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- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 48 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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15 out of 15 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"Outstanding HD video and photo quality with excellent sound for most situations"
Pros: Clarity of video and photos. Good low light performance
Cons: Touch screen controls. No shoulder/neck strip, HDMI connector or FULL users manual provided in package. Proprietary battery provided has small capacity. Recommended altitude limitation of only 3000 m
Summary: After having many different Canon Camcorders, I finally bought my first Sony because of it's clearly superior HD imagery and excellent still images. The lens on this camera is outstanding. The sound pick up is also excellent without an external microphone. While a wind filter is desirable if it detracts from the current quality sound, I can live without it.
I usually use the viewfinder and not the LCD screen for shooting my videos and the lack of an exension to the viewfinder when using it with even the small battery is an inconvenience and more difficult with a large capacity battery.
Sony should definitely provide a shoulder/neck strap with this and every camcorder. I often carry my camcorder with a DSLR or point and shoot still camera. In fact, I'm using a Canon neck srap with this camera as I could not find a suitable one for sale.
I'm very concerned about the low level altitude restriction of only 3000 meters (9800 feet) since I routinely shoot video and photos in Colorado above that level. They also have a narrow 50-86 degree farenheit temperature recommendation. If, in fact, operation outside of these ranges is not possible I will rank this camera much lower. We spent January in South America and Antarctica and my Canon cameras worked fine at temperatures down to 10 degrees F. The Canon stated operating conditions are 32-104 F and no limitation noted on altitude. Canon also provides a Full printed manual and not just a softward .pdf download.
I dislike the SONY touch screen and much prefer using a joy stick and not having to open the LCD display for practically all actions; however, I'm getting used to this limitation. The one touch knob control on front of camera is useful for fine tuning the focus (or any other single function you may desire). My wife likes the "Easy" record function provided and we took great video and photos on our first weekend with the camera at a zoo and on the beach
I loaded the Sony software but don't use any of it as I find my existing Photo Organizers and ULead Video Studio 11.5 software to be superior.
DO NOT but an HDMI cable for this camera at BEST BUY unless you want to waste your mony. You can get one for $10 on line that works fine as opposed to the Best Buy over $100 offering.
- 3 replies to this review
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Hi, Thank you for your review. I've found this camera for $449. Is this a steal?
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The comment regarding the temperature is incorrect. The owners manual states:
Operating temperature:
0 °C to + 40°C
32 °F to 104 °F
We (Sony) recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between 10°C to 30 °C (50 °F to 86 °F) until the ~ /CHG (charge) lamp turns off.
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I use optech usa strap and it works well.
Where to buy
Sony Handycam HDR-SR11:
$1,259.95 - $1,529.95
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Sears
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$1,529.95 | Yes |
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