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Sony Handycam HDR-SR12

80

Very Good

  • Pros
  • Huge storage capacity
  • Excellent video quality
  • Cons
  • High price tag
  • Records only 60i video

User Reviews for Sony Handycam HDR-SR12

  • Reviewed by: jpn6689

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Out of the box Mac Compatibility, extra large touch LCD display, Crystal Clear HD video, better than average still photos

    Weaknesses: advertises 10 megapixel still photos - actually is 5

    Overall Evaluation: This is by far the finest consumer level camcorder available. I was considering purchasing either this camera or the Canon HF100/HF10. Both of the Canon models are fine cameras, but this camera has some definite advantages including a massive hard drive for on-board storage, extra large touchscreen display, Sony Bravia sync capabilities, etc. Quality is crystal clear. Out of the box integration with Mac is also superb. After shooting both video and photos, I simply plugged the camcorder in via USB 2.0 and was able to open the video in iMovie within seconds. No convoluted conversions necessary. If you are looking for a fantastic camera with all the space and features you could want, look no further...

  • Reviewed by: KarlS

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Terrific HD and SD video

    Weaknesses: Software is complicated; manuals not intuitive.

    Overall Evaluation: I have finally become my father. I'm geezing. This is just a fabulous camcorder, but I'm way over my head trying to get my videos onto my PC and then burning the correct format DVDs to share with friends/family. Reading the "quick start" guide plus the PDF-format owner's manual on the included CD... almost made my head explode. And I've had a camcorder of various media and every type of film and digital cam in my hands since they were so big you needed a friend to help carry the components. I feel like I've traded my soul to the devil to get the latest/greatest technology. Of course, now I'm getting the, "I told you so!!" from my wife. I guess I should've accepted the simplicity (although less perfect video compression) of the last-most-current media recording directly to mini-DVDs in the camcorder. Yikes!

  • Reviewed by: whinsch

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: HD, 10mp Camera, large drive, large screen

    Weaknesses: price

    Overall Evaluation: If you want a camcorder that can just about do it all, this is it. It does 3 levels of standard definition and 2 of HD (AVCHD format). I use the highest standard definition which is like the lower HD. The reason is sharing of home movies on dvd - not many have AVCHD-compatible players.The camcorder has lots of features - steadyshot, night shot, good zoom, etc. The camera replaced my 10 megapixel one - now I truly have a quality all-in-one. Just be careful what memory stick you use - it has to be HD compatible (new) or else you will constantly get a warning when trying to take photos.Movies are in MPEG 2 files for transfer to other media. You need a pc or Sony's standalone DVD drive to transfer from the camcorder hard drive which, at high standard definition, will hold about 30 hours of video.The major drawback is cost, but if you want everything it has to offer, you pay. Probably the best Sony camcorder I've had.

  • Reviewed by: wk9330

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Good size, HD image quality, Huge hard drive, image stabilization, Quality still camera fuction

    Weaknesses: Price, Software

    Overall Evaluation: I got mine about 10 days ago. Since then, I have been exploring this one with pleasure. Before I buy, I tried to read the reviews available on the website. I decided to buy after reading some of strengths I mentioned above. So far so good.. I really like it's HD quality image and quality photo image. Still I am in the initial use stage, but I am pretty sure I will be happy I got this cam., as I will explore more features it could offer.

  • Reviewed by: ashutosh_rv

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Small size,Compact features,Video Quality

    Weaknesses: Software is bit complecated

    Overall Evaluation: I bought this Camcorder after a long wait from Dbuys.com.I have not yet used the full functionality of camcorder but at initial use is awsome.Camcorder is small and very good picture Quality.I am happy with this purchase.

News, Reviews, How-To's about Handycam HDR-SR12

  • High-Definition Camcorders These camcorders capture gorgeous high-definition video; you'll need a very powerful computer to edit their footage and a rewritable Blu-Ray or HD DVD drive to output in high definition.

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