The Sony HDR-SR12 is the company’s third generation AVCHD camcorder recording to hard disk drive (HDD). The SR12 features a new CMOS sensor and DSP touted by Sony to be the best yet, along with a huge 120GB capacity. It is joined by the HDR-SR11, an identical camcorder with a smaller 60GB HDD. In previous iterations, all AVCHD camcorders have failed to live up to performance expectations, but 2008 seems to be the year it’s turning around. The Canon HF10 gave outstanding performance and sharpness. The Panasonic HDC-SD9, while not as good as the Canon, exceeded the performance of its predecessors. So how does the Sony HDR-SR12 hold up to the competition In a word … strongly. This is undoubtedly the sensor/processor package to own if you’re a Sony fan. The low light performance is excellent – far superior in noise reduction to the Sony HDR-HC9, its HDV cousin, and comparable to the Canon HF10 in1080/60i. However, the overall sharpness does not match that of the Canon HF10 in bright light, and Canon’s inclusion of multiple frame rates (60i/24P/30P) makes it a tempting offering. The manual control packages are evenly matched. Sony wins on capacity, while Canon wins on portability. It’s a tough choice. Let’s explore.
Complete the picture. The HDR-SR12 Handycam camcorder delivers an incredible, Full HD 1920 x 1080 high definition video package built around an internal 120GB hard disk drive. A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens and ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology) and BIONZ image processor let you capture crisp, detailed video and still images. Additionally, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization and Face Detection technology help reduce blur, increase color and contrast, and make everyone look their best.
1920x1080 Recording
Record stunning, incredibly detailed video footage in the clarity of 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution.
Face Detection for Video Footage and Digital Still Photos
Made possible by the BIONZ image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image.
5 Megapixel ClearVid CMOS Sensor (with Exmor Technology) and BIONZ Image Processor
Sony's newly designed CMOS image sensor delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed 5 megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 10.2 megapixel still images -- all with prolonged battery life. Exmor technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony BIONZ image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.
BIONZ Image Processor
The advanced Sony BIONZ Image Processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that improves camera response time, screens out noise before RAW data conversion, handles Dynamic Range Optimization processing, and prolongs battery life.
Exmor Imaging Sensor
Exmor technology captures video and still photo images with high resolution, high sensitivity, and exceptional detail. Advanced on-sensor A/D conversion yields rich tonal reproduction with high signal-to-noise ratio.
Hybrid Recording to Hard Disk Drive or Memory Stick Media
Hybrid recording technology delivers a new level of flexibility for transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing devices. Record to the camcorder’s internal hard disk drive, or choose instead to record to removable Memory Stick Duo media or Memory Stick PRO Duo media. You can even select from various dubbing functions to easily copy video or still images from the hard disk drive to Memory Stick media -- without using a PC. Images recorded or transferred to Memory Stick media can then be played directly on a PS3 or PC to share your memories with friends and family.
Dual Record
While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture still images directly to Memory Stick Duo media (sold separately).
12X Optical / 150X Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.
3.2" Wide1 (16:9) Touch Panel XtraFine LCD Display (921K pixels)
The 3.2" Wide1 (16:9) XtraFine LCD screen displays sharp, bright, photo-quality images, letting you compose and share video and still images more easily -- even outdoors. With nearly 1 megapixel (921K pixels) resolution and a wide viewing angle, the XtraFine LCD screen is like having a high-resolution video and photo viewer built into your camcorder.
Built-in zoom microphone with 5.1ch recording
Featuring Dolby Ditigal 5.1 Creator, the built-in zoom microphone focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera’s zoom lens, helping memories ring true with clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds.
Dolby Digital 5.1ch Recording
Record in Dolby Digital 5.1ch surround sound with the camcorder’s built-in microphone. Recording in 5.1 channel surround sound allows you to experience your home movies with active sounds coming from all directions, so you can enjoy your personal home movies the way you experienced them while recording.
Dynamic Range Optimizer
Powered by the exclusive Sony’s BIONZ high-speed processing engine, D-Range Optimization preserves image data in bright highlights, such as suppressing “whiteout” in skies. When shooting in backlit settings, D-Range Optimization reveals more detail in shadows, preventing “blackout.” As a result, the captured image appears as natural as the original scene.
Tele Macro Function
Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode help your subject stand out by properly focusing the subject while leaving the background unfocussed. The Tele Macro Mode is useful for shooting close-up shots, especially when you need to prevent the camcorder from casting a shadow on the subject.
Switchable HD/SD Format Recording
Record and play back both High Definition (HD)4 and Standard Definition (SD) video.
Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lenses use highly advanced optics to deliver vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T coating further reduces unwanted glare and flare for increased contrast and color.
Active Interface Shoe
Sony’s proprietary hot shoe makes it easy to use Intelligent Accessories, such as external lights and microphones, by providing power and on/off capability directly from the camcorder.
HDMI Connection with BRAVIA Sync (CEC) Technology
HDMI connectivity provides a simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video and 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single cable. With BRAVIA Sync (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA TV remote.
USB 2.0 Interface6
The USB 2.0 interface6 provides an easy way to connect yourcamcorderto a PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.
