I bought a camcorder from Costco a few days ago. It has a long unwieldy name like SAMSUNG FlashCAM SMX-F33. It’s a compact unit with built-in 8GB of flash memory. I got tired of purchasing Mini DV tapes for the camcorder I currently have. This SAMSUNG unit was about $200 after coupon, so it was more or less an easy purchase.
It doesn’t have any bells and whistles – I wasn’t looking for any at that price – but takes video at standard definition, in a standard file format that does not need specialized software. I was able to import it hassle-free into iMovie.
But I’m returning it only after 2 days. It can’t keep its focus even when pointed at a stationary object. It keeps hunting for spot to focus, and in the meantime I’m missing shots. Also, the zoom control is so jittery, that I cannot zoom smoothly, or slowly, from one end of the zoom range to the other end.
I should’ve known better. SAMSUNG seems to be really trying to get into photo/video field, but they don’t seemed to have worked out all the kinks yet. Admittedly, one can’t expect much from a $200 camcorder, but my current unit, a Panasonic mini DV camcorder (at least a 3-year old design), which also cost around $200, doesn’t hunt for focus or jump while zooming. So, I’m returning the SAMSUNG to Costco today, thankful for their 90 day return policy.
Thank you, you just saved me the hassle. I was going to purchase it today.
Mahalo!
Thanks.. It was thinking fo buying one.
I will return my Samsung FlashCAM today since this Samsung generated MPEG-4 files cannot be properly edited by Pinnacle Studio 11.1.
I will be returning my Samsung SMX-F33 also and purchasing a Sony for $100 more (same features but also has a touch screen). The Samsung records in MPEG-4 format which none of my software (Adobe, Windows Movie Player, Real player, etc.) can edit. The included Mediashow v.4 doesn’t work (freezes Windows, causes computer restarts, doesn’t load, etc.) so I can’t burn any videos I took onto a CD or DVD. Removing and reinstalling Mediashow doesn’t help either. My video memories are stuck on my computer’s hard drive (seem corrupted as well). I too am thankful for COSTCO’s 90 day return policy as well as this blog. Anyone have any thoughts on how I can get the 30 minutes of video I already took onto some other medium rather than just deleting it? Help appreciated.
Thanks..I was also going to puschase this camera..
U saved me the return.
As for the focus problem, you might have set it to Face Detection so it will keep looking to find a face.
Myself, have no problem with the zoom. Different settings exist for zoom.
I’m pretty satisfied with it for the moment.
Unless you have no tech skills or just happened to get a bad camera, something isn’t right.
I’m a former Navy fighter pilot and airline transport pilot and have been taking movies and videos both in and out of the air for years. I bought this camera at Costco over a month ago, have taken over twenty hours of all kinds of videos in all kinds of light conditions and surroundings and have not had a single “missed shot” nor poor quality video to date.
To anyone thinking of getting this camera, I suggest you do. It is a great buy and a neat little camera you can take anywhere without worrying about losing it.
I’m very pleased with my samsung flashCam. For a novice like me and hates all the complicated camera which by way I always end up buying. No problem with trying to figure out all the bottons, no need to learned for a longest time. At beginning I also have had a hard time focusing the camera, however, if I keep using it my hands became steadier and also my friends notice that I was beginning to enjoy using it and they’re also impressed with the camcorder and been getting phone calls to asked for model number and referrals.
I bought this camera this summer and I’m pleased with it. The only problem is that it’s difficult to edit the videos, but I got Womble and Sony Vegas. Another problem is that you can’t change the default settings it seems. For example, when I change the settings so that it fades in and out when start and finish recording, they’re back to default when I turn the camera on again.
The quality of the video is excellent. I’ve had no problem with the focus, except that on auto, when it starts to get dark, it has nothing to focus on, but that’s reasonable.