Laying claim to the world’s smallest Full HD camcorder title, the Samsung HMX-R10 rocks a unique look and features that should satisfy all but the most intense of home movie buffs. So is it worth lashing out for? Or does it come up short against some impressive rivals? Read our Samsung HMX-R10 review and find out.
The fact the Samsung HMX-R10 is almost pocketable (as long as you’re rocking Madchester style flares that is) means it has a real jump on its rivals, especially as its spec sheet is so impressive. The real headline grabber is the 25-degree lens, which means you hold the cammie at a rakish angle in order to take shots. It’s certainly novel, but does take some getting used to. But seeing as your hand doesn’t naturally sit straight when pointing a camcorder, it’s a clever move that we applaud Samsung for taking.
Obviously Full HD is on the menu here, with the shots delivered by the Samsung HMX-R10 coming in crisp, clear and full of detail. The on board 2.7-inch LCD is more than ample for spying your shots and ensuring you get them framed. As ever though, the lack of a viewfinder is an issue if you want a truly precise picture.
Read our Canon Legria HF S11 camcorder review
Read our Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000 review
Slow motion is also a big deal with the Samsung HMX-R10, coming in 300fps and 600fps. Like rivals from Sony and Canon, this can only handle ten second bursts of slow-mo. Add to that the fact this mode only utilises part of the screen and it’s more than a small disappointment. Still, at under £300, it’s a decent feature, especially as more often than not you will pay heftily for it.
The 9 megapixel stills are also pretty tasty and work well if you just want to take a few snapshots instead of lugging about a dedicated cam. There’s no doubting the Samsung HMX-R10 is a cool gadget and if you want Full HD and a few added extras on a budget, it’s well worth a punt.
