The Samsung SC-MX20 is an upgrade of the SC-MX10 model. Price range for this model is at $200 – $350. Like its predecessor the SC-MX10, it is also equipped with a single 1/6 inch CCD sensor with a great 34X zoom lens. Ideal for beginners with its properly streamlines menus that are strategically grouped together, intuitive manual controls and a swivel grip that is fun to use are all great qualities for this camcorder. However, this camcorder performs below par where it matters – taking videos.
Measuring at 66mm x 61mm x 124mm and weighing about 272 grams (0.6 lbs), this camcorder is light and easy to grip. Its body design is very similar to the SC-MX10. It has a classier feel to it, compared to the MX10, with its lens placed in a more distinctive cylindrical housing consuming the entire front of the camera. Its small size and portability make it ideal for travel. It owes its advantage in size and weight to its use of SD/SDHC memory cards as recording media, eliminating the extra weight and size of a hard disk like other camcorders.
The Schneider-Kreuznach lens has an aperture of f/1.5 – f/4.3 and a focal length of 2.3 – 78.2mm. The camcorder is fitted with a standard-sized 30.5mm filter for additional accessories like fisheye lenses and others. It also features a manual, non-detachable lens cover – a cross between the separate lens cover (that can be lost) for the MX10 or the automatic cover (that can fail) for the HMX20.
The camcorder compresses video in MPEG-4 AVC format, contrary to the AVCHD format that high definition camcorders by Panasonic, Sony, Canon and JVC favor. When taking videos, the camcorder offers three quality options that record at 720×480 and 1 option that records at 640×480. For the 720×480, there is the TV Super Fine (5mbps), TV Fine (4Mbps) and TV Normal (3mbps) and for the 640×480 the Web & Mobile setting (2mbps).
The camcorder records to SD/SDHC memory cards inserted in the camcorder’s built-in memory slot. It can record up to 23mins of TV Super Fine (best quality) videos in a 1GB card, 30mins of TV Fine quality, 38mins of TV normal quality and 57mins of Web & Mobile quality. The latter two settings are not advisable, though, as it produces terrible, grainy videos. Use the best quality.
One of the advantages of its design lies in the location of its microphones. The built-in microphones sit at both sides of the lens. Most camcorders have the built-in mics on the front and top of the camcorder, making them susceptible to wandering fingers when filming.
In tests, the SC-MX20, does not show the impressive video quality, even at its best quality (TV Super Fine), of its sister model the SC-HMX20. This camcorder performs poorly with color in both bright and low light conditions. You can also see “noise” in any lighting environment. The best option when shooting videos with this camcorder is auto mode.
The camcorder has an Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) like that of its big sister, the HMX20. Most camcorders in its category (from Panasonic and Sony) feature an Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system that is superior to the camcorder’s EIS.
The camcorder also features an automatic focus capability for those users who want it. Unfortunately, the camcorder is unable to decide where to focus, causing a big possibility that you might lose an excellent scene. The disappointing zoom functions at a single, non-variable, fast speed. Zoom control is available through two options, either with the use of the toggle or the directional pad – that will depend on your preference as both offer the same control. Focus on the SC-MX20 is not very impressive, and you view focus control through the LCD display. White balance has the following options: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten and Custom.
This camcorder’s 2.7-inch LCD screen easily flips out from the left of the camera, ready for use. It doesn’t have the touch-screen capability found in Sony and Samsung units. It also doesn’t have a viewfinder as an alternative to use as guide when recording videos. This might be make recording outdoor or under the sun inconvenient as this can cause glaring in the LCD view, making it useless as a guide while filming.
Battery performance for the SC-MX20 is average, lasting about 3.5hrs with extensive use. One disappointment in its engineering design is the battery compartment. The battery lies in the body of the camcorder, so you won’t have an option to upgrade to a higher capacity battery for extra long recording time. To record long videos or when in long vacations, buy a spare battery, and keep it charged.
In addition, this camcorder cannot take still pictures. It also cannot extract still images from video clips. This is a true disadvantage when you want to take still pictures as part of your souvenirs. Other brands may have a low-resolution still image capability (at 1 megapixel or less), but at least they give you that option.
The SC-MX20 compares well to the JVC GZ-MS100. Similar in weight and capabilities, the SC-MX20 edges the JVC camcorder in ease of use and portability, and the JVC edges out the SC-MX20 in low-light video performance. Both record in SD card only and perform in standard definition.
If you are a user who is after good video quality at this standard definition and card-recording-only category, then you should check the Canon FS100, selling at about $250, which has a more superior video output that the SC-MX20.
Although the variety of the SC-MX20 gives it a look of elegance with a choice of White, Black, Red or Blue accents, in terms of overall performance, this camcorder just cannot keep up with its competitors at its price range.
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