Sony has released three new HDD camcorders for the new year, the HDR-SR10, HDR-SR11, and HDR-SR12. All three camcorders record in the AVCHD codec at full 1920×1080 resolution. The Sony HDR-SR10 is the baby model of the three and has a 40GB hard drive. It features a 4 megapixel, 1/5″ CMOS sensor, 15x optical zoom, and a 2.7″ widescreen LCD.
The next model up, the Sony HDR-SR11, features a new, rather large 5.7 megapixel, 1/3.15″ CMOS sensor. Accordingly, the optical zoom decreases to 12x, but the LCD screen size increases to 3.2″ with a whopping 921k resolution. Comparatively, most camcorders have around 200-250k pixel resolution on the LCD screens. A viewfinder is also included on the Sony SR11. Other features on the Sony HDR-SR11 that enthusiasts will especially enjoy are a microphone jack, headphone jack, and multi-function dial. The SR11 features a 60GB HDD.
Finally, the Sony HDR-SR12 doubles the hard drive capacity from 60GB to 120GB, retaining all other features.
All three camcorders feature face detection, a technology already prominent in digital cameras. Up to 8 faces can be tracked simultaneously, and the camcorders will actually allocate more pixels during AVCHD compression to the facial areas for better quality when recording people.
All three camcorders will be available in March, with the Sony HDR-SR10 setting you back $999, the SR11 $1,199, and the SR12 $1,400.
Why do Sony descrtibe these cameras as full HD when they only do 1080i not p.
They don’t even have a 720p mode, so they’re no good for fast movement analysis unless you are prepared to throw away half the image.
Why have Sony thrown out iLink, having been so involved with its design and that it can sustain much higher data rates one would think it is obvious to keep it.
All I really want is a HD progressive scan firewire camcorder like my old tape one. It seems I have to spend a fortune for a professional model.
Wellcome to Sony and they’re lockin strategy . Buy this.. it will only work with sony technology… i.e…memory sticks etc…
Oh, don’t forget what a wonderful company Sony is for putting rootkits on your computer without your knowledge.. They were just trying to help you… right?
Screw Them. Boycott all products from this monster.
It’s not like Canon does not make just as good products.
I have several video cameras, starting off with 2 different JVC’s then moving up to the Sony HDR-HC3 (2 years ago) and recently upgrading to the HDR-SR11 (due to a robbery). I have to say that prior to my recent video camera upgrade I have always had a very difficult time in transferring the video from my miniDV tape onto my computer. This new connection with the USB 2.0 transfers video like a dream!!! What else could one ask for. The software that comes with it anylizes your camera and based on your settings, will transfer the video onto your computers harddrive very quickly. Because you are transferring from a harddrive to a harddrive, you don’t have to spend minute for minute transferring video.
Over all I am so pleased with my new purchase and am looking forward to my next vacation to shoot HD video and edit into a movie much quicker and easier.
I have been researching for the last few weeks to find the ideal camcorder, but lack some knowledge and experience in this area but seems very interesting.
Purpose:
- Filming an actor about 1 or 2 meters away from the camera with green screen in the background to edit the background.
I have found the Sony SR12. Its 5 mg sensor/hd resolution to me stand ahead compared to other camcorders.
Any views out there on the following requirements/factors?
Requirements:
- Video quality:
1. High quality recording
- Audio:
2. Microphone input for clearer sound recording.
3. Camcorder must make no no motor noise as could be filming without using external microphones at time (so no hissing/motor noises in the background). Is this the case?
4. I have read the microphone lacks manual audio control. Can we adjust the volume or sensitivy of the recording? If we can, that should be enough I guess.
- Format:
5. The footage needs to be connected to the PC and needs to work with standard green screen editing software’s like adobe preimere, magic movie, and fx composite lab. The final will be converted to a flash video.
As this camcorder records in AVCHD, does this mean some editing software’s won’t work. Cant this format be transferred to AVI which is quite a standard format which can then work with most editing software’s? This site seems to offer converting tool: http://www.alivemedia.net/hd-video-converter.htm. Is it as simple as reviews seem to suggest it can be complicated, lose quality and time consuming?
Any advice and views on the Sony SR12 would be great
I have bought the Sony SR11 the software for the computer messes up, because the video and the audio are out of sink. My canon ditigal camera power shot 100 takes video clips that are in sink better than the sony.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an external microphone for the Sony Handycam HDR-SR11. I am doing some video taping in a dance studio where I am interviewing students and the sound is not picking up well enough. I am editing with Apple’s Imovie.
This is non-professional so I don’t want an expensive mich.
Anyone know how is the diferent between about resolution picture quality sr12 vs sr10?
i need 2 buy a sony camcorder with good mega pixels n also which is the latest…pls help
Before you buy any camcorder with AVCHD packing methode, consider this. Whics software will you use for editing it? How fast is your computer? I ran in to this problem with my Sony and I can tell you it is not cheap to build computer whics is powerful enough for editing AVCHD material. I think such a computer you cannot even buy, you need to build it by your own with the best and the fastest parts on the market. I am using Intel’s Extreme edition 4 core prosessor and it is overclocked to 4 giga speed. RAM memory I have 4 giga which is running at 1800 Mhz speed, Graphic card Nvidia GTX 280 All this is running with water cooling system. Still, when I use Pinnacle studio 12 for editing, I need to wait and wait for every mouse click and work slowly. Patiently give it’s time to computer to calculate edited frames.