Samsung X210L MPEG4 Sports Camcorder with 1GB Memory and 10x Optical Zoom

Send the wrong item twice, then she promised extra memory didn't put it in the package, very fraustraiting

This is a camera for those that know exactly what they want. If you don't know, then don't get this one. I have owned it for 1yr now, I've used it for skydiving, snowboarding, skiing, and when I want to do stupid crash related stuff. That is what it is made for!

I also took it to Europe for 6months, and used it all the time. Great size to travel with. Can hide it on you easily for safe keeping. The webcam features were a nice addition too. Video chat with family half way around the world, and didn't need another camera!

I am just now buying a replacement battery because when you plug the camera in, it does not has an auto shutoff. So I burned my battery out. However you can buy external chargers that have auto charging systems!

Down sides of this camera:
Digital pictures are LOW quality
Charging the battery = Damage

Other than that, the camera has prefomed better than I expected. And has taken a BEATING! Great crash camera!

This cam works great for on the move down and dirty sport shots. I use it while I ski, bike, fly and drive down the German autobahn at crazy speeds. The still photo options is a little lacking and it has other features like files and MP3 player but I only got this for the movies I can make along with the external lipstick cam. I have taped it to my helmet while doing the above mentioned sports and it looks great. The one thing this unit needs is a mute button so you don't pick up the rushing wind noise when you are going faster than 10 mph in any mode of sport. This has been mentioned in the Samsung forum for this camera. The battery works great you will run thru 4 gigs of card space before you drain the battery. A must buy cant beat the cool factor for the money. I get looks all day long with the cam mounted to my ski helmet :)

I've had the Samsung X210L for about 10 months now... and give it a 5 star rating for special purpose use -- i.e. sports cam. In the sports cam application (in my case, mostly skiing) you usually have two distinct needs -- shooting friends and family from a distance and helmet cam.

This is the only camera I could find that fit both needs --

In the first case when shooting action involving someone else at a distance, there are two things that really count -- (1) big optical zoom (this cam has 10X) and (2) image stabilization (also part of the X210L). We've also found it important to have a pretty quick power up/ready to shoot sequence and X210L is fast (couple of seconds or less).

In the second case, you need to realize that Flash helmet cams aren't going to give great video -- way too much radical motion -- but they will capture the basic eye-view experience. What's important here is a solid setup. The X210L helmet cam is easy to connect (plugs right into the back without requiring anything to be opened up) and, as with any helmet cams, simply functions as an external lens -- does the job and has a nice one button (ski gloves! capable) on/off, record/stop combo setup on the cord.

A few other things that make this a great sports cam --
-- small size -- deck of cards form factor means is really can go in an inner pocket where it will stay warm, protected, and dry.
-- super flat battery form factor -- packing an extra battery is no big deal and it clips on the outside with one large easy to manipulate button
-- camera will record without the lcd display flipped out -- so if you're in a wild hand-held situation you can still shoot by aiming down the top of the cam but avoid the risk of damaging the LCD
-- extra batteries and chargers are reasonably priced
-- solid lens cap for when the cam is tucked in a pocket and you're using the helmet cam
-- simple controls (again, glove-capable)
-- 2GB slot -- when combined with the 1gb internal memory (requires you to switch between internal and external) means you can get pretty high quality levels -- up to couple of hours of shooting with an extra 190ma battery spare
-- cable connection between the camcorder the helmet cam is solid -- not likely to bend pins or break the connector

If you're just looking for point and shoot video simplicity and don't need much optical zoom, I'd recommend the other camera we use (Flip Video), but if you really want to nail the sports camera application this one (and presumably it's replacement the X300L) has a very slick set of features.

This video cam was designed and targeted for the sports minded or active athlete that wants to capture their moments on video. If you're using it for this purpose, nothing beats it for the price.

It's ridicilious to compare or expect this camera to perform like:
1. High end video cam that costs 2x or 3x more.
2. Video cams that were designed to shoot normal activities indoors and out.

The good:
1. A small (size of an male adult thumb) and sturdy external video cam attachment with mic can be mounted almost anywhere. Inside your car, while racing. On the frame of your bike, while riding down or jumping a hill. Mounted on your head while your snowboarding. On your backpack or cap while walking around at a party or gathering. Forget about holding the camera, attach it somewhere, record and go. Of course, you can disconnect the external cam attachment and hold it like a normal vid cam.
2. Versatile. It has 6 devices in unit. MP3, vid camcorder, pic cam, usb storage, usb web cam and voice recorder. You can add or swap 2 gb sd/mmc cards for extra storage/capacity.
3. High resolution at 720x480 at 30 fps. Clarity is good.
4. Small, compact, and lightweight. Easily fits in shirt pocket. About the size of a deck of cards.
5. Full setting adjustments like other more expensive vid cams. Contrast, steady shot, back light, auto, sport mode, etc...

The bad:
1. Indoor focus is poor. This sport cam was designed for outdoor use to capture your amazing athletic feats so the focus mechanism in low light is subpar. It will "search" or constantly attempt to focus when using it in an average lit room.
2. Color is off. The CCD is not a high end chip so your colors will not be presented correctly. All colors are washed down and not vivid.

Summary:
If you're a sports minded person that want to record your 360 spin, flip, jump, or just show your friends you possess super human strength from your perspective then this is the best camera combo. If you plan to shoot vacation videos, parties, or other daily events, then look elsewhere.