Black Samsung F90 Camcorder with 2.7" LCD Screen and HD Video Recording (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

===== Addendum: November 22, 2015 I recommend that you beware of the ridiculously high prices currently being offered by a few 'wholesalers' on this date. If you're planning to spend $250.00 or more, there are plenty of current and better (and unfortunately more complicated to use) models to choose from (this simple F90 model has probably been discontinued). It certainly isn't worth more than about $150.00 as a brand new remaining model. On May 6, 2014, while it was still in production, I paid Amazon $129.95 for it and it was NOT today's special. It was their regular price. Please keep this in mind when considering purchasing this camcorder. I hope the price will be lowered to a reasonable level during this holiday season. The rest of this review is as I originally wrote it and I must mention that I remain completely satisfied with this camcorder.=====I am very pleased with my new

Samsung F90 Black Camcorder with 2.7" LCD Display and HD Video Recording

.I didn't want a camcorder capable of producing the next STAR WARS movie.I just wanted a regular, easy to use camcorder strictly for home video.After much investigation, I chose this one - and I'm glad to have done it. It's inexpensive, very easy to use, and does exactly what I want from a camcorder. I filmed scenes from our last vacation including scenes from the convention we also attended like some museums we visited and I took videos of our granddaughter (who never seems to sit still !). a restaurant (which had some entertainment) and, although the lighting was mixed - relatively dim extra artificial light Came in by early evening daylight through the windows in some places - the video played well . The sound quality too. I found that even though this camcorder doesn't have the ability to connect an external microphone (an added complication that I and I think most ordinary people like me don't need), the sound produced by its built-in microphone is very good. I've only had rare, minimal problems with concentration and those in relatively difficult situations. The focus always corrected itself in a second or two without any effort on my part; I'm sure most people won't even notice these occasional gaps. The colors are balanced and excellent. The sharpness is also excellent. The ease of use of the camcorder is exemplary. I usually leave the 'Smart Auto' feature on (the only time I turn it off is when I want to make some adjustments in the menu; you have to turn off 'Smart Auto' to access the menu) and I've had , so far no videos that I've needed to delete due to camcorder issues (my own "videographer" deficiencies being something else!). It's very lightweight, and after reading the instruction manual (you can download one from Samsung's site if you want to read before purchase), you'll find the controls are straightforward. The lightness has the advantage, at least for me, of allowing me to hold the camcorder very stable for an extended period of filming. I haven't had to activate the image stabilization circuit so far and one of my individual videos was 20 minutes long! There is only minimal, barely perceptible instability. My wife has been pleased with our videos so far and believe me she is a harsh reviewer! We watch our video on a 108" diagonal screen (16:9) using a projector and, let me tell you, considering these are "home movies", I don't Couldn't ask for anything more.1080i or 1080P videos are much, much larger than the 720P MP4 files produced by this camcorder (I convert MP4 to MKV via computer software as I prefer this format). a critical side-by-side comparison, I doubt most people could tell the difference. I purchased two accessories for my device: a

Samsung HMX-F80 Camcorder Case Case for Camcorder and Digital Camera - Carrying Handle and Adjustable Shoulder Strap - Black / Gray - Synergy Replacement

which holds the camcorder and my other accessory perfectly, and a

Kapaxen Two Samsung IA -BP210R Replacement Battery Packs + Charger Kit + Bonus Mini Tripod for Select Samsung Camcorders

