Find the perfect gift for everyoneSony Handycam HDR-CX12
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: HDR-CX12
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- As the flash-memory-based equivalent of the HDR-SR11, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 serves up the same pleasing performance and quality as its hard-drive cousin.
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| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/02/2009 |
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CNET editors' review
Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 price range: $1,699.95 - $1,829.00
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 02/12/2009
- Released on: 08/01/2008
The good: Excellent video performance; impressive still photos for a camcorder; decent manual controls.
The bad: No wind filter; USB on dock only, not on camcorder; no viewfinder; smallish LCD.
The bottom line: As the flash-memory-based equivalent of the HDR-SR11, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 serves up the same pleasing performance and quality as its hard-drive cousin.
Kin to the hard-disk-based HDR-SR11, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 delivers the same midlevel feature set and excellent HD video quality in a more compact body that instead records to Sony Memory Stick Duo Pro flash media.
The body design is quite nice; though it's roughly the same size as Canon's HF10/HF11/HF100 models, it looks rounder and slimmer, and a bit more elegant. The gentle upward curve toward the back leaves your forefinger in a more comfortable position to operate the power/mode switch, zoom switch and photo button than the typical all-one-height design of many of the flash models. Also on top but toward the front is the Active Interface Shoe with a sliding cover and the 5-channel microphone.
One disadvantage of the smaller size of the flash model versus the hard-disk-based models is for the LCD. The CX12's 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD isn't nearly as nice, especially for touch-screen operation, as the 3.2-inch version on the SR series models. It has the same controls on the bezel, though, for zooming, recording, and calling up one of the two menu systems. On the camcorder body beneath the LCD, Sony hides the backlight compensation, Easy (full auto), info display, and play buttons, as well as the NightShot switch for toggling Sony's infrared shooting mode. A small door on the bottom covers the media slot.
Behind a plastic door on the back are a mini-HDMI connector and proprietary connector for component output; Sony bundles a component cable in the box, but like most, doesn't include an HDMI cable. A Quick On button cuts the camcorder's startup time: with a partly full 4GB card it dropped from about 5 seconds to 2 seconds. The battery, which fits into a depression beneath the Power/Mode switch, is relatively large for such a small camcorder, but doesn't protrude too much. Unfortunately, this svelte design means there's no room for a video light, eye-level viewfinder, or headphone and mic input jacks. Nor is there an onboard USB connector; you've got to dock in the bundled Handycam Station for that.
The 12x zoom lens has a nice electronic lens cover, with a photo flash mounted next to it. Just below is the CAM CTL dial. It has a button on the front of it that lets you activate manual focus, exposure compensation, white balance shift, or shutter speed, though you can only assign one such function to the wheel at any given time. You assign the function by holding the button down for a few seconds and choosing from the pop-up menu. It's not terribly obvious; you've got the read the documentation to figure it out. However, the dial works quite well for manually focusing. For those who lack the tweak-everything gene, Sony includes some of its veteran automation technologies, including face detection with Smile Shutter (the latter for stills only) and D-Range Optimizer. There's also the required handful of scene modes. (For more on features and operation, download the PDF user's guide.)
There's no built-in memory--that's fine by me, since memory prices fluctuate so much it doesn't make sense to pay for its inclusion--but Sony includes a 4GB card in the box. That can hold about 25 minutes of best quality video: 16Mbps 1,920x1,080/60i AVCHD format. The camcorder supports several lower HD quality levels of 1,440x1,080/60i as well as three standard-definition options.
Overall, the CX12 performs pretty well. Though there's a fair bit of pulsing in the focus lock in low light, it's no worse than most competitors. Otherwise, autofocus works quickly and accurately. The zoom operates smoothly, and it's easy to maintain a steady pace. And the SteadyShot optical stabilizer, as always, does a creditable job of minimizing jitter all the way out to the end of the zoom range. Sony estimates the battery life at about 3 hours and it takes about 2.5 hours to charge it up again. Higher capacity batteries are available.
