080/50i and 1080/25p according to PAL way. This review focuses on 1080/60i and 1080/30p of the domestic products. Interlace 60fps way divides 30 frames/sec into odd and even fields. And it makes an output to the screen through de-interlace process. Image of total 60 fields is like a toothed wheel geared with one another. Progressive 30fps doesn’t divide 24 frames into fields like movie films. It shows them successively. These two are different scanning ways that rouse different feelings of each. Normally, the difference in quality doesn’t result from the scanning methods.
It adapted pixel rising technology that is used in Samsung digital cameras
You can leave 2,000,000 pixel photos as many as you want while recording.
Full HD and 12,000,000 still images, True 2 in 1
HMX-R10 enables not only Full HD video recording but also 12,000,000 pixel photo shots. Samsung named this system True 2 in 1 since it shows two distinct functions. It adapts Samsung’s pixel rising tech on the photo shots, so it shows great colors and resolution. It also has dual recording function that enables recording videos and photos at the same time. While recoding in Full HD quality, you can take 2,000,000 pixel photos until the memory gets full.
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. – George Santayana
5x optical zoom, Full HD lens
There are three optical lenses that we can think of; Schneider, Carl Zeiss, and Leica. They’re the three top-grade lenses of Germany. Many users choose Samsung because of the Schneider lens. But HMX-R10 didn’t use Schneider lens. R10 uses Full HD 5x optical zoom. (*8x Intellie zoom in video mode) 5x zoom is enough for close-up shots in daily use. Digital zoom is available up to 100x. It offers both a zoom lever and button. Button in LCD panel can control zoom stably in steady speed. If you use the lever on the back of the camcorder, you can control the zoom more quickly. It takes about 2.5 sec to operate zoom with lever, twice faster than using button (5 sec).
You can take stable close-up shots using the zoom button.
You can control zoom fast using the zoom lever.
38mm Wide Angle 190mm Telephoto Zoom
2-channel stereo recording and sound filter
HMX-R10 supports 2-channel stereo recording. It is about the level of regular popularized camcorders. Sound effect is fairly good. But there is no zoom mike function that controls sound level according to the distance. Instead, it offers wind sound removal mode. It works as a sound filter that removes the noise around efficiently.
Easy Q mode on / Q Menu on LCD Screen
Easy Q mode and Q Menu
HMX-R10 has Easy Q mode which is similar to Smart function of Samsung compact digital cameras. It automatically sets the basic stuff such as focus, exposure, white balance, image stabilization, etc. It is very useful to the beginning camcorder users. The button for this is placed on the panel of inside body, and it limits menu button while using it. Not only that, it offers Q menu (Quick menu) for frequently used functions. You can set up to four functions, and can use it through the button placed on LCD panel. You cannot use Easy Q mode and Q mode at the same time.
Flash memory card type
It uses SDHC and SD card as storage medium. SDHC card has high speed and stability, so it has been used a lot in recently released models. HMX-R10 that I received from Dizin is a developmental sample, and it supports SDHC card 32GB and SD card 2GB. However, the actual product on sale will provide bigger capacity memory card. 4GB SDHC card that was used in this review can hold 27-minute video clip in 1080/60i (best quality) and 1080/30p, and 655 slides of still image in 12,000,000 pixels.
Intellie Studio and Function introduction mode
You don’t need to install software to move files taken by MHX-R10 to PC. R10 has a built-in program that enables editing the movie clips and photos. If you connect USB, Intelli-studio gets automatically operated. It can not only transform the files but also share them easily. And it has a unique mode for ‘Introducing functions.’ It represents the major features and functions of R10 in a slide show. It could be understood as a highlighted manual for beginners.
HMX-R10 with great specification
HMX-R10 users must feel lucky because it offers a variety of recording features based on Full HD recording. R10’s special features are its big CMOS sensor and True 2 in 1 function which produces both videos and photos perfectly well. Plus, Intellie-studio and sound filter are functions that you can never find in other competing models. We can say that R10 is endowed with outstanding specifications to conquest the camcorder market.
