Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Red)

by Samsung

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.8 x 3.5 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001OQC0J8
• Item model number: SMX-F34RN/XAA
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,473 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 5, 2009

Product Description

Color: Red

From the Manufacturer

The new SMX-F34 is Samsung's next generation YouTube-compatible compact digital camcorder. Building on the SC-MX20 camcorder, the SMX-F34 offers additional features and functionality, including built-in memory, digital still photo capability, and Samsung’s 42x Intelli-Zoom. Significantly more reliable than a standard digital zoom which negatively affects the quality of the image, Intelli-Zoom allows you to go beyond the camcorder’s 34x optical zoom without sacrificing image quality.

The SMX-F34 features a memory card slot for SD/SDHC and also offers 16GB of internal flash memory. Samsung is the first digital imaging company to apply H.264 compression to standard definition video, which considerably extends record times. Thanks to H.264 compression, users can record up to eight hours of standard definition video directly to the camcorder’s internal flash memory without having to rely on a memory card. Samsung’s new image processor also reduces power consumption, which translates to longer battery life. On a single charge, consumers can record up to three hours of uninterrupted video -- ideal for when you wish to shoot for extended periods of time.

Featuring a high-performance 680K pixel CCD sensor, the SMX-F34 delivers a resolution of 720x480 and also incorporates Samsung’s new image processor which drastically enhances the overall digital imaging experience for the end user. Samsung’s new image processor yields higher-quality video, 3-D Noise Reduction, Face Detection for up to five subjects, a brighter 2.7 inch LCD display, as well as H.264 compression.

The SMX-F34 is also the ideal camcorder for the YouTube videographer. Featuring a Web & Mobile shooting mode, you can set the SMX-F34 to record in the exact format and resolution required by YouTube, resulting in faster upload times. By selecting the Web & Mobile mode, the camcorder’s resolution is automatically adjusted to 640x480 (H.264 / AAC / MP4) and optimized for use on Web sites. Furthermore, unlike other camcorders, users can easily import video from the SMX-F34 and play it on MP3 players and other portable multimedia players supporting H.264, without having to convert the files.

The SMX-F34 features a dedicated Photo mode that allows consumers to use the camcorder as a digital camera, snapping 800x600 resolution images. The SMX-F34 also offers added flexibility when it comes to zoom. Featuring Samsung’s intuitive 42x Intelli-Zoom, users can go beyond the camcorder’s 34x optical zoom without sacrificing image quality. When coupled with the camcorder’s high-quality, Schneider lens, and improved Advanced Image Stabilization, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to capture life the way you see it, with stunning color and clarity.

Product Description

The new SMX-F34 is Samsung's next generation YouTube-compatible compact digital camcorder. Building on the SC-MX20 camcorder, the SMX-F34 offers additional features and functionality, including built-in memory, digital still photo capability, and Samsung's 42x Intelli-Zoom. Significantly more reliable than a standard digital zoom which negatively affects the quality of the image, Intelli-Zoom allows you to go beyond the camcorder's 34x optical zoom without sacrificing image quality. The SMX-F34 features a memory card slot for SD/SDHC and also offers 16GB of internal flash memory. Samsung is the first digital imaging company to apply H.264 compression to standard definition video, which considerably extends record times. Thanks to H.264 compression, users can record up to eight hours of standard definition video directly to the camcorder's internal flash memory without having to rely on a memory card. Samsung's new image processor also reduces power consumption, which translates to longer battery life. On a single charge, you can record up to three hours of uninterrupted video--ideal for when you wish to shoot for extended periods of time. Featuring a high-performance 680K pixel CCD sensor, the SMX-F34 delivers a resolution of 720x480 and also incorporates Samsung's new image processor which drastically enhances the overall image. Samsung's new image processor yields higher-quality video, 3-D Noise Reduction, Face Detection for up to five subjects, a brighter 2.7 inch LCD display, as well as H.264 compression.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 143 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camcorder for the Price, Samsung is a Great Brand., May 18, 2009

By 

Mathew Sturgill (Forest Lake, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black) (Electronics)

I just purchased this camera a few days back from Target and couldn't be happier. I did almost a straight month of research on deciding what camcorder to buy. Reviews after reviews make me unsure what to buy. I started with a decision to purchase the Canon FS100. Well a week later the new model FS200 came out and was $70 more. No thanks.

Then I found information on this camcorder. It actually won an award for best entry level camcorder. Got to be good I thought. I researched Samsung camcorders from my ultimate source of camcorderinfo.com. They rated the standard definition SC-MX20 very well in comparison to camcorders much more expensive. Therefore I took the plunge.

I have used the camera for a few days now and ran through a battery of tests. First off in regular daylight or inside light the picture is phenomenal for this camcorder. Shots are crisp and clear and the autofocus is quick. Zoom is great as well; great pace to keep focus and the intelli-zoom works well too.

