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

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
The HDR-SR12 120GB Hard Drive HD Handycam(R) Camcorder delivers everything you need to shoot stunning Full High-Definition 1920 x 1080 resolution video and 10.2-Megapixel still images. With Hybrid recording technology, you can record to either an internal 120GB hard disk drive or removable Memory Stick(R) Duo or Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media. 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. The 3.2" Wide (16:9) LCD display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier. 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. Aperture - F1.8-3.1 Filter Diameter - 37mm Focal Distance - 4.9 - 58.8mm Shutter Speed - Auto, 1/30 - 1/250 (Scene Selection Mode) Minimum Illumination - 5lux (Auto Slow Shutter ON, Shutter Speed 1/30) Video Signal System - NTSC color, EIA standards Formats Supported - HD MPEG4 AVC/H.264 and SD MPEG2 Recording Media - 120GB Non-Removable Hard Disk Drive, Memory Stick(R) Duo Media, and Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo Media Dimensions - 3 3/8 x 3 x 5 1/2 (83x76x138mm) Weight - 1 pounds 6 ounces (650 grams) with Battery

Rating : - Great little camcorder but could be better
I purchased this camcorder on March 22 as a replacement to my Sony DCR-TRV8 Digital8 camcorder that I had for 9 years. My first impression when the box arrived (ordered it from a website) was how small the package was. I thought maybe they sent the wrong item or something. When I opened the shipping box, inside was the Sony retail box. When I opened the Sony box, I was amazed at how small the camcorder was compared to my original Hi8 camcorder I had been used to. My how technology has changed in 9 years. My DCR camcorder was almost the same price back in 1999 as the SR12 is today at about 1/2 the size with HiDef capabilities. What kind of technology will we have 9 years from now:) I have been playing around with the camcorder for a couple of days now and am still learning the camcorder. These are my impressions of it so far:

Love the touch screen menu options. Instead of trying to scroll through options with a flywheel or buttons, you lightly touch the screen. The menu options seem intiative and easy to use. The downside to this is that I'm afraid you might damage the screen. Also, if you have large fingers, you might have a problem with this (a stylet would be great but there isn't one with this). Don't know how durable this screen is. Right now I'm handling it with kid gloves. The other downside to this is that you have to have the screen on in order to go through menus which uses up battery life. Suppose there really wasn't any other way of designing this and still keep the same size.

Don't like the fact there is no over the shoulder strap for this. You have a hand strap and the camcorder is small enough for the smallest hands to hold on to but I always liked the idea of having a "backup" shoulder strap around my shoulders in case the camcorder slipped out of my hands it wouldn't drop on the ground. After all, this is a $1400 toy.

When holding the camcorder with the hand strap, it seems ackward to turn on and off the camcorder with my thumb. You have to rotate the switch to "on" and then press the red center button to start recording. I seems easier to use my other hand to do this task which isn't convenient. I don't know, maybe it's just me.

When filming in low light situations, the camcorder has a very difficult time autofocusing. This is the most negative thing about the camcorder. This I noticed right away and was very disappointed at how long it took to focus. I had to continue to zoom in and out couple of times in order for it to focus. Of course you can bypass the autofocus and manually focus but you have to go through the menu options on the screen to do this. It doesn't seem like you can over ride the autofocus by turning the focus button. Not exactly convient if you are going for a spontaneous quick shot of something. But on the other hand, it focuses very fast and accurate in adequate lighting.

Like the docking station that comes with this. You set the camcorder on top of the it and plug the docking station to your computer with the supplied USB cable and with the installed software instantly download what you have on your HDD or memory card. No going through menu options on the camcorder or anything. This is quick and easy which is nice.

Like the hybrid option of recording to the hard drive or memory stick. Tried both out works great. You have to go through the menu options on the touchscreen to "tell" the camcorder what you want to record to.

The photos it takes are outstanding. The video is HD quality. Experimenting around with it, the face detection technology even works with faces on the TV screen. But for some reason it doesn't work on cats:)

Really haven't tried out the software yet or tried to burn the videos or photos to CD's so I can't comment on this yet.

All in all a great little camcorder. I still have a lot to experiment around with but think I will enjoy this as an upgrade to my previously beloved DCR camcorder.