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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Conclusion & Comparisons

  • Photo Gallery

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Conclusion & Comparisons
  • Photo Gallery

Performance

The Sony HDR-CX12 comes equipped with a single 1/3.3-inch CMOS sensor. This is the same chip as the Sony HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12, but significantly larger than the 1/5-inch CMOS in its DVD-based cousin, the Sony HDR-UX20. The gross pixel count on the CX12's sensor is 5,660,000. The effective pixel count is 3,810,000.

Overall, the HDR-CX12 produced a great looking image. The colors are strong without being too saturated (for a consumer camcorder, at least). The colors look very similar to last year's HDR-CX7—the CX12's predecessor. The picture is identical to the HDR-SR12. We were also impressed with the sharpness. Every bit of fine detail was rendered smooth and clean. We loved the SR12, and we love the performance from the CX12. The sharpness of the Sonys couldn't quite match the Canon HF10 and HF11, but the Sonys had noticeably less noise than the Canons. We liked the color on all these camcorders, though the Canon showed a bit more saturation. And Canon cannot be beat for sharpness by anyone this year, except the anomalous Samsung SC-HMX20—the surprise killer for 2008.

Out of lab, the Sony HDR-CX12 performed very well. The sharpness was good, though not quite matching the Canon HF11. The Canon produced more noticeable noise than the Sony, which is certainly a point in Sony's favor. However, when we put the charts and ad hoc footage side by side, it was impossible not to side with the Canon. The Canon HF11's video is sharper and has a generally better looking color, particularly in the midtones. This is not to say that the Sony CX12 is a slacker—far from it. The CX12, along with the Sony HDR-SR12, are exceptional performers in their own right. If you're a Sony loyalist, or if you just don't like Canon, you can purchase these Sonys with confidence.

Video Resolution* (18.75)*

The video resolution was tested by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart at an even, bright light. The playback footage is then analyzed on an HD monitor. We found the Sony HDR-CX12 to produce an approximate horizontal resolution of 625 line widths. The vertical resolution measured approximately 600 line widths.

This score, not surprisingly, is the same as the cousin model, the Sony HDR-SR12.

Low Light Performance* (4.77)*

The low light performance of the Sony HDR-CX12 was tested in three stages: comparative analysis, sensitivity, and color accuracy/noise/saturation testing. Stage 1: Comparative analysis. We shoot a DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde chart at an even 60 lux and 15 lux, then compare the results with similar camcorders that have come through our labs.

At 60 lux, the chart looked quite good. The visible noise was relatively low, and nearly all of the fine detail on the chart was still visible. Comparatively, the Canon HF11 at 1080/60i is a bit darker. Of course, Canon has a major advantage in its ability to record at 1080/30P and 24P, while Sony only offers 60i. Canon's alternate frame rates produce some amazing results in low light, which factor very clearly into its final score for this section of the review.

Under the same 60 lux conditions, the Panasonic HDC-HS100 is brighter, but lacks the color saturation and strength that we see in the Sony and Canons. The Samsung SC-HMX20 is a little brighter than the Sony HDR-CX12, and arguably better looking color. In fact, the Samsung's colors tested more accurately according to our software tests (discussed below), but the Sony's increased saturation may appeal to more people.

Sony HDR-CX12 at 15 lux*in auto mode*

At 15 lux, the Sony HDR-CX12 lost a lot of color and saw a substantial increase in noise, which is to be expected in even very good camcorders. Under this low light, the Canon HF11 was better in all of its frame rates. The Samsung SC-HMX20 was also better. The Panasonic HDC-HS100 was the dimmest.

The second stage of testing examines color accuracy, noise, and saturation. We shoot an X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even 60 lux, then export frame grabs to Imatest imaging software. According to Imatest, the Sony HDR-CX12 produced a color error of 11.5. This score was statistically identical to its cousin model, the Sony HDR-SR12 (no surprises there). This score was a little better than the Canon HF11, and much better than the Panasonic HDC-HS100. The leader in color accuracy was the Samsung SC-HMX20.

