Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam Review

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Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The EasyQ mode is selected by pressing the EasyQ button on the side of the camera. This is a fully automatic mode with few options available. Beginners will benefit from its point-n-shoot simplicity.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The Program mode is also an automatic mode but lets the user select image size and quality, metering mode, color effect, sharpness, shooting mode, self timer, white balance, ISO sensitivity and EV compensation. These settings can also be changed when in the A/S/M modes too.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

Aperture priority mode you select the desired aperture and the camera automatically adjusts for the correct shutter speed. A small aperture (larger f/number) increases the depth of field (range of focus), where a large aperture (smaller f/number) decreases depth of field. Available aperture range is f2.8 to f11.0.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

Shutter-speed priority mode you select the shutter speed and the camera selects the correct aperture. Select a fast shutter speed to freeze fast-moving subjects or use a slower shutter speed to capture flowing water or low-light subjects. Available shutter speed range is 1/2000 to 15 seconds.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

Manual mode lets you select both the shutter speed and aperture values. The LCD image will visually show the current exposure level.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The ISO sensitivity, White Balance and Exposure Compensation is adjusted by pressing the Navigation Wheel and then using the 4-way controller.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The menu for the Program, A, S, or M modes.

    SIZE - 2272x1704, 2048x1536, 1600x1200, 1024x768, 640x480
    QUALITY - TIFF or JPEG SuperFine, Fine or Normal
    METERING - Multi or Spot
    EFFECT - Normal color, B&W, Sepia or Negative
    SHARPNESS - Soft, Normal, Vivid
    SHOOTING - Single frame, Continuous or AE Bracketing
    SELF-TIMER - Off, 2 seconds or 10 seconds
    MYSET - Three custom user setting modes
    SETUP - Enter the SETUP menu, see below




Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The Scene mode gives you access to 10 creative scene modes: Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-up, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks and Beach&Snow.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The SC-D6040 has very good macro close-up focus capability with a range of 1.6 to 31.5 inches (4 to 80cm).



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

Movie mode - The total amount of recording time available is shown in the upper right hand corner. This is QVGA 320x240 resolution at 30fps or 15fps captured in MPEG4 format. The recording time is limited only by space on your memory card. Audio is recorded with your movies. The optical zoom can be preset before recording but not during.

Storage Capacity of 16MB Card

Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam





Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

Movie mode menu options: Framerate (30 or 15 fps), Color Effect (normal, b&w, sepia, negative), Sharpness (soft, normal, vivid) and Self Timer (off, 2s, 10s).



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

SETUP menu:
    FILE - Continuous file numbering or reset
    LANGUAGE - Select the language for on-screen display
    FORMAT - Format the memory card
    LCD - Adjust brightness of LCD monitor
    USB - Computer or Printer
    DATE&TIME - Set the time and date
    IMPRINT - Time/date stamping on the image
    WL.REMOTE - Enable/disable wireless remote control
    BEEP SOUND - Turns the Beep sounds on/off
    SHUTTER SOUND - Shutter sound effect on/off
    Q.VIEW - Display last image captured for about 3 secs.




Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

This is the standard camcorder record screen which is pretty much the same as any other MiniDV camcorder I've ever used. Battery level in the upper left, record mode (SP) and record time (0:00:59) in the upper right. The zoom lens setting is shown momentarily in the lower left whenever the focal length is changed.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The camcorder in Nite Pix mode, great if you're a fan of green-tinted video. The SC-D6040 does not have infrared illuminators or a video "headlight" so its low-light performance is not very good. It is on par with most other MiniDV camcorders in average to really good lighting conditions.



Samsung SC-D6040 DuoCam

The video Camcorder options:
    INITIAL -

      CLOCK SET - Set the time and date
      WL.REMOTE - Enable/disable wireless remote control
      BEEP SOUND - Turns the Beep sounds on/off
      LANGUAGE - Select the language for on-screen display
      DEMO - Puts the camera in Demonstration mode

    CAMERA -

      PROGRAM AE - Select the exposure mode from: Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand/Snow or High Shutter Speed
      WHT BALANCE - Auto, Hold, Indoor, Outdoor
      D. ZOOM - Digital Zoom (Off, 100x, 200x, 400x, 900x)
      DIS - Digital Image Stabilization on/off
      DSE SELECT - Digital Special Effect (Art, Mosaic, Sepia, Negative, Mirror, Black&White, Emboss, Cinema, Make-up)

    A/V -

      REC MODE - SP (60 min.) or LP (90 min.) recording quality
      PHOTO SEARCH - Search for photos captured in camcorder mode
      AUDIO MODE - 12 bit stereo or 16 bit mono
      AUDIO SELECT - Playback audio dubbing track
      WIND CUT - Wind noise filter on/off
      PB DSE - Playback digital special effects

    VIEWER -

      LCD ADJUST - Adjust LCD backlight intensity
      DATE/TIME - Change the display format of date and time
      TV DISPLAY - Output video to LCD and TV




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