The Sony HDR-CX12 High Definition Memory Stick PRO Duo Handycam Camcorder is a great innovation over its predecessor Sony HDR-CX7. Built with class and style, the HDR-CX12 from Sony boasts of high-end CMOS sensor (1/3-inch), and up to 16Mbps bit rate, which is better than the Sony HDR-CX7, but still lower than the 24Mbs on Canon’s HF S10 and HF S100. It has 12X Optical Zoom / 150X Digital Zoom which is more powerful than other Sony Camcorders, but about average for it’s class.

In bright light, the HDR-CX12 can capture vivid and smooth images packed with intensive color sharpness and equal saturation. Even on low light condition, it still performs well with strong colors and low noise levels. It also has wide angle of 45 degrees. The Sony HDR-CX12 HD also boasts the Super Night Shot Infrared System allowing you to shoot a video up to a maximum of 10 feet away under total darkness. The video produced does have that nightvision green tint, so don’t expect to get high quality video using this feature, but it’s better than nothing. Bringing your camcorder for overnight camping will now be more exciting.

Sony HDR-CX12 HD also features different effects that you get to enjoy. Add more effects on your videos and pictures with its Fader Effects (available in black and white) and Picture Effects. For sports enthusiasts, you will enjoy Sony HDR-CX12’s Smooth Slow Record function.  Though these effects are good in a pinch, it’s generally better quality if you do them while editing your video on the computer rather than trying to it in the camera. The Sony HDR-CX12 can increase the record rate to as much as 240 frames per second. With this function, it will help you analyze a baseball swing or even a golf swing.

With BIONZ image processing engine, Face Detection both for Video recording and Digital Still Pictures is now possible. It also enhances skin tones without making necessary adjustments to other colors in the image. Not only that, it improves the camera’s response time, filters certain level of noise and even prolongs battery life.The Smile Detection setting operates in dual capture setting and automatically takes photograph once a smile is detected. Another great feature available both on camera and video mode. It can be adjusted so that you can only capture smiles of a certain level. You can also shift it to prioritize subjects either Adult or Children settings.

Shooting from a moving vehicle or shooting a moving subject is now made possible by Sony HDR-CX12’s Super Steady Shot Optical Image Stabilization System. The stabilization works as well but not better than other camcorder in it’s class.  This sleek camcorder also has a Cam control dial which can be found right below the lens. This allows you to make fine adjustments to exposure, AE shift, focus and white balance.  This is a key feature that many users love, and they apperantly liked it enough that Canon has now copied it on some of thier models.

You may find it’s 2.7 inch LCD screen a bit smaller than usual.  A smaller LCD is good from a power consumption view, but is bad for trying to review your video on the screen or while recording. While this camcorder is best for recording videos, you will also love its impressive still photo capability which comes in 10.2 megapixel resolution.  You can take a maximum of 3 still pictures while you are recording a video.  The still image capture might not replace your DSLR camera, but it’s a good alternative to carrying a low to mid-range point and shoot camera if you only want to carry one device.

Sony HDR-CX12’s audio has good quality as well. It is built with zoom microphone with 5.1ch recording which can be played on Dolby Digital 5.1ch surround sound. This is also synchronized with the camera’s zoom lens. Now you can watch your playbacks as clear as how you’ve recorded them. However, this camcorder does not have wind filter, so you may hear wind noises especially when you are shooting in a moving position.  Also, it does not come with a headphone jack or even a standard microphone jack either. You can add these features via the accessory shoe, but this is an additional cost which is not obvious when you are purchasing the camcorder.

Usability of the Sony HDR CX12 is above average. Its menu functions are laid out neatly and it also features a scrolling text bar which shows the description for each function. You can find an “Easy” button in the LCD cavity which puts all manual modes into auto mode.  It is helpful in avoiding unnecessary changes from menu functions that the users don’t understand. It size (69 x 67 x 131mm or 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches) including protrusion dimensions, is on par with the Sanyo HDR CX12 and Canon HF11.

As for its media compression, the Sony HDR CX 12 compresses footage in AVCHD format, which is a current standard for most HD camcorders.  It comes with an exclusive 4GB memory stick which can record a maximum of 25 minutes of video on a High Definition mode.  The Sony Memory Stick Pro duo can come up to a maximum of 16GB, but can not be used with non-Sony products and generally cost more than the industry standard of SDHC.  Most users recording on a high definition setting find usual concerns on the storage. Primary concerns for users is that since it does not have a big amount of data storage, even a 4GB memory stick is often too small when you want to record longer videos, so a data storage device may come handy.  A portable video storage device can increase the recording capacity 2000% from your Pro Duo memory stick, so if you plan to buy more than 2 memory sticks, you might want to consider getting a portable video storage device. The AVCHD video output from Sony HDR-CX12 is not compatible with all consumers editing software. So I suggest you verify the editing software compatibility first before you purchase. Though, it is shipped with its own software, Picture Motion Browser which allows you to make minor editing, owners should consider upgrading to Sony Vegas or Final Cut Pro.

The HDR-CX12 is a good quality camera for advanced users.  The fundamentals are above average for it’s class across the board, and has some novel features like infrared NightShot and super slow-mo recording.  If you already own Sony products then this is a no brainer, but if you already have an investment in accessories and memory cards from another manufacturer, make sure you know what you are getting into when buying Sony.  Aside from Sony’s proprietary system there is no reason you shouldn’t buy this camcorder.

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Product Features

• 1920 x 1080 Full High Definition video resolution; 10.2 megapixel still image capture
• Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization; Professional Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
• Smile Shutter technology for still and dual capture; Face Detection technology for video and photo
• ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor-derived technology; BIONZ Image Processor
• 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus display; Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording; Built-in zoom microphone
• Technical Details
• Brand Name: Sony
• Model: HDR-CX12
• Media Type: Flash card
• Lens Type: Zoom lens
• Optical zoom: 12 x
• Maximum Aperture Range: F/1.8-3.1
• Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode
• Video Input: Camcorder
• Display Size: 2.7 inches
• Optical Sensor Resolution: 5.66 MP
• Optical Sensor Technology: ClearVid CMOS
• Optical Sensor Size: 1/3″
• Viewfinder Type: LCD
• Audio Input: Microphone
• Microphone Operation Mode: Surround
• Height: 3 inches
• Weight: 15.9 Ounces
• Depth: 5.4 inches
• Width: 3.3 inches
• Dimensions:  69 x 67 x 131mm (2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches) including protrusions