The Samsung SC-D6550

           Compared to the D6040, the D6550 is lighter weighing less than a pound and smaller, too, with a height of just 3 inches so it is very convenient to carry around.  Since the unit doesn't come with a carrying case, I just grabbed a pouch and placed it inside and what do you know there was still plenty of room to put in the adapter and two extra DV cartridges.  Though the D6550's mini DV cartridge also loads at the bottom like the D6040, it's much easier to load one into the former than the latter. 

            Despite the seeming complexity of the unit with the presence of two lenses, it is fairly easy to use.  Switching from one mode to another is effortless with just a flick of a switch and with frequent use one need not even look at the icons on the Power switch.  However, the Start/Stop button for recording videos is placed so near the button that moves the Power switch that I mistook it for the Start/Stop button.  I was using the camcorder to record a video of my sons and their cousin while ice-skating in a mall and I knew everything was all set.  I was looking at the 2.5 inch LCD screen with a STBY onscreen display which meant that I was ready to record.  I placed my thumb on what I felt was the record button but there was no recording going on.  Puzzled, I looked over the unit, turned it off and on again and made sure it was on record mode.  Having done that I again focused on my subjects making the necessary adjustments in focus and zoom.  I again pressed this button that was right under my thumb but the STBY didn't change to REC.  I was beginning to get upset because people were already staring at me because I obviously couldn't get things right.  The shoulder strap was getting in the way of my thumb so I tried to put it away and it was only then that I noticed another button right next to the power switch, which turned out to be the Start/Stop button.   I did feel stupid afterwards.

            The SC-D6550's dual lens system features a 680K pixel CCD* video lens with 900x digital zoom, and a 5 mega pixel CCD lens for still shots that delivers up to 2592x1944 resolution for large prints that are sharp and has accurate colors.  It's equipped with a Digital Image Stabiliser that minimizes distortions when the camera shakes or vibrates while in use.  This feature actually came in handy at the skating rink when skaters kept on hitting the boards where I was resting my elbows. I was really getting annoyed with all the banging thinking my videos and photos will be ruined but when I previewed the images they were all fine and so I didn't mind the erring skaters anymore.

            The unit offers a variety of options for shooting videos or capturing images with its 8-step function key on top including auto-exposure. Setting the DuoCam on auto-exposure automatically allows the camera to select the best combination of aperture and shutter speed for best results.  On Easy-Q mode, shots can be easily taken under any condition.  It also has backlight compensation that is useful when shooting a subject in front of intense light by reducing the brightness making the subject more visible.  It is capable, too, of recording night pictures aided by a built-in flash.  The SC D6550 can function as a webcam as well.

            Since this is a DuoCam there are two types of storage.  For the camcorder there's the mini DV and a memory card for still photos.  There really is no problem in terms of memory card compatibility because the unit accepts SD cards, MMC, Memory Stick, and Memory Stick Pro.  Video clips can also be stored in the memory stick as an MPEG file for sharing through e-mail or for uploading to the Internet.

            Connectivity is not a problem because it has both USB 2.0 and Firewire (IEEE 1394**).  The USB is used to transfer images from the memory card to the PC and the Firewire in/out terminal is used for high-speed transfer of video to a PC for editing or to a IEEE 1394-compatible DVD recorder.  It can also be connected to a PictBridge enabled printer for direct printing of photos without using a PC. 

            An added feature not found in earlier models is the battery indicator on the display showing the actual playing time and recording time left.  Speaking of batteries, the SC-D6550's lithium ion battery lasts for an hour and a half up to two hours and what's best is that it does not discharge even when the unit is off unlike the battery of my digicam.

            The unit comes with a battery pack, an AC adapter, a remote control, shoulder strap, a multi-AV cable, a USB cable, a lens cover, a lens strap, a manual, and CR-ROMs with a software and a driver.

            This is definitely a must-have for families.  What more can you ask for from a 2-in-1 package? Instead of buying a separate digital camera and digital camcorder, go for a DuoCam.

*CCD stands for charge coupled device, an integrated circuit used as an image sensor.

**IEEE 1394 is a standard for a high speed serial bus.