HDR-SR12
4.3
5
23
24
Beyond My Expectations(Works with Macs)
When I initially wanted to get this camera, I didn't think it'd be as amazing as it is.
It works wonderfully on a Mac, and the Operating Guide mentions Macs as well, to help out.
It's weight is easy to handle, it's shape is as well, and the picture quality is beyond PERFECT.
10/10, for sure, and definitely a great gift for someone interested in high-def video editing, such as myself.
December 18, 2008
editing software is really bad
the camera is superb if you want to just play what you have taken direct to the TV but if you want to edit and put on a blu ray disc to keep for get it the software that comes with it is absolute rubbish i have tried all different makes to try and edit but HD editing software is hard to find i would not recommend any one to buy this if they want to edit and burn to DVD in HD
November 9, 2010
EXTENDED REVIEW- Awesome prosumer unit, some flaws
Sony has a history of making great products, with amzaing technical specifications, design aesthetics, and robust quality. Their products - including this one - tend to be a bit more expensive than similar competing products.
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Having said that, this camcorder is made for "pro-sumers", and so is also on the expensive side. Especially when you consider it is not 1080p, is poor in low-light situations (even with Nightshot enabled), has a proprietary hot-shoe for peripherals, and is lacking a fast data-transfer port (it does have USB 2.0 but that's way too slow for transferring HD video), the built-in 10MP camera should be used only in "emergencies" if you have no other option (light responsiveness and flash performance are sub-par), its optical image stabilization (called Super SteadyShot) is barely effective, and its lens (optics) has limitations that become apparent at high zooms.
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Still, I highly recommend this as a fantastic camcorder - only because after you know the limitations, you can still capture wonderful visually stunning images (as long as you stay within its limits). And some of its limits can be overcome after you've shot the video.
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Consider that you can now make your own Blu-Ray videos using this camcorder, especially if you have a PS3 gaming system and a PC or MAC with a Blu-Ray burner connected. If you're not yet into Blu-Ray, you can make DVDs very easily using the included PC software (sorry, that software isn't MAC-compatible but you can quite effectively use iMovie software that's free on iMacs --- SONY, get on the ball with MAC-compatibility, will you please!!!). If I need to take photos with this, I will instead take a video and later take a snapshot (one frame) of the video and convert it into a 7MP image - you can do this easily from within the camera). These images are often better than a picture taken with the built-in 10MP camera -- better in terms of lighting, color-saturation, flash-reflection, etc.
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And the large HD is great for trips. I've taken mine to far away places, Caribbean islands, India, Europe, and many places within the U.S. It's almost always been able to capture the shots I've wanted, and when I wasn't able to get a good shot, I could sometimes "fix" things post-editing on my Mac. Now that I've had this for over 2.5 years (I got it delivered 2-days after Sony released it in North America) - I've had plenty of time to explore its strengths and weaknesses.
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I typically shoot important events using:
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. > a tripod (since I can't rely on its Super SteadyShot),
. > adequate lighting (or have my own video lights),
. > avoiding the 3-second slow-motion (it requires
. LOTS of light, and is annoying to use since it
. plays-back the 3-second recording - taking almost
. 20 seconds to finish saving - each time you use it).
. > a larger battery: the NP-FH100 works GREAT!
. > video to capture still-shots, avoiding the built-in
. camera (I later extract the best frame/image I want,
. so at birthdays, I now NEVER miss the "blowing
. out the candle" shot),
. > the "Quick ON" feature saves battery live if you're
. pausing intermittently between many shots,
. > Built-in viewfinder is great when you're running
. LOW on battery (or when you don't want the
. light from the LCD display to disturb others)
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It's a light, small, and fun-to-use camcorder that takes fantastic pictures. I imagine it even could be used by low-budget / independent film-makers to do wonderful work (with a good computer and great software for post-processing).
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But since I'm not a film-maker, and I don't have lots of cash to spend on gadgets - and especially since I have to compensate for this camcorder's shortcomings when I paid so much for it - I rated it only 4 stars. It is overpriced for what it provides.
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This model is now discontinued... Too bad, since its successor model, the HDR-XR550, appears to have similar specs but some features are missing compared to its SR12 parent. Sony should have lowered the cost of the HDR-XR550, since after two technology-years its only two upgraded features (better CMOS and larger HD) now cost less.
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Even though I plunked down its hefty full-price for this 2.5 years ago, I wouldn't trade mine in for anything (unless it breaks down). And if it breaks down now, I definitely would NOT replace it with a Sony model since in these 2 years Sony have not eliminated the main flaws in their current flagship model (cost, missing 1080p, and slow transfer rate)!!!
November 5, 2010
Antartica
Great camera, bought it for my trip to antartica, camera worked great there! in snow and cold weather camera didnt even blink! using extended battery could shoot photographs and video for hours on! cameras balance worked nice and microphone as well, however will try to find some money to get external microphone.
cameras stability and reliability was great, always on on the first push, even on the moving ship in a storm (with lens protector) camera shot everything without problems!
after that my trip was to Cuba and Russia, camera worked great in Cuban heat, also no problemas or negative comments apart from night and dask shots.
I think its one of the best products that you can take with you in anywhere!
if you travel and you go extreme, but this model! its perfect.. my accessories are: lens protector, normal, sun and glitch. lens adapters 2x and 0.5x. however i am in strong need of external or bluetooth microphone but the price is a bit expensive for me at the moment...
movies shot by this camera are on tv now.. Antarctica transport (Russian tv) and personal movies of Cuba, Mexico and Russia, normal documentaries.
all the best to All!
and Sony thank you for one great product!
April 1, 2010
