Samsung SCD6550 DuoCam MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom & 5MP Digital Camera

by Samsung

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 6 inches ; 4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007QN89M
• Item model number: SC-D6550
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,026 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Bring together the best of both worlds with the Samsung SCD6550 DuoCam, which combines a 5-megapixel digital still camera with a MiniDV digital video camcorder (680,000-pixel CCD). This palm-sized camera uses two separate lens systems to record still photos and video and weighs just under 1 pound. It also features a built-in flash, both USB 2.0 and Firewire (IEEE-1394) connectivity, and a multi-format memory card slot that supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, and SD/MMC cards.

The video camcorder portion of the SCD6550 DuoCam has a 10x optical zoom lens and 900x variable speed digital zoom, which is activated by automatic sensing of the amount of pressure applied to the zoom tab. Digital image stabilization minimizes video shake and vibration distortion. The Easy-Q feature helps you make easy shots under any condition. Other features include:

• Special video effects include art, mosaic, sepia, negative, mirror, black-and-white, emboss 1, emboss 2, pastel 1, pastel 2 and 16:9 wide mode; fade in/out for creative transitions
• Video white balance modes include auto, hold, indoor, and outdoor
• Programmed video auto exposure modes include auto, sports, portrait, spotlight, sand/snow, color nite, and high-speed shutter mode; manual focus

The digital still camera lens has a 3x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom (for 36x total). It captures the following resolutions: 2592 x 1944, 2272 x 1704, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200 x 1024 x 768, and 640 x 480. It can also record an MPEG-4 digital video clips--perfect for uploading to the Internet or sending via email. Video can be stored directly to your Memory Stick or transferred to your PC via USB. Other features include:

• Photo shooting modes include scene, program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, manual, movie, and continuous shooting mode; multi and spot metering
• Photo scene modes include night, portrait, children, landscape, close-up, sunset, dawn, backlight, fireworks, and beach/snow
• Photo white balance modes include auto, glow lamp, halogen, fluorescent, cloudy, sunny, and manual to achieve natural tones under different lighting conditions
• Special photo effects include black-and-white, sepia, and negative for creative images

It features both USB 2.0 and Firewire (IEEE 1394) in/out terminals for fast, simple transfers to your PC for viewing or editing, or to an IEEE 1394-compatible DVD recorder. It also offers a USB streaming capability that allows the camcorder to function as a Web cam and S-Video and AV connections out. It's compatible with direct printing to any PictBridge-enabled printer, enabling you to bypass a PC when you want to print photos.

What's in the Box
Samsung SCD6550 DuoCam, Lithium-ion battery pack, AC adapter, remote control (with 2 lithium batteries), shoulder strap, multi-AV cable, lens cover, lens cover strap, printed instructions, CD-ROM with software and drivers

Product Description

Samsung seems to rule the camcorder kingdom by combining a fine MiniDV video digital camcorder with a 5 megapixel still camera into one compact device. This is certainly a must-have device for any family to use at home or on trips away from home. Still images reach a maximum resolution of 2592x1944 for making great prints or Internet image files. While videos are stored on popular MiniDV tapes, stills may be stored on your choice of memory card (it accepts MemoryStick - MemoryStick Pro - SD SecureDigital formats). There's also a USB port to facilitate still image transfer and an IEEE1394 Firewire port for rapid video transfer to your home computer (Windows or Macintosh). An 8-step camera function key (shutter, iris, manual, auto, night scene, custom set, MPEG rec., play, etc.) gives you several options for adjusting the camera's abilities. It's a powerful imaging tool that's remarkably easy to use and own. When weighing the choice of getting a camcorder or a digital-camera for you and your family, Samsung SC-D6550 means you don't have to make any compromises to have both in one compact unit. Digital Image Stabilization Easy-Q Button; EX Dial Navigator Minimum Visible Illuminations - 3 Lux (Video); 10 Lux (DigitalStill) Full Featured Manual Control Remote Control Included Multi-Card Slot (Multimedia, Secure Digital, Memory Stick Cards) Built-In Auto Flash for stills PictBridge Compatible - Make prints without necessarily using a computer MPEG-4 Videoclip (QVGA/30fps) USB Streaming (v2.0 for DSC) Color Viewfinder Built-in microphone + External MIC Connection for adding an optional microphone Shutter Speed - 1/60-1/10,000 (Video), 15-1/2,000 (Digital Still) Unit Dimensions - 2.38 W x 3.03 H x 4.92 D / Weight - About 1 pound Dual Volt Capable; USA plug provided

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor Video, great 5MP stills, May 19, 2005

By 

Steve W. Turski (KT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung SCD6550 DuoCam MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom & 5MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

The SCD6550 is a great idea, but just doesn't preform as I had hoped. I was looking for one camera to take on vacation, replacing carrying a 2 year old Sony MiniDV and a 5 MP Sony CyberShot. My Sony takes 1 MP stills, has excellent video, but @ 1MP, the stills are not nearly print worthy. This camera is actually smaller and lighter than my Sony.

The 5MP still camera function gave excellent results, both with flash and with natural light and outside. Shot for shot it produced either as good or better prints (4x6) than the Sony CyberShot.

Digital video is this unit's short coming. I did identical shots inside and outside with the Sony and Samsung. The Samsung's video quality was very poor, looked more like analog or standard 8mm quality. Inside, with natural room lighting, it was pretty much unacceptable. Outside, the shots lacked the crispiness of the Sony. I took it back, will keep the Sony's and hope that Sony comes out with a greater than 2 or 3 MP model soon.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars superb!, September 2, 2005

By 

M. Hensher "Matt H" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung SCD6550 DuoCam MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom & 5MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

Anyone who says this isnt a great piece of equipment is talking complete rubbish! For the price and size it's excellent. Good quality stills and camcorder for when needed.
Yes, if you want a very small and very high quality camera - then simple, buy a camera!
But for 2 in 1 this is the best on the market.
I took my one for first real use to Disney, Florida recently and it lived up to all expectations and was easy to carry, did all I asked and I came back with some very good shots (482) and a great deal of footage which is easy to play around with through my pc. 99% of shots of perfect and as good as my small canon SD400.
Yes, in a year or two I am sure something better will be around (as a previous reviewer says) but isnt there always???
Go for it.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, July 22, 2005

By 

R. Miller (PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung SCD6550 DuoCam MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom & 5MP Digital Camera (Electronics)

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a way to take video and pictures without the hassle of lugging around (and charging) two separate gadgets. It takes excellent pictures, just as good if not better than any other digital camera I have seen. I am also very pleased with the video - I found the software very user friendly and video was easy to transfer and edit on my computer. The battery has a good life, I have had no problems having to stop and recharge it. There is a nite mode that compensates (very well, I think) for low light video. The camera is easy to carry around (it is smaller than my 35mm) and I am having no problems with the functionality - all in all a great idea and easy to use with great pictures and great video.