Exclamation is the best medicine for memory. – Talmud
A compact camcorder with different style
Most of people prefer tablets over powdered medicine. It’s not because of the composition; people just feel it more convenient to swallow pills in simple forms. Simple design and minimalism is a trend that we cannot ignore these days. You can easily find this trend not only in art but also in electronic appliances. The design concept of HMX-R10 is ‘Unique & Simple.’ Its capsule design looks comfortable even before you hold it
The smallest and lightest in the world
HMX-R10 is the slimmest compact camera in the world. (W)38.8 x (H)56.8 x (L)128.2mm You would feel comfortable as if you hold an egg in your hand. Its weight is 229g (except the battery), which is portable for any user. If you consider the size and weight the most to choose a camcorder, R10 is the best choice. It has the best portability ever.
Unique style in capsule concept
What are most noticeable in motor shows other than racing models are concept cars. Their unique style is why they’re popular. HMX-R10 is also a concept camcorder. It has a unique design that is a memory capsule concept. It uses curved lines rather than straight lines, so it looks more comfortable. It has a relatively futuristic design which stands out among the camcorders with shooting type design. Its body is made of alloyed aluminum and plastic to enhance portability. Overall, it has non-glossy, smooth-looking, and metallic exterior. There’re two colors; silver and black. There’s no variety but it is fairly good.
Ergonomic design of 25° tilted lens
It is not only the capsule design that is unique. Unlike most other camcorder lenses, R10’s lens doesn’t face the front but 25° higher. It is tilted lens, which is rare to find. Usually, your wrist has to be bent to the back when you use regular camcorders. This structure easily hurt your wrist, making it hard to record videos for a long time. R10’s titled lens solves this problem. Its biggest strength is that you can concentrate on recording comfortably with your wrist in natural position. The lens doesn’t have a separate cover. It has a fixed cover, so you can see the inside side open. It is made of plastic; it looks stable but it doesn’t look like a cover so much. There is a flash right next to the lens. And built-in mike is on the bottom of the front side.
Interface that centers on thumb and index finger
The right side of the camcorder that comes in contact with palm is concaved. I don’t see it as a design factor, but it seems to prevent it from being covered with sweat during long use. Using a wrist strap is also good, but it feels less fitted to the camcorder compared to using a hand strap. When you hold the camcorder, it has the interface that recording/zoom and photo button locating exactly on where the thumb and index finger are. It is very easy to operate recording and photo button. It is not bad to use zoom lever, but you’d better place your hand a little backwards when you use the maximum zoom. There is a mode button on smoothly curved backside, which enables setting video and photo mode. It is convenient because you don’t need to go into the menu.
Waiting time for shooting is about 1 second with Quick on system.
Touch wide LCD that responds to touch
It’s not Haptic, but it used a touch screen type LCD. 230,000-pixel, 2.7inch wide color LCD is satisfying in its size and clarity. It provides pretty real screen and the viewing angle is good. You can check the screen well even under the sunlight. 16:9 format wide LCD recognizes touch very well. It is sensitive, so you don’t need to press it strongly. LCD panel frame is black plastic, and Q.Menu, zoom button, and recording button are above there.
Open and shoot with Quick on system
With Quick on system, the power turns on as soon as LCD opens. The waiting time is very short, only about a second. You don’t need to open the panel and press the power button inside. Since it quickly prepares to start shooting, you can respond to any situation fast. In addition, you don’t have to panic when the LCD panel shuts by mistake because it keeps recording during shooting even when the LCD panel is closed. If you want to turn off the camcorder, you should press the power button. But if you set up ‘auto power off,’ it turns off about 5 minutes later. Even though it has Quick on system, there’s a part of which design is disappointing. A groove made for opening body and panel is somewhat narrow. When you try to open the LCD panel quickly, you may miss it. I wish it was a little larger, or there’s a supporting part.
Freestyle LCD panel
LCD panel of HMX-R10 rotates freely. It is freestyle as it looks. It can rotate to 90° for left/right and 270° for up/down. Not only that, the angle can be fixed to 25° in up/down angle, matching the tilted lens. Users can stay in a stable position in high/low angle shots as well as in regular shots.
There’re function button and power button inside the LCD panel.
If you press and hold iCHECK, you can check the battery information.
Lower part with good grip and iCHECK
Inside the camcorder where it touches LCD, there’re built-in speaker, screen display/ iCHECK button, EASY Q, and power button. If you click iCHECK button shortly, it shows shooting information; if you hold it longer, it shows battery information. From the backside to lower part of the camcorder, there’re a terminal for external link and a battery/memory chamber. The cover is made of rubber, probably for enhancing the grip. HMX-R10 uses Lithium-ion battery (IA-BH125C). When it’s fully charged, it can record videos in HD quality for 90 minutes.
