Samsung TL320 (black)

Summary: Like many, I'm longing for the holy grail of a single pocketable device that's both a great still cam and video cam, handles low light with aplomb, with both intelligent auto modes and plenty of manual options when you have the time and need - and I see a lot of progress being made, but think we're still maybe a year away from something that will almost be that - within, of course, the limits of the laws of physics re: light-gathering capacity, sensor size, etc.

I had to buy now, though, to meet some documentation needs, did a fair amount of research and comparison shopping, and while I feel I got something that's about as close as any manufacturer's offering today, have to say it's still a few bricks short of a full load.

Since video for YouTube was #1 on my list I began with a mini-HD vidcam, the Aiptek Action GVS HD, which I ultimately traded in and bought the TL320 for reasons we'll get to shortly.

As for my TL320, which I'm keeping, the biggest minus is the lack of anything resembling decent sound recording in video. While the video quality is comparable and the stills incomparably better than the mini-vidcam I tried first, the inadequate mono mic, not even front-facing, really sucks. I would have to say that for my primary use, recording live unamplified or semi-amplified performances and speakers in often dimly-lit rooms, about half of the footage I'm getting is unacceptable, mostly because of poor sound.

And I feel the mic and sound recording capability (and/or adding an external mic input) could have been upgraded significantly for probably no more than $10-20 in build cost. But neither camera manufacturers (or any of the review sites I've found) even pay much - if any - attention to the sound quality of the video in their still cams.

C'mon Samsung, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, etc., etc. if you're going to bother to give us beautiful HD video, a little decent audio is only logical and sane!!

Also, my little vidcam did zoom without shutting down the sound, and I don't think its motor was any quieter than my TL320's. So again, on the wish list, unmute the sound while zooming, and while you're at it give us a choice of at least 2 or 3 zoom speeds to give more creative control of the video process (which was lacking in the ultracompact vidcam as well, FWIW).

Back to sound, the Aiptek, at half the price, had a stereo mic with maybe 20 db more gain and therefore a better noise/signal ratio, and had a mic input. On the other hand, its widest lens angle made me place it much further away to get the frame I wanted, mostly negating the better audio gain and quick shooting makes setting up an external mic impractical much of the time.

PS: neither camera does video well in low light, even with a compact LED video light at distances of more than 4-6 feet.

The 24mm equivalent wide-angle capability on the Samsung (24-120), btw, is really, really sweet and well-implemented. Amateur photographers usually don't appreciate the inherently greater depth of field and dimensionalilty of WA shooting and are more impressed by being able to zoom in on distant scenes and objects, even though the shots flatten out and moosh fore and background details together in a way that's usually visually boring. A 24mm POV lets you close in on a foreground subject which can then lead your deeper and deeper into the picture. And no P&S (or even DSLR) camera is going to truly capture the majesty of mountains 20 miles away in the first place. Go for a detail or person close to you and let the landmarks in the distance add a sense of place. Telephoto capability (say above 135mm equivalent) is better suited for skittish wildlife, capturing sports and family play action and drama - or any DETAIL you can't get close to, but not so much for scenery or people pix in general.

You also gain light the more zoomed out you are and can therefore shoot at a lower ISO.

I think the review by CNET covered a lot of the other details and I have no disagreements (Note; Samsung guarantees it will handle 8GB cards, but my 16 GB high speed Belkin SD HC works fine, and if you're shooting lots of HD, you will fill an 8GB fairly fast in a single day).

So my purpose in chiming is mainly to emphasize a bit of what they missed, and bring some focus on the totally neglected, truly atrocious state of sound recording in small cameras (vidcams and still with video) in general, and hope CNET will begin to pay some attention too!

Summary: This camera is awesome! Has every feature & option anyone could ask for in a compact camera. Takes clear, crisp and real to life colors in all lighting.
The quality of this camera is phenomenal and the 3" AMOLED screen rivals most high-end computer monitors or televisions.
It takes some effort to truly learn all the features this little camera has to offer, but well worth your time. For easy & light traveling, this camera is all that you need. Video option and length is unparalleled in a compact digital camera.