HMX-H106 series have equipped SSD (Solid-State Drive) for the first time in the world. It supports 1920x1080i Full HD based on 1/4.5 inch CMOS sensor. In addition, it has 180° rotating full angle grip and easy-to-use built-in software Intelli-studio. It is a home camcorder with various high-quality features. The models released in Korea are H106 (64GB), H105 (32GB), and H104 (16GB). It will have different capacities.
Full HD Camcorder H106 series
Last January, Samsung introduced a new H106 series at ‘2009 CES’ in Las Vegas. H-series, HMX-H106 in the front, is a compact camcorder with Full HD. H106, which is introduced now, has two noticeable features. It has up-and-coming SSD (Solid State Drive) memory and 180° rotating full angle grip. And its full angle grip is very unique, creating a sensation. The difference among H106, H105, and H104 is their different capacity- as big as 64GB, 32GB, and 16GB. Other than that, the specifications are same; Full HD recording, 10x optical Schneider zoom lens, optical image stabilization, interval recording, etc. In this review, let’s find out about how H106 series is differentiating itself from other competing products.※ This review is based upon HMX-H106 model, and samples and photos on this review are taken with H104. In addition, all the video samples are resized to smaller size, so its actual resolution is different from them.
16:9 Full HD quality
Normally, the resolution is divided into HD(High Definition)와 and SD(Standard Definition). If you take a closer look, under 800x600 is SD, from 960x720 to 2048x1080 is HD. Out of HD, over 1080 in vertical is Full HD. HMX-H106 series supports 16:9 Full HD recording. What’s important is that you can take in 1920x1080 resolution which fills 16:9 wide screen. It is different from HD camcorder that takes in 4:3 ratio 1440x1080 resolution, and enlarges it to 16:9 screen. Full HD quality has a recording type which is accurate enough not to show any distortion.1/4.5 inch CMOS sensor
HMX-H106 has 2,200,000-pixel 1/4.5 inch CMOS sensor. The sensor is not that big. So I cannot say that it is relatively a strong aspect since the size of sensor can decide the photosensitivity. What’s noticeable in HMX-H106 sensor is not its size but its kind. It’s not a traditional CCD sensor. CMOS sensor shows low energy consumption and efficient charging. Besides, you can take a shot in direct face of light like sunlight or street light. Smear, appearing of lines, and Blooming around the light source rarely show up.
Interlace type of natural movement
Camcorder video is recorded in two scanning ways. One is Interlace and the other is Progressive type. Basically, it supports both of them. 1080/60i type for Full HD divides 20 frames/sec into odd and even fields. And through the interlace way, the output comes on one screen. Fields image in 60n frames are shown successively. It is similar to two toothed wheels engage with each other and turn rapidly. While interlace type supports Full HD, HMX-H106 series’ progressive type is limited to HD quality. 720/60p shows 24-frame type of movies, and shows 24 frames continuously like film. These two scanning ways end up showing different results. Normally, interlace type is good for natural movement, and progressive type shows good image quality.
H.264 video Codec with high compression
Image quality of digital camera images is decided by its pixels or the capacity of a sensor. Likewise, pixels and sensor are important for videos in camcorder. But, more important factor for videos is Codec since it can change grade of image quality. HMX-H106 supports MPEG4 type H.264 video Codec. H.264 has excellent video format and data compressibility to compress and store high-volume HD quality video clips. Thanks to that, they can keep clear image and stored in small volume. High capacity SSD, HDD, and small capacity memory card of H106 series will be utilized well in digital media.
It supports stereo sound recording.
Meeting of video and photos, Dual recording,
Not only Full HD quality video, you can also take 4,700,000-pixel still images. Plus, it supports Dual recording; if you press a photo button during video recording, it takes a picture. However, the image by Dual recording is in 2,000,000 pixels. Its resolution is as low as cell phone cameras. The photos can be taken unlimitedly until the memory gets full.