R10 that draws attention
HMX-R10’s capsule style is a revolutionary change for a home camcorder. We can give high credit that it discarded the typical design pattern and came up with a concept camcorder. Not only it is slim, small, and light style, it really considers users’ convenience and portability. However, the design concept is quite strong. In my personal experience, it is easier to get bored with concept design. And ironically R10’s capsule type design could be a weakness in this way.
Memory is like an unexpected visitor – Kyungsuk Shin
When you catch a cold, you look for a medicine that matches your symptoms. But it is hard to find the just right medicine for every individual. That’s why synthetic cold medicines are invented. It deals with various symptoms of cold like runny nose or soar throat. Since it covers a wide functional range, many people look for it. Just like that, HMX-R10 is equipped with functions that pay regard to various recording environments.
Super slow motion recording
HMX-R10 has a super slow motion recording function. It is a special recording function that plays short recorded scenes in low speed. R10’s low-speed recording records 300 frames/ sec and plays it for 50 seconds. The time limit that you can record at once is fixed to 10 seconds. So it is 3000 frames that play for 50 seconds. If you record 600 frames, it plays for 1 minute and 40 seconds. Compared to other competing models, it is very long. And it is good when you try to capture serial movements in low speed. It takes about 16 seconds from the beginning of recording to buffering. It is similar with other models, and its recording time is relatively short. But its resolution is SD class, 416×240 for 300 frames and 192×108 for 600 frames. It is a little disappointing that it is limited to SD resolution even though it is a FULL HD cam. When you want to express something special interesting, you can use this function.
HD interval recording
When you watch a TV program titled ‘Environmental special,’ there’s an effect that’s frequently used. There’re scenes that look like time flows very fast. In those scenes, clouds move fast, and flowers blossom quickly. R10 can make this kind of scenes using HD interval recording function. It is also called intermittent shooting, and it compresses long time and shows it briefly and quickly. It records still images within consistent interval, and represent it successively. According to the interval, it captures 30 images and plays them in a second. If you set the interval 10 seconds, recording time should be at least 5 minutes to realize 1 second. Unlike super slow motion that only supports SD quality, it can be recorded in HD quality. So you can enjoy clear and vivid images. It supports 24/48/72 infinite recording time and 1/3/5/10/15/30 seconds intervals.
Fader function for the beginning and end
R10 supports fader function. Fader came from the word FADE which means ‘gradually becoming paler.’ As it means, it is a function that expresses the beginning and end of the movie clip slowly brighter or darker. So it signals the beginning and end. Users can utilize fader effect to make more natural movies. You may select out of three modes of beginning, end, and beginning-end, and fade in/out time is 3 seconds
Screen Captured by test noise on 3D-NR function in video mode
3D – NR
Like photos, videos are also sensitive to noise. So it is very important for camcorders to have functions to prepare for high-sensitivity/low-noise shooting. R10 offers 3D-NR(3-Dimension Noise Reduction) function. It is to reduce noise efficiently in high-sensitivity shooting. It works pretty well. For indoor shooting where it lacks light, you’d better turn it on. 3D-NR only works in video mode.
Detecting up to 12 faces
This camcorder had face detection functions that you can find in compact digital cameras. Like cameras, it automatically detects faces and sets focus, exposure, and white balance. If you use face detection function, a square frame detects faces on screen during shooting video. You don’t have to change the angle depending on the location of people. It can detect up to 12 faces, in the optimal condition. You can make a good use of it where there’re many people.
EIS, Electronic Image Stabilization function
It is not only beds which should be stable. Camcorders also should be able to restrain shakes. R10 has EIS, Electronic Image Stabilization function. EIS has a gyro sensor that detects movement and stabilizes image, and it works better than DIS. If you use EIS, you can minimize the shakes even at the maximal zoom. It is a little disappointing that it is not optical, though.
Playing and editing video clips
R10 offers various play modes. It is convenient to look for clips since they’re distinguished under HD and SD videos, and still images. ‘Highlight preview’ shows a part of a video clip. It can be used like a slideshow function of still images. You can also capture scenes you want while playing the video. Since it successively captures 5 slides in a second, it can be used well to make GIF file. In addition, you can edit the movies clips easily like photos. Deleting, dividing, or putting together scenes can be done within the camcorder.
