Samsung VP-HMX20C/XEU Review

Overall Rating

Excellent lcd touch screen
Slow motion facility (10 seconds)
8 gig internal memory
Full hd
Image stabiliser
Small
Swivel grip

Not amazing battery life
Slow startup (2.5 second)
Poor wrist strap
Flimsy battery cover
Needs docking station (included) to connect to hdmi
Uses some stupid propriatory connector for power, why oh why cant there just be a standard for this...

The Samsung VP-HMX20C/XEU is a smashing camcorder with few faults. The wrist strap is too narrow and feels flimsy and uncomfortable. The battery cover is plastic and i'll wager wont take much abuse.
Slow start up time, al right, 2.5 seconds might not seem long but it is...For a top of the range HD digital camcorder..
However, my biggest issue was extreme over-exposure. Everything was totally over exposed in auto mode, ok, i could compensate by manually adjusting the exposure control but that isnt the point. UPDATE, Samsung have suggested it could be a faulty unit and, to that end i have been and collected a replacement which i am currently testing.
Assuming it was a faulty unit i can thoroughly recommend the hmx20. its picture quality is outstanding and it is so easy to use. The touch screen is nice and intuitive, it has an SD slot to increase memory, comes with all cables and software and is a joy to use.


Update 20th September 2008


Well, the replacement camcorder is showing none of the over-exposure of the previous one. Must have been a faulty unit. Has to happen from time to time. This was my faulty item of the year.
So, what else have i discovered.
The screen **really** needs a protector to prevent those grubby fingerprints.
The slow mo is superb fun...Smooth as a smooth thing but only in Standard Definition, no hi def slow mo. Also, not great in low light. But what are you gonna film in the dark? The lightbulb lighting up...;-)
Wish the slo-mo recording time could be extended.
The colour is really rich now i can appreciate it, the auto mode works well although the tops of a few trees were sightly over-exposed but nothing overly serious. It was bright sunshine here in wet england.
I have to say, that the more i use this thing, the more pleased with it i am...
So, heartily recommended.