Still shot is available in 4,700,000 pixels. It has a wind sound removal function.
Stereo recording and wind sound removal
HMX-H106 series supports 2-channel stereo recording. But it’s a little disappointing that it doesn’t adopt 5.1 channel Dolby surround. However, compared to other models in same level, it has something unique. It has a detachable stereo mike. There’s one on the left of the lens, and another on the right. So there’re two mikes. Actually, we don’t know about the recording mechanism. But it looks different on the outside form one-mike-type. Compared to the same stereo recording type, it seems that its sound collecting range is different, rather than the quality of the sound. There’s a ‘wind sound removal’ function that blocks the noise around. So you can concentrate on recording even in the noise. It is some kind of sound filtering, and it will be useful when you do an interview.
New storage medium in camcorder
HMX-H106 series is SSD (Solid State Drive) memory type camcorder as the world’s first. (*except H100 model) Samsung invented the new SSD memory in 2006 for the first time in the world. H106, H105, and H104 have 64GB, 32GB, and 16GB each. The reason SSD memory is worth to pay attention in the camcorder market is its capacity superior to HDD type. Above all, it’s 7 times smaller than HDD, 12 times lighter, with high capacity. It’s great for compact size devices. Besides, it’s not a physical type like HDD so results in low energy consumption, noise, and heat. Not only that, its high stability and durability help to prevent data loss. The biggest strength of all is high speed in writing and reading data. Compared to HDD type camcorder, its booting speed is a lot faster. It is better than HDD in every aspect except its price.
HMX-H106 has 64GB SSD of Samsung’s
SSD (Doild State Drive)
Unlike HDD which records information in physical way, it uses a semiconductor to store information. SSD is usually based on DRAM and Flash Memory. Flash memory-based SSD needs no separate power device and is not volatile. Therefore, even when the power suddenly goes off, the data don’t get lost. Thanks to its stable performance and high portability, it’s used in lots of compact digital devices like mobiles, MP3 players, and notebooks. Presently, memory semiconductor makers like Samsung Electronics, Hynix, Toshiba, and Intel are extending their SSD market.
Applying Film effect out of nine types of video effects
Built-in software Intelli-Studio
HMX-H106 comes with built-in software, Intelli-Studio. So you don’t need to install software to transfer the files to a computer. When you connect USB, Intelli-Studio gets automatically activated, so you can easily edit or share the video clips and photos. When you go into editing mode, you can conveniently use ‘video effect, detailed adjustment, conversion effect, half-screen insertion, text insertion, and sound insertion.’ Especially, video effect offers 8 types of effects: ‘old film, sepia, enlargement, reduction, splendor, noise, slow, and fast effect.’ Its color tone is different from special effects. Also, using conversion effect, text insertion, and sound insertion, you can apply interesting effects applicable to Power Point. Video conversion can be selected by clicking the right button on a mouse. It kindly offers conversion standard for iPod users. But you don’t need to connect the camcorder with USB all the time only because of its built-in software. When you run the program, you can install Intelli-Studio on the computer by pressing the menu on the top. It won’t trouble you much because the installation is done fast.
HMX-H106 with new basis
HMX-H106 is a digital camcorder with Samsung’s new basis. Especially, its SSD memory, which outdoes HDD, will make it a ‘killer application’ in world market. In this respect, it definitely differentiates itself from other competing models. Besides, it has lots of advanced features that appeal to consumers: Full HD supporting interlace type of natural movement, H.264 video Codec with high compressibility, and built-in Intelli-Studio which is easy to operate even for beginners. Plus, it has 10x optical Schneider lens, optical image stabilization, its exclusive interval recording function, wind sound removal, etc. If you’re interested in camcorders, it is hard to pass. Until last year, Samsung’s SSD market share was almost 80%, and it is expected to be extended to camcorder market.
