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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
Very Poor Video, great 5MP stills
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 7.2 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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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.
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br /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.
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br /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.
superb!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Weight: 6.4 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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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.
br /Yes, if you want a very small and very high quality camera - then simple, buy a camera!
br /But for 2 in 1 this is the best on the market.
br /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.
br /Yes, in a year or two I am sure something better will be around (as a previous reviewer says) but isnt there always???
br /Go for it.
Great idea
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 6.0 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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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.
This camera doesn't have a great video quality
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 4.9 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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I have many pet peaves about this camera.
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br /a) the video showed untrue colors and came out rather dark----don't try to record indoors
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br /b) didn't fit into my hand naturally and had to use two hands to navigate the menu and even the record button. NOT GOOD
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br /c) didn't start up fast enough---I always missed the shot
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br /d) the camera photos aren't of good quality
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br /e) microphone not that great---you couldn't even hear people that were standing ten feet away from the camera.
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br /f) if your laptop is over 3 years old, even if you've got Windows XP, don't expect the software to be compatible.
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br /g) the zoom lens zoomed to fast at the movement of my finger. I'd lightly press the zoom button to one side and it zoomed too fast and it did the same for zooming out. I felt like I had to just manually zoom----ie. walk up closer to the subject
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br /I honestly say stay away from the Samsung's and the Sony's aren't much better and they have a monopoly on the matching accessories, ie. only Sony products are compatible with the camcorder.
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br /I finally bought a JVC and they are awesome----the take more light in, better acoustical recording, better zoom function, quicker start up, and lighter. You can even buy the cheapest model (which is pretty much what I've got) and the picture is great! My parents commented on how they thought I must have a camera like the News reporters, as it's the same quality.
Even the digital still shots are not that good....
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 3.9 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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To add on to the previous reviewers, I was very disappointed with this camera's performance. I compared the "5 megapixel" photos with photos taken with my Canon, PowerShot G3 (4megapixels), and the SCD6550 simply did not produce the same quality stills. The camera itself also seemed flimsy. The idea of having a two-in-one camera is so attractive. But another attractive concept, Canon's Elura50, offered a camcorder with a compact design. In the end, however, it broke down only after a year and a half. For a $500 purchase that is not a durable lifespan (cf. reviews for Elura50 and you will see that many are having hardware problems). This camera seemed less durable than the Elura50 as I maneuvered the various parts and dials. Of course, I am returning the camera before it can prove its durability. Nevertheless, maybe the folks at CNet can stake their money on it. Lastly, I should add that the positioning of the record button and function dials are poorly placed. I found that I had to use both hands when switching back and forth from camcorder to still cam modes as well as simply engaging the record button. This definitely takes away from the idea of a convinient solution for capturing those special moments.
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br /Again, this camera is a great idea. But, I suppose we should wait until the manufacturers make one that has both solid hardware and quality image recording. This one is on the right track, but, still so far from accomplishing a quality product.
Best quality for Best price
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.6 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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I have tried many different camcorders/digital cameras before landing onto this one from Samsung. Both camera and camcorder let me make excellent quality pictures and movies of my own. Sounds are also real and great without any noticeable mechanical noise. I was also impressed with the way it adjusts the brightness and flash light automatically depending on the places. Controls and buttons are easy to operate but took me a couple of days to get used to it. When compared with ones from JVC or Sony, SCD6550 is the clear winner with unbeatable price and the quality. I am not a professional photographer so I cannot evaluate the machine in too technical terms. But, by and large, this dual functional camcorder fully serves my needs in the most portable way. I can strongly recommend this product for personal and family use.
DON'T BUY IT - IT WILL BREAK WITHIN THE YEAR
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.4 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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I originally purchased the Samsung DUOCAM SCD6040. It fortunately broke 1 week before the warranty ran out. The video began having giant pixilated squares when video taping and on playback. Though under warranty, it still cost me $49 (their fee) to send in the camera for a repair. The repaired camera came back broken. I had to deal with many customer service people, but finally got them to agree mine was a "lemon" and they sent me the SCD6550. Now 10 months later, the video and playback on this duocam has broken. You see a black screen with yellow blocks on the LCD and through the viewfinder. I cannot video tape or playback anything on tape. It is not under warranty. I can't believe their cameras/duocams don't last longer than one year. They must use cheap parts. PLEASE save yourself the headache and chose another brand.
Poor auto focus
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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I thought I was upgrading from analog to digital but after seeing the videos I shot indoors I liked the analog better. Very poor and grainy. Also the focus is terrible! While filming 3 people in a row moving from one to the other the focus would blur then refocus. I filmed my daughter's ballet recital and could not believe how the auto focus kept bluring then focusing. Very disappointed with this purchase. I guess it's true what they say. "You get what you pay for" It seems under $600.00 doesn't get you much.
Video quality is very bad
Rating: 3 out of 5
Weight: 3.2 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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I like the price and the concept of two lenses. The video quality is horrible indoor. Also the auto focus is so slow that I have to use the manual focus mode to avoid the problem. I recommend Sony.
camera sucks
Rating: 1 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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I bought this camers a little while back. I have used it maybe three time .. the 1st 2 times i was able to record and playback and do all the functions the camera was meant for. The 3rd time i used it I was away in Hawaii and got some great footage of me and my family on a cruise.... Thats when it started.... I couldn't get the camera to play back what i recorded on the trip.... I sent it back to samsung and they said it was fine... but the camera still doesn't work... I am very pissed off and have done many things to try and fix the camera... Samsung will not help anymore and to bring it somewhere else costs like $100 just for them to look at it.... I am disappointed and feel like I have been ripped off....
br /NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY an electronic from AMAZON
GREAT ALL-AROUND MINI-DV/DIGITAL CAMERA
Rating: 5 out of 5
Weight: 3.0 out of 10
Created: Nov 22, 2008
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Bought this as a supplement to my Mini-DV camcorder and my digital camera. Although I'm not complaining lugging separate camera and camcorders, the Samsung SC-D6550 seems to be an instant solution if you want to carry less. I was fairly impressed with this camcorder. It is a great camcorder for the casual user (my wife uses it most of the time). The menu function is not hard to understand and having a SEPARATE 5MP digital camera WITHIN the camcorder itself is a big plus. It just takes a flick of a button to switch between camera and camcorder modes although this little feature gets a little bit of getting used to. Once you get that feel, everything will be smooth and simple. I also like the 10X optical zoom. Its not much compared to a Canon or JVC's 25+ times optical zoom but 10x is workable enough. Transferring the video via IEEE 1394 (firewire port) is without a hitch although nothing beats a DVD camcorder but considering you're just taking the usual family videos, the firewire port is ample enough. This camcorder also takes MPEG-4 videos direct to an SD card although at the moment, I have no idea if it takes SDHC. The biggest SD I have used with the camcorder is just 2GB. It is also one of the few camcorders that is compatible with both SD and memory stick so if you are a former Sony user, you can use your memory stick with this camcorder. It is small enough to fit in your hand and light enough to carry for extended periods of time. I like this camcorder but unfortunately, I see some customers not having a good experience with it. I haven't had any problems with mine and I bought it way back in 2006. It is still funtioning the way it should. I highly recommend this camcorder!
Poor indoor/low light quality
Rating: 2 out of 5
Weight: 2.4 out of 10
Created: Dec 24, 2008
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I would agree with the other review. The indoor/low light quality of the video is unacceptable. I will be returning the camcorder today to purchase another.
