Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black) by Samsung
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Digital camera reviews of Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black)
Digital camera Review: Great for Beginners...
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall a pretty good camera... I was going to go for the HD one but instead settled for this. Not as complex as I would had wanted it to be as it doesn't provide a challenge (pretty simple). Quality is good and shows pretty nicely on my TV although it records widescreen format (Don't have widescreen tv, yet). My main gripe about it is that when recording you CANNOT just pause. It saves all video in clips so pausing to continue recording isn't an option. Eventually being that it is flash-drive you would have to edit the clips to make one long video. Battery life is actually good. So is the intelli-zoom option.Digital camera Review: I bought this... it was the WORST PURCHASE...
Summary: 1 Stars
When I bought this, I thought, "Hey, new camera." I got it... it did not come with a battery or a charger or anything else. I got a battery with a battery charger BUT when you plug it into the computer, it does IMMEDIATELY. This is the WORST purchase I have EVER made.Digital camera Review: IT GREAT!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read a lot of reviews before I order this item. it is not disappointed me at all.
exactly as i wanted.
Digital camera Review: If you need a basic point and shoot without HD, this is for you
Summary: 4 Stars
Was looking to upgrade from my mini DV. Only requirement was not to use tapes or memory cards. A big selling item on this was the fact that it has 16Gb internal flash. I was leery of getting one with a hard drive, because of the possibility of the camera being dropped one day by accident. This has no moving parts.
I was surprised by the small size. It has a swivel grip, making it easy to find a comfortable position when filming.
I don't have a youtube account, but this camera is stated as youtube compatible. I suspect the software that comes with
it has a mode for producing youtube compatibile video, and uploading it. There's an option within the software where you
input your user id and password.
I noticed that the camera takes a decent enough picture, but in some cases the auto focus is a bit slow. It does this more
when there is less light, so I can't recommend this camera for low light shooting.
What I liked:
1. built-in flash memory. this is a huge amount of space for a non-HD camera.
2. camera is light, easy to find a comfortable grip
3. easy to pick up and shoot. has an easy Q button which pretty much automates the settings. If you are technologically challenged,
this camera is for you.
4. has a very long battery life.
5. zoom is 42x with intellizoom active (which is the default, but see my comment on image stabilization)
What I didn't like:
1. not the best image stabilizer (really hard to keep steady when using the zoom, probably like this on most camcorders though)
2. usable in decent light, but somewhat noisy in low light
3. slow auto focus, especially in low light
The camera comes with Cyberlink Media Show software, which is only usable for basic editing, such as color, brightness, and
a feature called shaky hand, which is an attempt to fix really shaky video. Try to use those adjustments sparingly.
This camera produces videos in H.264 MP4 files. I've seem countless reviews of other camera's where
the user blames the manufacturer when their computer lacks the codec to support the native format
of the camera. A simple search on the web for the codecs can resolve a lot of these types of issues.
Because of this camera, I've made all my computers compatible with H.264, and the newer AVCHD formats.
Bottom line: This is a standard definition camera, and therefore you need to factor this in to your decision whether to
purchase this or not. I'd say that if the price remains at or below $200, I consider it a very good buy.
******EDIT******
I've had more time with this camcorder, and based on additional experience I raised my rating up to 4 stars. I was using this
camera in conjunction with another camera. The picture quality has consistently been good. The camera functions very well,
just make sure to go light with the zoom and all will be well. If you have a tripod, feel free to zoom away.
Again if the price remains where it consistently is, this is still to me a very good buy.
Digital camera Review: Low Picture Quality
Summary: 3 Stars
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Works well with iMovie
-Widescreen video
-Does "ok" in good lighting
Cons:
-Terrible in low-light conditions
-Colors do not reproduce accurately in low light
-Lots of noise in video quality
-Zoom is too fast, you cannot zoom in or out slowly
Overall, this video camera is OK. No one is going to be impressed with the video quality and you can get a comparable picture for a much lower price. This camera does poorly in anything but good lighting. I will be upgrading to a better camera in the near future.
My advice:
Do not purchase this camera. You can get a better product for a little more money or you can get an equal product for a lot less.