Samsung HMX-U10 YouTube Camcorder [Full HD HMX-U10 Video Cam Hits Out at Pure's Flip]

Since Pure Digital released the first of their Flip ‘YouTube’ video cameras we’ve seen many a company try to muscle in on the Flip’s popularity and now Samsung have announced their latest causal point and shoot YouTube friendly camcorder that’s undoubtedly intended to cut into the Flip’s market share – namely the Samsung HMX-U10.

The Samsung HMX-U10 comes in at a particularly compact 56 x 103 x 15.5mm yet regardless of its diminutive size it manages to pack a considerable punch in offering up Full HD (1920 x 1080) video capture capabilities utilising the H.264 video codec (meaning that the HMX-U10 is set to compete directly against Pure Digital’s Flip UltraHD camcorder) whilst also offering 10 megapixel stills captures and, yes, you can factor in one-touch YouTube uploads (naturally).

Here’s the low-down as detailed by Samsung:

Ultra-compact design

At 56mm x 103mm x 15.5mm, and weighing just 95g including the battery, the HMX-U10 is ultra-compact with an ergonomic design that breaks free of the traditional look and feel of pocket-sized camcorders. Its sleek frame is accentuated by a wave-design that angles the body of the camcorder at seven degrees, allowing users to grip the camcorder more comfortably, reducing stress on the wrist or arm. This same ergonomic design philosophy is also found in the HMX-R10 and SMX-C10 camcorders, which both feature Samsung’s unique Active Angle Lens.

Unique features

The new HMX-U10 follows in the footsteps of the newly introduced SMX-C10 and boasts several unique features to make video recording even more enjoyable, including Samsung’s built-in intelli-studio software, animated thumbnails, and a versatile charging system.

The HMX-U10 features Samsung’s play-edit-sharing program called intelli?studio so you can edit or share your video without access to a PC. When you do connect, the camcorder’s built-in intelli-studio program allows you to turn any computer into a mobile studio, giving you the ability to edit and play your video without having to install supporting software.

Sharing is also simplified as the intelli-studio program takes the hassle out of uploading content to popular video?sharing websites. A one-touch “upload” button, available on the HMX-U10, provides a direct connection to YouTube^TM, so footage can be online within seconds of shooting. In addition, the camcorders also allow basic on-camera editing, including the ability to split video files.

The animated thumbnail feature simplifies searching for video clips. Every video clip is represented by a small thumbnail on the LCD screen which provides a short playback when highlighted by the user.

The Samsung HMX-U10, which, on paper at least, certainly appears to give the aforementioned Flip UltraHD a run for its money, is set to release in the US from September and will set you back around a pretty reasonable $200.