There's nothing like having two tools in one and this camcorder will surely please amateur shooters who need a unique solution that won't break the bank. While there are slightly better performing video camcorders out there for relatively the same price, there aren't too many that can take high quality pictures too. Overall, this Duo Cam could be a big money and time saver for many camera users.

Format: Mini DV (video), JPEG DCF (still)
Number of CCDs: 1 video, 1 still
Size of CCDs: 1 / 6" (video) 1/2.5" (DSC)
Pixels on CCD: (k) 680 (video) 5.25 M (still)
Video Effective Pixels (k):340, 5.1 M (still)
Focus: auto/manual
Shutter Speed: auto/manual
Maximum Shutter Speed:1/10,000 (video), 2~1/2000 (still)
Minimum Shutter Speed:1/60 (video), 15 (still)
Lens f Stop:f1.8-2.4 (video), f2.8-f4.9 (still)
Optical Zoom: 10x (video), 3x (still)
Focal Length: 2.4-24mm (video), 7.7-23.1mm (still)
Image Stabilization: Digital
Manual White Balance: no
Viewfinder: 0.3" color
LCD Monitor: 2.5" color Trans Reflective 112k
Progressive Scan: no
HD Modes: no
Video In: FireWire
Video Out: FireWire, USB 2.0, S-Video, Composite
Mono/Stereo Recording: Stereo 16/12 bit
Microphone In: Yes
Manual Audio Level Controls: no
Manual Audio Level Controls: no
Headphone Jack: No
Speaker: Yes
Still Shot Media: Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SD, MMC
Memory Card Included: no
Flash: Yes
Wireless Remote: Yes
External Battery Charger Provided: No
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Tape Loading Configuration: Bottom
Onboard Video Light: No
Accessory Shoe: No

STRENGTHS

• 5.25 Mega Pixel Still Imager
• USB 2.0 and FireWire
• Still Flash

WEAKNESSES

• No Manual White Balance
• Video image tends to warm
• Bottom Loading Tape Transport and Media Card Slot

SUMMARY
If you're looking for two for the price of one, you've found your cam.

Mark Montgomery is Videomaker's technical editor.

$350
Samsung Consumer Electronics
16765 W. Bernardo Dr.
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
www.samsung.com