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Simple and powerful, Samsung Electronics’ Full HD Memory Camcorder HMX-R10
We’ve been blessed with the benefits from the digital technologies in this 21st century digital age. These digital technologies definitely have changed the way of our daily lives. For instance, cell phones, portable players, game machines, Divx player, and digital appliances have set a new life style and we will get to depend on these things more and more as time goes on. In this rapid development, people are paying attention to digital image appliances, and recently the biggest issue has been HD image.
HD image has changed the video market and the recording method. You must have seen on the news that the sky wave TV will also be replaced to digital HD. Now HD has become the basic feature of clear, high-quality image. Samsung electronics has been competing with other world’s best manufacturers in camcorder production. And their first product in 2009, HMX-R10 supports Full HD, 25° angle slim lens, and memory for 12 mega pixel photo shots.
The design of R10 is ergonomic as well as simple. It has the particular texture of Aluminum, and there’re stylish horizontal stripes the left side of lend. And the most noticeable concept of its design is the lens angle, which has been increased to 25°.
People had to twist their wrist a little unnaturally to look at the front using the camcorders before. It’s ok just for a moment, but if you have to continue that more than 5-10 minutes, it can hurt your wrist and body. 25° angle in R10 prevents the unnatural posture and makes your wrist comfortable. It also removed unnecessary buttons for easy operation and simple design. 2.7 inch big LCD is a touch screen, you can operate it by Touch & Drag.
It chose FULL HD lens supporting 1080p. It has aperture of F3.5-3.7, 5x optical zoom, and 100x digital zoom. Unlike the regular CCD image sensor, it uses 1/2.33 inch big CMOS sensor that enables low energy consumption and efficient charging. And it supports 5.3 mega pixel for video recording, and 9 mega pixel for still images. It can produce not only 1920x1080 60i HD image but also maximum 4000x3000 size resolution and 12 mega pixel image shooting by pixelizing technology. So you can shoot clear image with no use of a middle or high-end camera.
Full HD video of R10 is outstanding. Its resolution and frame are 1920x1080 60i, 1920x1080 30p, or 1280x720 60p in HD, and 720x480 60p or VGA 30p in SD. Shutter speed is 1/60 ~ 1/10000 in Auto and Manual mode, and slow shutter speed is auto, 1/30, or 1/15. It supports special shooting mode, and its functions are slow motion and interval recording.
R10 uses maximum 32GB SDHC memory and H.264, a standard HD video codec, and MP codec so it has the best quality for its capacity. Full HD supports 2.25 times clearer quality than existing DVD’s SD quality. And it uses 16:9 screen ratio that prevents distortion even in full screen situation in various FULL HD displays.
In FULL HD recording, there’s a frame storage in 1920x1080 60i interlace way that expresses the screen by alternating odd line and even line, and in 1920x1080 30p progressive way that expresses the whole screen at once. So it is good to choose a right mode for each display. Recently released FULL HD TV supports progressive way, so you can watch the recorded videos in clear quality. Also, it’s even better if you control the resolution and frame for each purpose. You may choose 720x480 60p for creating a DVD, and VGA 30p for uploading UCC online. Then you don’t need to resize it. You can set up the movie quality in best, good, and standard.
R10 has iSCENE function that automatically sets up movie recording mode. You can check or change the mode through set-p menu, but there’s another way; dragging the touch LCD. If you touch the center and drag to left or right on the LCD, you can change the mode. When you change mode through iSCENE, if the value set by the user is same as the value auto-set in each mode, it automatically changes to auto-set value.
When you record videos, you may have felt that there are some scenes that you’d like to capture in photos. Some products had supported this function, but usually in low quality and volume. And you had to save it later while watching the movie clip. But with R10, you can save FULL HD 1920x1080 high quality pictures whenever you need, as far as the memory allows.
