Samsung HMX-H106

Samsung HMX-H106 Review

Flash memory marches on! Samsung recently introduced a trio of high-def camcorders using advanced solid state drives (SSDs) rather than hard drives—or ancient media like tapes and shiny three-inch disks. SSDs read and write faster than HDDs, are lighter, use less power and have no moving parts making them just right for capturing video on the fly. Samsung sent us one with a 64GB drive—the HMX-H106—but the -H105 and -H104 are available with 32GB and 16GB storage, respectively at lower prices. The new AVCHD camcorders are fairly tricked out and it would be good to see if Samsung should be considered a key player in the HD Camcorder Game. Compact size and lengthy recording times are the real pluses of SSD- and HDD-based camcorders—and the HMX-H106 has both of these traits in spades. It has attractive styling with primarily gray body that’s easily held in one hand. Measuring 2.32 inches wide, 2.4 tall and 5.06 deep, it weighs 14.2 ounces loaded with battery and optional SDHC card. The 64-gig drive holds a whopping 8.3 hours of Full HD Fine quality AVCHD video—more than for enough for handling multiple events and occasions.