The noise from the Sony HDR-CX12 measured approximately 1.0925%. Again, the score was very similar to the Sony HDR-SR12. The Canon HF11 was much noisier—something we were able to confirm with our eyes. The Samsung SC-HMX20 produced about the same amount of noise as the Sony CX12. The Panasonic HDC-HS100 produced the best score in this test. Finally, the Sony HDR-CX12 produced a saturation level of 69.69%.

The final stage of the test examines sensitivity. We slowly and steadily lower the light while the camcorder is attached to a waveform monitor, which determines exposure (expressed in IREs). The light is lowered until the camcorder is producing a peak of 50 IRE. Ultimately, the Sony HDR-CX12 was able to produce 50 IRE at 14 lux. This was identical to the Sony HDR-SR12.

Comparatively, the Canon HF11 only required 10 lux of light to produce the same exposure levels. The Panasonic HDC-HS100 required 16 lux, and the Samsung SC-HMX20 was simply amazing, requiring only 5 lux.

Overall, the low light performance of the Sony HDR-CX12 was excellent, making a strong case for the CX12 in your camera bag.

Stabilization* (7.5)*

The Sony HDR-CX12 is equipped with the SteadyShot optical image stabilization (OIS) system. We tested the effectiveness of the system using our special shake device. At speed 1, which roughly approximates standard hand shake, we found that the camcorder's OIS reduced visible shake by 75%. At speed 2, a shake closer to something you'd experience in a moving car, the shake reduction was 75%.

These scores were statistically identical to the Sony HDR-SR12. This makes sense, as both have a similar size and body shape, as well as an identical stabilization system.

Wide Angle* (9.8)*

The wide angle of the Sony HDR-CX12 was measured at 49 degrees.

Format

Compression* (7.25)*

The Sony HDR-CX12 compresses video in the AVCHD format, which has clearly won out over tape-based HDV and other HD formats in the consumer realm. AVCHD is now in use by Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and JVC—the big four in camcorders. 

In the case of the CX12, full 1920 x 1080 high definition AVCHD video is recorded onto MemoryStick Duo cards. There are four quality settings: HD FH (16Mbps), HD HQ (9Mbps), HD SP (7Mbps), and HD LP (5Mbps). The fastest bitrate is only incrementally faster than what Sony offered in its predecessor, the CX7, which peaked at 15Mbps. In this regard, Sony is definitely falling behind the competition. JVC is offering a max 17Mbps, Panasonic also tops out at 17Mbps, and Canon is killing them all with 24Mbps—the fastest possible speed for AVCHD. Now, it's important to point out that bitrate only contributes to a small fraction of all that entails video quality. But it is factor.

The camcorder can also record standard definition MPEG-2 video in three qualities: 9Mbps, 6Mbps, and 3Mbps.

The MemoryStick slot in the LCD cavity

Media* (7.0)*

The Sony HDR-CX12 records video exclusively to MemoryStick Duo and PRO Duo cards, which are currently available in sizes up to 16GB (according to the official MemoryStick site). There are a lot of advantages to solid state memory, like portability, shake and weather resistance, low power consumption, and the fastest access times. However, there's a lot to be said for the instant archiving that tape and (groan) DVD offer. If you plan on owning a solid state camcorder, you'd better have a great habit of backing up footage to a hard drive.

A 4GB MemoryStick Duo is included.

Editing* (4.0)*

The AVCHD video outputted from the Sony HDR-CX12 is compatible with some, but not all consumer editing software. AVCHD is still not enjoying anywhere near the universal compatibility of HDV, and even when the software can read it, AVCHD files are still a royal pain for most computers to handle. Think of it like chunky peanut butter in your gas tank. Be sure to check the specs on your preferred software before you make the decision to buy this or any camcorder.

The camcorder also ships with its own software, Picture Motion Browser. The software, while certainly limited, allows you to import clips, do some basic editing, and stitch a little home movie together.