R10 has two special functions; slow motion and interval recording. A slow motion function records the moment that cannot be detected by human eye, and it is available in 300fps and 600fps. The resolution of 300fps is 416x240, 200 frames/sec, and that of 600fps is 192x108, 600 frames/sec. This function can be well-utilized in science class or for athletes; popping a water balloon in science class, watching the surface of water when water drops, or recording athletes’ plays and practices, and analyzing the posture or form in detail. Interval recording function saves a 1-hour movie clip into 1-minute one. If you set the actual play time after setting the record time, it is saved as 1-hour movie clip. This function used to be included only in expensive or special cameras. Now you can use this function freely with R10.
R10 supports ISO 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. ISO 50, 100, and 200 are good for high or normal brightness, and has little noise. On the other hand, ISO 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 are high-sensitivity which helps to produce bright image in dark environment. The higher ISO is, the more noise exist, resulting in rough image.
However, there’s a 3D-NR function that decreases noise and improves the movie quality. When you shoot with high ISO under little light, it helps produce high quality movie by reducing the noise. Another good function that goes well with this function is Super C.Nite. It controls the shutter speed so that it can shoot slowly moving subject, or produce brighter images without color loss in dark area. The basic aperture value is auto and it ranges from 3.5 to 16. Shutter speed is available in 1/60, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, and 1/10000. Exposure can be controlled from +2 to -2. And there is a backlight editing function that modifies brightness of dark subject in backlight.
R10 supports photo shot mode. It is saved as JPEG and supports resolution in 12M(4000x3000), 9M(3456x2592), 6M(3328x1872), 5M(2592x1944), 3M(2048x1536), 2M(1920x1080), and VGA(640x480). Maximum 9M is guaranteed, and it can be saved as 12M through pixelizing technology.
Photo shot mode is similar to common auto cameras. Dynamic range, one of the set-up values, is a function that focuses on describing the brightest and the darkest area.
You may have gone through troubles with camera shakes while recording. R10 supports EIS, electronic image stabilization, which fixes little shakes. But there are limitations in editing technology, so it is recommended to stay in stable position or use both hands.
EASY Q mode, both for shooting videos and photos, automatically controls focus, exposure, light setting, and image stabilization according to shooting environment and subject. Most of the functions are automatically set in EASY Q mode, so users can’t control them. If you want to set things or modes manually, you have to deactivate EASY Q mode.
Face detection function is useful in portrait shots. It detects and centers on the subject’s face and controls the focus and brightness accordingly.
If you press the menu button on the upper left side of touch LCD, Q.MENU comes up. It means quick menu, so if you register frequently using functions for movie or photo shots there, you can change the setting quickly and conveniently.
R10 also has special effect function like Samsung digital cameras; Normal, Black and White, Sepia, Reversion, and Beauty. Using this function, you can create black-and-white movies or pictures, and produce pretty pictures using Beauty Shot
Fader function is useful for the start, end, and editing. Two functions of fader are fade-in and fade-out. Fade-in is a function that slowly generates the scene from a black screnn throughout 3 seconds, and fade-out is a function that the scene gets darker throughout 3 seconds. If you use this function well, you can make more impressive beginning, end, and links between scenes.
If you’ve ever used a camcorder, you’ll know that recording movies isn’t everything. There is a big assignment of editing. So people get to explore various editing tools but soon overwhelmed by the technical terms easily. However, R10 can do basic editing without using PC. It can delete, divide, and put together clips, and also edit play list.
There is a partial deleing function. If you set the beginning and end using the play control tap, you can delete that part. The thing is you cannot restore it to the original version, so you have to use it carefully.
Dividing function also uses the play control tap like the deleting function. If you choose the desired spot, the file divides into two on that spot.
Putting together function adds up all the selected videos into one. If you record and edit the movie clips using special effect and fader function mentioned before, organize them naturally using the play list, and put those together according to the order, you can get a movie clip as if you used a editing program.
