Sony HDR-SR11 10.2-MP 60GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Reviews

By Henry

I write this review because I wish it had been written during the time I was purchasing my camcorder. I will summarize this review between the Sony HDR-SR11 vs. Panasonic HDC-HS9 as basically a toss up, but the little things of Sony leaned me to the SR11.

First, let me say that I really did not want to buy Sony HDR-SR11, granted a Bravia TV is my LCD of choice, but I cannot stand their proprietary memory. Since this camcorder was not purchased for photos this was not a big deal. Though I commend Panasonic for using SD that can be readily found. Sony is pricey (though some may say justifiably so because of the quality) but competition is good for the consumers as we benefit through new, quality, and innovative features.

A salesman from a particular store told me that Sony was good to get for camcorders, and I’d add Nikon or Canon are a way to go for digital cameras, anyway I digress.

Having to see it for myself, initially I purchased the Panasonic HDC-HS9 and after a tough decision I had to switch for the small things mainly from software which I’ll get to later, but first let me give a side by side comparison between the two after testing out each product for a couple hours about the features that matter to me at least. I will refer to the products as HS9 and SR11 for the remainder of the review.

Appearance: I’d have to give it to the HS9 for being noticeably smaller. But the SR11 is not big (especially not 90’s camcorder big), as I have a man sized hand, but the HS9 wins the compact comparison in this case. While we’re on the physical appearance of it, I was disappointed in the HS9 placement of the external adapter. The battery must be physically removed every time you want to connect the adapter as the cable connector is behind the battery. Therefore you cannot charge the battery simply by pluging in the charging cable as you can on many products that you can usually do this and as you can for the SR11. And the HS9 forces you to use the external cable when transferring a video, even though this may make sense, but when you have a short clip and just took the battery off the charger, it’s annoying to remove the battery and find the external adapter every time to do so. Bad placement of the external adapter on the HS9 unlike the nicely placed (as is with most camcorders, at least with a previous Canon ZR200 that I own) with the HS9. If size is an issue for you, the HS9 may be your choice.

Video Quality: My opinion of the quality between the HS9 and SR11 was comparable. Between the two it’s a toss up during daylight conditions as both are excellent, and the SR11 is stunning as your eye sees it, it appears on the screen, very nice. The HS9 records in a 1080p vs. a 1080i format, that may give the albeit slight edge in terms of theoretically video quality to the HS9. Though the software provided with the HS9 to play back these high quality videos ruins the superb video recording. I hate to say my eye didn’t notice the difference between 1080p and 1080i though my correction lens aren’t the greatest, mileage of your eyes matter perhaps.

Olympus Stylus 850SW 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Description

In-camera panorama In-camera panorama mode captures three images and stitches them together to create one amazing panoramic picture. Simply press the shutter button and slowly pan across a panoramic scene. The second and third images will be captured automatically and stitched together with the first image — resulting in one seamless panorama-size picture. To create the ultimate panoramic picture, consumers can use the Olympus Master 2 software to stitch up to 10 images together.

Shadow Adjustment Technology Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlit areas. While the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. Shadow Adjustment Technology compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With this technology, users can preview and capture images with the same contrast as the naked eye.

2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD The Stylus 850 SW features a 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD that displays clear, high-contrast images. HyperCrystal technology increases the LCD brightness for better visibility in low-light and bright-light situations — perfect for composing pictures underwater or in direct sunlight. Images are also viewable from more than 140 degrees, enabling photos to be composed from a wider range of angles and viewed by several people at once.

Perfect Shot Preview The Stylus 850 SW features a Perfect Shot Preview mode that enables users to preview and select various photographic effects on a live, multi-window screen before snapping the shot. This feature enables users to see precisely what the image will look like when adjustments are made, ensuring users are capturing the exact image they want. It is an ideal way for novice users to learn about the effects of different photography techniques, such as zoom, exposure compensation, white balance and metering.

Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens Technical Details

Technical Details

• Color: Black
• Camera type: Digital single-lens reflex AF/AE camera with built-in flash
• Image sensor size: 22.3 x 14.9mm
• Compatible lenses: Canon EF lenses (including EF-S lenses)
• Lens mount: Canon EF
• Sensor type: High-sensitivity, high-resolution, large single-plate CMOS sensor
• Effective pixels: Approximately 15.10 megapixels
• Total pixels: Approximately 15.5 megapixels
• Aspect ratio: 3:2 (horizontal: vertical)
• Color filter system: RGB primary color filters
• Low-pass filter: Fixed position in front of CMOS sensor
• Dust deletion feature: Yes
• Recording format: Design rule for camera file system 2.0
• Image type: JPEG, RAW (14-bit Canon original), sRAW, RAW+JPEG
• File size: Large/fine: 5 MB (4752 x 3168); large/normal: 2.5 MB (4752 x 3168); medium/fine: 3 MB (3456 x 2304); medium/normal: 1.6 MB (3456 x 2304); small/fine: 1.7 MB (2352 x 1568); small/normal: 0.9 MB (2352 x 1568); RAW: 20.2 MB (4752 x 3168); RAW+large/fine: 20.2+5 MB (4752 x 3168); sRAW 1: 12.6 MB (3267 x 2178), sRAW 2: 9.2 MB (2376 x 1584); sRAW 2+large/fine: 9.2+5 MB (2376 x 1584)
• Recording functions: With WFT-E3A attached, image recording to the WFT-E3A will be possible as follows: standard, automatic switching of recording media, separate recordings according to image-recording quality, recording images having the same size
• Backup recording: Enabled with WFT-E3A attached
• File numbering: Consecutive, auto reset, manual reset
• Color space: sRGB, Adobe RGB
• Picture style: Portrait, landscape, neutral, faithful, monochrome, user defined 1-3
• Image processing type: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten light, white fluorescent light, flash, custom, color temperature setting
• Auto white balance: Auto white balance with image sensor

Sony DCR-SR45 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom Technical Details

Product Features and Technical Details

Product Features

• Capture video to hard disk drive; 30 GB storage
• 40x optical zoom, 2000x digital zoom; Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
• 2.7-inch widescreen touch-panel Clear Photo LCD
• Built-in zoom microphone with 5.1-channel recording
• Memory Stick Pro Duo media slot

Technical Details

• Brand Name: Sony
• Model: HDR-SR45
• media_type: Flash card, Hard disk drive
• Lens Type: Zoom lens
• Optical zoom: 40 x
• maximum_aperture_range: F/1.8-4.1
• Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode
• Video Input: Camcorder
• Display Size: 2.7 inches
• Optical Sensor Resolution: 680000 Pixels
• optical_sensor_technology: Advanced HAD CCD
• optical_sensor_size: 1/8″
• Viewfinder Type: None
• Audio Input: Microphone
• microphone_operation_mode: Stereo
• Height: 3.0 inches
• Weight: 0.9 pounds
• Depth: 4.4 inches
• Width: 3.0 inches

Sony HDR-SR11 10.2-MP 60GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Description

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
Shoot video and still photographs like a pro. Sony’s HDR-SR11 Handycam camcorder has everything you need for a superior video and photo experience. Face Detection technology, made possible by the ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology) and Bionz image processor, helps make sure people look their best in videos and photos. Capture extremely detailed video in Full 1920 x 1080 high-definition resolution, as well as stunning 10.2-megapixel still photos. Records directly to a built-in 60GB hard drive or your choice of removable Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick Pro Duo media.

HDR-SR11 Handycam Highlights

1920×1080 recording Record stunning, incredibly detailed video footage in the clarity of 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution.

Face Detection for video footage and digital still photos Made possible by the Bionz image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colors in the image.

5-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology) and Bionz image processor Sony’s newly-designed CMOS image sensor delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed 5-megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 10.2-megapixel still images — all with prolonged battery life. Exmor technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony Bionz image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.