InfoLITHIUM Battery with AccuPower Meter System
Unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "Memory Effect," so you’re free to charge the battery at any time. Additionally, Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
Stamina Battery Power Management System
When using the Sony InfoLITHIUM Battery, the Stamina Battery Power Management System helps the camcorder prolong battery life for extra long continuous recording times from a single charge.7
Battery Information
At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. When using the LCD screen or viewfinder, the display will show how much the battery is charged -- in 10% increments -- and the recordable time left.
Built-in Intelligent Flash
For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.
Easy Handycam Button
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people. With a press of the Easy Handycam Button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out," letting you focus only the buttons essential for recording.
Date Index Function
Search recorded content by shooting date to quickly and easily find a specific scene.
Product Specifications
| Imaging Device -1/3" ClearVid? CMOS sensor (with Exmor? technology) | HDMI Connection Output(s) -Yes (mini) |
| Pixel Gross -5660K | Audio/Video Remote Terminal -Video/S Video/Audio/Component Out/Remote |
| Recording Media -120GB9 Non-Removable Hard Disk Drive, Memory Stick Duo Media, Memory Stick PRO Duo Media | Active Interface Shoe -Yes |
| Recording and Playback Times -High Definition: FH = 14 hours 50 min. HQ = 29 hours and 40 min. SP = 36 LP = 48 hours Standard Definition: HQ = 29 hours and 40 min. SP = 44 hours LP = 84 hours and 20 min.When using 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Media (sold separately): High Definition: FH = up to 55 min., HQ = up to 115 min. SP = up to 140 min., LP = up to 180 min. Standard Definition: HQ = up to 115 min., SP = up to 170 min., LP = up to 5 hours 25 min. | USB Streaming -N/A |
| Video Actual -2860K Pixels (4:3), 3810K Pixels (16:9) | SteadyShot Image Stabilization -O.I.S. |
| Still Actual -5080K Pixels (4:3), 3810K Pixels (16:9) | White Balance -5 lux(Auto Slow Shutter ON, 1/30 Shutter Speed) |
| Processor -BIONZ image processo | Memory Stick PRO Media Compatibility -Tested to support up to 8GB media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function. |
| Video Resolution -1920 x 1080 | Still Image Mode(s) -JPEG |
| Still Picture Resolution -10.2 megapixel | Minimum Illumination -5 lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, 1/30 Shutter Speed) |
| 35mm Equivalent -49 - 588mm (4:3 Camera Mode),40 - 480mm (16:9 Camera Mode) | Face Detection -Yes |
| Aperture -F1.8-3.1 | Hybrid -Yes |
| Exposure -Touch Panel | Hybrid Plus -N/A |
| Filter Diameter -37mm | Quick On -Yes |
| Focal Distance -4.9 - 58.8mm | BRAVIA Sync -Yes |
| Focus -Full range auto / Manual | Dual Record -Yes |
| Progressive Shutter Mode -Yes | Easy Operation -Yes |
| Shutter Speed -Auto, 1/30 - 1/250 (Scene Selection Mode) | Multiple Language Display -Yes |
| Optical Zoom -12x | Slide Show Mode -Yes |
| Digital Zoom -150x | Scene Mode(s) -Auto, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Candle, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait (Soft Portrait), Spotlight, Beach, Snow |
| Lens Type -Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T | Picture Effect(s) -Sepia, Monotone, Pastel |
| Video Signal System -NTSC color, EIA standards | Digital Picture Effect(s) -Old Movie |
| Format(s) Supported -HD: MPEG4 AVC/H.264 SD: MPEG2 | PictBridge Compatible -Yes |
| Audio Format -Dolby Digital 5.1 | Dynamic Range Optimizer -Yes |
| LCD Screen -3.2" wide1 touch panel Xtra Fine LCD display (921k pixels) | Low Light Capability -S-NS |
| Viewfinder -Color Wide 16:9 (123K Pixels) | Face Index -Yes |
| Microphone -Built-in Zoom Microphone | Fader Effect(s) -Black, White |
| Flash -Yes | Film Roll Index -Yes |
| Memory Stick slot -Memory Stick PRO Duo Media | Photo Capture from Movie -Yes |
| Manual / Auto Lens Cover -Auto | Dubbing Button -Yes (Camera body & Handycam Station) |
| Assignable Dial -Yes | PhotoTV HD -Yes |
| S/S & Zoom button on LCD -Yes | x.v.Color -Yes |
| LANC Terminal -N/A | Power Consumption -4.5W/4.8W/4.9W |
| Analog Audio/Video Output(s) -Included (via A/V Remote Terminal) | Battery Type -InfoLITHIUM with AccuPower Meter System (NP-FH60) |
| Digital Audio/Video Output(s) -Yes (via USB) | Power Requirements -7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor) |
| USB Port(s) -Hi-speed (2.0 compliant) | Limited Warranty -Limited Warranty --- 1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor |
| i.LINK Interface -N/A | Operating System Compatibility -Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional, Windows Vista |
| Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) -Included (via A/V Remote Terminal) | Supplied Software -Picture Motion Browser Ver.3.0.00 |
| Headphone Jack -Yes | Weight (Approx.) -1 lb 6oz (650g) with Battery |
| Microphone Input -Yes | Dimensions (Approx.) -3 3/8 x 3 x 5 1/2 inch (83x76x138mm) |
| S-Video Output(s) -Included in A/V Remote |
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