Product Description

The SC-D103 is a 2.5" LCD Mini-DV Camcorder, easy to use and reliable with the ability to shoot great videos. What else do you need?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61403 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: SC-D103
• Dimensions: 5.92" h x 3.45" w x 2.17" l, 1.19 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• Sleek, compact MiniDV camcorder and digital still camera with 680,000 CCD
• 18x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 900x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and black-and-white viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, built-in video light, Memory Stick slot, and MPEG-4 recording
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack lasts for up to 2 hours

From the Manufacturer
The next generation of Samsung digital video has arrived with the SCD103. 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.

18x 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 2.5 inch 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 an expansion Memory Stick slot.

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 SCD103 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.

Customer Reviews

The best cost/benefit camcorder
I had a very low budget and a newborn... (you do the math!)
I did my research and finally, I got it.
The features I love:

- Can be used as webcam! I don't understand why they don't promote this feature. In fact, I went to Best Buy to see it and they had no idea about this capability.
- Very light.
- Resolution... it's ok. It's just for family memories... not to broadcast the SuperBowl in HD!!!
- Built-in light.
- Memory stick.
- Night PIX
- Good audio! Nice mic. Really.
- A/V connectors in several flavors.

Things I don't like too much but I can live with:
- Very low resolution in snapshots.
- Included battery lasts... nothing.
- The cover of the A/V connectors is very weak. Any bad movement... and It's broken.

Lotsa bang for the buck
For this price, you can't go wrong, especially if you're really into video editing using your computer. Just make sure you've got firewire access, and you should be set. Still pictures aren't very good however (I think the digital picture resolution is 680,000 pixels max) but if you just save a still frame onto the memory stick while playing back video, the resolution isn't a problem. Overall, this is a perfect camera for the beginner (incredibly easy menus) or someone on a tight budget.

Good pictures for the price
At the start of our vacation this year our camcorder was stolen! We picked up this Samsung at a local Costco one day before arriving at Yellowstone National Park for a once in a lifetime trip.

My husband took movies all day and we did not have to recharge the battery (although we are getting a backup). The pictures were great! Although, we did see them on 3 different screens and each one the quality of the movies were different. On the large (60") screen they did look grainy but on a 32" they looked great. And we were glad that we had purchased it.

The only reason that I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I have not been able to hook it up to my computer via the USB cable and am online to order the other one. If all goes well I will readjust the stars!