On the 11th of November 2008, I was invited by Samsung to London’s south bank centre and then on to the London to sample a new camcorder from Samsung.
The event was aimed at online bloggers and video enthusiasts and as such I was representing AVForums for the day as the moderator of the video camera forum. Samsung were using this event to highlight a new product, namely the MX20 camcorder (and to a lesser extent their mp3 players). It was however this new camcorder from the company that perked my interest, especially as the previous model (MX10) hadn’t quite set the world on fire when I last saw it, but the HMX20 which was related but a high definition version had impressed me. So it was with a curious mind that I attended this event to see just what this new camcorder could do. Plus with such an event being aimed at individuals like myself, who like to blog about all things Video on the forums, it was a relaxing way to spend a few hours getting hands on with the product.
The Samsung MX20 is a standard definition affair, and even in these days of HD everywhere, it is certainly bound to have its fans. It records its footage on to a standard SD card and encodes using H.264. It is billed by Samsung as a powerful memory card camcorder with an industry claimed best battery life of 3 hours and also claims high quality video content recording. It is being marketed as a youtube and iPod compatible machine and records in the H.264 (720 x 576) standard definition format. Video length will depend on the size of SD card used, for example you can get around 30minutes of video on a 1GB card and up to 4 Hours on an 8GB card depending on settings.
Other features include ;
- 3-D noise reduction edge filter technology
- Schneider lens: 34x optical zoom
- Hyper digital image stabilisation (Samsungs own EIS)
- Face detection
- 630K CCD
- Swivel hand grip
- 2.7 inch screen
- I check and I scene features
- 32gb Maximum card size
During the presentation hosted by Paul Scott we were given the details of the new product and then told to go out to the London eye where we could use the camcorder to take our own footage. The idea was to collate images and then watch them back on our return to the presentation hall. Unfortunately there was no pre-recorded sample footage or the chance to look at the Cyberlink media show software also bundled with the camera, so I sadly cannot comment on that.
In terms of the actual camcorder, after using it briefly I was ‘pretty impressed’ with the features and quality of the unit. Ergonomics, form factor and button controls were highlights of the MX20 and the fact it is shaped like a half sausage with a barrel and with a stylish black finish, made it immediately desirable, even to the fairer sex. However this design still doesn’t mean that the camcorder could be described as dainty, you will still need large pockets to take it around with you easily in every day use. We would suggest that given the size you would be advised to have at least a small bag with you for transporting it. Because of the shape of the camera I am unsure whether it would be suited to placing on a flat surface to take steady shots, but saying that it would take quite some force to tip it over.
Looking at the actual workings of the MX20 brought a few issues and handy functions to my attention. The lens cover is a built-in affair and therefore stops any unwanted video recordings being made by accident. To open the cover you will use a button positioned on the right hand side of the lens barrel. The LCd screen for monitoring what you shoot is what I would describe as large enough at 2.7inches and the images are bright and clear. To select menu options there is a joystick provided on the outer border and the card slot and battery are located to the underside of the unit. Access to the recessed external connections, such as AV, USB and power save are found near the playback controls. There are also buttons available for a number of features with options for the cameras I check and Easy Q functions. Sadly the camcorder does not offer a facility to take still images.
The handling of the camera is helped by the ‘swivel hand grip’ which allows you to experiment with moving the camera in directions normally seen as awkward, and I found this aspect really useful.
Actual ease of use for the MX20 is straight forward and intuitive with its easy layout and design, indeed my 7year old was up and running with the unit in 5 minutes. The aforementioned I Check gives you useful operating information while the camera is in standby such as battery life and recording time available and this is also reproduced on the LCD display when you have the camera set up and in use. The LCD also has displays which inform you to any menu options you may have activated and if you find this distracting, it can be easily turned off.
The LCD screen itself is not a touch screen like other high definition models, such as the HMX20, but it does allow a good number of control items to be seen. All of these are selectable with the joystick on the edge of the view finder and the design is similar to Canon’s HG10. The main advantage that I can see with an LCD that is not touch controlled is the fact you don’t have to worry about grubby finger marks all over the screen. However in use I found that my large fingers made it difficult to fully control the menus joystick easily. The menu system itself is full of useful functions such as;
- I scene menu options get you Auto / Sport/ Beach/ portrait etc
- White balance; Auto , custom and the usual options
- Exposure Auto / Manual
- Shutter; Auto , Manual 1/50 sec – 1/ 10,1000
- Focus; Auto / Manual
- Anti shake: on / off
- Aspect; 4;3/ 16;9
- Digital Effects : various: Off . Black and white / Sepia ect
- Resolution ; (TV) Super Fine , Fine, Normal , Web ( You Tube ready)
- Wind Cut on/ off
- Back lighting: on off
- Interval recording: on off; If on you can specify how often( 1.3.5.10.15. 30 secs) and for just how long you wish to continue
- Fader : on / off / in -out
- Night mode On off
- Guideline ; Cross / grid
- C night: this slows shutter but keeps colours, giving a slow mo effect
- Audio: no external in mic jack or controls for the built-in stereo mic which is on in the lens barrel.
Recording times Superfine |Fine| Normal| Web
8Gb 3hr 10 min| 4 h |5hr 10 min| 7 hr 40 min
16Gb 6h 20| 8hr |10h 20 min| 15h 20min
32Gb 12 hr 40 min| 16hr| 20Hr 40min| 30 hr 40 min
Other features: Face detection and interval recording
Video quality:
As I only managed about 10 minutes of actual shooting time it is hard to be exhaustive when looking at the quality. I approached this looking at the usibility of the camera over its absolute performance levels. Video playback on the LCD looked surprisingly good in my opinion. I had hoped that some of the quality from this camcorders high definition cousin, the HMX20 which I own, had filtered down to the MX20; given that this used H.264 compression.
To playback the footage I used a number of players such as WMP, Nero showtime and GOM. Each player seemed to show the footage in slight different levels of quality it might be worth experimenting to find the absolute best. However I am sure that the core group of consumers interested in this camcorder will be using it for uploading to youtube and this method of use would suit the cameras capabilities perfectly.
Some issues I did find was that using 32x zoom really is a no go area without a suitable tripod due to shake induced by using it handheld. This feature also introduces colour fringing in the lens which affects quality and the 120x feature provided should be avoided at all costs. However the autofocus on the MX20 is relatively quick and accurate with exposure results that you would expect at this price point. The overall quality could be described as between average and very good in my opinion. Finally I found myself using the unit’s de-interlacer to obtain a smoother picture as jaggies were occasionally a feature and I also noticed some judder with footage of a train going over the bridge from Charing Cross. Whilst sharpness is not really the MX20’s strongest point, at the price which the MX20 will sell in the shops, I can’t really be overly negative in this respect. In context with its price point and likely audience I feel it represents value for money for an SD card model.
Conclusion
In rounding up my thoughts on the MX20 it doesn’t compare to favourably with the HMX20 as it loses out on the touch screen controls, the ability to take stills and of course, it’s not a High Definition model.
However, if you are after a cheap and cheerful unit which is value for money in the quality stakes and your not a budding blockbuster director, the MX20 is sure to find many fans. If uploading your videos to youtube is your bag, then the MX20 in the £100 – 150 price point might be worth a second look, and I think it looks rather nice!
28-11-2008, 5:55 PM
E. & O.E.
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