The HDR-SR12 ($1,399 MSRP) is Sony’s top-of-the-line consumer camcorder for 2008, and the manufacturer's third-generation camcorder to use the AVCHD format. There’s a lot to love about the SR12: a big 120GB hard disk drive (HDD), a solid feel, a clever design, and most importantly, an impressive video performance. This may not be the perfect camcorder for everyone, but it’s worth exploring.
The noteworthy performance Sony HDR-SR12 is largely due to the new 1/3.13-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor featuring Exmor technology and the new Bionz processor. These technologies have been in use on some of Sony’s professional camcorders and its DSLR camera line for about a year. Their main benefit is noise reduction. Compared to Sony’s top tape-based HDV camcorder, the HDR-HC9, the image is remarkably clean and crisp. In all shooting, bright and dark, the SR12 is competitive with the Canon HF10, another top-of-the-line AVCHD camcorder. The low light performance, in particular, is better than what we’ve seen from Sony in a while.
For all the great intentions with which we buy camcorders, most people rely on Auto mode most of the time rather than getting bogged down with manual controls. Sony has never slouched in this category, offering excellent automatic responses to changes in light and color. The autofocus, however, drags more than it has in previous Sonys. We’ve seen better from Canon recently in all its high definition camcorders.
If you are one to brave the manual controls, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The Sony HDR-SR12 is equipped with the standard touch screen interface, which draws legitimate criticism for accumulating ugly fingerprints. However, touch screens are always easy to use and the LCD on the SR12 is larger than normal, a full 3.2 inches, with more than four times the resolution of previous Sony LCDs. The HDR-SR12 is also equipped with a useful Cam Control dial. Located below the lens on the front of the body, this dial can be used as an alternative to the touch screen for controlling exposure, white balance, and focus. The dial is relatively large and easy to grip, easily surpassing the small scroll wheel on the Sony HDR-HC9 or Canon HV30.
The HDR-SR12 records video to a non-removable 120GB HDD. Sony also offers the HDR-SR11, identical in all ways to the SR12 but with a smaller 60GB capacity. Either of these options leaves plenty of room for video storage. Shooters must be vigilant about backing up their clips, however. For all the protection Sony offers within the camcorder, a disk drive is a fragile thing and one bad drop could corrupt the data. By comparison, memory cards are more durable, though they have far less capacity. Sony gives you the option of recording video to Memory Stick PRO Duo cards on the SR12, but a card is not included in the box and it seems almost gratuitous with so much on-board memory.
The AVCHD compression format used by the Sony HDR-SR12 is much improved over previous generations of Sony AVCHD camcorders. The image is sharper and you’ll see fewer compression “artifacts.” While software manufacturers have increased support for AVCHD video clips, you’ll still need a powerful computer to edit a movie.
The Sony HDR-SR12 is a great camcorder. It’s certainly not the most affordable or the smallest, but it does deliver on performance, which is the most important aspect of any camcorder. If you like everything you’ve read but want to save a few bucks, try the Sony HDR-SR11, an identical camcorder with a smaller 60GB HDD. For even less money, you could pick up the Canon HF10, a solid-state memory powerhouse that offers even more features and a slightly better performance. Tape-based HDV camcorders like the Sony HDR-HC9 and Canon HV30 will also cost less and make editing easier, but many people are trying to move away from tape. If you can afford it, the Sony HDR-SR12 is a great buy.
For a more in-depth review, visit the Sony HDR-SR12 Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com
