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Sony HDR-SR12
Complete Sony HDR-SR12 Photo Gallery

Today at CES, Sony announced three new high definition camcorders in the hard disk drive (HDD) category: the HDR-SR10, HDR-SR11, and the HDR-SR12. All models will record in the new AVCHD format, which has been upgraded for 2008 for a maximum bit rate of 16Mbps. All of this year’s AVCHD camcorders will also record in full 1920 x 1080, a trend followed by nearly all HD camcorders at CES.

Sony has made several technical upgrades from previous generations of AVCHD camcorders that should help with image quality. All CMOS chips now include "Exmor" technology, along with "Bionz" processors, promise to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Both of these are terms borrowed, at least in name, from its Alpha line of DSLR cameras.

The HDR-SR10, HDR-SR11, and HDR-SR12 also offer the option for x.v.Color (Sony’s branded term for xvYCC), the burgeoning color standard that has made a sudden leap into prominence at CES this year. The AVCHD codec is starting to show some improvements. The maximum bit rate has been incrementally increased from 15Mbps to 16Mbps. This is true only for the HDD AVCHD camcorders, not the DVD models. Finally, all three HDD models feature a "Link to Zoom" mic, similar to the Zoom Mic found on Panasonic camcorders. This puts emphasis on the front channels of the audio field as the user zooms in on the subject.

The HDR-SR10 (photo gallery, specs) features a 1/5-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor. The internal HDD offers a 40GB capacity. Debuting as a new feature this year is face detection. Long popular in digital still cameras, Sony joins Panasonic this week as the first manufacturers to transfer face detection to its camcorder line. It detects up to eight faces simultaneously, then automatically adjusts focus, exposure, and color, correcting for skin tone. The Sony camcorders that incorporate face detection also employ a new bit allocation system to increase the detail in faces.

Sony HDR-SR10
Complete Sony HDR-SR10 Photo Gallery

The HDR-SR10 has a 15x optical zoom (180x digital), 4-megapixel still capture in still mode and 3-megapixel stills in Dual Record mode (stills captured while simultaneously recording video), and a flash. The ports are limited: AV-out, component, HDMI, USB, and a wired remote jack. All manual control interface is performed through the 2.7-inch, 211,00-pixel resolution, touch screen LCD. There is no viewfinder.

The step-up model from the SR10, the HDR-SR11(photo gallery, specs), includes several major upgrades. First is the big new sensor, a 10-megapixel CMOS that measures 1/3.15-inch. The sensor allows for native still images up to 3680 x 2070 or interpolated stills up to 10-megapixels. In Dual Record mode, the camcorder captures still images up to 7.6-megapixels. Because of the larger imager, the zoom ratio actually decreases to 12x optical (150x digital). The recording capacity of the HDR-SR11 increases to 60GB. The HDR-SR11 offers 240 frames of Smooth Slow Record, a slow motion feature unique to Sony.

Sony HDR-SR11
Complete Sony HDR-SR11 Photo Gallery

Another major upgrade from the SR10 to the SR11 is the big 3.2-inch LCD with a record-setting 921,000 pixels, the SR11’s nod to Sony’s Alpha still camera line. This is the highest resolution LCD of any consumer camcorder and shows impressive pictures in a hands-on preview. The 16:9 screen offers hybrid, non-solarizing, technology for improved view at angles, and of course, Sony’s touch screen interface.

Some of the most crucial upgrades on the HDR-SR11 will benefit serious videographers. Unlike the HDR-SR10, the SR11 includes a microphone jack, a headphone jack, and a front-mounted, assignable button dial for focus, exposure, and white balance control.

Sony’s third high definition HDD camcorder, the HDR-SR12 (photo gallery, specs), is identical the HDR-SR11 with a single upgrade: the HDD capacity doubles in size from 60GB to 120GB.

All three camcorders record in high definition AVCHD. The highest quality setting, HD FH, is the only setting which captures in full 1920 x 1080, at a bit rate of 16Mbps. Lower settings all record in 1440 x 1080 and are anamorphically stretched for HD playback. Bit rates include 9Mbps, 7Mbps, and 5Mbps. The camcorders are also capable of recording in standard definition MPEG2 at bit rates of 9Mbps, 6Mbps, and 3Mbps. Video can now be recorded to both the HDD or a removable MemoryStick PRO Duo card. All three models include an Active Interface Shoe, the Sony proprietary fit accessory shoe.

The HDR-SR10 retails for $999, and the HDR-SR11 for $1199. The upgrade to the 120GB capacity on the HDR-SR12 costs an additional $200 for a final price of $1399. The three camcorders are scheduled for release at the end of February.