 

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
* Automatic Control (7.0)*

Most camcorder owners tend to shoot in auto mode, so you'd better expect great performance in this arena. The Sony HDR-CX12 holds up, we're happy to say. Under most shooting conditions, including more difficult low light shots, the auto exposure, white balance, and focus perform satisfactorily or better.

Exposure adjustments take an average of 2-3 seconds, even at their most extreme shifts. Even more importantly, the camcorder's shifts in gradual transitions was also good. It's always a disappointment to see exposure shift in a step-function fashion as you slowly pan across a scene. The CX12 is smooth and even.

The auto focus was something we complained about on the HDR-CX7. There seems to be some improvement this year on the CX12. Yes, it's slower in low light than in bright light, but even in light as low as 2-3 lux, the CX12 managed to find the focus eventually and stick to it.

The auto white balance was not great. Under tungsten lighting, it was a little yellow. Shooting inside with ambient light from a window, the colors skewed too blue. Fortunately, the manual white balance setting could get it in the ballpark, and we could perform these manual settings without the use of a white card. Just point at your subject, and if there's some white in the shot, it can do a half-decent job.

Of course, you'll find a whole host of one-touch correction features that affect image quality without requiring a doctorate in photography. The old Sony stand-bys include Spot Meter and Spot Focus. When either is activated, a frame is drawn around the screen. Simply touch the area of the screen that you want adjusted for exposure or focus, and the camcorder makes the shift automatically. Sony also combined the two in the Spot Meter/Focus tool—two great tastes that taste great together! All three tools are simple, but only effective for large, simple objects onscreen. They're not great for small or finely detailed work.

There are also two separate low light shooting modes. Normally (with these modes off), the slowest possible shutter speed is 1/60th. If you activate Auto Slow Shutter, the shutter can drop as low as 1/30th. This lets in a lot more light without causing too much motion blur. The Color Slow Shutter mode is more drastic, allowing the shutter to drop as low as around 1/4 or 1/2 of a second, resulting in tremendous blurring.

Overall, the auto modes are fine for most kinds of shooting. The menu design is too complicated, but once you find the one-touch controls, they're clearly designed for the beginner.

Overall Manual Control (7.0)

Sony made a big leap forward since last year in terms of manual control. The HDR-CX12 includes a 'Cam Control' dial on the front of the body, borrowing from cousin models like the Sony HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12. The dial, though seemingly small and unassuming, frees you from relying entirely on the touch screen. Sure, touch screens are okay for certain functions, but they fall short for certain critical tasks like focusing.

Our extensive handling of a wide sampling of camcorders this year has shown that a dial as well-implemented as this can be just as effective as a large ring control around the lens. Of course, so much is dependent on what the dial or ring allows you to perform. The dial on the HDR-CX12 offers four functions: focus, exposure, AE shift, and White Balance shift. This is a solid choice of controls, but we miss an option for zoom. By comparison, the new Panasonic HDC-HS100 and HDC-SD100 feature a full-sized ring that controls zoom, white balance, aperture, shutter speed, and gain. That is a powerful set of controls indeed, and perhaps overwhelming for the beginner.

Getting the hang of how to use the dial in combination with the multiple menus can take some time. Sony used to be the pride of the ease-of-use crowd. But after putting Sony camcorders in the hands of beginners, it's clear that Sony needs to scale back and simplify.

Zoom (5.0)

The zoom control on the Sony HDR-CX12 is a toggle located on top of the body. It's located a little too far forward for convenient index finger access. Instead, you have to use your middle finger, which has less fine control. We were able to get about four distinct zoom speeds, from a very slow crawl to a quick blast across the zoom speed. When zooming, a scale appears on screen to give you a sense of where in the zoom range you are, but the camcorder doesn't give give you an exact number.

Zoom Power Ratio (12.0)

The Sony HDR-CX12 offers a 12x optical zoom, comparable to the competition. The digital zoom extends all the way out to 150x, but can be capped at 24x.

