Samsung HMX-Q10 HD Camcorder Ultra Compact with 10x Optical Zoom (Black)

by Samsung

• 3.0-inch Touch Panel LCD Display
• 10x Optical Zoom / 20x Digital Zoom
• 1080p HD Video Output
• SD/SDHC Memory Card Compatible

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 18.5 x 6.7 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B004HO596K
• Item model number: HMX-Q10BN/XAA
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,960 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 3, 2010

Product Description

Color: Black

From the Manufacturer

Shoot high-definition video from either hand using the Samsung Q10 SwitchGrip Full HD Camcorder. With the SwitchGrip design, you can turn the Samsung Q10 upside down and switch hands without worrying about missing any of the action. BSI CMOS technology dramatically reduces image noise and distortion, while the OIS Duo function compensates for even the slightest hand or body movements. Other features include one-button operation, an intuitive Smart Touch 3.0 touchscreen interface, and 10x optical zoom.

Q10 SwitchGrip Full HD Camcorder At a Glance: SwitchGrip function so you can hold the camcorder in either hand One-touch operation makes recording HD video simple and easy Smart Touch 3.0 display with drag-and-scroll functionality BSI CMOS technology for reduced image noise and distortion OIS Duo feature for steady videos, even while you're walking or moving 10x optical zoom and a 20x digital zoom for versatile range One-year limited warranty on parts and labor

Innovative SwitchGrip function lets you operate the camcorder with either hand. View larger.

Travel without the hassle of batteries -- simply connect to your computer's USB port to recharge. View larger.

High-Definition Video from Either Hand with SwitchGrip
The Samsung Q10 features a SwitchGrip function, giving you the flexibility to hold the camcorder in either hand. The built-in G-magnetic sensor quickly recognizes when the camcorder and its LCD display are turned and which hand is holding the camcorder.

As a result, you can hold the Q10 with whichever hand is more comfortable or gives you the best vantage point.

Features one-touch easy operation. View larger.

Smart Touch 3.0 Display Provides Easy Operation
The Samsung Q10 comes with an intuitive Smart Touch 3.0 display with the same drag-and-scroll functionality found in smartphones and other mobile devices. For the Q10, Samsung eliminated many confusing or unnecessary buttons, thus streamlining operation. You can turn it on simply by flipping open the LCD screen. Twisting and opening the screen automatically sets the camcorder to playback mode.

CMOS Sensor for Optimal Video Quality
With its advanced BSI CMOS technology, the Samsung Q10 dramatically reduces image noise and distortion and enhances recording quality during low-light conditions--whether you're at a birthday party in a dimly lit restaurant or at home recording your child's first steps.

Steady Videos with Optical Image Stabilizer
The Samsung Q10 comes equipped with Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) Duo, a feature that allows the camcorder to automatically compensate for even the slightest hand or body movements, resulting in steadier videos. What's more, the OIS is able to maximize the stabilizing area while minimizing shaking, so you can take crisp videos every time, even while you're walking or moving around.

Recharging Made Easy Using USB
With the Samsung Q10, you can travel without the hassle of carrying around a cumbersome charger or an extra set of batteries. Simply connect the camcorder to a computer's USB port, turn on the computer, and your camcorder will begin recharging.

Product and Warranty Information
The Samsung Q10 is equipped with a 10x optical zoom lens and a 20x digital zoom lens. It measures 2.1 by 1.7 by 4.7 inches (H x W x D) and weighs 0.4 pounds.

The Samsung Q10 is backed by a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Camcorder, battery, A/C power adapter, Audio/Video cable, USB cable, User Manual CD, and quick start guide.

Product Description

Ultra compact full HD cam with Extreme Easiness

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars adequate and handy July 1, 2011

By D. Evans

Color Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pro . . .

- EXTREMELY easy to use (press button, set your zoom)

- overall, "FOR THE PRICE POINT, and only for general HDTV motion picture recording," (not still photography) it's better than most in this price range

- I was glad to have it on a recent trip to Alaska - it is awesomely portable - easy to use even while "zip lining"

- surprisingly decent motion picture quality (720P works fine for most and was what we used for most of our trip)

- stabilization worked! extreme zoom closeup though still requires supporting the camera (hand holding the camera while zoomed all the way in, esp. in the digital zoom area requires support to get a stable picture - I viewed this a reasonable - The optical zoom was pretty stable with reasonable care in hand supporting the camera)

- I really liked the built in lens cover

- AS with MOST SAMSUNG products in my opinion, the unit is EXTREMELY well designed as far as the "human interface" (We own/have a lot of SAMSUNG products/appliances, etc.)

