Product Description

Take command and get creative with Sony's HDR-SR12 HDD Handycam camcorder. Capture your memories in HD and relive them years from now in exceptional detail, color and sound. Boasting an impressive 120GB built-in Hard Disk Drive, the HDR-SR12 lets you record up to 48 hours of high definition digital video while its professional grade Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens ensures stunning image quality with 12x optical/24x digital zoom, bringing the action closer to you. Capture both video and still digital imagery at the same time without switching modes with its Dual Record Mode function and eliminate blurring from unsteady hands with the Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization system. Expressing a fuller color range than conventional models, HDR-SR12 makes watching home videos more life-like and colorful. With the HDR-SR12 Handycam camcorder in hand, recording life in HD just got more interesting.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #170 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: Sony
• Model: HDR-SR12
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 10.00" h x 14.00" w x 12.00" l, 4.00 pounds
• Display size: 3.2
• Included Software: Yes

Features

• Record 1920 x 1080 Full HD video to 120 GB hard drive
• 10.2-megapixel still image capture
• Face Detection technology for video and still images
• ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor technology
• 3.2-inch widescreen touch-panel Xtra Fine LCD screen

From the Manufacturer

Complete the picture. The HDR-SR12 Handycam camcorder delivers an incredible, Full HD 1920 x 1080 high-definition video package built around an internal 120GB hard disk drive. A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens and ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology) and Bionz image processor let you capture crisp, detailed video and still images. Additionally, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization and Face Detection technology help reduce blur, increase color and contrast, and make everyone look their best.

HDR-SR12 Handycam Highlights

1920x1080 recording Record stunning, incredibly detailed video footage in the clarity of 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution.

5-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor Technology) and Bionz image processor Sony's newly-designed CMOS image sensor delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed 5-megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 10.2-megapixel still images -- all with prolonged battery life. Exmor technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony Bionz image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.

Professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lenses use highly advanced optics to deliver vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating further reduces unwanted glare and flare for increased contrast and color.

Bionz image processor The advanced Sony Bionz image processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that improves camera response time, screens out noise before RAW data conversion, handles Dynamic Range Optimization processing, and prolongs battery life.

Exmor imaging sensor Exmor technology captures video and still photo images with high resolution, high sensitivity, and exceptional detail. Advanced on-sensor A/D conversion yields rich tonal reproduction with high signal-to-noise ratio.

Hybrid recording to hard disk drive or Memory Stick media Hybrid recording technology delivers a new level of flexibility for transferring your video footage and digital photos from the camcorder to compatible viewing devices. Record to the camcorder’s 120GB internal hard disk drive, or choose instead to record to removable Memory Stick Duo media or Memory Stick Pro Duo media. You can even select from various dubbing functions to easily copy video or still images from the hard disk drive to Memory Stick media -- without using a PC. Images recorded or transferred to Memory Stick media can then be played directly on a PS3 or PC to share your memories with friends and family. Dual Record While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture still images directly to Memory Stick Duo media (sold separately).

12x optical/150x digital zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

3.2-inch widescreen (16:9) touch-panel XtraFine LCD The 3.2-inch widescreen (16:9) XtraFine LCD screen displays sharp, bright, photo-quality images, letting you compose and share video and still images more easily -- even outdoors. With nearly 1-megapixel (921K pixels) resolution and a wide viewing angle, the XtraFine LCD screen is like having a high-resolution video and photo viewer built into your camcorder.

Built-in zoom microphone with 5.1-channel recording Featuring Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator, the built-in zoom microphone focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera’s zoom lens, helping memories ring true with clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds.

Dolby Digital 5.1-channel recording Record in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound with the camcorder’s built-in microphone. Recording in 5.1-channel surround sound allows you to experience your home movies with active sounds coming from all directions, so you can enjoy your personal home movies the way you experienced them while recording.

Dynamic Range Optimizer Powered by the exclusive Sony’s Bionz high-speed processing engine, D-Range Optimization preserves image data in bright highlights, such as suppressing "whiteout" in skies. When shooting in backlit settings, D-Range Optimization reveals more detail in shadows, preventing "blackout." As a result, the captured image appears as natural as the original scene.

Face Detection for video footage and digital still photos Made possible by the Bionz image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image. Tele Macro Function Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode help your subject stand out by properly focusing the subject while leaving the background unfocussed. The Tele Macro Mode is useful for shooting close-up shots, especially when you need to prevent the camcorder from casting a shadow on the subject.

