I bought this camera on clearance and now I know why.
While the Samsung SC-D353 is *really* easy to use, the picture and video quality leave MUCH to be desired.
While digital products of all sorts used to get a lot of flack for failing to deliver the same quality as its more traditional favorites, the days where one could readily tell the difference between a digital picture and one taken on film should be long over, right? Wrong!
While looking at the screen, the Samsung SC-D353 appears to be grabbing images that are flawless and sharp. When you get those images home and uploaded, you realize that they *only* look good on the camcorder's viewing screen - actual dimensions 1 15/16" x 1 7/16". Samsung claims a 2.5" diagonal view, but the screen runs a 1/4" shy of that, which makes a difference at that size. Enlarging the video and photographs just cause them to look grainy - yes, grainy digital, how about that? Even with great software, attempting to enhance the pictures just creates more problems with blurry images that lack detail an form. For an impressionist painting, that would work. For my irreplaceable memories, that's not going to cut it.
The camera is very easy to use. The screen will flip completely over and allow the user to lock it in place (viewing side out) while using the camera. It does recognize the flip and reorient the image right side up (even though the screen is technically upside down). The 20x Optical (900x Digital) zoom does a perfectly admirable job of catching images at a distance, but with the wretched picture quality, it's a wasted feature. One would be better off with greater resolution and just zooming, cropping and blowing up images as needed at home.
As far as the camcorder's size and weight: The weight is okay with the manufacturer claiming it comes in around 4lbs, but that is just a little much and leads to risk fatigue. Even a 1/2 a lb less would make a difference. I have large hands with a broad palm and long fingers for a female - they are comparable with many a 5'10" male hands - yet I have a hard time getting a comfortable wrap around the camera when trying to take steadycam shots. For the average woman, this camera will be a truly awkward hold.
The option of using a memory stick or a tape is great. The software the comes with the camera is passable. The menus are pretty intuitive, although some people may be thrown off by using a wheel and push method for scrolling through the menu lists. The photo button is placed conveniently, as is the the zoom switch. The tape eject is a bit clunky and awkward. I would expect a smoother eject on today's recorders. My 30 year old boom box ejects more smoothly than this Samsung.
The DV, USB, AV and MIC ports are all reasonably placed, but the cover for the ports gets in the way. It pops out but doesn't allow for flipping upside down or even to one side, which means it just hangs awkwardly in the air. I am always *extremely* careful when plugging into these ports so as not to cause undo strain on the wimpy strap holding the cover plate in place. It's clear that too much fiddling would cause it to break.
Speaking of straps, the camcorder's main strap is useless. The point of these straps is not carrying the recorders about as some swinging toy. These straps are supposed to hold the camcorder in place if it is knocked from the user's hand(s) while filming. However, this strap is uselessly adjustable. It fails to tighten enough on the hand to make it a secure fit and it does not give enough to allow the user to keep the strap securely fastened to the wrist while recording. Considering my wrists are twigs, I can only imagine that for a 6'4", 275 lb man this strap would be completely worthless, allowing now give to hold and operate the camera. The straps only use is to carry it around like a handbag, but it would be better protected in a carrying case.
The camera will not charge while on. While this is supposed to help prolong battery life (Did you read your cell phone's manual? You're not supposed to charge and talk!), it doesn't work with American lifestyles. So, while you have it plugged in and transferring pictures, the battery is just as dead when you pick up the camera to use it again. Charging time is slow and awkward because the camera can only be charged while off. However, it is clearly draining power from the battery because, even in the off position without using the camera once, the charge will disappear with 48 hours. Yes, this is true of a new battery as well. So, it comes down to removing the battery every time, so I hope you have a case where you can store the battery between camera uses.
Technical Details
* Upgraded USB streaming (VGA 30 frames per second)
* 20x optical zoom
* Memory stick slot
* Enhanced image quality (DSP6)
* PictBridge
Product Details
* Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 6 inches ; 10 pounds
* Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
* ASIN: B0007QN88S
* Item model number: SC-D353
Features of the Samsung SCD353
* Multi OSD Language
You can select the desired OSD language among English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish and Dutch.
* Digital Data Transfer Function with IEEE1394
By incorporating the IEEE 1394 (i.LINK is a serial data transfer protocol and interconnectivity system, used to transmit DV data) high speed data transport port, both moving and still images can be transferred to a PC, making it possible to produce or edit various images.
* USB Interface for Digital Image Data Transfer
You can transfer images to a PC using the USB interface without an add-on card.
* Photo
The photo function lets you capture an object as a still along with sound, while in camera mode.
* 900x Digital Zoom
Allows you to magnify an image up to 900 times its original size.
* Color TFT LCD
A high-resolution color TFT LCD gives you clean, sharp images as well as the ability to review your recordings immediately.
* Digital Image Stabilizer (DIS)
The DIS compensates for any handshake, reducing unstable images particularly at high magnification.
* Various Digital Effects
The digital effects allows you to give your films a special look by adding various special effects.
* Back Light Compensation (BLC)
The BLC function compensates for the bright background behind a subject you're recording.
* Program AE
The program AE enables you to alter the shutter speed and aperture to suit the type of scene / action to be filmed.
* Digital Still Camera Function
o Using Memory card, you can easily record and playback standard still images.
o You can transfer standard still images on the Memory card to your PC using the USB interface.
* MPEG Recording
MPEG recording makes it possible to record video onto a memory card.
What's in the Box:
1. AC Adapter
2. Lithium Ion Battery
3. Manual
4. AC Cord
5. Lithium Cell (for clock)
6. A/V Cable
7. Shoulder Strap
8. USB Cable
9. Software CD
10. Lens Cover
11. Quick Guide
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