As for the anti-shake function, this works pretty well until you hit 8x or more zoom, then it's tough to keep it really steady. Overall the F34 was pretty good for a digital (non-optical) anti-shake.

Now on to the low light, the dreaded measure of most camcorders. I can tell you that of all the reviews I have read there is no camcorder under $600 that performs really well in low light. This is the nature of low end camcorders. Who is gonna spend most of their time recording at night anyways!!! For this the low light was ok. I went out side at night with just the motion light on and I could see what was illuminated. I turned up the exposure manually and it was even better. Not too bad for a $250 camcorder.

Overall I am very impressed with this camcorder. How can you pass up a Samsung brand item that performs well with 16GB built in and a 3 hour battery for $250? It's a steal compared to JVC and Canon. I would highly recommend.

87 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun but a bit on the fuzzy side, lags a bit....see for yourself, June 25, 2009

By 

javajunki "javajunki" - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Blue) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

Length:: 1:05 Mins

Well, I had a video review ready but it simply won't upload so I had to shorten it substantially. Also, I'm new to video reviews so be kind. To be perfectly fair, I wanted to mention the following (and somewhat obvious)...
1. Took out of box, charged and recorded - hand held while walking in neighborhood park with mowing taking place in background. Unfortunately, the video goes fuzzy and there is a lag time when moving about quickly. In fact, it becomes downright blurry although it's not as obvious when you are actually holding the camera. Upon playback the fuzziness becomes more obvious.

2. Handled sound very well. The park was actually pretty loud but this buffered the background noise and picked up only the sound of our voices. Surprisingly decent.

3. Color saturation - fair but not stellar. Again, I made zero adjustments only the straight out of the box settings. Accurate but not great.

4. Ergonomic and convenient size. Buttons easy enough to locate. Light weight, easy to hold. Strap is non-slip.

5. Software installation simple enough but had to change format 3 times before would upload to website. Is a lot slower than anticipated - took 6 minutes to do 'save as' for a 2 min clip. I'm fairly underwhelmed by the included software. It has some cute little navigation etc but the Adobe and even the Microsoft "movie-maker" were a lot faster.

6. I would have uploaded a second video clip where I was standing still but Amazon only allows one so I deliberately selected the WORSt one to show the deficiencies. When I buy an item I want to know the limits of what I can do with it...when standing still, this item does much better. When moving/walking the lag time and shake (especially on zoom) becomes very obvious and exaggerated. Standing still, the picture is still a bit grainy and color saturation (out of the box settings) isn't great but quite sufficient for a general all-purpose inexpensive camcorder.

7. Comes packed with everything needed to get started - takes an optional card but not required.

Bottom line - this is a fun, entry level camcorder with suprisingly good sound. Not great for those planning a lot of movement as the lag time and blur gets pretty bad. Much better when standing still to record the action. Color saturation on factory settings is okay/acceptable but wont knock your socks off. Easy to use albeit a bit slow on the coversion with the supplied software. Everything you need to get started is in the box, battery recharge is fast. At this price, a solid buy.

73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Easy point and shoot, with easy to use menu, July 12, 2009

By 

Sincerely Yours - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Blue) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

Please note that this camera does not shoot in HIGH DEFINITION.

The idea of migrating the storage of camcorder shots to an internal memory was very appealing with this camera. It stores up 16GB and there is a slot to add an SD card. Hence, there is no extra cost in buying an SD card, which is not the case for all camcorders in the same price range.

What we liked about the camcorder
- very light, very easy to hold and shoot.
- has a built in lense cap, which is terrific and mades the whole design have a much cleaner finish. Also, when you switch the camcorder on, it will tell you when you have not opened the lense cap!
- built in 16GB of ram and a slot to add an SD card
- a visible botton on the outside that allows you to choose between using the a) camcorder b) camera c) watch the movies stored
- the menu is very user friendly and some of the options we liked include:
i) grids to help you frame your shot
ii) focus that allows for auto focusing, face recognition or manual focusing
iii) simpe scence shot options: sports or portraits
IV) has anti shake option, which comes in handy if you are using the zoom (also see below for the not so great bits about the zoom).
vi) up load to utube is very easy
v) cuts on wind noise (it works and reduces the muffle sound)
vii) the program for editing your shot is very simple, as the intention is to allow you to edit (if any) before loading to utube or send it for friends/family to see. If you are looking for a more sophicated finish then you need to buy a separate program.

Maybe it is the price bracket this camcorder falls within, but we would have liked to see improvements in the following:

- the zoom feature is great to a point, but if you plan to use it to its full capacity then I would recommend that you use a tripod. Otherwise, the whole shot comes out very 'shakened'.
- we noticed that the zoom button was more sensitive compared with other camcorders in the same price range, which made it very difficult to zoom in and out without you feeling that you were travelling through the stargate!
- the camcorder and camera options are best used in good lighting. Not advisable for low lighting events.
- no flash light.

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