Samsung had introduced capsule-type HMX-R10 in CES 2009 and attracted lots of attention. Its unique design with ‘25º titled lens’ left strong impression to users. This time it’s introducing HMX-H106 series with ‘full angle grip,’ which is a new type. According to shooting angle, you can use wrist more freely. I guess it’ll appeal a lot in a way that the new grip will enable easier movement of viewing angle.
Style, susceptive motif
First impression of HMX-H106 can be defined as ‘soft rock.’ Overall, its dark color looks strong, but it harmonizes with smooth rounding. It seems quite fascinating with its smooth but intense appearance. It is finished with plastics in order to reduce weight. It is 63 X 60.9 X128.6mm and 352g. And its SSD (Solid State Drive) contributed in reducing its volume and weight. It has good portability, fitting right into a hand. Its lustrous and lusterless parts are mixed well in two-toned color, and its point like dots looks pretty chic. I think it appeals to susceptive feeling more than visual aspect. The form of H-SERIES look like traditional handy-cam, but it has Samsung’s cyber image.
F1.8 and 37mm Schneider lens
10x optical zoom, Schneider lens
As lens is important for cameras, it is for camcorders, too. So what kind of lens it uses can decide the preference for the camera. HMX-H106 is equipped with Samsung’s proud Schneider lens. It has long lens barrel with alloyed aluminum, and the lens is placed deep inside. It looks somewhat different from former styles that have lens on the front. There’s silver line as a point around the lens barrel, and stereo mike and flash on the side and top. What’s unique is it’s unevenly carved inside the lens barrel. It normally appears in lens hood of DSLR, and it prevents flare and diffused reflection. It is the first time that I see that in a camcorder. It has 37mm, F1.8 lens, which is quite wide and bright.
Left : Unevenly carved to restrain diffused reflection
Right : Built-in flash in Photo mode
180° rotating full angle grip
High angle shot
Eye-level shot
Low angle shot
Ergonomics, full angle grip
You can see duo-back chair everywhere, at work or at home. The reason it got popular is its ergonomic design. Since it divides the power to support your back evenly, it helps to keep the stable posture. HMX-H106 series also gives stability to you wrist by ergonomic method. The keyword is ‘Full angle grip,’ a new type introduced for the first time. It didn’t adopt traditional fixed grip and had come up with creative way to help change angle easily. It is basically same in eye level and high angle shooting. However, when you change to waist level or low angle shooting, ‘Full angle grip’ works quite efficiently. It is 180º rotating grip. So you can stay in low angle for along time. Not only that, inside the leather hand strap is finished with suede material in order to reduce its friction against the skin. Along with useful ‘Full angle grip,’ you’ll have quite nice experience.
2.7 inch wide touch screen
It uses the hottest item of these days, touch screen type LCD. It has 230,000-pixel, 2.7 inch wide LCD, satisfying both clarity and size. Since it guarantees viewing angle in all directions, it is easy to check results. Especially, it is easy to check the screen outdoors. Thanks to 16:9 screen, room for menu interface arrangement is quite spacious, increasing the LCD touch recognition rate. There’s glossy lines on the border of LCD panel, so it doesn’t look too simple. And there’re Q.MENU, zoom button, and recording button on the left side of the panel.Fast ready for shooting, Quick-on system
HMX-H106 series have Quick-on system that gets instantly ready for shooting when LCD gets opened. It takes about one second to get ready, which is very fast. Besides, even when you close the LCD during recording, it keeps shooting. So when the LCD gets closed by accident, you don’t need to worry. And LCD panel can be adjusted freely. The biggest strength of is you can rotate the angle in any direction you want, up-down/ right-left. On the basis of vertical axis, it moves 90º from left to right, and of horizontal axis, 270º from up to down. If you completely turn the screen and stick it to side, LCD also rotates 180º. It is called Free-View style which is made to guarantee stable shooting posture in any location. The hinge between LCD panel and camcorder is quite solid. So I like it that it can be securely fixed.