Given that it incorporates the same 5-megapixel ClearVid Exmor CMOS sensor and f1.8-3.1 40-480mm-equivalent lens as the SR11, it should come as no surprise that the video looks just as good; it delivers generally sharp, excellent exposures, less clipping in highlights and shadows than most consumer models, as well as accurate colors and solid white balance. In low light the video shows quite a bit of noise, but you don't lose much detail and your shots remain quite usable. Even its still photos look very good. As long as there's no wind, the audio recording sounds fine.
Though I miss perks like an eye-level viewfinder and a larger LCD, there are simply some inescapable tradeoffs for making camcorders more compact. Though there are smaller models, in this class it's not worth it if you have to sacrifice a high-quality lens, smaller sensor or comfortable grip and feel. As it stands, the Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 delivers an excellent prosumer HD video experience.
User reviews
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Perfect combination of small size and picture quality.
by easecorp on August 28, 2008
Pros: Features are exactly like the SR11 and SR12 except much smaller & lighter. Sony's dimensions are wrong! This camera is the size of the old CX7 ... not the SR11 & 12. Size mattered and I didn't want to compromise quality by going to the TG-1.
Cons: The only reason to choose the CX12 over the SR11 or 12 is size. The SR11 & 12 can record to hard disk or memory stick, while the CX12 is just the memory stick. But when you lose the hard disk, size and weight go with it.
Summary: I'm upgrading from a Sony HD mini DV camera - just don't want to deal with tapes any more. This camera is much smaller lighter and has all ...
Summary: I'm upgrading from a Sony HD mini DV camera - just don't want to deal with tapes any more. This camera is much smaller lighter and has all the quality the previous HD miniDV camera has. Excellent picture.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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LOVE IT SO MUCH!
by Laperle72 on September 11, 2008
Pros: SIZE, WEIGHT, QUALITY = PERFECT COMBINATION
Cons: CAN'T PLAY FULL HD ON NORMAL PLAYERS.
Summary: I DIDN'T KNOW THE BLUE RAY COSTS AS MUCH AS THIS CAM! NOW I AM UPSET I CANT MAKE FULL HD MOVIES BCS I WON'T BE ABLE TO ...
Summary: I DIDN'T KNOW THE BLUE RAY COSTS AS MUCH AS THIS CAM! NOW I AM UPSET I CANT MAKE FULL HD MOVIES BCS I WON'T BE ABLE TO WATCH IT AFTER ON NORMAL PLAYERS! HUHUHU... BUT I STILL LOVE IT! BEST CAMCORDER I'VE EVER HAD! NO TAPES, NOT ANYMORE 2 BAGS OF CAMCORDER AND CAMERA EVERYWHERE! GREATTTT! AND QUALITY IS NOT TO BE COMPROMISED! 2 IN 1 !
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Light, fast, easy to use, and shoots great vide.
by macfan100 on September 10, 2008
Pros: records in high definition, small, easy to use, takes pictures while recording without interrupting your videos, and the best part is that it works great on a mac!
Cons: Confusing software for the PC
Summary: In five years this is going to be my third sony handycam. The HDR-CX12 is the best one I have used so far. The picture quality is great, I can ...
Summary: In five years this is going to be my third sony handycam. The HDR-CX12 is the best one I have used so far. The picture quality is great, I can carry the camera anywhere, and it is super fast! However, one of the best characteristics about this camera is that I can take good quality still pictures directly into my flash card while recording video without interruptions.
Mac fans, this is great camera to buy and use with imovie '08 or Final Cut Express 4. I tried to use the software that came with it on my PC but it was confusing and I couldn't figure out how to download the video to the hard drive. But as soon as I hooked the USB cable to my macbook pro the camera was recognized and within a few minutes I started editing my clips without loading any especial software to support AVCHD!
I still haven't used all the featured in the camera but I was able to record and make a movie for a friend with ease. So far I am very happy with my purchase.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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EXCELLENT camcorder image, quality and stabilization
by rhungent on May 20, 2009
Pros: Video: Excellent HD images with very good low-light performance
Focus: Nice dial; but also has touch screen SPOT focus/metering
Stable: Optical image stabilization is GREAT making you home movies very professional.
Stills: are great for HD playbackCons: Menu layout takes a little bit of time to learn and organize in your thoughts.
Only uses MemoryStick pro duo; but ensures that you get a quality product and not some cheap generic.Summary: Sony is leading HD technology. They invented AVCHD (with panasonic) and Blue-Ray. Canon beat them to the 24Mbps limit; but there is barely any improvement in image quality. When Sony ...
