Samsung SC-D372
Manufacturer: Samsung Part number: SC-D372
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Poor button layout and terrible movies make the Samsung SC-D372 camcorder a definite "pass."
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 Refurbished |
CNET editors' review
Samsung SC-D372 price range: $169.95
- Reviewed by: Will Greenwald
- Edited by: Philip Ryan
- Reviewed on: 09/24/2007
The good: This camcorder is very simple to shoot with in auto mode.
The bad: Poor video quality; minimalist buttons make menu navigation a pain.
The bottom line: Poor button layout and terrible movies make the Samsung SC-D372 camcorder a definite "pass."
It's easy to assume that all budget camcorders look alike. They're all small, inexpensive miniDV devices with 25x to 35x zoom lenses, sub-megapixel sensors, and very few bells and whistles. Because of this, you might be tempted to assume that they're all the same. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Under every cookie-cutter camcorder are countless variables that separate the good budget models from the bad ones. The Samsung D372, unfortunately, is one of the latter.
Even for a budget miniDV camcorder, the D372 feels very small and light. It weighs just under 15 ounces, even with battery and tape, and at fewer than 5 inches long and just over 2 inches wide, it can be carried around almost anywhere. A standard 0.68-megapixel CCD and 34x optical zoom fits within its small, light frame.
A mere five buttons, including an extremely awkward-to-press Menu button, let you navigate the D327's various settings. Q.Menu, OK, and telephoto/wide-angle buttons sit on the left side of the camcorder's 2.5-inch 16:9 flip-out LCD. You use the telephoto and wide-angle buttons to browse the camcorder's different menus, and hit the OK and Q.Menu buttons to backtrack or confirm your choices. This minimalist interface feels even more awkward than it sounds, reminding me of trying to change a television's settings without a remote control. There simply aren't enough buttons for it to work very well. Besides these controls, a set of rewind, fast forward, stop, and playback buttons sit on the camera's body next to an Easy Q switch that activates the camcorder's automatic, image-stabilized video mode.
Like most modern camcorders, you can record both 4:3 and 16:9 wide-screen video with the D327. Shooting in standard 4:3 looks fine in both the LCD and the viewfinder; the viewfinder is 4:3, so it automatically fits, and the LCD letterboxes the image to keep proportions accurate. Unfortunately, 16:9 wide-screen display doesn't work as well. The viewfinder squishes wide-screen video to fit, so any video you watch through it looks uncomfortably narrow. This doesn't affect the resulting video, but it still looks awkward while you're shooting.
Even for a budget camcorder, the D372 produces some ugly video. Indoors, under both incandescent and fluorescent lighting, grain and noise consumes the picture and produces a fuzzy mess. Outdoors, under any amount of sunlight, highlights blow out, colors fade, and fine details simply disappear. Regardless of lighting, white and near-white objects display a fuzzy, colored fringe whenever they're in the frame.
You can't expect too much from a budget camcorder, but even with lax expectations, the Samsung D372 falls short. Between its disappointing video quality and its awkward control scheme, the D372 simply doesn't work very well. If you're looking for a decent budget camcorder, consider instead the Canon ZR850, a miniDV camcorder that outshines the D372 in every way.
User reviews
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Pros give it a bad rating??? We talking the same camera??
by velera on December 27, 2007
Pros: Easy to use and affordable with great pictures!
Cons: Could use better and more conscise user's manual
Summary: I bought this camera for my wife who's not so tech savvy. Reading the pros reviews and giving this camera a "Pass" was suprising. It's simple to use, ...
Summary: I bought this camera for my wife who's not so tech savvy. Reading the pros reviews and giving this camera a "Pass" was suprising. It's simple to use, and I disagree on the inconvenient locations of various controls. ALL BUTTONS are easy to use and find. The picture quality (for a consumer level) is outstanding, clear and vibrant. There's no noise in the picture and the audio is crystal clear. Yes, it's indeed as easy a child could use. The problem is that when you're a pro and use high end, pricey equipment, anything less will always be unsatisfactory. It's the difference between recording using a $1000+ camera and a sub $200 camera. Naturally the quality will vary drastically. But this Samsung is outstanding for the price and worth a second look if you're thinking of trying out a mini dv camcorder at an affordable price.