Interface on the backside
Hidden terminal on the back
Memory card / Battery holder
Interface, Direct in Soft
The backside with zoom lever, photo button, and mode button on is a bit protruding from the body. The reason is that it considers that location of thumb, index, and middle finger which are involved mostly in operation. When you put your hand in the grip, the three fingers naturally reach the buttons. It offers perfect interface without a bit of awkwardness. If you move your thumb a tiny bit, you’ll reach mode button, and recording button is right next that. Since the buttons are pretty big, size of your hand won’t get in the way. Right below the mode button, there’re HDMI, USB, DC, and AV terminal. Since they’re perfectly hidden, it doesn’t hurt the design. Also, HMX-H106 offers mini HDMI cable. It will make HDTV users so happy. There’s memory card and battery holder at the bottom. Since the battery isn’t exposed outside, it’s pretty safe. If you open the LCD panel, there’re power, shooting info, EASY.Q, flash, and OIS button. Overall, its interface is composed very efficiently.
Polished design with good functions
Samsung camcorders seem to seek two different types of design. If R10’s capsule type design was sensational, HMX-H106 is combination of traditional and futuristic styles. Especially, its simple but cool ‘Full angle grip’ seems to be the completion of ergonomic design. HMX-H106’s leather hand strap looks fashionable and is comfortable at the same time. And they aren’t all. Detailed decoration makes Schneider lens look better, and its color match is harmonious. Anyone who sees this will say ‘This is cool.’ It seems that Samsung’s design, which used to stay in safe range, has taken one step ahead.● All the product images are taken by H104 model. H106 / H105 / H104 have same functions (only different in SSD capacity) and a little difference in design and color.
Various functions offer diverse experience like buffet. But, real gourmets don’t go to buffet. They find places which us famous for one food. It is to feel the depth of taste, not a variety. Compared to competing models, HMX-H106 doesn’t offer more various functions. However, its fundamental specification and capacity never fall behind. Especially, its interval recording and wind sound removal feature are exclusive at Samsung.
Using zoom lever
Using zoom button
Excellent close-up, 10x optical zoom
Schneider lens in HMX-H106 is 37-370mm in 35mm film equivalent with 10x optical zoom. It is ideal to close-up far-away subject. It has 100x digital zoom mode, but is not as useful because its resolution drops considerably. Zoom can be controlled with lever on the top of camcorder and LCD panel lever. Since both of them are lever type, it allows natural operation. If you use the zoom lever on the top, it’ll take about 1.6 seconds from widest angle to maximum zoom, which is very fast. Panel zoom lever takes about 6.5 seconds, and it works well for stable close-up shot. Zoom function also can be activated in interval shooting. But you’d better not use it in interval shototing.
Image Stabilization On
Image Stabilization Off
Optical Image Stabilization, OIS
When you use zoom, you must use IS function. But, IS functions defer according to its type. That’s why people classify optical, digital, electronic, or dual type. In camcorders, dual type is not yet used. So for now, optical image stabilization is the best option. And HMX-H106 series have OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer). The tremble through lens is fixed by moving the lens unit to the opposite side. It’s not creating image like digital type does but uses physical method. Since it solves the problem fundamentally, it is more stable than digital type.
Backlight editing On
Backlight editing Off
Backlight editing that brightens the darkness
HMX-H106 doesn’t have Face detection function, but it has backlight editing feature. It can be set through the menu on LCD. Backlight editing is used in backlight or in similar circumstances. As you see from the samples, its capability is quite good. But it brightens the whole screen, so it is different from DR (Dynamic Range) feature which optimizes the exposure difference between dark and bright area. It may brighten the main subject but lose some of the details of background.
Sepia mode
Black-and-White mode
Special effect in unique style
It may not offer various but unique special effects. There’re four types- black-and-white, sepia, reversal, and art. Instead of R10’s blur effect, art effect is added. Art effect simplifies the whole screen, giving it some illustrated effect. You’d better not use it with reversal effect for portrait shots. If the colors are distinct or there’s absolute difference between exposures, it can be used interestingly.