R10’s HD videos or images are stored in SD memory located in the memory holder of the bottom side. The data saved in 2GB SD memory and maximum 32GB SDHC memory can be stored into PC using the USB cable in the package. So now you don’t have to carry several 6mm tapes, and don’t need to worry that you might tape over the already recorded one by mistake. Also, if you use 32GB memory card, you can record up to 232 minutes in best quality, and shoot 5407 photos in the highest resolution. If you think of the merits of digital appliances, preview and checking out the clip right away, you can produce more result in better quality compared to the past.
There are types of image output; the previous standard of analog Composite, analog HD output terminal Component, and the latest FULL HD output terminal HDMI. So you can use it with almost any display.
R10 provides print-related functions, Print Mark and PICTBRIDGE function. Print Mark function saves the printing information on the corresponding data. You can select a photo to print using this information and set up to maximum 99 slides. PictBridge is a function that enables printing by connecting its printer and the machine.
R10 has a unique built-in editing program called ‘Samsung Intelli- Studio.’ The advantage of this software is you can use editing tools that you’re accustomed to in any PC. Choose the portable storage device in system menu, set up the PC software, and then connect the USB cable to PC. Then the camcorder tries transmitting the files. After saving the file on PC and installing it, you can use Samsung Intelli- Studio. It is mainly used to play the recorded data, edit them, and upload the edited version on websites such as You Tube or Flickr.
HMX-R10 from Samsung electronics is concise. But if you take a look at the inside, its technological depth is amazing. You can apply many functions with simple operation, and it can be widely used. Other than its convenience, it supports high quality image, cut out unnecessary functions and combine them, and enables easy editing. R10 satisfies modern people’s desire for the light and convenient product that creates the best result.
SAMSUNG HMX-R10
We are living in convergence world. It’s hard to survive With only one function, and has to satisfy users not only with main functions, but also additional functions. (I can say electronic dictionary is a good example. A few years ago, only good dictionary contents were needed, but recently, various multimedia functions such as colorful LCD, DMB, and video are imperative to be popular.)
When it comes to a camcorder, it’s almost the same. 2~3 years ago, people think it’s natural to purchase a camcorder and a digital camera separately, but now they’ve got to have both functions. (Of course, for professional camcorder or DSLR, main function is all people want. However, compact products need both video and picture for the most convenience.)
How about the Samsung R10 which will be reviewed? Let’s take a look at the strong points of the R10 and video/picture quality with the review.
It’s the full kit, and various accessories are provided. To prevent shock and scratch, a pouch is provided, and power adaptor, AV cable, USB cable, Hand strap, and battery are included. (It’s not shown in the picture, but instruction and quick manual will be provided, and also HDMI(Mini HDMI) cable which is normally not included is also provided.)
With 38.3 x 56.8 x 128.2mm of size and 229g of weight, the portability is great. (Of course, there are a lot of products lighter and smaller. However, it’s really difficult to find the camcorders supporting 1920x1080 Full HD and smaller than the R10, I think. As palm size and barrel design, it’s easy to keep in a bag or something.)
The design is also enough to give satisfaction. It’s made of aluminum body, and on the right side, hair line is applied to give high grade feeling. Composition of buttons and finishing are also great. (The former model HMX20C looks like heavy, but the R10 feels like slim and stylish.) @ This will come with black and silver.
It’s the front. 5x optical zoom lens supporting 8x intelli zoom is attached, and on the side, there’s a flash. (Unlike digital zoom which degrades quality, the intelli zoom doesn’t affect the quality.) And on the lower part, there’s a recording light. @ Unlike other products, anti-scratch lens is installed on the front, so without a lens cap, the internal lens is safe from corruption and crash.
You can see the direction of the lens is different from other products. Since the lens of the R10 has been designed to direct 25 degrees upward, it prevents wrist bending. Unlike other shooting type products which give fatigue to wrist, the R10 has the remarkable ergonomic design which minimizes fatigue.
It’s the right side of the body, and it has adopted swivel LCD supporting various angles. (You can easily see this supports1920x1080 Full HD.) @I’m so satisfied with the sensitive hair line.
