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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
5.0 stars
"EXCELLENT camcorder image, quality and stabilization"
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.
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.
Only uses MemoryStick pro duo; but ensures that you get a quality product and not some cheap generic.
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.
R
Where to buy
Sony Handycam HDR-CX12:
$1,239.95
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$1,239.95 | Yes |
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