Focus (6.5)

The focus on the Sony HDR-CX12 can be adjusted in two ways. The method common to all Sony camcorders is the touch screen. In our opinion, this is not the method you want to use, but we'll be nice and tell you about it anyway. Touch screen Focus controls are located in the second tab of the Camera Menu. The operation is simple—just push and hold the near and far buttons to shift focus. The problem is that when activated, the screen is junked up with so many graphics and buttons that you can hardly see the shot.

The better option for focusing is with the dial. To activate, push in on the button inside the dial. If you've never used the dial before, manual focusing is the default action. Just spin the dial and focus. At the bottom of the screen, the camcorder provides an approximation of the focal distance in meters.

Exposure & Aperture (5.5)

Like the focus control, there are two methods to adjust exposure. To use the touch screen method, the exposure control is located in the second tab of the Camera menu. When activated, there are plus and minus buttons on opposite sides of the screen. Push to adjust the exposure up and down. The problem with this control is that the screen gets cluttered up with graphics, though less egregiously than it is when focusing.

The second method is to use the Cam Control dial. When using this method, the onscreen graphics are minimal, but no less effective. A small scale appears along the bottom. In both the touch screen and dial methods, there are 31 increments by which to set the exposure.

Both the touch screen and dial offer a second method of exposure control called 'AE Shift.' The interface is the same, but the level of control is much finer. There are only five increments, +2 to -2, and the effect is much more subtle than the regular exposure control.

The camcorder does not offer direct control over the aperture. You can only bump the brightness up and down, without any real understanding of how the aperture and shutter are being affected.

Shutter Speed (0.0)

The shutter speed cannot be directly controlled on the Sony HDR-CX12. Sorry, folks. Almost every other HD camcorder in the market gives you this option.

White Balance (6.0)

The white balance options on the Sony HDR-CX12 are pretty good compared to most camcorders. There are two methods. The first, standard to all camcorders, is the ability choose between some preset white balance modes—Auto, Indoor, and Outdoor—as well as manually white balancing by pointing at a grey or neutral target and tapping the 'One Push' button.

The second control that the CX12 offers that sets it apart from other camcorders is the WB Shift. Once the white balance has been established, you can use the WB Shift to bump the color temperature up or down a few degrees. The effect is subtle and you can only shift up and down +2 to -2, but it could come in handy for some users.

Gain (0.0)

There is no gain control on the Sony HDR-CX12. Only Panasonic offers this option in consumer camcorders.

Other Manual Controls (6.0)
Tele Macro - This tool is meant to help with getting macro shots from a distance. When activated, it automatically extends the zoom out to 12x. If you try to shift the zoom, the feature shuts off. All in all, it's not too useful.

Face Detection - The face detection function recognizes faces, then adjusts for exposure, white balance, and focus. While we couldn't notice much of a shift in color or focus when activated, we could see that the camcorder at least recognized the faces. A small box appears around each face as they appear on screen, up to eight at once.

Zebra - The zebra control is an option that allows you to spot overexposure hot spots. When they appear, scrolling black and white 'zebra' stripes appear. You can set the sensitivity to 70 or 100. These numbers correspond to the IRE levels.

Guideframe - The Guideframe option creates an onscreen grid that helps you set up your shot.

x.v.Color - This is Sony's marketing term for the xvYCC color standard, a new standard of displaying color for HD broadcast. You can choose to record in x.v.Color or not. If you don't have a TV that supports x.v.Color, then the extra color information will simply be discarded.

Still Features

Still Features* (9.0)*

Like most camcorders, the Sony HDR-CX12 takes still photos. Our standard line is that camcorders can never substitute for a dedicated still camera, but the CX12 does a pretty decent job (see details in the Still Performance section below). Stills are recorded in the JPEG format in five sizes: 640 x 480, 1600 x 1200, 2848 x 2136, 3680 x 2070, and 3680 x 2760.

It's important to note that the largest size, that 10.2-megapixel behemoth, is not a native resolution. One look at the pixel count of the CMOS chip—approximately 5.6-megapixels—tells you that anything larger than this is an interpolation.