You can see the 2.7 wide LCD supporting perfect touch screen. (This supports 230K pixel. Viewing angle is also satisfactory, and especially the definition was so great that I didn’t feel any uncomfortable when using this outside. On the side, there’s a Q menu button to execute designated functions rapidly, and zoom button and recording button is also located.) @ When it comes to a zoom lever on the back, fast zooming is possible with this, while the zoom button next to the LCD supports slow zooming. I think they will be useful depending on the various situations.
It’s the inside of the right side. You can see the speaker on the lower part, and power button, Easy Q button, and iCheck button are also located. (We are going to see the use of the Easy Q button closely. When the camcorder is working, pushing the iCheck button long, you can see remaining battery and memory.
It’s the back of the body, and on the top, there’s a mode button (When changing modes, some products have too much time delay. However, the R10 has very short time delay to change the mode, so there’s nothing to bother. ) and status LED, and on the center, there’s a zoom lever and recording button. (On the side, charge status LED is located. As you can see in the picture, on the bottom, Mini HDMI port, power input port, and AV cable port are installed. ) @ Composite, Component, and HDMI are supported, so the compatibility is so high, full HD videos can be perfectly played with external devices.
It’s the left side, and you can see the strap ring. (Putting the hand strap like the picture, you can prevent the damage. However, I didn’t expect there’s no hand grip, but it doesn’t have it. Even though it’s a shooting type product not a vertical type, it’s quite unsatisfactory.)
It’s the upper part, and you can see 9M pixel CMOS sensor has been installed. (However, Max. 12M picture is supported.) And on the lower part, there’s a shutter button to help take pictures simply. (Not only for normal picture, but also for video, you can take a picture by pushing the shutter button. )
It’s the bottom of the body, and the internal microphone is installed to record voice when taking a video (Microphone sensitivity setting is also possible.), and there are 2 mount hole for a tripod. Also, on the bottom, a battery is loaded, and by providing SD card slot, you can easily store big size recorded videos. @ As a brand new product, it supports SDHC perfectly. It appears it can record Full HD videos without a burden.
Even though it’s a Full HD camcorder, the size is small enough to be in one hand. (Like I mentioned, the portability is the best.
Like the picture, it supports various grips. (Under various circumstances, you can hold the product with various ways.) @ It supports active angle, and that it can record a video without wrist bending is one of the greatest things.
They are basic accessories. Mini HDMI cable, Instruction, quick manual, etc are provided, and like the picture, AV cable, power adaptor, pouch, and hand strap are included. @ Unlike most of other products supporting Composite and component cable separately, the R10 can use both function through the AV cable included. I like this very much.
We’ve checked the design and features. This time, let’s look at the various functions one by one. (As a high end product, it provides various setting menus, and I think this will satisfy users who need detailed settings.)
Like I said already, supporting various settings is very satisfactory, but for beginners, this can be a burden. The R10 supports Easy Q function for beginners to record great videos without a lot of settings. (Pushing the Easy Q button, the mode changes like a picture, and at the same time, focus, exposure, light, and IS are automatically set to optimized environment for recording.)
With the Easy Q fu nction, Q.menu function is also provided. Unlike normal menu, frequently used functions such as picture are shown, and through touching the pencil icon on the right lower part, you can add, delete, and edit. (Separate settings are possible for Video/Picture/Play. Once registering frequently used functions, you can use the function more rapidly.)
Now, let’s look at the various functions closely. On the upper part, it’s the video recording menu, and you can see it supports the Full HD resolution perfectly. (It’s impressive that 1920x1080 Full HD resolution is fully supported, and 60fps interlace scan type and 30fps/60fps progressive scan type are perfectly supported.) @ Like I mentioned earlier, this is a test product supporting PAL type, and the real product will supports NTST 60/30 fps. Also, through the slow motion function, max. 600 fps very high speed recording is possible, so you can see the fast movement in detail. (This can be used for correction of action when exercising.) @ 300 fps: 416x240 resolution, 600 fps: 192x108 resolution supported
By supporting the iScene function, selecting by exposure and then a video can be easily recorded. (It automatically sets shutter speed and iris according to the mode.)