Summary: Sony is leading HD technology. They invented AVCHD (with panasonic) and Blue-Ray. Canon beat them to the 24Mbps limit; but there is barely any improvement in image quality. When Sony can take advantage of 24Mbps I'm sure they'll release another camcorder.
Competition: The only competition in this price range is the Canon HF20 or the better older HF10/11 (soon to be discontinued). Sanyo FH1 records in 60p; but requires a new $800 computer to process this video file. Also the FH1 image stabilization is aweful so you end up with a excellent image that wobbles and shakes = bad home movie. The ONLY brands to stick with are Sony, Canon and Panasonic. Period.
Video quality is excellent and low-light scenes are clear. The dial is nice for focus and exposure; but SONY also has a touch screen for SPOT focus/metering. Simply touch the subject to bring out clear bright images. Great in macro or contrast scenes. I used this a few times; and works much better than the Canon joystick. Canon also has 24p and 30p frame rates. Overall, Canon is regarded as a slightly better (sharper) image; but Sony won the whole package for me.
Build: Sony products are top notch. They use very sturdy durable textured plastic. The port doors are solid and spring-loaded. Canon uses very cheap feeling/sounding plastic. The port doors look thin, cheap and flimpsy with rubber attachments. Canon S100 $1100 caught onto the CX12 and added a dial control, a slant in the back where the zoom control is (better handling) and placed the mode switch on top for the index finger. The HF 10,11 had a dial on the right that could only be reached with the other hand. HF 20 kept the dial on the right but made it bulkier so that your thumb could reach. Sony definitely adds style.
Image stabilization: This was critical for me as my 8yo hated the shaky videos from the Sanyo FH1...and that was with me holding the camera with 2 hands and holding my breath. Canon and Sony are the best in this area with Sony leading in stabilization during heavier shakes (walking/jogging). If you want home movies to look professional; image stabilization should be a definite priority. A clear image means nothing if you can't keep the view stable. Crawling zooms are also key and available on the Canon/Sony. Sanyo has a fast zoom and doesn't look professional.
Low light: Sony does Great. Other reviews rave about HF10/11 and hate the HF20 performance. Sony does just fine in this group and actually a little better in average settings (60 lux)
Stills: Great for HD viewing, but takes average pictures for printing. 10MP really means about 5.6MP because the chip is only a 5.6. On the move, it stands in for a still camera; but still keep your pocket camera around if you plan to print. Canon HF10/11 have a major glitch when recording to internal memory (3-10 seconds each). HF20 takes higher resolution stills and has a fast continuous mode (glitch fixed).
CONCLUSION:
This was a very tough decision for me. Performance leans a little towards Canon. However; after weighing all the factors that are important for my home videos...Sony was clearly the winner.
R1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Easy to use, excellent video quality.
by IanCT on February 6, 2009
Pros: Carl Zeiss lens, quality of recorded video, ease of use and smile detection feature.
Cons: HD recording time on the flash card. Not a bad thing, 8GB card will store about an hour which suits my needs. Cheaper than the comparable hard drive units on the market.
Summary: For the money, (Best Buy had a sale - $200 off) it's a terrific camera. Literally fits in the palm of your hand and has an excellent LCD. Comes ...
Summary: For the money, (Best Buy had a sale - $200 off) it's a terrific camera. Literally fits in the palm of your hand and has an excellent LCD. Comes with the HD component cable hookup as well as standard composite cable. No mini-HDMI cable but I didn't need that anyway. Plugged right into my iMac and iMovie '08 detected it right away. Comes with a 4GB flash card, I bought an 8GB at time of purchase for $39 which holds about an hour of HD in high quality mode which is perfect for me.
The on screen menus are easy to navigate, it took a little time to get used to how the menu changes depending on what mode you're in but having a home button helps a lot. This was an upgrade from my miniDV DCR-TRV50.
My only wish was the hard drive but I can live without it. Hopefully 16GB cards will become cheaper over time and that this camera will be compatible with 32GB cards when they become available.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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this is a great camcorder
by alfiec15 on March 25, 2009
Pros: the resolution with the wide range of colors
Cons: for now this one satisfied what im looking for the camcorder
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Good but not Great
by hanleysw on February 17, 2009
Pros: Video is fantastic. Easy to use.
