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8.3 out of 10

Sony HDR-CX12

 

Information found in: from 25 sources in 8 countries

Great Deal: $1,699.95

  • User Score (98)
    9.1 9.1 from 98 reviewers
  • Expert Score (3)
    7.8 7.8 from 3 reviewers
  • Value for money (2)
    9.8 9.8 from 2 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(0)
7-8
(3)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(67)
7-8
(25)
5-6
(4)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(2)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. Camcorder Info

    Camcorder Info
    3 September 2008

    Sony HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12 These cousin models record to a hard disk drive (60GB and 120GB, respectively). Your choice between this and the MemoryStick recording-CX12 should have a lot to do with how you plan on using the camcorder. A hard drive holds a lot more video, and is the better choice for long vacations and events where duration is critical. The CX12 is the same physical size (no benefit there), but it is a little lighter. Read more

  2. Macworld

    Macworld
    7 November 2011

    Sony’s HDR-CX12 HD camcorder is in the top tier of the company’s consumer camcorders lineup. Recording to a SDHC memory card, the camera sports a 1/3-inch imaging sensor—a rather large size for a consumer HD camcorder—and HDMI output. It records AVCHD video at a data rate of 16Mbit per second, which is good, but not at the top of the heap. And video from the HDR-CX12 imports into iMovie ’09 without a hitch. Read more

  3. CNET

    CNET
    8.0/10
    12 February 2009

    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. Read more

    • Excellent video performance; impressive still photos for a camcorder; decent manual controls.
    • No wind filter; USB on dock only, not on camcorder; no viewfinder; smallish LCD.

  4. Techworld

    Techworld
    24 March 2009

    The Sony HDR-CX12 is a classic Greek tragedy. It has so much potential - great image quality, manual control, and great extras - that are marred by serious shortfalls - camera dock requirement, lack of external audio in, and no progressive modes. If you can get over these, you'll enjoy the HDR-CX12. Read more

  5. PC Advisor

    PC Advisor
    7.0/10
    5 November 2008

    Recording to a SDHC memory card, the Sony HDR-CX12 HD sports a 1/3-inch imaging sensor - a rather large size for a consumer HD camcorder - and HDMI output. It records AVCHD video at a data rate of 16Mbit per second, which is good, but not at the top of the heap. Read more

  • User Reviews

  1. Sony HDR-CX12 is the best Sony camcorder among the recent models

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: Tom Canny "Market Analyst", Amazon
    23 December 2010

    I have tried many camcorders before choosing this one. The main advantage of HDR-CX12 is large 35mm Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® lens, that provides higher that average camcorders video performance. After this model Sony switched to smaller non Carl Zeiss lens, and that's were all problems started: everything looks dark even at bright light;"blue-dots" artifacts( due to small size and week performance of own Sony lens). Read more

  2. "Not for use by professionals"

    CNET
    2.0/10
    Reviewer: lngilbert, CNET
    5 March 2011

    This is fine for average people, but definitely not for pros. I had to purchase an HD camera fast, and one that had an existing underwater housing. This one seemed the best, but I didn't pay enough attention to the audio set up. I can't believe Sony would produce a camcorder and label it as the HIGH end of the consumer cameras and not have a mic OR a headphone jack! MAJOR FAIL, SONY! Read more

    • Excellent video quality
    • No mic input - you have to purchase their special mic that is power by the active interface shoe No headphone jack - even if you purchase their mic, you can't hear wha...

  3. Nice package if you want HD video

    ABT Electronics
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Bill, ABT Electronics
    6 October 2008

    Recording home movie footage and taking digital photos primarily. Compact design that's easy to hold and use as one device for HD video and Hi resolution still shots. Still getting used to not having a view finder to point and shoot like my older MiniDV Sony Handicam. Wished this camera had a slightly better optical zoom like 20X versus 12X. Accessory lenses help, but they are expensive and take time to screw on and off. Read more

    • 1080P HD, 10MP Digital Photos, Comfortable to Operate, Compact, Great Features, Great Picture Quality, Great Sound, Simple Controls, Smile detection
    • Need AVCHD player, Need base for USB, No View Finder, Only 12X Optical Zoom

