New Sony Camcorders - The latest models for 2008.

Here are some tantalizing details regarding the three sexy new Sony camcorders with high definition (HD) and hard disk drives (HDD).

The HDR-SR10 ($999), HDR-SR11 ($1199), and the HDR-SR12 (pictured left - $1399) all record to SVCHD at 16Mbps (1Mbps up from last year. Don't say Sony never do anything for you!) in full glorious 1920 x 1080 Technicolor! Everyone's doing it now so don't get too excited ;-)

Sony are making noises about their new and improved “Exmor” technology, complimented by their “Bionz” processors!!! Sounds like a load of old 'techno-babble' to me. I think we'll just wait and see what the video quality looks like thank you.

They just seem to be at last, starting to use the same technology they've used in their top end digital cameras for a while now, like 'face detection'.

The HDR-SR10 houses a 40GB internal hard drive, boasts a 1/5-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor, 15x optical zoom and 4 megapixel still capture for your photos.

Ports include AV-out, component, HDMI, USB, and a wired remote jack and manual control is via the 2.7-inch touch screen LCD (No viewfinder).

Of all the new Sony camcorders, the Sony HDR-SR11 has a huge 10-megapixel CMOS 1/3.15-inch sensor which can shoot stills up to an impressive. 3680 x 2070. 12x optical zoom and a 60GB hard drive. The HDR-SR11 also has a 240 frames 'slow motion' feature, which will be handy for checking your golf swing.

More serious videographers out there will be pleased to note that the Sony HDR-SR11 has a microphone jack, headphone jack, and a dial for focus, exposure, and white balance control on the front. Nice!

The Sony HDR-SR12 is identical in every way to the SR11, except that it houses a colossal 120GB hard drive. All have an Active Interface Shoe.

Both camcorders offer the chance to record using the new Sony xvYYC color standard, but there are still concerns over low-light performance, so we'll have to wait and see.

They offer OIS, face detection, the ability to record to DVD or memory stick, 15X optical zoom, but don't have the bigger LCD screens their HDD brothers have been given. Looks like Sony is favoring one son over another ;-)

Only one rather feeble entry from Sony in the tape-based HDV format as they continue to favor the DVD, HDD and memory stick formats for AVCHD.

The Sony HDR-HC9 ($1099) has more manual controls over it's predecessor, the HC7, but early testing looks like poor low-light performance again! C'mon Sony, get your act together!

OIS, 10X optical zoom, improved manual controls and a 1/2.9-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor make this one of the least exciting of the Sony new camcorders. I think their attention and efforts are now elsewhere.

There are four new Sony camcorders with standard definition HDD in 2008, for those of us who are not bothered with high definition yet and want something a little easier on our purse: the DCR-SR45 ($499), DCR-SR65 ($599), DCR-SR85 (Pictured left - $699), and DCR-SR220 ($849).

These new sleeker models boast hard drives up to 60GB on the three more expensive models with memory stick slots for all. OIS and quality Carl Zeiss lens for all, 5.1 surround sound recording, whilst the SR220 offers face detection and a zoom microphone.

Sony is still listening to it's customers who love the cheaper SD DVD camcorders and have brought out four new models for 2008. The DCR-DVD610 ($349), DCR-DVD710 ($399), DCR-DVD810 (Pictured below right - $479) and DCR-DVD910 ($649) are slimmer than last years models with face detection and memory sticks to record on as well as DVD's.

EIS for the three cheaper models and OIS for the DVD910 which also has a ClearVID CMOS sensor for better images. The DVD810 has a modest 8GB of internal flash memory, which Sony says makes it a 'triple hybrid' being able to record to DVD, memory stick and the internal flash. Whatever!

Bringing up the rear and sadly forgotten are probably the last two SD miniDV camcorders from Sony, the DCR-HC52 ($249) and DCR-HC62 ($299). These new Sony camcorders are the end of an era and this is really a token effort from Sony as the only upgrades are some slightly improved image processing and a memory slot for the DCR-HC62.

A bit sad really, but we all have to move with the times I guess. Still, very cheap camcorders if you're on a tight budget and will give more than adequate results.

New Sony Camcorders