- I won't even try to review all the different video modes - (I guess I'll call them "designer modes") - I'm most interested in, and have a use for, the time lapse mode but haven't tried it yet

Con . . .

- forget using the camera for MOST "QUALITY" still photography - It DOES work, but it has some odd pixelation in my opinion

- detail suffers in most types landscape still photos - portrait may be OK for many users

- forget rapid focusing, esp.... in lower light levels - it's simply sluggish - it was "good enough" in bright sunlight

- I ended up turning off the "switch grip" feature - many test recordings ended up flipped upside down - I can only assume SAMSUNG will upgrade the firmware at some point, but it was definitely a problem on my camera

Bottom Line...

- In this price point I still buy this camera again - It's just too handy - It takes "decent" HD video and was reliable other than the "switch grip" feature which I disabled (that feature had issues on my camera - others have reported the same issue) Read more ›

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Rocks! May 23, 2011

By S. Niles

Color Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase

I needed a new video camera to take videos of my daughters dancing. WOW! I have to say this camera was PERFECT! I was nervous about what to get because I wanted something easy to use as I am not a huge 'techie'. This camera was ridiculously easy to use, light weight, fit perfectly in my hand, the quality of the video was wonderful and the zoom was outstanding. It was stage performance so I was concerned about the distance to the stage and the fact that the lighting would be an issue but it was not at all. After I was done, I plugged the camera right into the TV and viola, it was there. I will say two things that I did notice... 1) on a 44" HD TV the picture wasn't totally perfect, but on my 27" MAC it was great. 2) when you zoom in when there is low light it does take a second to focus properly, but it wasn't horrible. Also when I inserted the SDHC card right into my Mac the video played perfectly in Quicktime and uploaded fine. No additional softwear needed or anything. I highly recommend this camera! For less that $200, this camera is a steal!

60 of 68 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars HmxQ10 March 22, 2011

By Frederick T. Gomez

Color Name:Black

I was looking for a full HD cam but under $250. I thought I hit the jackpot when I saw this for $299. Full HD, sub compact, excellent lens at f1.8, this was a dream com true! Then I woke up. The lowlight performance isn't that great. Even with super low light selected, and a 1.8 lemse. Best performance is dependent on how much light you have (duh!), but by early evening and with dusk light, you'd think you shot video with an iPhone. Switch grip is a bit fidly. In more Thames one occasion, the image stuck after switching which required me to turn the cam off, then on to gain back control. Once also, the autofocus had a hardtiime switching from a sunny to shady area while on telephoto. It tried several times, but after 30 sec, I had to do the on off routine to reset it. Not good for those instant priceless moments. Hasn't happened agin tho, so I'm Hopi g it's a fluke. On the plus side, it's one of the most comfortable cams to hold. Hardly weighs more than a cell phone. Battery life is good. You get just under 2hrs worth of full HD video with a 16gb card. Wait till it goes on sale. At $299, it's still an ok cam tho.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars All things considered...It is a good little HD camcorder January 8, 2012

By Wingnut

Color Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase

Purchase: Samsung HMX-Q10 HD Camcorder Ultra Compact with 10x Optical Zoom (Black)

My wife and I are new parents and were looking to document our daughter and her rapidly growing bag of 'new tricks'. My wife doesn't care if we have an HD camera but seeing as I bought it for her, we got something HD. I wanted a decent HD camera for a blockbuster price. After looking at tons of cameras and reading reviews and camcorder buying guides all over the internet I settled on this one.

The camcorder is portable, classy looking and functional. The display size on the touchscreen is adequate and the menu controls are simple and easy to use. In fact, I was quite pleased to discover how well the touchscreen works.

The battery life is excellent. I've been able to stretch it to between 4 to 5 hours.

I disagree with other reviews that stills are 'horrible' but still recommend using a camera for still shots. It is capable of doing still photos and the quality is decent but you would do much better with a camera.

For HD cameras in this price range the companies that manufacture them have to make trade-offs and as one reviewer said Samsung made better trade-offs than other brands at the same price point.

There is an occasional issue with the auto-focus but nothing that can't be quickly fixed. It usually happens to me when I forget to open the lens cap. For a few seconds after the lens cap is opened it struggles to find an object to bring into focus.

A word of caution. Because the Q10 requires a flash card and does not have any built-in memory I recommend being careful in your selection of flash media.... You will want a card that has excellent transfer speeds or you will notice some studdering/blurring in recordings where there is a great deal of movement. Read more ›