If you're looking for a dedicated
device...
These days, what with the exceptional
abilities of stills cameras in becoming more than just devices for taking
snapshots, the wiggle room afforded video recorders is lessened. We’re talking
dedicated video recorders here, of course, and not the high end motion picture
cameras that industry types use. Rather, we’re talking about what could be
called a ‘handy-cam’; those small, easy-to-use video recorders that fit snugly
into the palm of your hand. Competition in this arena is external... stills
cameras can produce excellent video too, these days, and can many mobile phone
handsets. To survive as a concept, personal video recorders need to bring more
to the table. As they get squeezed into a more niche market, they need to do
more to retain their relevance.
Samsung
HMX-H400 Black
Armed with a Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan
HD lens, the Samsung HMX-H400 manages to set itself apart in the market, at
very least when compared to video recorded by stills cameras and cell phones.
This diminutive recorder can produce full HD video, which is really rather good
considering its size. It also comes armed with a host of facilities and extra
options that focus it on making videos, distinguishing it further from the more
multifunctional devices that are so popular these days.
With 45x digital zoom and optical image
stabilising, it is fairly easy to produce rather good quality videos with this
camcorder. This is heightened by features like improved low light performance thanks
to the BSI 5 megapixel CMOS, and a fairly long 3 hour battery life. There are
also built in software applications for digital effects, fades and a few other
features. It even allows for time lapse recording.
The three inch wide LCD folds out and can be
positioned in a variety of ways. It also doubles as the main control panel,
thanks to its touch screen functionality. Behind it, there are a few simple
controls, which activate the image stabilisation and so forth.
The record button is comfortably placed at
the rear of the camera, while zoom and photo controls are also within easy
reach. The SD card slot and HDMI output ports are also sensibly placed, and are
easy to get to. In fact, pretty much everything about this camcorder is easy.
Even charging takes place via a USB cable plugged directly into the camera, as
opposed to slotting the battery into an external charger.
As a vdeo recorder, this is a more than
decent option.
But one does need to take various aspects
into account when making purchasing choices. If you specifically want a video
recorder, great. But if you want to record video and record still images, a
multifunctional sill camera would be a better bet.
At a glance
Summary: As
a dedicated video recorder, it does its job well...
Tech Specs: Full HD, Stereo, 3 inch wide screen, SC compatible, 3 hour batter
life , Image stabilization, Image stabilization
Manufacturer: Samsung
Distributer: Samsung
Website:
www.samsung.com
RRP: R2
999
Pros: Small
and light, HD video, Good battery life
Cons: Not
a great multifunction device
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