The MemoryStick slot in the LCD cavity

The HDR-CX12 has a flash that's well-placed at the left side of the lens barrel. You can set the flash to auto, forced on, or forced off. You can also turn a red-eye reduction on and off. There is a self-timer that defaults to 10-seconds. Many camcorders offer you the ability set set this for a few different durations.

The manual controls are virtually identical to those that you find in video mode. Exposure, white balance, focus, Spot Focus, Spot Meter, Spot Meter/Focus, and all the others are the same. You can also use the Cam Control dial located on the front of the camcorder for exposure, AE Shift, White Balance Shift, and focus. Refer to the Auto/Manual control section of the review (just click at the table of contents at the top of this page) for all the details.

There's one important feature you'll want to hear about on the HDR-CX12. The Smile Shutter feature, imported from Sony's still camera line, automatically detects when your subject is smiling, then snaps the picture. There are several settings to tweak this feature. You can set sensitivity, adult/child priority, whether you want a frame to appear around the subject on your LCD, or if you want the Smile Shutter feature always on or not.

Now let's go through the menus. The Photo Settings menu is accessed from the Home menu:

To get to the Photo Playback mode, press the small blue button in the corner of the touch screen. In Photo Playback mode, the Camera menu contains:

 

Still Performance* (11.93)*

The still performance of the Sony HDR-CX12 was tested by shooting an X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even, bright light. The stills were then run through Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. We shot under a variety of exposures. At best, the CX12 produced a color error of 5.03. This was a very good score—better than the previous generation HDR-CX7, and better than the Canon HF11, Samsung SC-HMX20, and Panasonic HDC-HS100 (and, presumably, the HDC-SD100).

The noise from the Sony HDR-CX12 measured approximately 1.54%, which again was also better than the previous generation HDR-CX7. This score was on par with the Canon HF11. The Samsung SC-HMX20 and Panasonic HDC-HS100 performed with far less noise. Finally, the CX12 produced a saturation of 97.15%.

Out of the lab, the Sony CX12 produced decent looking photos for a camcorder. The resolution is good, but the noise seems higher than you'd see on an average point-and-shoot camera. In a pinch, this could stand in for still camera, but if you really care about the quality of your photos, a dedicated still camera is always better.

Still Resolution* (32.12)*

The still resolution of the Sony HDR-CX12 was tested by shooting an ISO 12233 resolution chart at an even, bright light. At best, the camcorder produced a horizontal resolution of 1552 line widths per picture height (lw/ph)—with an undersharpening of 6.6%. The vertical resolution measured 1118 lw/ph—with a 32.7% undersharpening.

These scores were virtually identical with last year's Sony HDR-CX7. The best of the bunch in this class was the Samsung SC-HMX20. The Canon HF11 was on par with the Sony CX12, and the Panasonic HDC-HS100 produced the lowest resolution.

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (7.5)*

Once upon a time, Sony ruled ease of use category, with the simplest, cleanest menus and great interface. Sony's current menu design, which splits functionality across three separate menus. Once you get the hang of it, the design is not necessarily bad, but it does make you dig.

If you hate interfacing with complicated menus, but love having home movies, Sony has got the answer. In the LCD cavity, you'll find a clearly marked 'Easy' button. In this mode, all manual controls are switched to auto mode. The menus that are still accessible are simplified in order to prevent you from making changes you don't want and don't understand.

By comparison, the Panasonic menus are the simplest, cleanly laid out and now featuring a scrolling text bar at the bottom that explains every feature as they're highlighted. Canon's interface is roughly the same as Sony's. Samsung's menu interface is better.

The Sony HDR-CX12 in hand

Handling* (7.0)*

The Sony HDR-CX12 handles very well. It takes a lot of the strengths of the cousin model, the Sony HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12, and shrinks it down to a smaller package. This may not be a positive shift for every type of user, especially those with big hands, but most people will probably like it. Also, the CX12 lacks a viewfinder, which could steer power users away.

