When the Samsung HMX-H106SP was first outed way back at CES in January, it was bigged up for being the world’s first 64GB SSD camcorder. 10 months on and at last it’s available for you to paw and pose with. But can this pricey slab of video gadgetry live up to its billing? Or is it just a gimmick for the overpaid? Read our Samsung HMX-H106SP review now for the complete picture.
You can’t deny that the Samsung HMX-H106SP has got specs to suit all but the most fussy of amateur video fanatics. There’s HD footage (although admittedly this only extends to 1080i, not 1080p), a 2.2MP CMOS sensor, HDMI, SDHC support and a touchscreen to boot.
But the real pull of the Samsung HMX-H106SP is its 64GB SSD. This was huge news when it was unleashed in Vegas, and its room for a massive 7 and a half hours of the highest quality footage means your home movies will take on an all new, epic tone. But you’ve really got to ask yourself whether it’s worth fronting up such a huge amount for essentially one feature. Because everything else the Samsung HMX-H106SP does, its younger H100P bro’ can do just the same, minus that solid state storage.
Read our Sony HDR-XR520 review now
Be under no illusion that this is a high end camcorder either. It’s the SSD that drives up the price on what is essentially an average cammie. The Samsung HMX-H106SP’s touchscreen is a nightmare to use and left us spending more time prodding at it rather than watching the action unfold. Once you do see those pics, you’ll realise they’re noisy as hell and a tad blurry thanks to the shonky autofocus. The wide-angle 37mm lens is definitely welcome, as is the stabilisation, but these features can’t save the Samsung HMX-H106SP from ignominy.
Sure the Samsung HMX-H106SP is a novel new gadget. But if you want a camcorder with loads of on board storage and HD cajones, this is not the way forward. Spend more and you’ll get a Sony or JVC effort which will give your holiday clips the edge.