6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent Value!
by gnorville on August 26, 2007
Pros: Inexpensive, Large LCD Viewscreen, Color Viewfinder, Simple to use, Firewire, Lightweight
Cons: Minimalist User Manual, No Software Supplied, Need to purchase a Firewire cable separately.
Summary: This is my first camcorder, I've been wanting one for a long time and I snagged it for $179 at Comp USA.
I'm happy to say that it'...Summary: This is my first camcorder, I've been wanting one for a long time and I snagged it for $179 at Comp USA.
I'm happy to say that it's very easy to use, with a bunch of features that I wasn't expecting to get, like Low Light Recording, and several special effects such as Sepia Tone, Soft Focus, etc. Transferring to my computer is a snap (iMovie on an Apple laptop) and the camera is easy to hold with essential controls at my fingertips.
There is a simple to use Basic Recording mode and also you can access advanced recording methods like Program AE, Portrait Mode, Manual White Balance and so forth.
I don't have any serious complaints and I think the reason a Firewire cable isn't supplied is because some PCs have a 6 pin socket and some have a 4 pin socket so Samsung is leaving that choice to the consumer.
I've been using Samsung televisions for a couple years and along with my new camcorder, I'm thoroughly convinced they are a top notch company.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Camcorder.
by lilrocket1 on August 19, 2007
Pros: Easy to use, good zoom and pic quality.
Cons: No memory card for stills.
Summary: This is the first camcorder I have owned so I was looking for something simple to use but with good results. This is awesome for the price, and great for ...
Summary: This is the first camcorder I have owned so I was looking for something simple to use but with good results. This is awesome for the price, and great for me as a first time user. Highly recommended.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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a great little camcorder for the price
by gamer16 on July 11, 2007
Pros: good picture, good in low light, small, simple
Cons: can't delete scenes on camera, need to use editing on computer
Summary: I'm 16 and i bought this camera because i dont have much money and i just wanted something that i could film funny short films and just random stuff ...
Summary: I'm 16 and i bought this camera because i dont have much money and i just wanted something that i could film funny short films and just random stuff i come up with with my friends. its only 180 bucks and i am very happy with it. i can't wait to put my new videos on youtube!!
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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great little camcorder! lots of camera for the price.
by suzukixx on April 18, 2007
Pros: compact size, nice screen that you can see in wide angle or regular.
Cons: hard to reach the button for wide angle and telephoto. Otherwise no complaints.
Summary: I would like to see a place to attach a strap so you can carry it around your neck. All you have is that strap on the side of camera ...
Summary: I would like to see a place to attach a strap so you can carry it around your neck. All you have is that strap on the side of camera and I think I am going to drop it. I guess they expect you to put it in a bag and carry it that way. Not my style to have to reach in the bag for the camera all the time. Otherwise nice camera for the price. I am happy.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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EASY TO USE
by jdb1966 on December 29, 2008
Pros: SMALL MAKING EASY FOR TRANSPORT. PICTURE IS VERY GOOD SINCE THIS IS MY FIRST CAMCORDER IN 15 YEARS!! BUTTON USE IS EASY.
Cons: USES DV TAPES INSTEAD OF A HARD DRIVE....YET I KNEW THIS WHEN I BOUGHT IT.
Summary: OVERALL A VERY GOOD CAMCORDER.
Summary: OVERALL A VERY GOOD CAMCORDER.
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Worst Camcorder Ever!!!!
by koryman123 on July 18, 2008
Pros: Low Priced, Good Zoom
Cons: Low Battery life, horrible video quality, even more bad still images, button layout awkward, Small LCD screen, bad sound quality, mic picks up tape mechanism very loudly
Summary: This is the worst camcorder ever! My Camera phone took better quality video!But the thing that bugged me the most was the tape mechanism noise when you played back ...