  4. Not compatible with Final Cut Pro

    B&H Photo
    6.0/10
    Reviewer: Clarke Smith, B&H Photo
    23 November 2008

    Ease of use - AFTER the shoot - is as important for me as during the shoot - I didn't like the workflow to get the footage into Final Cut Pro - so I returned this item and exchanged it for the Canon VIXIA HF10 AVCHD Dual Flash Memory Camcorder. Furthermore, I never did find the 24p frame rate in the menu - whereas the Canon was easier to locate. I also didn't like the "proprietary" (Sony Only) everything and the lack of an Audio Input jack AND no headphone jack?... Read more

    • Comfortable to Operate, Great Picture Quality
    • "Sony-only" compatible, Inadequate Features, Not Final Cut Compatible

  5. worth every penny!

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: paulie650, Ebay
    10 May 2010

    Excellent camcorder. Small, light and the picture quality is better than I had hoped for. On my 50" tv, the pq is every bit as good as my bluray player. This model is a couple of years old, but I got it less than half the price of what it cost new. I didn't want to spend $1000, spent less than $500 and it looks like new. I am very happy with it. Read more

  • WikiFreak Description

Sony HDR-CX12

The Sony HDR-CX12 is a digital camcorder that measures approximately 2.75 x 2.75 x 5.13 inches (W x H x D) and weighs roughly 1 pound with the battery. It has 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS sensors with Exmor technology. The camcorder, which has a BIONZ image processor, records videos in full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and captures images up to 10.2 megapixels. The camera is equipped with Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar optics with TTL contrast detection and a built-in lens shield. The HDR-CX12…

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Sony HDR-CX12

The Sony HDR-CX12 is a digital camcorder that measures approximately 2.75 x 2.75 x 5.13 inches (W x H x D) and weighs roughly 1 pound with the battery. It has 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS sensors with Exmor technology. The camcorder, which has a BIONZ image processor, records videos in full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and captures images up to 10.2 megapixels. The camera is equipped with Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar optics with TTL contrast detection and a built-in lens shield. The HDR-CX12 offers optical zoom up to 12x with 150x digital zoom.

The camcorder captures HD videos in AVCHD and SD videos in MPEG-2, while still images are saved in JPEG format. It shoots at a minimum shutter speed of 1/30 seconds and a maximum of 1/250 seconds.

The HDR-CX12 features a 2.7-inch wide touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus screen with a 211,200 pixel resolution. Apart from this, the camcorder also has an integrated Dolby Digital 5.1 channel Electret condenser zoom microphone with surround sound settings. The zoom microphone records sounds from the front, rear, and sides of the camcorder.

The Sony HDR-CX12 comes with a 4-gigabyte Memory Stick Pro Duo. Depending on the mode used, it can record anywhere from 25 minutes (FH mode) up to 160 minutes (LP mode). This memory capacity can be expanded by replacing the included Memory Stick Pro Duo with up to 16 gigabytes.

The Sony HDR-CX12, which is powered by an infolithium battery with AccuPower and Stamina Battery Power Management System, features a number of terminals. Apart from an HDMI output with Bravia Sync technology, it offers other connectivity options through its AV Remote Terminal. These include an analog AV output, a component video output, and an S-Video output. It also has a USB port and a headphone jack.

Other features of the HDR-CX12 include face detection, face indexing, and PictBridge compatibility. It is equipped with technologies such as SteadyShot Image Stabilization, Super and NightShot Infrared.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

Big performance in a compact package. Record Full HD video directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media with the palm-sized HDR-CX12 high definition Handycam® camcorder.

  • 1920x1080 Recording 8
  • Smile Shutter™ technology
  • BIONZ™ Image Processor
  • Dual Record
  • Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens
  • Dynamic Range Optimizer
  • Active Interface Shoe
  • InfoLITHIUM® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System
  • Built-in Intelligent Flash
  • Face Index
  • One Touch Dis…

Specifications

  • Alternative names
    Handycam HDR-CX12

Release Date

  • First seen
    10 July 2008

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