Samsung HMX-R10 First Impressions Camcorder Review

Auto Mode

The Samsung HMX-R10 does offer an auto mode, but there are no special features that come along with it. You can simply shoot with or without manual image adjustments available. Like most of today's camcorders, the R10 has a face detection feature for use in either video or still mode.

Low Light Modes

The HMX-R10 has a Super C.Nite mode. Off, normal, and super. On last year's models, this mode brightened the image a bit, but also led to extreme oversaturation.

Scene Modes

Like most camcorders, the HMX-R10 comes with a variety of scene modes: Auto, Night, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, Food, and Candlelight.

Zoom

The new zoom toggle on the R10 is a big improvement over last year's flimsy toggle on the HMX20 and SC-MX20 . On those models,the toggle was awkwardly positioned under the middle finger for most users. The new ergonomic design puts the zoom toggle right next to the Record button, which rests easily under your thumb.We're not accustomed to operating a zoom with the thumb, but at least it offers more dexterity and control than the middle finger. Since we weren't operating a final model, it still remains to be seen whether Samsung has given the user a multi-variable speed zoom. We look forward to seeing whether this toggle will be up to the task of careful zoom control.

Zoom Ratio

The HMX-R10 is the first of Samsung's camcorders to use their new Intelli-Zoom technology. This means that the true optical zoom is just 5x optical, but the Intelli-Zoom allows you to achieve an 8x zoom without sacrificing image quality. Canon introduced the technology last year, and we expect to see it on more models in the future.

Focus

There are three methods of focus on the HMX-R10—the same three methods featured on the SC-HMX20. As always, you can rely on the automatic focus, which usually fares quite well. You can do a manual focus by using a touch screen scale (see below).

Finally, you can use Samsung's TouchPoint system, which lets you just touch the object you want in focus and the camcorder will automatically focus on that object. None of these systems are as good as a manual focus that lets you use a joystick or lens ring to achieve the perfect focus.