Fader mode setting screen
Beginning and ending of a video clip, Fader function
HMX-H106 series support Fader function. When you shoot videos, it notifies the beginning and ending. The mode can be selected out of ‘Beginning, Ending, and Beginning-Ending.’ If you use ‘Beginning-Ending’, the beginning part slowly gets brighter, and the ending part darker. It is a unique function that helps make your video clip more effective. When you shoot a video for a special event, like video letter, it can produce natural effect. In/Out time of Fader effect is about three seconds.
Shooting in regular mode
Shooting in interval mode
Interval recording in HD quality
There’re scenes showing constructing a building in quick moment, a flower blooming, and turning from morning to night in an instant, usually form environmental documentary program. But recently, these kinds of scenes are noticeable even on soap operas, movies, or news. HMX-H106 offers HD Time-lapse recording that can generate these movie-like scenes. It is also called Interval recording; it compresses the long time and shows in quickly and briefly. On every certain interval, it records video, and then they get put together. Based on the interval, it captures 30 images and compresses it to one second. That is, if you set the interval as 10 seconds, it takes at least 5 minutes to realize 1 second (= 30 images) video. It can be recorded in HD quality. However, it is fixed to 720/60p. It supports 24/48/72 for recording time, and 1/3/5 seconds for interval.
Convenient EASY.Q mode iSCENE mode Setting Guideline
Video highlight Setting slideshow Video editing mode
High-speed successive shots of 8 shots/ sec
Diverse modes for shooting and appreciation
HMX-H106 series offer convenience for shooting and appreciation in diverse ways. When you open the LCD panel, there’s EASY.Q inside the body. It automatically sets up focus, exposure, white balance, or image stabilizer. It’s similar to ‘Smart Auto’ in VLUU series, which is useful for beginners. In addition, it offers Q.MENU which is composed with six most frequently used set-up modes. When you select Q.MENU button, you can quickly operate iSCENE mode, white balance, exposure, etc. There’s also guideline for vertical-horizontal lines. Since there’re three modes, they can be used well to decide on angles for portrait or landscape shots. Plus, it supports enlarging close-up shot and successive shots. Enlarging close-up shot can be used in the maximum zoom. In the maximum zoom, you may close up a subject that is 40cm away. It will be perfect to capture a subject that isn’t easily accessible like insects. Successive shots speedily take 8 shots per second on the moment you press the shutter. You don’t need to hold the shutter like in camera; just one click is enough. Other than that, there’re video highlight with which you can enjoy BGM and scene effect, slideshow, and simple video editing function. It may be trivial but meaningful.
Outstanding performance of essential features
Many functions mean more options, both for consumers to purchase and users to shoot. In this respect, HMX-H106 series can be considered as ‘divergence camcorder,’ Divergence products skip extra and focus on essential features. Although the absence of Face Detection, Super Slow, DR (Dynamic Range), and some feature settings is a bit disappointing, it clearly provides well-sorted features. It has features more than enough to play a role as a camcorder. Especially, Samsung’s exclusive Interval recording is quite enough to attract consumers. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), Highlight, and Fader function are also great.
Pixels as well as sensor decide the image quality in digital cameras. So, high pixels can be considered as an important factor in cameras. Pixels in HMX-H106 are 2,200,000. It is low compared to cameras, but enough to display on 1920X1080 Full HD screen. Other than image quality, movement according to scanning types can also be important. Users try to find out if it’s interlace or progressive type.