It automatically sets the iris and shutter speed, but it also supports manual mode for users to adjust them with their style. Exposure fix function is also supported (+2.0~-2.0 13 levels), and you can see the 3D-NR function which reduces noise of videos. (This reduces noise which is made on Backlight, Indoor, and night recording.)
Super color night function which allows users to take moving objects brighter without color damage (Normal: 1/30 shutter speed, Super: 1/15 shutter speed), and backlight fix function is also provided. Various focus modes such as Auto, manual, positing setting (It’s possible to set the focus by touching the LCD) are supported, and with the face recognition function, more satisfactory human picture can be taken. (It automatically detects faces and optimizes focus and brightness.)
As a high grade product, it has the IS function. With the effect menu, fun and unique videos can be taken (Black and white, Sepia, Reversion, and handsome mode are supported.), and fader function which is used with video editing program is also provided. (A video starts and ends naturally.) Through the super macro function, more detailed shot is possible for close objects. (Max. 1cm closeup shot is supported.)
It can reduce noise such as wind when taking a video, and you can set the volume. By supporting the digital zoom, up to 100x zoom is possible (But the quality is degraded.), and self timer function is also provided. (10 seconds)
Interval recording is also supported. This function records the still image every setting time, and plays back rapidly like slow motion. It’s so impressive. (30 videos are continuously recorded, and 1 sec video is made. It’s useful for flower blooming or sky moving.) Play back function for recorded videos is also provided, and 3 kinds of guidelines are supported.
Let’s see the picture menu. Like the video mode, it supports iSCENE function, and various resolutions can be set. (Max. 12M pixel resolution is being supported. It’s a camcorder, but I think better pictures can be taken with this than normal digital cameras.
This supports various white balance modes, and with max. ISO 3200, it can secure enough shutter speed in any situation. Also, iris and shutter speed can manually be set. (Not only P mode, but also A/S/M modes can be set, and I think this will satisfy users who are used to manual mode.)
Exposure fix is possible, and it supports various flash settings. Also, backlight fix function and dynamic range function which records light and dark part fully are supported.
Not only auto, but also manual focus function is also provided, and like a video, it supports the face recognition function. As a high grade product, it supports various photometry modes including the spot photometry. @ I’m so satisfied with the magic touch function. Unlike DSLR which can set exact focus, normal compact digital cameras couldn’t get the right focus even using a half shutter. But the R10 uses the magic touch function, so once touching the part on the LCD, not only focus, but also brightness is automatically set, so even beginners can take good pictures.
EIS function is supported, and effects, super macro, and digital zoom function (Max. 50x) are also provided..
High speed continuous shot function which up to 7 pictures can be taken in 3 sec and bracket continuous shot function taking pictures with different brightness are supported. (±0.3 EV, Backlight fix, Dynamic range, and original picture are taken successively.)
It’s the play back screen. Videos and pictures are lined up, and various screens are supported. (6 / 12 preview is supported, and it can be sorted by date. Files can be easily selected and played with this product.) @ It’s one of the greatest things of this product. Most other products show video and pictures without sorting, so it’s hard to find a file which I want. However, the R10 has a strong sorting function, so it was easy for me to find files. Two thumbs up for the intuitive UI interface giving convenience to users.
It’s the video play back setting menu. Various play modes are supported, and highlight function which plays a certain part of videos. Also, playlist selection and file delete function are supported.
File protection function from deleting is provided and simple video editing such as partial delete/Divide/Combine is also possible. Capture function is also supported, and file information can be confirmed.
It’s the picture play setting menu. Slide show function is supported, and various setting functions are provided. (Selected music and effects can be added.)
DPOF print mark setting which stores picture print information in the memory card and sets the number of prints, and like a video, file information can be confirmed.
Let’s take a look at the configuration menu. (In 7 pages, various setting functions are supported.) File location and capacity can be checked, and memory format function is supported. Also you can set the type of numbering and time manually.
Date, time, and type can be set. You can set if it’s displayed.
