Price range: £179.99
What is it: Standard-definition camcorder with 34x zoom lens
What we think: Has plenty of features for a budget camcorder, but its video quality isn't particularly impressive
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 2 September 2009
Tags: Samsung, Samsung SMX-F34, video quality, battery life, optical zoom
We like:
Comfortable, compact design; 34x zoom lens; 16GB of internal memory; good audio quality; relatively easy to operate
We don't like:
Slow autofocus; long zoom lens lacks optical image stabilisation
CNET UK judgement:
The Samsung SMX-F34 is a serviceable and inexpensive standard-definition camcorder, but the money goes more towards storage and the 34x zoom lens than towards video quality
Full review:
Aside from design, what separates pocket camcorders such as those from Flip Video from camcorders like the Samsung SMX-F34 isn't video quality, but optical zoom and storage capacity. The SMX-F34 features 16GB of internal memory, as well as an SDHC card slot for storage expansion. It also has a 34x zoom lens and a feature set that includes manual shooting controls, which you definitely won't find on ultra-compact YouTube camcorders. Unfortunately, the video quality really isn't any different. The SMX-F34, available for around £170, delivers pretty average, standard-definition video. Continue Reading...
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