The biggest improvement over its predecessor, the HDR-CX7, is the inclusion of the Cam Control dial, ported over from SR11 and SR12. The dial is located in the front of the body, positioned under the lens. It's not quite as potent as a full ring around the lens, but we like it a lot. The dial has an easily grippable surface. There's a small button in the center of the dial that calls up a small onscreen menu. Here, you choose what function you want the dial to control: focus, exposure, AE Shift (a finer-tuned exposure control), or White Balance Shift. A fifth option for zooming would have been nice, but it's certainly not a deal-breaker.

The HDR-CX12 has a solid feel despite its compact size. Of course, there are always compromises to be made with compacts. The buttons in the LCD cavity are small, and may be hard to push for stubby fingers. The mode dial sits on a hump along the back ridge of the body, which means the zoom toggle had to be pushed forward. It now falls under the middle finger instead of the zoom. Like so many camcorders, the entire camcorder body is a little unbalanced. When you hold it in your right hand with the strap secured, the body leans left. This can easily be combated in the design phase by positioning the hand strap higher, but few manufacturers seem to do it.

By comparison, only the Panasonic HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 can really compete for power handling that higher-end consumers want, because both feature a full ring around the lens that has even more functions that Sony's dial. The Canon HF11 and JVC GZ-HD10 / GZ-HD30 / GZ-HD40 all utilize a joystick control that is convenient, but less powerful. The Samsung SC-HMX20 is comfortable in hand, but only offers touch screen control.

Menu* (6.0)*

We who spend all day playing with camcorders can easily fall into habits and opinions that may tend to stray from Joe Public's. In order to realign ourselves with the vox populi, we've been putting camcorders in less experienced hands and polling their opinions. It turns out that, despite our earlier conclusions, people seem to dislike Sony's menu structures, citing the confusing layout and lack of clarity as to what any of the buttons actually do.

We have to agree with them. The problem is particularly egregious with the HDR-CX12 and other Sonys using the Cam Control dial. On these models, there are three separate menus to pick through, and a lot of overlapping options.

The first menu we'll look at is the one related to the Cam Control dial. Pushing and holding the button in the center of the dial brings up a small menu in the corner of the screen. No, you can't touch the screen to select, which doesn't make sense, because you can touch everything else. Instead, you spin the dial to select.

The Cam Control dial menu contains the following options:

The second menu is the Camera menu, which contains most of the controls that directly affect image quality, including all of the stuff you can also access from the Cam Control dial. Yes, all of it. However, the interface is quite different, and not nearly as good as if you went through the dial. When you access something like Focus, the entire screen is choked with buttons and icons that make it hard to see your shot. Use the dial and thank us later.

The Camera menu contains the following options:

The third menu is the Home menu, accessed via the button in the upper left of the screen with the little 'house' icon. This menu is the kitchen sink of the camcorder. Everything is here, laid out like the Junior Jumble. Good luck finding anything if you're not well-acquainted with the menu.

The Home menu consists of the following items:

Strangely, despite a different design and much different requirements for media type, the CX12 has the same dimensions as the hard-drive based HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12. All three measure 83 x 76 x 138mm (3 3/8 x 3 x 5 1/20 inches). Mercifully, the CX12 is lighter, weighing in at 450g (1 lbs) with the battery. The HDR-SR12 weighs 650g (1 lbs 6 oz).

UPDATE: Thanks to savvy readers who voiced their opinions, Sony has retracted the previous specs for CX12's dimensions. The new, corrected dimensions are 69 x 67 x 131mm (2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches) including protrusions. This makes the HDR-CX12 smaller than the HDR-SR12, and about the same size as the Canon HF11.

The included 4GB MemoryStick Duo card buys you only about 25 minutes of video in the highest quality. You'll likely want to stock up on at least one more MemoryStick before a big event. Vacations can get tricky. Sure, the camcorder and media itself is light, but where will you dump your footage at the end of the day? Do you want to pack a computer? Or a standalone DVD burner? It's a tricky question that you'll need to answer before you take the plunge on a camcorder that only records to cards.

