Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony HDR-SR12 10.2MP 120GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

I am new to high definition camcorders and I really looked forward to getting this one since I have been using a Sony DV camera for about 4 years now.First the bad, when I received it the first thing I noticed was how Sony was stingy on accessories like no remote, no good software, no firewire support(oh come on Sony),no good instructions, no mini hdmi, no memory stick, no bigger better life battery.You would think for a $1400 camera they would of thrown something in.Since I had already had a Sony camcorder I was already used to the interface and how to get to certain aspects of the camera so I never really read the instructions but a first timer may have problems with it.

In low light conditions this camcorder chokes and quality gets bad so you have to do some adjusting.Focusing for it also became a problem in low light.I noticed if I changed exposure or brightness to much the shot would get jerky.I am still looking for a way to fix this.

I wish the lens was a little wider and the optical zoom a little more.Digital zoom in my mind is worthless unless you have it set up on a tripod b/c you gotta have a robotic steady arm to keep it still.I usually only use optical zoom but noticed even when I zoomed all the way with it the picture would start to shutter and degrade.

The camera part is good if you currently dont have a camera but my Sony Cybershot is more simple to use and has better quality and easier to use than getting the camcorder out to take pictures.You can tell from the quality it is not a 10.2 mega pixel but merely face value on the camcorder to help sell.Its pretty nice to have it on the camcorder in case you want to take quick pictures.With my DV camera I could take digital stills from the video and quality wasnt that good of course so I was expecting this $1400 camcorder to really shine but so far digital stills are sub par.Hopefully as I get more experience with it I will learn tricks to fix this.The menus were easier to navigate in my DV camera as well.I am not sure exactly what I need 5.1 surround on a camcorder for but its still nice to have.I will probably do something later with it.

My final complaint is a lack of software to import AVCHD and so far I have found 3.Looking at reviews of the software the best I have found that is affordable is Sony Vegas 8 platinum.I would like to get Pro later but as of now the cheapest I have seen it is $350.

Other than those complaints the camcorder takes amazing film and outdoor locations look phenomenal.I have daughters 1 year old and a three year old and its nice to have a camera that records colors so vividly b/c I want to see exactly what my kids look like since my DV camera footage always looked different than reality.I find my self looking for things to record outside.Since I own a Playstation 3 I just hook it straight to that to watch on my Sony 40 inch Bravia.Some odd reason I always stick with Sony since I have had pretty good luck with them.Anyways As we watched the video I recorded outside and the camera moved sideways and the shake of my hand almost makes it throw up inducing.I haven't tried importing on my computer yet and my understanding is it takes a long time depending on quality of what was taken.I like a challenge and my computers about a year old so hopefully it wont struggle to much we'll see.I may make another review based on that.

Some people I read didn't like the weight or size of the camcorder but I prefer being able to feel the weight b/c to me it feels more comfortable.Its not like you start to burn arm and hand fat from holding it.Its probably personal preference.

I guess my 5 star rating comes from the overall experience from recording my family and events in their lives to just zooming in on a bees nest or just normal everyday things ,that slow motion thing is does is kinda cool.I know this camcorder will bring us joy for years to come.I usually stick with Sony products so you may find a different brand better.If you can afford it I highly recommend this.Do the research and look at other camcorders and make sure this is the exact right camcorder for you b/c what I think is great may not be what you use it for.

I'm amazed that a tiny little camcorder like this can pack in so many features. And the quality is fantastic! I've only begun to explore the capabilities of this thing, but I'm already in love with it! And the street price is pretty darn good and getting better all the time. Don't miss out on getting hi-def video of your kids while they're still young. I used a Sony Hi8 during my daughter's early years. It did a great job, but this---well, this is at a whole new level! And you can buy inexpensive wide angle and telephoto lenses for it. I bought a 2x lens so I can get 24x optical zoom from it now. Wow!!! Should be great for all sorts of settings--nature, family, sports, whatever! And you can take 10 megapixel stills to a memory card-- on the fly-- while you're recording video to the huge 120GB built-in hard drive! What's not to like?

A friend of ours has this camera so I already have seen how incredible it was, therefore I bought it. My friends are huge into technology with unlimited resources and they showed me this camera.

Add the extra battery to your order (the H70 is good enough unless you want the H100).

The video is great, camera easy to use, and Amazon had a fantastic price and quick delivery.

I will be ordering a huge television in the next few weeks from Amazon. They seem to be great to deal with.

Using this to records kids events, etc. Works fantastic most of the time. Camera does have some trouble at sporting events at dusk/early evening. Seems to have trouble focusing during these times. Awesome picture, features, etc. The software bundled does a pretty good job of importing videos. That is about all it can do. I am struggling to find real editing software for AVCHD. Thinking of just going with SONY Vegas based on comments from friends and coworkers. These videos eat up a LOT of disc space. Now looking for a new computer with MASSIVE processor/memory/storage WITH a Blu ray burner. It should not be this difficult. I am shooting everything full HD. Why else buy an HD camera right? My only recommendation is to shoot the essential moments you need. Else you will pay for it editing (trying to) out all the undesirable frames.

Order made From Amazon Apr 28:
shipment: Great on time no delay.
Product easy to handle, simple and intuitive. Had my vacation in Irlando with my kid made great videos.
Recodring time and battery time are excelent.
Backlite mode and manual settings are more difficult to get used to.
Stills shots however are dissapointing and the quality was less than expected.