Should you want to do any editing, the embedded software on the W200 should be enough for most users. Samsung's Intelli-studio editing and sharing software on the W200 is full-featured and, with practice, easy to use. The pause button on the W200 allows you to quickly start and stop recording, but the result is just one clip. On other pocket video cameras, you can only start and stop recordings, which results in a bunch of clips. On the other hand, the W200 has a feature rarely seen on minicamcorders (and a big reason to buy it)-a pause button. It has autofocus, but can only focus up to about 6 inches from a subject. The minicamcorder has a 3x digital zoom that, like every digital zoom on these devices, degrades image quality and eats up battery life. However, all but the last are turned on and off in the menu system the underwater mode-the one you're probably least likely to use regularly unless you specifically buy this for diving-is too easily triggered by pressing right on the control pad. It has electronic image stabilization, face detection, back-light correction, and an underwater mode these all work well, so no problems with those features.
You can record video using a handful of creative filters, but the resolution is fixed at 480p and 15fps, resulting in artifact-filled, jerky video. There are no lower resolutions for easier uploading or playback on less powerful computers and devices, and no 720p-at-60fps setting for smoother video of fast-moving subjects.
It records 30 frames per second at both 1080p and 720p, but that's it. The W200 has a good assortment of shooting features for its class, but there are a couple of disappointments mixed in. Vignetting, Fish-eye, Retro, Classic, Negative That's mostly because I found Samsung's noise processing distracting, with tiny black dots constantly popping throughout scenes. With the combination of an f2.2 lens and a BSI CMOS sensor, I expected better than average low-light video and it is, but it's still not great. The electronic image stabilization seems to help with hand shake some, but don't expect it to be rock-steady if there's a lot of movement. However, they're not so bad that they'll totally ruin your video. At larger sizes, such as on a big HDTV, things like rolling shutter wobble, judder when panning, and motion blur with fast-moving subjects are much more noticeable.
At 1080p and 720p resolutions, the movies are enjoyable to watch at small sizes on a computer screen, with the former being sharper than the latter. Video quality is very good for its class, but no competition for a full-fledged camcorder. However, that's about the most difficult part of using the W200. The button seems to have two stops, requiring you to push it all the way down to start and stop recordings. That's assuming you've pressed the record button firmly enough. On the right side is a power button and it takes the W200 from off to shooting video in just a few seconds. The playback button can be used to capture photos while shooting video and the pause button can be used to tag things in playback for uploading to a sharing site or sending by e-mail when you connect to a computer. Below the LCD are a button for switching between shooting video and still photos a directional pad for navigating menus and controlling the digital zoom a record/select button buttons for playback, menu, and delete and a pause button, which is almost never found on minicamcorders, but very handy. Yes, despite being dustproof, the W200 should not be used near sand as it can get into the mic and speaker holes as well as in the small space surrounding the control pad on front.Īs for using the device, it's fairly straightforward.
Just be sure to read the instruction manual (included in the box on a disc and available for download on Samsung's site) before you take this to the beach, because that's where you'll learn that you probably shouldn't take this to the beach. They'll probably be fine with proper care, and really all rugged devices have limitations. They lock with simple sliders that seem a little flimsy, as do the seals on the insides of the doors. There are two doors: one for the flip-out USB arm, the other covering the Mini-HDMI port and microSD card slot. 60 minutesįor example, the rugged design isn't as rugged as one might like. 5 megapixels, 1/3.2-inch backside-illuminated CMOSįixed focal length, f2.2 33mm (35mm equivalent)ġ,920x1,080 at 30fps (17Mbps progressive)īuilt-in lithium ion rechargeable, approx.