Samsung SCD107 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom

by Samsung

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 3.4 x 5.9 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001ELYOQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,807 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 28, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The next generation of Samsung digital video has arrived with the SCD107. This MiniDV camcorder has all the right features that will please the avid camcorder fan, and is simple enough for the novice. Its sleek and compact design allows it to go anywhere you go without taking up much space.

20x optical and 900x digital zoom, is perfect for recording crystal clear, high quality video from great distances. Its 680,000 CCD captures stunning, true-to-life color without compromising the size of the camcorder, and the 3.5 inch Hi-resolution color LCD lets you see exactly what you are shooting without peering into a small viewfinder.

Features for this camera include, a standard video light to use when the amount of light is low, Power Nite Pix for shooting in low-light situations when a light source is unavailable, Digital Image Stabilization to combat shakey situations, and a multi-card expansion slot. A remote control and analog input round out the standard features.

The MPEG4 and JPEG formats allow for easy downloading into your PC. This is done quickly using either the IEEE1394 firewire port or the USB port. The Samsung SCD107 is a great companion to anyone interested in recording digital video with ease.

The MiniDV Format
MiniDV, the most common type of digital camcorder, records video using the standard DV-format. It's the preferred format for broadcast-quality video, and it is also highly regarded for its high audio and still image quality. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. Tapes come in lengths of 60 and 80 minutes at standard speed (SP), with use of lower speed mode (SP) increasing time to 90 and 120 minutes while reducing resolution.

Features of the Samsung SCD107

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• Zoom lens: 20x optical, 900x digital
• 680K pixel CCD
• 3.5 inch hi-resolution LCD (225K pixel)
• Multi-card slot (memory stick, memory stick pro, secure digital card, mulitmedia card)
• Color viewfinder
• Color slow shutter
• Power nite pix
• Video light
• Digital image stabilization (DIS)
• Easy-Q
• IEEE1394 / USB
• MPEG4 / JPEG
• Remote control
• Analog input
• Multi-language OSD

Product Description

The SCD-107 mini DV compact camcorder, is easy to operate and provides a top quality digital video image that is virtually unaffected by hand movements during recording. This sharp image is reflected in its convenient 3.5' TFT LCD monitor which rotates for multi-angle shooting, self-recording and playback. Other features include Digital Special Effects and Nite Pix - 0 lux recording and MPEG-4 video clips - ideal for video e-mail.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasure to Use, January 4, 2005

By 

Nathaniel C. Moffat "Nat" (Bethesda, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung SCD107 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

The Samsung SCD107 offers average-to-good video quality in a flexible, feature-laden package. If you are looking at camcorders south of $400, read on. Good engineering and rational design tradeoffs make this more than the sum of what came out of the parts bin.

PICTURE QUALITY
You can find better video quality (especially by paying a couple of hundred dollars more), but most people will find the picture satisfactory. If your research thus far has taken you deeply into the world of pixels, scan lines, VGA vs. XGA, and CCD numbers, this won't get on your short list on picture quality alone. That said, the camera works particularly well in low-light situations, and there is a "NITE PIX" feature for very low-light applications.

The "Digital Image Stabilizer" feature doesn't do much - if you have shaky hands, you should try a tripod (usually not a bad idea anyway). There is no manual focus, though you probably won't miss this because the auto-focus works so well. The 20X zoom is plenty, and the 900X digital zoom is overkill - the limiting factor is resolution, so don't expect to see footprints on the moon.

SCREEN
The first thing comparison shoppers notice is that the 3.5-inch color TFT LCD screen is bigger than most in this price range. This helps you frame a shot, gauge picture quality, and review just-taken film, all advantages over tiny screens. It is bright, clear, and rotates through 270 degrees (not 210 as stated in the supplemental info above). The color LCD viewfinder reproduces on-screen info and is a useful way to conserve battery power in the field.

EASE OF USE
Using the camera for the first time is fairly straightforward, even for the non-technical. The most commonly used controls are top-mounted (zoom, camera shutter control, NITE PIX feature on/off, slow shutter), where you would expect them. Other controls are located thumb-side or flush behind the LCD screen.

Getting more than the basics from the camera requires a steeper learning curve, as you must navigate through acronym-rich menus and sub-menus. Even if you pride yourself on NEVER reading instruction manuals, a word to the wise: Pick up the manual. Open it. Read it. If you don't, you will miss some non-obvious functions and features you're paying for. This may seem worse than, say, stopping to ask for directions while driving, but tough it out.