which gives me two spare batteries (larger capacity) and a charger that can work in a car as well as from an AC outlet. These two accessories, which I highly recommend, are quite inexpensive. And unless you lied (I did), you'll need to buy at least an SD memory card; it doesn't need to be elaborate, but it should be Class 10 type. another similar situation. I use regular 32GB class 10 cards. If Samsung's Intelli Studio program is incompatible with your computer's operating system, all you need to do is remove the SD card from the camcorder, plug it into your computer, and copy & paste videos. It's simple. I've read some comments that the included program doesn't work with Mac; I don't know from personal experience how true these comments are (although I'm sure they are correct) but I can tell you that it definitely does NOT work with Xubuntu, a GNU/Linux operating system, which is the operating system that I use. Nevertheless, copying & pasting videos from SD card is very easy. Anyone can do it, if they want, with the operating system used, even Windows. Copy & pasting may even be faster than using Samsung's transfer program. Battery life with the BP210R replacement batteries is excellent (I didn't use the standard BP105 battery); I took well over 45 minutes of video through this BP210R without needing to recharge. After that session I recharged the battery (I still do) so I have no idea how long it would have lasted. Since the camcorder was still showing a "full charge", I'm sure it would have taken a long time. (Of course, one has to wonder if the camcorder's power gauge is accurate? I don't know.) Overall, in its class (and if you don't have lofty dreams of being the next George Lucas or Steven Spielberg), I can wholeheartedly recommend this excellent camcorder to anyone who wants to create beautiful movies at home. Thanks for reading this.Lawrence H. Bulk ===== Updated: December 7, 2014 "especially in difficult low light conditions. Some even claim that their cell phone does better. Frankly, I think that statement cannot be substantiated.I have NEVER seen ANY cell phone videos worth archiving as home movies except where that is all that is available.Although cell phone videos are getting better some few, they still have a long way to go before they even achieve the video quality that is possible today with a camcorder like this. It is my opinion (my opinion only) that at least some of these people may not use common sense when shooting video in such conditions. Since owning this camcorder, I have taken several types of very difficult low-light video. (It is usually easy to determine these conditions at the naked eye) and, first of all, l When I try to shoot in such difficult conditions, I ALWAYS set the focus to manual. (The 'Smart Auto' feature must be turned off to do this from the menu.) I learned by experience. It's much harder, if not impossible, for any autofocus system, even on expensive DSLRs, to work in very low-light situations. There will almost always be some 'pumping' in and out of focus or the shot will be completely out of focus which is annoying to viewers. When you focus manually, the focus stays exactly where you set it. You have to remember that manual focus is just that: it won't "track" a subject. You constantly have to manually reset it to the appropriate distance setting for your various scenes. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for static scenes, such as people sitting at a table. This Samsung camcorder has a fast f/1.8 maximum lens aperture that's plenty wide - if you know what you're doing. You also need to remember that a camera cannot "see" (or adapt to) exactly what the human eye does. It's a good idea to take a training shot first, and if it's unsatisfactory, adjust the lighting or add additional lighting. Is it "pain?" Sure, but have you ever seen a professional photographer take photos or videos in low light without using supplemental lighting? I've taken low-light video myself and changed my standing or sitting position and even turned on extra lights in the room when needed to maximize the use of available light. Mostly indoors or outdoors at night, the conditions aren't what I would call really difficult (as I mentioned above). I have found that making these adjustments (manual focus, additional lighting) is unnecessary; the 'Smart Auto' takes care of everything. But of course, sometimes that's just not the case. You must use your eyes and your own judgement. I'll say it again: if you're not sure, a quick test will tell. As you gain experience with this camcorder under various conditions, you will learn exactly what to do in equivalent future situations. That's how I learned! It is important to keep in mind that videos taken in very low light conditions WILL be somewhat “noisy” (grainy). It's a fact (and that applies to cell phone video too, even more so). You and you alone must determine, assuming there is no way to add additional lighting, whether it is better to have “noisy” video than none at all. (And if you think your cell phone will perform better in a particular scene, by all means use it. But I think it won't!) Again in my opinion (and all I have writing is, of course, just my opinion), if you just use a little common sense in conjunction with this camcorder, your videos will almost certainly be as good and satisfying as mine.===== Update: 29 May 2015 If you want to see an example of what this Samsung F90 camcorder can do in "impossible" conditions, please watch this video that was posted on YouTube: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= JpP2CF2SP2M >. I took it at Cinevent 2015 in Columbus, Ohio using this Samsung camcorder. The screening room was dimly lit as you will see and the video is very noisy (grainy). There was no possibility to add additional lighting. But the video is out and watchable and that is, of course, better than having nothing. Michael Haynes was very grateful that someone had filmed his speech in honor of his father, who was one of the founders of Cinevent and who had passed away just a month before. (You can also go directly to YouTube and search for "Tribute to Steven E Haynes by his son Michael at Cinevent 2015." if that works better for you.) I think, all things considered, the sound quality is also good. I took this video because I had known Steve Haynes for several years and my wife and I were shocked and saddened that he passed away. Also, I thought someone should record his son's tribute. Steve was one of the nicest people we have ever met at a film festival. We hope his son Michael will continue to build on what his father helped found. https://www.facebook.com/cineventconvention > and, at least for now, you'll see this video with attribution to me. The video is too large to post directly to this review, so I'm directing you to YouTube (and/or Cinevent's Facebook page). I suppose there are people who always complain about "poor video" in low light conditions, but I think this video will demonstrate what can be accomplished when you REALLY need it. I don't believe ANY cell phone would have done as well and besides there may even be more expensive camcorders that might not have done as well. Hope you see and enjoy why I am so happy with this Samsung F90.Lawrence H. Bulk