LCD and Viewfinder* (7.0)*

The Sony HDR-CX12 features a 2.7-inch LCD with a resolution of 211,000 pixels. Compare this with the Sony HDR-SR12, which has a much larger 3.2-inch LCD and a huge increase in resolution (921,000 pixels). When you see them side by side, the difference is immediate, and makes a big impact in tasks like manual focusing. If you only plan on simple point-and-shoot operation, you probably won't require the higher resolution. However, like all Sony camcorders, the HDR-CX12 is a touch screen camcorder, and the amount of surface area has a major impact on handling. Pushing the onscreen buttons on the larger screen is much easier than on the CX12's 2.7-inch screen. We suggest you try these out at a local camera store to get a real feel.

Battery Life* (9.9)*

The Sony HDR-CX12 ships with the NP-FH60 battery. We tested it for battery life by running the camcorder continuously. The LCD was open and no manual controls or zoom were engaged for the duration of the test. In all, the battery lasted 99 minutes and 30 seconds (1 hour, 39 minutes, and 30 seconds).

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio* (5.0)*

The Sony HDR-CX12 is not a audiophile's dream, by any means, but it does offer some features. On top, you'll find a built-in, multi-directional microphone. Watch your pinkie when you're recording! It's very likely to stray across the top of the mic and create a loud grating noise. Of course, you'll never hear it during shooting because there's no headphone jack on the camcorder. There's no standard mic jack either, but you do have access to a proprietary-fit accessory shoe. In times past, we blasted Sony for its choice of making its accessory shoes only fit with Sony-brand products, but now you can bypass that with the small purchase of a shoe adapter, available many places online.

The microphone level can be set to Normal or Low. The audio compression mode can be set to 5.1-channel Surround Sound or 2-channel stereo.

By comparison, the Canon HF11, JVC GZ-HD40, and Panasonic HDC-SD100 / HDC-HS100 all include a headphone jack and mic jack.

Playback* (5.5)*

Playing back your video clips is quite simple. Tap the button in the lower left corner of the touch screen to switch to playback mode. Once there, your clips will appear as thumbnails. By default, each new day of recording is split onto a new page. To play a clip, just tap it, and playback begins instantly. All the VCR controls (i.e., play, fast forward, rewind, etc.) are touch screen buttons, which function well enough, but really junk up the screen. How are you supposed to see your video? It's a small but annoying issue that Canon, JVC, and Panasonic all manage to avoid by not having a touch screen.

The Playback menu contains the following options:

Connectivity* (7.0)*

The connectivity options on the Sony HDR-CX12 are slim. On the camcorder itself, you'll find the MemoryStick Duo card slot in the LCD cavity. On the back, behind two swinging door port covers, you'll find a mini-HDMI port and an AV-out port. The AV-out port is, annoyingly, a proprietary-fit jack that connects to either the composite (RCA) or component cable that ships with the camcorder. You cannot use standard AV cables. Also on the back is a DC input. On top is the small, proprietary-fit shoe, which has a built-in port cover that slides back into the body.

But how, you ask, does one transfer video from camcorder to computer? For that, you'll need to plug the camcorder into the docking station. Why they couldn't stuff this port onto the camcorder is a mystery, but it means that you have one more thing to pack in the camera bag before your trip. The docking station also includes a second DC power input and AV-out.

The Sony HDR-SR12 is clearly a step-up in this category, including a mic jack and headphone jack. There's also no need for a docking station, as all the ports are built right into the camcorder.

 

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Sony HDR-CX12 includes the following:

-AC Adapter

-Power Cord

-Handycam Station docking station

-Component Cable

-AV Cable

-USB Cable

-Wireless Remote

-Button-type Lithium Battery

-NP-FH60 Rechargeable Battery Pack

-4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Card

Other Features* (5.5)**

Smooth Slow Record* – This neat little feature allows you to record three seconds of video at a rate of 240fps, stretching your three-seconds of motion into a twelve-second slow motion clip. Though the duration is frustratingly short, it does look good. Unfortunately, you have to troll through the menu to activate the feature, which makes it more suited to planned shots like golf swings, and less than ideal for 'quick draw shooting.'