Switchable HD/SD format recording Record and play back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video.

Active Interface Shoe Sony’s proprietary hot shoe makes it easy to use Intelligent Accessories, such as external lights and microphones, by providing power and on/off capability directly from the camcorder.

HDMI connection with Bravia Sync (CEC) technology HDMI connectivity provides a simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video and 5.1-channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single cable. With Bravia Sync (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single Bravia TV remote. i.Link interface (IEEE1394) Quickly transfer images from the camcorder to compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs, using this high speed, bi-directional digital video/audio connection.

USB 2.0 interface The USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.

InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System Unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "Memory Effect," so you’re free to charge the battery at any time. Additionally, Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

Stamina Battery Power Management System When using the Sony InfoLithium Battery, the Stamina Battery Power Management System helps the camcorder prolong battery life for extra long continuous recording times from a single charge.

Battery information At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. When using the LCD screen or viewfinder, the display will show how much the battery is charged -- in 10-percent increments -- and the recordable time left.

Built-in Intelligent Flash For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.

Manual focus Manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment. Easy Handycam button Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people. With a press of the Easy Handycam button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out," letting you focus only the buttons essential for recording.

Date Index function Search recorded content by shooting date to quickly and easily find a specific scene.

Face Index Face Index makes it easier than ever to find and play back the right video scene. Using Face Detection technology, Face Index indexes your video footage according to the faces detected in each scene. When it’s time to play back video, simply search for what you want by selecting from among the detected faces displayed in the index.

Film Roll Index Like chapters in a book, Film Roll Index helps you easily find desired scenes in video footage. When using this feature, the camcorder previews the beginning of scenes and can create scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds and 1 or 5 minutes).

PhotoTV HD viewing with HDMI output With direct HDMI output to your Bravia HDTV and other compatible HDTV screens, so you can view and share photos in breathtaking clarity and detail. You can choose between standard 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio -- and with select Bravia HDTV models, your photos are automatically optimized in sharpness, gradation, and color reproduction.

One-touch disc burn Easily burn a DVD copy of your footage using the supplied software. Simply connect the camcorder to your PC via a USB cable and press the One-touch disc burn Button.

Quick On Missing an important scene can be frustrating, especially if the reason is because your camcorder is turned off. With the Quick On feature, the touch of a single button places that camcorder in Sleep mode. Another push instantly wakes the camcorder, so you’ll always be ready to capture special moments.

Memory Stick Pro Duo media slot Capture still images directly onto Memory Stick Pro Duo media (sold separately) for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices (sold separately).

Progressive shutter system A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.

Super NightShot Infrared System With the Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away.

On-screen Zoom and Record buttons For additional control of the camcorder, Zoom and Record buttons are features on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows for more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.

Fader effects Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black and White.

Picture Effects Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia. Effects available in Playback mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia.

Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization System

Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization System The Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization System from Sony reduces blur caused by camera shake and vibration, so your images stay crisp and clear. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without the image degradation that can occur with some digital stabilization systems.

Scene Selection modes Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset.

Smooth slow record By increasing the record rate from 60 frames per second (fps) to 240 fps, you can capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. The Smooth slow record mode is a great tool for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, you record an audio track to narrate the video footage.

x.v. Color Technology x.v.Color technology can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colors than possible with the traditional RGB color standard. This provides a more accurate and vivid color range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience.

Multi-language menu Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish, or Brazilian Portuguese.

Customer Reviews

Loaded with value and features!
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?

Sony SR12 - just get it - it's perfect!
I've had my SR12 for about a month now. It's a wonderful video camera with amazing HD picture quality.
I just shot a friend's daughter's wedding (for free - for fun) and he said it looked like it was done by a professional. Some of the darker dance floor scenes were a bit troublesome (slightly grainy/out of focus at times - most of it was great!) - everything was shot on full automatic mode with no light settings/adjustments - I'm still learning what this camera can/can't do).
It's still a great piece of technology. I shot many of my son's high-school outdoor soccer games - both daylight and at night under the lights - came out PERFECT! And WOW is it great just playing back on my HD TV. Amazing.
Now, for the software/editing issue: It's a non-issue. Get a computer. Not your 4-yr old P4. I've got a yr-old Quad Core - works great with Pinnacle Studio 12 Ultimate software. I burn DVDs AND Blu-Rays with this set-up and it looks fabulous!
Ask away if you have any questions. I learned from other people's comments and I'm more than happy to share.
Tony

Great camera & price
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.