Cons: Battery life is about an hour of continuous recording in the real world where you use your zoom. Speaking of which, the zoom is not smooth and the lever to zoom is not fluid (and yes, I've somewhat large hands). Options on screen require bifocals!
Summary: Best combination of features on the market for a flash-based recorder.
Summary: Best combination of features on the market for a flash-based recorder.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: HDR-CX12
- Description: The ultra-sleek, palm-sized HDR-CX12 Handycam camcorder is the world's first camcorder with face detection and Smile Shutter technology. Face detection automatically adjusts focus, exposure and color for the most natural results. With Smile Shutter, the HDR-CX12 can detect smiles and automatically capture still images, even while recording 1920 x 1080 full HD video. You will also enjoy 10.2 megapixel still image recording to ensure your memories are preserved in stunning detail. Additionally, the CX12's small size and light weight make it an ideal travel companion, perfect for recording that special moment, wherever you are. Video and still images are stored directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo media for easy transfer to your computer or other compatible devices.
General
- Product Type Camcorder - 1080i
- Digital Zoom 150 x
- Total Pixels 5.6 megapixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/3"
- Optical Sensor Type ClearVid CMOS
- Min Illumination 0 lux
- Digital Video Format AVCHD, MPEG-2
- Special Effects Sepia, Pastel, Monotone
- Image Stabilizer Optical (Super Steady Shot)
- Digital Scene Transition Black fader, White fader
- Min Shutter Speed 1/30 sec
- Max Shutter Speed 1/250 sec
- Shooting Modes Digital photo mode
- Shooting Programs Beach, Candle, Sunset, Sunrise, Fireworks, Landscape, Spotlight, Portrait mode, Sports lesson
- White Balance Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Indoor, Outdoor
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Exposure Metering Spot
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution 5.66 megapixels
- Camcorder Effective Video Resolution 3.81 megapixels
- Camcorder Effective Still Resolution 5.08 megapixels
- Camcorder Interpolated Still Resolution 10.2 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Face Detection Yes
- Still Image Format JPEG
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory 4 GB Flash - Memory Stick PRO Duo
- Floppy Drive None
- Media Type Flash card
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 5.9 mm - 58.8 mm - F/1.8-3.1
- Focal Length 5.9 mm - 58.8 mm
- Lens Aperture F/1.8-3.1
- Optical Zoom 12 x
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Min focal length 5.9 mm
- Lens Manufacturer Carl Zeiss
- Max focal length 58.8 mm
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Features Built-in lens shield
- Filter Size 37 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Macro Focus Range 47 cm (Tele-macro)
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
- Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
- Digital Still Camera Function Yes
- Search Modes Date search, Index search, Face index search
- Additional Features Face detection, PictBridge support, Accessories hot shoe, Touch-screen control, USB 2.0 compatibility, Backlight compensation, Dynamic Range Optimizer, Progressive shutter system, Smile Detection technology, Takes photos while movie recording, Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording
- Remote control Remote control - Infrared
- Software Drivers & Utilities, Sony Picture Motion Browser
- Included Accessories Docking station
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Electronic
- Viewfinder Resolution 123,000 pixels
- Image Aspect Ratio (camcorders) 16:9
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
- Microphone Features Zoom
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x USB, 1 x Component video output, 1 x HDMI output, 1 x S-Video output, 1 x Headphones
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Surround
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows Vista, MS Windows XP Home Edition, MS Windows XP Professional, MS Windows 2000 Professional
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1, 1 x Component video cable, 1 x A/V cable, USB cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
- Battery type - Lithium ion
Battery
- Supported Battery Sony NP-FH60
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 1000 mAh ( Included )
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Rotating
- Display Format 211,200 pixels
- Viewfinder Color Support Color
Physical Characteristics
- Width 3.3 in
- Depth 5.4 in
- Height 3 in
- Weight 15.9 oz
Product series
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Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Camcorder, ClearVid CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, 15.9 oz
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Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: Camcorder, ClearVid CMOS, 12 x, Flash card, 13 oz
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