Dual Record – Nothing new, this feature allows you to capture stills while simultaneously recording video.

Digital Effect – Digital Effects on the Sony HDR-CX12 include: Old Movie. Yes, that's it. Big whoop.

Picture Effect – There are three options here: Sepia, Black & White, and Pastel. Why Sony made the Picture Effect and Digital Effect two different menu groups is a mystery.

Backlight Compensation (BLC) – This feature is meant to be activated when your subject is too strongly backlit. Simply put, it boosts the overall exposure to bring out more detail in your subject.

Fader – When the Fader option is activated, your video fades in and out, rather than a sharp cut, whenever you hit the record button. Options here are fade to/from Black or White.

Super NightShot – This Sony special feature activates an infrared light that works in the absence of visible light to produce a greenish, monochromatic shot.

Conclusion & Comparisons

Conclusion
The Sony HDR-CX12 is a very strong performer in all kinds of light. For that alone, it merits as a solid choice for an all-purpose camcorder. If you plan on limiting your operations to point-and-shoot recording, take comfort in the CX12's Easy mode, which couldn't be simpler.

Advanced users are in luck. Sony took the Cam Control dial that we loved on the hard drive HDR-SR11 / HDR-SR12 and carried it over to the HDR-CX12. The dial gives you an easy and unobtrusive access to exposure, white balance, and focus controls that is far and away better than the touch screen interface.

Sadly, the users that find themselves somewhere in between the 'beginner/expert spectrum'may not find the HDR-CX12 such a pleasant experience. Yes, in the past we always gave Sony a free pass in the Ease of Use category. No more. We've begun putting more camcorders in the hands of a wider range of people. The verdict: Sony menus and interface are too confusing. It's hard not to agree, with dozens of options being spread across three separate menus. The learning curve on these latest Sony camcorders is rather steep.

Overall, the performance alone is a good reason to give the Sony HDR-CX12 our approval. It's a strong camcorder. However, the competition is particularly strong in the category of high definition, solid state camcorders. The Canon HF11 has more powerful manual control, multiple frame rates (1080/60i, 30P, and 24P), and a sharper looking image—not to mention 32GB of internal memory. The Sony HDR-CX12 only records to card memory, severely reducing recording times. Another compelling model is the Samsung SC-HMX20, which had astonishing low light performance, great ease of use and handling, and undoubtedly the sexiest design in camcorders this year.

Comparisons

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters

The Sony HDR-CX12 is a good choice for those who have have little aspiration beyond point and shoot operation. Just put the camcorder in Easy mode and you're golden. 

Budget Consumers

The HDR-CX12 is not the cheapest choice. You're definitely going to pay a premium for solid state recording, which is a newer technology. Stick with tape or DVD if you need to keep some pennies in the jar.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid

The Sony HDR-CX12 takes pretty good looking still photos. This is high on the list for hybrids.

Gadget Freaks

Solid state recording has geek appeal, but the 24P and 30P recording on the Canon HF11 has more.

Manual Control Freaks

The handling on CX12 is good, but Sony is never a great choice for raw manual control. Panasonic, particularly the new HDC-HS100 and HDC-SD100 are among the most compelling choices. The Canon HF11 also exceeds the CX12 is the sheer number of controls, but only offers a joystick by which to access them.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

The HDR-CX12 is a good camcorders, but not for pros.

Meet the tester

David Kender

David Kender

Editor in Chief

@davekender

David Kender oversees content at Reviewed as the Editor in Chief. He served as managing editor and editor in chief of Reviewed's ancestor, CamcorderInfo.com, helping to grow the company from a tiny staff to one of the most influential online review resources. In his time at Reviewed, David has helped to launch over 100 product categories and written too many articles to count.

See all of David Kender's reviews

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