Samsung HMX-H200

Samsung HMX-H200 review

At first glance the Samsung HMX-H200 looks like a conventional DV tape camcorder, but there's a stack of features lurking beneath the shiny black surface. The Samsung is indeed a solid state camcorder that records to an SD/SDHC card. It has no built-in memory, but other members of the range have 8GB (HMX-H203) to 32GB (HMX-H205), which can raise the price as high as £360. The HMX-H200 records video at 1080p, with options for 720p and DVD quality, but we were surprised to see the Samsung sporting a 20x optical zoom and touchscreen controls, as well as being able to take 4.7-megapixel photos. The HMX-H200 sells for £300, but we found it at Dixons for £252 and, frankly, we smelled a rat. A camcorder with that sort of specification and such a low price must be flawed. If you look hard enough you will indeed find one or two minor issues. For instance, you have to flick a switch to open the sliding lens cover. The supplied AV cable is simply enormous, and Samsung supplies a USB cable, but not a Mini HDMI cable. Video quality is good, but not great, and doesn't quite match the Canon; however, the Samsung is superbly usable and has excellent controls.