Sony HDR SR12 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Mike Perlman takes a big bad HD monster for a ride in our in-depth Sony HDR-SR12 review. Does the image quality match its sound architecture and plush handling? Read on to find out.

Pros: Great handling and construction. Excellent connectivity. Beautiful image in most lighting.

Cons: Poor low light performance in certain environments. AVCHD complicates playback and editing. Mediocre battery life.

Review summary: The Sony Handycam HDR-SR12 can record over a dozen hours of great-looking AVCHD video onto its 120GB hard drive, but it comes at a hefty price.

Verdict: Although the Sony Handycam HDR-SR12 is a very good HD camcorder, it costs far more than HD camcorders that deliver similar quality and features. The key question for potential buyers is whether massive storage capacity and great-quality video hold justify

Review summary: There's a whole lot to like about the Sony Handycam HDR-SR12. Not only does this shooter capture beautiful video to its impressive 120GB hard drive, it also shoots excellent still photos. If you're in the market for a hard drive-based high-defin

Pros: Excellent video and performance; impressive still photos for a camcorder; adequate manual controls; nice CAM CTL dial

Cons: No wind filter; doesn't include HDMI cable

Verdict: If you're in the market for a hard-drive-based high-definition camcorder, you won't go wrong with this Sony. It delivers top notch performance and image quality

Review summary: The marker has been laid down. Sony's pulled off another AVCHD stunner that will be hard to beat this year

Pros: Sparkling footage, Mammoth hard drive, Huge LCD, Good controls

Cons: Occasionally sluggish auto focus, Stills don't match 10.2mp billing

Verdict: The small downside is having to edit down 15 hours of probable fluff into something watchable. Thankfully AVCHD isn't the monster format it once was and most software packages will cope, but you'll still need a fairly hardcore PC to crunch all those frame