Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 Camcorder Review

Conclusion
The Sony HDR-CX12 is a very strong performer in all kinds of light. For that alone, it merits as a solid choice for an all-purpose camcorder. If you plan on limiting your operations to point-and-shoot recording, take comfort in the CX12's Easy mode, which couldn't be simpler.

Advanced users are in luck. Sony took the Cam Control dial that we loved on the hard drive HDR-SR11 / HDR-SR12 and carried it over to the HDR-CX12. The dial gives you an easy and unobtrusive access to exposure, white balance, and focus controls that is far and away better than the touch screen interface.

Sadly, the users that find themselves somewhere in between the "beginner/expert spectrum"may not find the HDR-CX12 such a pleasant experience. Yes, in the past we always gave Sony a free pass in the Ease of Use category. No more. We've begun putting more camcorders in the hands of a wider range of people. The verdict: Sony menus and interface are too confusing. It's hard not to agree, with dozens of options being spread across three separate menus. The learning curve on these latest Sony camcorders is rather steep.

Overall, the performance alone is a good reason to give the Sony HDR-CX12 our approval. It's a strong camcorder. However, the competition is particularly strong in the category of high definition, solid state camcorders. The Canon HF11 has more powerful manual control, multiple frame rates (1080/60i, 30P, and 24P), and a sharper looking image—not to mention 32GB of internal memory. The Sony HDR-CX12 only records to card memory, severely reducing recording times. Another compelling model is the Samsung SC-HMX20, which had astonishing low light performance, great ease of use and handling, and undoubtedly the sexiest design in camcorders this year.

Comparisons

	Sony HDR-CX7 The CX7 is last year's predecessor to the HDR-CX12. Some major improvements were made this year, particularly the addition of the Cam Control dial. However, Sony could have pushed processing improvements a little harder. The increase in bitrate is minimal—only going from 15Mbps to a new maximum of 16Mbps. Overall, there's no competition between the two. The new HDR-CX12 is the better buy.
	Sony HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12 These cousin models record to a hard disk drive (60GB and 120GB, respectively). Your choice between this and the MemoryStick recording-CX12 should have a lot to do with how you plan on using the camcorder. A hard drive holds a lot more video, and is the better choice for long vacations and events where duration is critical. The CX12 is the same physical size (no benefit there), but it is a little lighter. It's also easier to swap out MemorySticks if you need to pass off a lot of footage to someone. From a features perspective, all the camcorders are virtually identical, including the Cam Control dial. This is a tough choice that you need to make for yourself.
	Panasonic HDC-SD100 This Panasonic offers more manual control, including shutter speed, aperture, and gain, all of which are controlled via a full-sized ring. The ring is larger than the Cam Control dial on the Sony HDR-CX12, but handling is more or less identical. We reviewed the Panasonic HDC-HS100, which has exactly the same internal specs as the SD100. The video performance of the Sony CX12 is absolutely better, particularly in low light, and that should always be a damn compelling reason to buy a camcorder. However, with the better manual controls and mic/headphone jacks on the Panasonic SD100, serious enthusiasts may want to consider it.
	Canon HF11 The Canon HF11 is a very good camcorder. The performance is among the best we've seen. It features 1080/60i, 30P, and 24P recording modes, and have a wide variety of manual controls. Unfortunately, it has nothing like the Cam Control dial on the Sony CX12 or the ring control on the Panasonic HDC-HS100. No, just a little joystick that gets the job done, but doesn't scream professional handling. Overall, we'd still recommend the HF11, as it offers better performance and the addition of 32GB internal memory with SD card expansion.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters
The Sony HDR-CX12 is a good choice for those who have have little aspiration beyond point and shoot operation. Just put the camcorder in Easy mode and you're golden. 

Budget Consumers
The HDR-CX12 is not the cheapest choice. You're definitely going to pay a premium for solid state recording, which is a newer technology. Stick with tape or DVD if you need to keep some pennies in the jar.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
The Sony HDR-CX12 takes pretty good looking still photos. This is high on the list for hybrids.

Gadget Freaks
Solid state recording has geek appeal, but the 24P and 30P recording on the Canon HF11 has more.

Manual Control Freaks
The handling on CX12 is good, but Sony is never a great choice for raw manual control. Panasonic, particularly the new HDC-HS100 and HDC-SD100 are among the most compelling choices. The Canon HF11 also exceeds the CX12 is the sheer number of controls, but only offers a joystick by which to access them.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists
The HDR-CX12 is a good camcorders, but not for pros.