BATTERY
The lithium ion battery pack included gives you 90 minutes of continuous recording time with the fold-out LCD screen, or 120 minutes using the viewfinder. It takes two hours to charge. You might want a second one of these, or even the upgrade battery (SB-LS220), which goes 190 minutes with screen, 250 minutes with viewfinder, and takes 3 and a half hours to charge. A red LED on the camera blinks to let you know how charging is progressing (e.g. one blink/second means less than 50% charged; three blinks/second = 75%-90% charged), which is a nice touch.

RECORDING MEDIA
There are two ways to record moving pictures: Onto Mini DV tapes (60 or 90 minutes on a DVM60), or onto a memory card (SD/MMC or Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO). Using the memory card in this way has huge limitations; you are better off just using the tapes and saving the memory card for still pictures.

STILL PICTURES
You can use the SCD107 in still camera mode for casual snapshots, but it is not a replacement for a multi-megapixel digital camera. The 512MB SD ("Secure Digital") card I bought separately holds 2,997 stills in "super fine" mode and a truly absurd 9,000 in low-rez "normal" mode. Stick with super fine.

AUDIO RECORDING
Audio recording quality is excellent through the built-in top-mounted stereo condenser microphone. Many built-in microphones pick up mechanical noise from the tape mechanism, but I didn't notice any, even in quiet settings. Use the money you might spend on an accessory microphone and get a tripod or a memory card instead.

MISC
The remote control is useful, but much more directional than a typical TV remote. It won't work unless you aim it right at the camera - maybe it just likes to be seen in your group photos.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
If you need the sharpest picture available, you should probably spend $200 more. There are necessarily tradeoffs at this price range. However, if you just want a well-rounded, feature-filled camera that is a pleasure to use, by all means consider the SCD107.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Features, Great Price, June 25, 2004

By 

Pip Carlson (Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samsung SCD107 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I love this camcorder. First off, it's a great deal. I did a lot of research and found this to be the best deal out of the lower cost camcorders. The 107's brother (the 105) is also a good camcorder but the features of the 107 really puts it over the top. The large LCD is great. Playback is awesome on the huge screen. The photo feature is nice to have but I would still use a digital camera in most cases. It can also record MPEG4 with audio. The low-light feature works great. The audio is great and has an input for mics or music. The analog input is great and pretty easy to use. It's a good way to get old home videos on your computer without a capture card. Also, despite other reviews, I think the picture looks pretty good. One tip of advice is to only use the DIS when you have to. If you leave it on that's when it's starts to look grainy. I don't know what else to say. Too many features to mention. Great camera. Would suggest to anyone.

Pros:
Large 3.5" LCD for great playback
Analog Input to save all those old videos
Great Night Recording
Great Audio
Microphone/ Audio Input
Picture looks more than fine for most people
Photo and Video recording on memory card

Cons:
Light isn't that bright
Video can look a little grainy but mainly when DIS is on

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Returned it with reluctance..., July 7, 2004

By 

Sudarshan Karkada (Missouri City, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung SCD107 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought this camera to replace our 7 year old VHS-C camcorder. It had most of the features that I was looking for: MiniDV, Optical zoom greater than 10x, batterly life greater than 1 hour, LCD geater than 2.5", built-in light, and memory card for digital pictures.

I returned it for one main reason- video quality is equal to that of my current camcorder. It gets worse under certain circumstances. (Disabling DIS didn't improve the picture quality.)

Every feature that was attractive to me turned out to be inadequate. Large LCD screen, but the image is not pleasing. Built-in video light barely lights closeby objects. No facility (shoe) to place external light or flash.

Still images are another big disappointment. I realize that I shouldn't expect great still pictures from a camcorder, but I don't think they should come out this blurry, dull, and hazy.

Memory card slot can accept various different media (SD, memory stick, etc.) - I think this is a very neat feature.

I was amazed by Nite Pix feature. Yes, you can record video in absolute darkness, but the objects have to be within close proximity (6 feet or so).

Fading option (between footages) is extremely disappointing. You have to keep the fade button pushed until the image fades out, then push the standby button, and then release the fade button. You have to do the same when you start recording again. Completely manual operation.

We own many Samsung products and I am very satisfied with each one of them. This product is not going to change my opinion on Samsung.