Sony HDR-SR12 Camcorder Review

Sony HDR-SR11
The Sony HDR-SR11 is identical to the HDR-SR12, but with a 60GB hard disk drive (HDD), half the capacity of the SR12.

Sony HDR-SR7
Although we didn’t test the Sony HDR-SR7 ($1,399.99 MSRP), we can tell you straight up that the HDR-SR12 is superior. The HDR-SR7 contains a 1/3-inch ClearVID CMOS chip with a 3,200,000 pixel count, Sony’s previous top imaging chip. The HDR-CX7, a cousin to the SR7 that used the same chipset and was in the same second generation of AVCHD camcorders, was very good, but not nearly this good. Sony’s new Exmor sensor and BIONZ processing has dispelled enough noise to make it among the best low light performers.

So, image quality aside, how does the HDR-SR7 measure up in terms of handling? One glance at the HDR-SR12 will clue you into the fact that Sony took the HDR-SR7’s design and vastly improved it to include a 3.2-inch wide LCD, Cam Control dial, and flawless port covers. The HDR-SR12 offers double the capacity of the 60GB SR7, and it just looks sexier. The HDR-SR7 is a fossil in the HDR-SR12’s mammoth footprint.

Canon HF10
Canon has been sitting pretty in 2008 so far. First the revamped HV30, then the compact flash warrior HF10 ($1,099 MSRP)—what next? Well, Canon better not let its guard down because the HDR-SR12 is the first camcorder in awhile that could put a cramp in Canon’s winning streak. In bright light, the HF10 edges out the HDR-SR12 with a crisper picture. When the lights go down, the HDR-SR12’s detail rises, displaying less noise than the HF10. However, the HF10 offers multiple frame rates that increase sensitivity, but at 1080/60i the HDR-SR12’s image is as good as and sometimes better than the Canon HF10. There is hope out there, JVC and Panasonic—just follow Sony’s path. Try some new processing, play with the chip size, adjust pixel count—do whatever it takes to give us a clean low light image with sufficient sensitivity.

The HDR-SR12 is also a better handler. Its architecture is welcoming to the hand, the design is sleek and efficient, and it has a 3.2-inch LCD screen for crying out loud. The HF10 might edge out the HDR-SR12 as far as Manual Controls and multiple frame rates, but it looks like these two are neck and neck. Those opposed to touch screens can choose the Canon HF10 with little fear of buyer’s remorse. But Sony has lit the circle of fire and Canon is beginning to feel the heat. The HF10’s $300 price gap is one of the few weapons it has left after this epic battle.

JVC-GZ-HD6
JVC continues to release camcorders that feature virtually unchanged video quality, design, and controls. Their third-generation GZ-HD6 ($1,399.99 MSRP) is the latest HD Everio, couched with three 1/5-inch CCDs that offer a decent bright light image, but suffer in low light performance. The GZ-HD6 is essentially a watered-down GZ-HD7 that can shoot in 60P, but only playback 60P through a highly expensive HD monitor. The OIS is the only primary improvement, displaying the best performance we’ve seen from a camcorder to date. But OIS alone is not enough to contend with the HDR-SR12’s most excellent video performance and killer design. Is there hope for JVC? If they give us a GZ-HD7 with a Zoom ring and overhauled imaging and processing there is. Stick with the HDR-SR12.

Panasonic HDC-HS9
The line between the HDR-SR12 and the Panasonic HDC-HS9 ($999.95 MSRP) is thicker than the Delaware Water Gap. Both camcorders are consumer-driven, but for entirely different reasons. Panasonic is latching onto the “World’s Smallest” title, which gains points for portability, but suffers from numerous handling and connectivity flaws as a result. The LCD cavity Joystick is a royal pain to use and certain ports are located inconveniently behind the battery. The HDC-HS9 doesn’t even have a Mic or Headphone jack, and is devoid of an accessory shoe. We haven’t tested the HDC-HS9 yet, but it has an identical imaging system to the HDC-SD9, which gave us a ho-hum performance (for an HD camcorder). The three 1/6-inch CCDs just couldn’t hold it together in low light. The only other thing the HDC-HS9 has going for it is a clean menu system. The Manual Controls are great, but need an updating. Sony offers several additional manual controls that consumers are going to love, while Panasonic is sticking with the tried and true controls that appeal more to old school camera people. In this case, the HDR-SR12 is worth the additional $400.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters
Between Easy mode and the touch-screen Home menu system, the HDR-SR12 greets novices with open arms. The Cam Control dial allows shooters to grow, but those who are not ready to brave the seemingly perilous world of manual controls will find solace in the HDR-SR12’s precise auto response.

