Samsung HMX-Q10 - Two-handed HD Fun
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Conclusion
Truly for Everyone
Samsung has seldom hesitated to try out new ideas on its camcorder line; and we see such forward thinking again in HMX-Q10. The Smart Grip that rotates the display and controls automatically depending on how the camcorder is held is a simple and yet effective solution for left-handed and ambidextrous users. While not exactly pocket-able, it's still very compact and lightweight enough to be a bring-about video camera. While we don't have any problems with the shape of the grip and the comfort level of the integrated strap, we'd still advise interested parties (especially those with big hands) to give it a try in the stores first.
Because the advantage of the Smart Grip doesn’t really matter to right-handed users (which most of us are), it’s easy to dismiss the HMX-Q10 and overlook the its other qualities. The fact of the matter is that it packs more than decent hardware features for a consumer-level camcorder. The back-illuminated sensor performed well in most of our tests; and despite maxing out at 1080i, we don’t have any complaints regarding video sharpness. We would like to see adjustable frame rates; but at this price point, perhaps that’s asking a bit too much. On the other hand, the F1.8, 10x optical zoom lens pairs up admirably well with the sensor, giving bags of details and negligible distortion. In a nutshell, it’s a good video shooter. If we were allowed to nitpick, it'd be that certain parts of the body feel more plastic than metal.
Those looking for tons of controls would be slightly disappointed with the scarce number of tweaking options beyond features such as face detection and digital effects. Samsung’s intention is to keep the HMX-Q10 easy to use for almost anybody, and we think they’ve succeeded. The 2.7-inch touchscreen and the icon-based menu system are a good match for each other, and we didn’t encounter any issue with regards to responsiveness during our time with the camera. We rather like the record pause function too, but not for the fact that we can only access it on the LCD screen. All things considered, we recommend anyone looking for an uncomplicated, pick-up-and-shoot video camera that produces high quality images to have the HMX-Q10 in their shortlist.
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