David Kender

Here\'s a surprise. It\'s been a while since we\'ve seen a strong camcorder from Samsung. Then the SC-HMX20 comes along and all we can say is \"wow!\" Samsung\'s second generation HD camcorder, the HMX20 is the replacement for last year\'s lackluster SC-HMX10. The generational differences are unexpected, and not all obvious ones. For one thing, the new SC-HMX20 is actually larger than its predecessor, but only a little. It retains its ultra-stylish looks, and surprisingly useful swivel grip on the hand strap. Under the hood, however, Samsung staged a tiny revolution. The SC-HMX20 features a huge 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensor, dwarfing the previous generation\'s chip. The performance boost was simply enormous, particularly in low light, where Samsung has shot to the top of the list. To add to its charms, the SC-HMX20 is incredibly easy to use, making it a good choice for beginners. It may not have all the bells and whistles of its competitors, but this camcorder is definitely worth investigating.

The SC-HMX10, released in 2007, is Samsung’s first high definition camcorder. Employing a 720P H.264 compression, the company is well behind the competition in its technology, but the SC-HMX10 has a certain appeal. The compact body, stylish curves, and uber-simple menu will catch the eyes of the fashionable crowd. For a “budget HD” camcorder, this is perhaps the best we’ve seen. But for a few hundred dollars extra, far more enticing camcorders are within reach. Can the SC-HMX10 justify its value? Only for a very specific type of user, we believe.