Samsung HMX-U10 review

Samsung is the latest entrant into the booming mini camcorder market. Its Samsung HMX-U10 follows in the footsteps of Sony's MHS-PM1, but goes one step further. The PM1's video resolution of 1,440x1,080 was a big step up from the 720p sensors found in most mini camcorders, but the U10 tops this with a Full-HD resolution of 1,920x1,080 (1080p).

Before you get too excited, however, it's worth noting that higher resolutions don't necessarily result in drastically improved video, as the MHS-PM1 showed. The HMX-U10 has the biggest sensor we've seen, measuring 1/2.3in, but the 10 million pixels packed on to it suggest that it was originally intended for a digital camera rather than a camcorder. All those pixels are useful for taking stills in good lighting conditions, a task the HMX-U10 manages better than any other mini camcorder, but for generating two-megapixel video they're redundant and can generate unwanted noise.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75 digital camera small in size, big on features

We’re pretty sure that most of you out there are familiar with the phrase, do not judge a book by its cover? The same applies to the world of gizmos as well, as we are not supposed to judge how a gadget will perform based on its size and looks. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75 is one such device that ought to be approached with a degree of respect, since this super-slim digital camera might be small in stature, but it manages to pack in big features such as a 24mm ultra-wide-angle F2.2 bright LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens with 5x optical zoom that will come in handy if you’re a huge fan of shooting High Definition video for posterity. Apart from that, this slim and stylish LUMIX FX75 is a 14.1-megapixel digital camera that makes it one of Panasonic’s high-performing hybrid models. The LUMIX FX75 is able to record HD video in the AVCHD Lite format, where this format will more or less double the recording time in HD quality when compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. When doing so, this content makes perfect fodder for viewing on an HDTV, while Dolby Digital Creator can also record high quality audio. Of course, you can also record in Motion JPEG if you want to, not to mention WVGA (848×480) and VGA (640×480) resolutions. You will find the LUMIX FX75 equipped with full touch-screen operation, where Auto Focus (AF) lets you capture the subject by simply touching the large 3″ 230,000-dot LCD display. Not only that, you can also click onto a subject with a single touch, where the FX75 will go ahead and track the subject with the AF tracking feature – despite moving.