Budget Consumers
We’re not seeing it here—$1,400 does not fall within the same line as the words “deal” or “bargain.” The Panasonic HDC-SD9 is the cheapest HD camcorder available.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
True 10.2-megapixel stills? Fifty-five gallon drum-sized recording capacity between the 120GB HDD and optional Memory Stick PRO Duo? Dual Record mode? The HDR-SR12 is the camcorder to beat when it comes to still imaging.

Gadget Freaks
Those covert port covers, that vast 3.2-inch LCD screen, the 120GB HDD—and it’s HD! The new 12-second Smooth Slow Record just might be enough to incite heart attacks throughout Circuit Cities across the world.

Manual Control Freaks
There’s no Shutter Speed control, but the HDR-SR12 has a killer Cam Control dial that allows instant Focus, Exposure, Aperture Priority, and White Balance Priority control.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists
The HDR-SR12 is a pimped out consumer camcorder that just happens to produce stellar video. Unfortunately, the motion trailing of AVCHD will be a major deterrent to the pro looking for a handheld solution for that shot inside a dinosaur’s mouth.

Conclusion
The Sony HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12 (identical in all things but 60GB and 120GB HDDs, respectively) are great camcorders. This third generation of AVCHD camcorders, including the Canon HF10 and Panasonic HDC-SD9, are finally shedding the poor reputation of their youth and maturing into a viable format to succeed HDV. Compression artifacting has decreased, overall, and resolution has increased. The consumer base will still need time to adjust, particularly in regards to the demands AVCHD files make on a computer when editing. But we’re getting there, bit by bit.

The HDR-SR12 proves that Sony has made huge strides with the new Exmor CMOS sensor and Bionz processor. Compared with Sony’s leading HDV camcorder, the HDR-HC9, the reduction in noise is amazing. No doubt, Sony is going to push the Exmor/Bionz branding regardless of the sensor size, and we can only verify that this particular combination (with the 1/3.25-inch CMOS) is excellent. The sharpness in bright light is not quite up to par with the Canon HF10, but the color performance is great and casual viewers will not see much of a difference between these two camcorders. In low light, Canon again leads the pack, thanks to a greater sensitivity in 1080/60i (and a much greater sensitivity in the 30P and 24P alternate frame rates). However, in our candid, out-of-office shooting, the Sony SR12 sometimes appeared better than the Canon HF10. Other times, it did not. The important takeaway conclusion here is that neither had a strong lead over the other.

In a broad comparison between the HDR-SR12 and competing HD camcorders, here’s the scoop. No AVCHD camcorder can match the 120GB capacity. The JVC GZ-HD6 is equipped with a 120GB HDD, but it uses MPEG-2 TS compression and we did not find the video quality comparable. The Canon HF10 and Panasonic HDC-SD9 are both extremely compact, while the HDR-SR12 is rather bulky. The HF10 and HDC-SD9 rely on removable flash memory cards. Alternately, the Panasonic HDC-HS9 is dual format, equally adept with memory cards or the 60GB HDD, but it’s still smaller and lighter than the SR12.

In terms of handling, the Sony HDR-SR12 is a strong contender with the front-mounted Cam Control dial and the (love it or leave it) touch screen, which is certainly buoyed by the fact that it’s in a larger 3.2-inch size. The Canon HF10 offers a well placed joystick, but does not have any dial or wheel in addition. Panasonics took a nose dive in handling this year by moving its joysticks to the LCD cavity, completely out of sight for the shooter.

Finally, there’s the price to consider. The Sony HDR-SR12 is not cheap at $1,399 MSRP, though that price will surely drop as the year progresses. The JVC GZ-HD6 is also $1,399 MSRP. Of course, you can spring for the identical HDR-SR11; its smaller 60GB HDD drops the MSRP to $1,199. The Canon HF100 is still cheaper at $1,099 MSRP. The Panasonic HDC-SD9 is cheapest of all at $799 MSRP.

For shooters who need the capacity, or just like the convenience of HDD, the Sony HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12 are strong recommendations. If you want to save some money and/or you need more portability, the Canon HF10 is your best bet. Both are great camcorders serving slightly different clientele.