14 DAY TRIAL // It's one thing to own a camcorder and another to have one that can stay at your side, in your hand or hanging from your neck everywhere you go.
Sure, people don't always end up dunked head-first into water or blown over by a cloud of dust, but it can happen.
There is also the random consumer that makes it a point of spending time in environments that would send consumer electronics devices running screaming if they had legs. And mouths. And lungs, yes, those too.
Let's take a sandy beach: not only is there sand around in tons, but the water can splash over you at any moment.
Samsung made the HMX-W350 specifically to be used in such locations. Even the main promo picture involves two girlfriends (no, not that kind; probably) laughing at being splashed by waves while holding more than their fair share of camcorders.
The HMX-W350 can record full HD video (1080p resolution) and shoot still pictures in 5 MP quality. All in all, it's an upper-mainstream product, even without the ruggedness.
An USB port permit file transfers, while a 2.3-inch liquid crystal display allows you to preview whatever you're about to shoot.
You can use special recording modes too, like Smart Background Music, My Clip and Aqua Mode. This last one has to be the one that plays with lights when the gadget is submerged.
And so we have arrived at the point where we discuss endurance, and we have to say that the HMX-W350's ability to withstand being submerged at up to 5 meters is decent. Not exactly the same big deal as 10 meters but enough for the price, though some may disagree.
Speaking of which, the tag will be of 249,000 won when shipments begin in South Korea this summer. That's $213 and 167 Euro, according to exchange rates.