HDR-SR12 is the latest Sony camcorder with 120GB hard disc. Sony will release it later this year together with HDR-SR11 which will have all the same features and look, but it will have a smaller – 60GB drive.
This will be the third generation of Sony AVCHD camcorders and as such it will be the best one yet. Both the HDR-SR12 and HDR-SR11 will have 12x optical zoom lens, great looks with all the ports hidden, so it is really visually appealing (If you’re looking for a camera with similar features and specifications, yet without the HDD see the Sony HDC-CX12 review). The camera is not as small as for example JVC GZ-HD6, or Panasonic HDC-HS9, but it is really handy and as the HDR-SR12’s weight is well balanced it also seems very light. Equipped with 3.2-inch LCD touch-screen with 921,600-pixel resolution the HDR-SR12 assures great visibility (unless you fiddle with too many options and too many icons appear). Within the LCD panel are buttons for Home, Record start/stop, Zoom In and Zoom Out. HDR-SR12’s screen itself flips out 90 degrees and rotates up to 270 degrees.
Sony HDR-SR12 and HDR-SR11 perform really well in both outdoor and indoor shooting. The image is always very sharp and the responses to white balance are impeccable. In the best quality the image is saved at 16Mbps in the resolution 1920 x 1080 which is already a standard, but generally Sony HDR-SR12 performs better than JVC GZ-HD6, or Panasonic HDC-HS9.
Even in low light Sony HDR-SR12 performs well reducing noise without any negative effect on colours. Sony HDR-SR12 and HDR-SR11 have four quality options which vary in Mbps. Thus Sony HDR-SR11 can save up to 430 minutes of video files in the highest quality, or up to 1370 in the lowest one, while Sony HDR-SR12 can save 890 minutes of video in the best quality and 2880 minutes in the lowest quality. Should need be there is also a Memory Stick Pro Duo slot within the LCD cavity.
The Sony camcorder has a number of pre-defined scene modes such as Auto, Twilight Portrait, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Twilight, Spotlight, Beach and Snow. There is also the manual mode which allows you to adjust all settings. Apart from that the Sony HDR-SR12 has Face Detection feature which works in Video mode and in Still mode, so the camcorder automatically adjust some settings to bring the most desirable results. HDR-SR12 has an interesting feature called the Dual Mode which enables you to take 7,6-megapixel photos in video mode. In still mode you can take even 10,2 megapixel, good quality photos. The battery life of HDR-SR12 is about average when compared to other camcorders. Sony HDR-SR12 works for more or less 90 minutes with the LCD on. Along with the camcorder in the box you can find:
• Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (AC-L200)
• InfoLITHIUM® Rechargeable Battery (NP-FH60)
• Remote Commander® Remote Control (RMT-835)
• Handycam Station™ cradle (DRCA-C200)
• Component Video Cable
• Multi A/V Cable (Stereo)
• Application CD-ROM w/ Driver
• USB Cable
• Enjoy Handycam DVD
Selected Sony HDR-SR12 and HDR-SR11 are as follows:
For more information go to : Sony.