Interlace type of H106
Progressive type of H106
Interlace type of B brand
Resolution setting screen
Interlace and Progressive type
What is as important as image quality in video is motion expression. According to scanning type, it appears differently. HMX-H106 supports 1080/60i scanning type that is suitable for Full HD. In addition, it can be recorded in progressive type, though it’s limited. These two types have both strengths and weaknesses. Interlace type is good for expressing continuous movement naturally. On the other hand, progressive type is good for clear expression of details. However, it’s a little disappointing that it doesn’t support progressive way in 1080 resolution. I’ve tested the scanning types. I set 1080/60i and 720/60p for H106, and 1080/60i for the competing model.Natural expression that goes well with Full HD
As a result, you could find minute difference between scanning types and models. Interlace type of H106 shows movement slowly but some discontinuity in progressive type. Image qualities weren’t that different, but interlace way felt a bit faster due to the difference in movement. B-brand’s video, which also uses interlace 60fps like H106, was the same. The running subject was well described. But H106’s video looked a lot clearer maybe because if the auto white balance. The difference between interlace and progressive way is not image quality but expression of movement. I recommend interlace scanning type to express smooth motions.
※ The video clip in this review is converted to lower resolution, so it is different from the actual quality of HMX-H106 series.
Noise level in indoor shot
AS digital cameras are popularized, regular consumers have recognized the concept about high sensitivity. So now when people purchase cameras, they don’t only look at the makers or design. They take high sensitivity/ low noise into consideration. HMX-H106 doesn’t have ISO set-up mode or R10’s Super C.Nite, a mode for low lighting shot. Sensitivity is set automatically based on circumstances. I feel disappointed about not being able to set the sensitivity manually. However, when I tested it in dark indoors, the result was quite awesome. The sample was taken inside under weak light with zoom. You can see with eyes that color noise is relatively little even under high sensitivity. Compared to competing models, its noise restraint ability is more than average.
4,700,000-pixel still image
HMX-H106 can take still image in 4,700,000 pixels (2888x1620). Its pixels are a lot lower than ‘True 2 in 1’ style, which definitely work well as both a camcorder and a camera. But if you just want to use it on web, it’s enough. For resolution test, I’ve used ISO 12233 Resolution chart. As the result, vertically nine lines could be distinguished up to 1,000 samples. On the other hand, in horizontal, between sample 1,000 and 900 seemed to be a limitation. Both contrast and clarity were the average level for 4,000,000-pixel camera. When you look at the image in small size, it looks smooth. But overall, the blur rate is high. It will be hard to print the image in large size, but up to 4x6 size, it’ll be good.
Original image is linked for each
Image quality in widest angle, and maximum zoom
HMX-H106 supports 37-370mm angle in 35mm film equivalent. It is quite wide. Wide angle means that pixels will play an important role in expression. In order to find out the image quality in widest angle and maximum zoom with 4,700,000 pixels, I’ve taken sample shots. Since H106 has low pixels, I each cropped only one part form the central and peripheral area each both in widest angle and maximum zoom. In both wide angle and zoom, clarity and contrast were better than expected. Overall, there was much blur. But the result looks better than ISO Resolution chart probably because it’s taken under sunlight. Auto white balance works pretty well, too. Compared to Custom mode with grey card, some green cast appears, but not as much as to bother. White is expressed fairly well.
Wireless remote control (BRM-D4) for HMX-H106 series is included.
Transition of form and method, ‘HMX-H106’
HMX-H106 doesn’t follow the trend. It’s rather leading the trend a few steps ahead. For the first time in camcorder history, it adopted SSD (Solid State Drive) memory. Its revolutionary change of storage seems to be successful. And with ‘Full angel grip,’ it destroyed the stereotype that grip must be fixed. It came out from creative thinking. Not only that, smooth-looking body, 10x optical Schneider lens, OIS, easy-to-use Intelli-Studio, and interval recording complete perfect conditions for a compact camcorder with Full HD in 1920x1080. Of course, there’s also a downside like 4,700,000-pixel photo features. But for the people who’re trying to buy a camcorder for the first time, I will recommend HMX-H106. It’ll be a good match.
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