Women in love has the most amazing memory. - Maurer -
successive shooting mode
Super macro and successive shooting mode
R10 offers super macro shooting mode. It can approach as close as 1cm. It can be very useful for shooting videos and photos in very close distance. Not only that, it has successive shooting function. High-speed successive shooting mode enables maximum 7 successive shots per 0.3 second. You don’t need to hold the button like in cameras; if you press it once, it automatically takes 7 pictures. 3 pictures per second look fairly good. Regular successive shooting mode is not as fast as the high-speed mode, but it can take as many pictures as you want in a same speed.
iSCENE scene mode and Emoture function
With iSCENE, you can shoot under 8 modes; night, sports, portrait, spotlight, beach/snow, food, and candlelight. If you set Auto scene mode, it sets appropriate shutter speed and aperture value according to situation. Emoture function applies to iSCENE mode. You don’t need to go through trouble of menu setup. When you slight drag LCD, scene mode changes. It is a special function that you cannot find in other competing models. It also has high detection rate, so if you use your left hand thumb, it is easily operated.
Magic touch, shoot when screen is touched
R10 offers Magic touch function which is upgraded from touch spot function. Magic touch automatically gets activated when you press the LCD monitor for two seconds without menu setup. If the bar in the middle of the screen is completely filled, it takes a shot. It automatically sets focus, exposure, and white balance of taken photos. Its strength is that you can accurately focus on the desired subject. Magic touch can be used only in photo mode.
Sky is white because of exposure difference
When you use DR, Sky Color is right control
Backlight revision and dynamic range
It has a backlight revision function, and you can set it up through menu. You can use this function under backlight or similar shooting circumstance. Especially, it is useful for portrait shots. Dynamic range is also a similar function. When you use DR, it controls the exposure difference between bright area and dark area in the optimal level. It produces detail-oriented result by lowering the brightness on a light part and heightening a dark part. It is a useful function for beginners who have difficulty controlling backlight and exposure. But, dynamic range function can be used only in photo mode.
Focus/ Aperture / Shutter speed / Exposure control
It can set focus, aperture, shutter speed, and exposure like cameras. If you manually set the focus, it can become minimum 10cm. Aperture can be controlled from F3.5 to F16. Shutter speed can be from 1/50s to 1/10000s, and exposure can range within +- 2.0. It also provides guide lines to set horizontal and vertical composition of a scene. There’re three guidelines: center cross/ 4-division / 9-division.
AUTO SUNNY CLOUDY
White Balance and special effect
It offers six types of white balance mode; auto, sunny, cloudy, fluorescent light, incandescent light, and user mode. Auto white balance in white background is pretty accurate. Also, it offers four special effects: black and white, sepia, reversal, and blur. Especially, blur effect brightens the whole screen, and it is similar to beauty shot mode in Samsung digital cameras. It is useful when taking portrait shots.
Fluorescent H Fluorescent L USER CUSTOM
NORMAL SEPIA CLASSIC
NEGATIVE BEAUTY
Fun appreciation of photos, slide show
R10 offers slide show function. Like watching the highlights of video clips, you can watch photos with music. BGM is available in six types; random, fall, spring nymph, travel, and water drop. You can choose to play either in 1 or 3 second interval. You can enjoy a variety of five effects including random.
Various effects shared with camera
R10 camcorder shares diverse functions with digital cameras. Face detection, backlight revision, macro, special effect, and slide show are examples of those. And excellent Emoture function and Magic touch heighten the product value of R10 even more. Especially, the face detection function which detects up to 12 faces is as good as that of camera. Interval and Super slow motion recording available only for video recording are also important functions of R10. It gives users fun to control time flow freely, either faster or slower. Its functions are well arranged both as a camcorder and a camera.
The reason love is beautiful is it makes memory to reminiscence - Anonymous -
Before medicines are come out to the market, they must go through thorough experiments. It is because the result of the experiments tells you the effects and side effects of a medicine. Digital cameras and camcorders also go through similar steps for test before their release. Especially, since the image quality is a big selling point for consumers, there should be accurate test for that. In the following section, let’s take a look at R10’s recording type, resolution, sensitivity and color which all affect the image quality.
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