Samsung HMX-U15 and HMX-U20: Two curvy minicams

Last year Samsung set up stall in the mini-camcorder market with the HMX-U10 -- a quirkily shaped device that offered HD video and a 10-megapixel camera to boot. This year it's flogging the all-new HMX-U20 and HMX-U15, two feature-rich minicams with equally hard-to-remember names.

Both camcorders will shoot 1,920x1,080-pixel Full HD video and feature HDMI connectivity, so showing off your masterpieces on a big-screen TV should be truly simple. There's also an image-stabilisation system, which is a useful inclusion as minicams' light weight can lead to shaky footage as you fail to keep your arms steady.

The HMX-U15 raises the still-photography stakes with the ability to take 14-megapixel still images, while the HMX-U20 can muster only 10-megapixel shots. On the other hand, the HMX-U20 boasts a 3x optical zoom and a Flip Mino-style swing-out USB connector, which can be used for video transfer or charging. Both these features are absent from the U15 model, so you'll have to decide which is more important to you -- still image quality or easy charging and connectivity.

Plugging in either device will let you upload video quickly to YouTube, or make a few quick adjustments to your footage with the built-in software. As you can see from the press shots above, both models feature a distinctive -- and apparently more comfortable -- 7-degree angled grip. The HMX-U20 will be available in March, with the U15 following close behind with a May release date, and both models will be available in black, blue, red and silver. Stay tuned for pricing information and a full review.