LCD brightness and color can manually be set, and LCD fix function for more vivid and clear image is added. Also, for saving power, auto turning off LCD function is included, and sound setting is possible when starting to work.
When taking a picture, shutter sound can be set, and when turning on the camcorder, you can set the first mode. With the standby mode, you can reduce the power consumption when taking pictures frequently. (When closing the LCD, it goes to the standby mode, and opening it, shot is possible.)
‘Built-in S/W’ function which uses the software just by connecting the USB cable is supported, and analog TV output, screen ratio, and USB connection type settings are possible. @Unlike other products which have to install editing programs on the PC, the R10 has the internal program called ‘Samsung Intelli Studio’, so by USB connection, you can easily edit videos and pictures. It’s such an innovative function, I think
By providing TV connection guide menu, beginners can connect it to external devices, and TV screen indication (Whether information is displayed on TV or not) setting and recording lamp setting, and initialization function are supported.
As a Samsung’s product, it supports lots of languages. Also Anynet+(Samsung AV network system) setting is also supported, and function introduction function is also provided.
We’ve been looking at the design and function of the product. This time, let’s check the quality of images and videos, and see how to connect external devices.
It’s max. wide angle shot and tele zoom shot. Personally, it should have supported wider angle, but tele zoom part supporting 8X intelli zoom was quite satisfactory.
I started taking these since 5 PM outside. By supporting IS function, hand blur happened in few pictures, and I could see there’s not much noise even with night and indoor shot. With max. tele zoom lens, there was no quality degrade, and the closeup shot was also quite satisfactory. (Unlike DSLR using A or M mode, the R10 was used in Easy Q mode most of the time. It’s impressive that it shows great quality enough not only for web but also for development.)
By supporting HDMI, Component, Composite, you can enjoy big screen after connecting to an AV device without any inconvenience. (As a product supporting Full HD, it’s impressive that it has the HDMI port. Connecting to Full HDTV through HDMI, you can enjoy clean and vivid images recorded by the R10. @ The test product was for oversea sale and set to PAL. I couldn’t connect this to Full HD TV, so I connected it to HDTV card supporting PAL.)
I could see recorded HD videos and pictures perfectly played. (When it comes to Full HD videos, the quality is incomparably better than normal SD videos. Especially, it seemed like real and smooth movement was so impressive, and recorded voice was also very satisfactory.)
I think you can put away the prejudice that Full HD camcorders are big and heavy. The R10 which I’ve been reviewing supports 1920x1080 60fps full HD and 12M pixel pictures, but it’s so small and light. (I’d like to strongly recommend this product to users who want satisfaction in Portability, performance, and functions.)
With sensitive and ergonomic design, long hours of recording is possible without a burden on wrist, and the small size and light weight will also satisfy users considering portability much, I think. Not only interlace, but also progressive scan type is supported, so it creates more vivid videos. And various distinguishing functions such as high speed shot, capture on video, and interval shot are also impressive. @ Unlike other products need separate software install, that it supports video editing with the built-in S/W is one of the greatest strong points, I think.
Up to 12M pixel pictures can be taken, so when taking professional pictures, I could feel satisfaction, and through the magic touch function, focus can easily be set. Also supporting the HDMI, it can play more vivid and clean videos, and intuitive and convenient UI interface is also great. I’d really like to praise for this function. (Especially, unlike former products, time delay was drastically reduced. Booting time and changing mode time was so fast.)
Up to 12M pixel pictures can be taken, so when taking professional pictures, I could feel satisfaction, and through the magic touch function, focus can easily be set. Also supporting the HDMI, it can play more vivid and clean videos, and intuitive and convenient UI interface is also great. I’d really like to praise for this function. (Especially, unlike former products, time delay was drastically reduced. Booting time and changing mode time was so fast.)
Do you want to take high quality videos and pictures as a beginner? Then, I’d like to recommend the R10 without hesitation. With unique angle design and incomparable slimness, I think you can take great quality videos in any time and anywhere.