Sony Cybershot DSC-T700 10.1-MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization Description

Manufacturer’s Description

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 is an ultra-slim digital camera that combines Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and Smile Shutter technology with the convenience of a portable photo album. Take your entire photo library with you and share your pictures on the dazzling, ultra bright 3.5-inch high resolution touch-screen LCD display.

Cyber-shot DSC-T700 Highlights

10.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor
A powerful 10.1-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch Super HAD CCD image sensor helps you capture gorgeous images with superb contrast and clarity down to the finest detail. With 10.1 megapixels, you can create stunning, photo-quality prints up to A3 size, or crop your images and still come away with high-resolution shots.

3.5-inch Xtra Fine LCD touch-screen display
Compose images on a dazzling 3.5-inch LCD display and use the touch screen to navigate menus, specify focus points, and more. When you’ve finished shooting, show off your images with spectacular clarity. Featuring 921K pixels, the ultra-bright, high-contrast LCD screen with a wide viewing angle is among the highest resolution screens available on a compact digital camera, and displays your images with astonishing visual clarity.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4x optical zoom lens
The newly-developed Carl Zeiss Vario- Tessar lens enables close-up shooting up to just under 1/2-inch (1cm) from the subject (in Magnifying Glass Mode), while the optical 4x telescopic zoom offers superior visual acuity for a compact digital camera.

BIONZ imaging processor
The BIONZ Imaging Processor delivers the high resolution and fast performance you expect from a Sony digital camera.

Ultra-slim design
The DSC-T700 packs a lot of performance into an ultra-slim design. Measuring just over 5/8-inch (16.4mm), the DSC-T700 is slim enough to slip into a pocket, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Face Detection technology
Face Detection technology detects up to eight individual faces and controls flash, focus, exposure, and white balance to deliver accurate, natural skin tones with reduced red-eye for beautiful images of family and friends. Face Detection can even distinguish between children and adults, so you can prioritize the camera’s focus on children in the scene for clear images of their memorable moments.

Olympus Stylus 850SW 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom Product Description

Manufacturer Description
With the rugged and stylish 8-megapixel Stylus 850 SW, Olympus proves that you do not need to be a windsurfer or snowboarder to appreciate a camera that is immune to five-foot falls, works in freezing snowstorms, swims with dolphins and survives everyday life with kids. Designed for the adventurer in all of us, the new Stylus 850 SW weathers harsh conditions in five stylish colors that make it attractive in action while it captures brilliant images to last a lifetime.

Olympus Stylus 850 SW Highlights

Shockproof design The shock-absorbing technology designed into the Stylus 850 SW minimizes the impact delivered to the lens and circuitry when the camera is dropped from heights up to 5 feet. Whether the camera slips out of a backpack or a toddler drops it down a staircase, the Stylus 850 SW can take life’s hard knocks.

Waterproof for underwater fun The Stylus 850 SW performs as well underwater as it does on land because its lightweight, aluminum exterior is matched with interior rubber gaskets and O-rings to seal out the elements. It can take photos while being fully submerged to depths of approximately 10 feet (3 meters). The inclusion of four preset underwater scene modes makes the Stylus 850 SW perfect for snorkeling or a day in the pool. It also features a water-repellant lens coating to prevent water droplets from forming on the lens to get crystal-clear shots no matter how wet the shooting environment.

Freezeproof for icy conditions Unlike other point-and-shoot cameras that freeze up in frosty weather, the Stylus 850 SW still performs when the temperature dips well below freezing (14 degrees Fahrenheit; -10 degrees Celsius) so it is ready to hit the slopes when you are.

Dustproof for worry-free fun The rugged Stylus 850 SW is an ideal companion for a weekend in the great outdoors as it is impervious to dust, dirt and other particles. Shoot without worry in the wind and when the camera gets dirty, just rinse it off and keep shooting.

Face Detection Technology Face Detection Technology tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.

Digital Image Stabilization This camera features Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) to capture crisp, clear pictures. By boosting the camera’s ISO sensitivity and shutter speed, DIS freezes the action and provides blur-free images, even when you or your subject is moving.