Summary: This is the worst camcorder ever! My Camera phone took better quality video!But the thing that bugged me the most was the tape mechanism noise when you played back your recording. It was so loud that it sometimes covered up the people talking! And of course the sound quality was bad to begin with! I think something really pointless on this camera was still image capture! It has no memory card slot and they are horrible quality! And if you buy this camera(you would be crazy to do so) then plan on buying an extra battery! It only lasts 30-40 minutes! So in conclusion, don't buy this camcorder!
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The Pros are Wrong
by WBRogers on June 22, 2008
Pros: Price, Microphone quality, Light weight, Light (for recording when dark), Zoom, Simplicity
Cons: Lack of a mini USB terminal, Lack of a Memory Card slot
Summary: I purchased this camera for $160 at Circuit City and I must say that I have been extremely pleased with the quality of both the picture and the sound. While ...
Summary: I purchased this camera for $160 at Circuit City and I must say that I have been extremely pleased with the quality of both the picture and the sound. While the colors are slightly dull, there is no problem with the focus or stability of the picture. The buttons, etc. are extremely easy to use, and the LCD screen is big and beautiful. Although there is no mini-USB terminal, the DV terminal works wonderfully for transferring video to my Mac via firewire (although for users without firewire the camera might not be ideal). It is extremely easy to create videos in iMovie with this camera, and the quality is excellent (I find that the picture quality is better than that of my old Sony Hi-8 Handycam, which is why I think that the professional reviewer is a bit too harsh). If you want a perfect picture, spend $500+ for an HD camcorder. If you want an inexpensive camcorder with good picture quality that is fun and easy to use as well as extremely easy to transport, purchase the Samsung SC-D372, which is, in my opinion, the best camera for the price.
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Would I do it again? Definitely not
by Orange-Tech on June 11, 2008
Pros: Extremely cheap and easy to use
Cons: Below the expected video quality for a DV camera, I also had issues with the sound, has no light
Summary: This is a real entry level camera, very small and excessively compact.
However three months after my vacations I started transferring data via a firewire connection and... it sucks. Too ...Summary: This is a real entry level camera, very small and excessively compact.
However three months after my vacations I started transferring data via a firewire connection and... it sucks. Too much image noise, lots of cracking sounds, even when doing a little playback I hear that.
I would not recommend it to you for important moments, I already missed mine (baby's birth) and that's where you want the best quality you can get. -
Did not work out of the box
by lesfrenz on April 22, 2008
Pros: Have not been able to use it.
Cons: Will not load a tape
Summary: After ejectiong the included tape, the camera would not except one. Having no reason to use it previously, and after a long holiday, I found the problem when trying to ...
Summary: After ejectiong the included tape, the camera would not except one. Having no reason to use it previously, and after a long holiday, I found the problem when trying to view a tape made from another camera.
Now it is out of warranty, so it will cost $80 to repair a camera I have not used.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Part number: SC-D372
- Description: Samsung exemplifies technological determination and progressive ideals. From technology to business to the philanthropy, Samsung has become a world leader for which the possibilities are truly endless. PRODUCT FEATURES: Still image recording on a tape; 1200x digital zoom; Audio enhancement; Digital Image Stabilizer (DIS); High-power zoom lens.
General
- Product Type Camcorder
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Special Effects Ball, Sepia, Emboss, Mirror, Mosaic, Pastel, Black & White
- Image Stabilizer Electronic
- Digital Scene Transition Black fader
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
- Color Support Color
- Remote Control None
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Media Type Mini DV
- Recording Speed LP, SP
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - F/1.6
- Lens Aperture F/1.6
- Optical Zoom 34 x
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
- DV input Yes
- Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
- Built-in Light Yes
- Time Code Yes
- Remote control None
- Included Accessories Lens cap
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type LCD
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x DC power input
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Battery
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Rotating
- Display Format 112,000 pixels
- Viewfinder Color Support Color
Physical Characteristics
- Width 2.2 in
- Depth 4.7 in
- Height 3.7 in
- Weight 12 oz
Manufacturer info
- Samsung
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Samsung products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.samsungusa.com/
- Address:
105 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660 - Phone: 1-800-726-7864
- Fax: 1-973-601-6001
