Sony HDR-SR 11 Handycam Review

Sony HDR-SR 11 Handycam Description

If you are looking for a hard drive based camcorder, you need to look no further because the Sony HDR-SR11 is about as good as it gets.

This camera is packed with memory (60 Gig), has incredible HD capture and has an all around great design to it.  Some of the special features make this so much easier to use than other cameras.

One such feature is the button on the front that allows you to compensate for backlighting.  In most cases, you have to fumble your way through the menus, on the Sony, it is taken care of in a flash with the press of a single button.

Key features of the Sony HDR-SR11:

• 60GB internal hard drive
• 12x optical zoom lens
• 150x digital zoom
• Face detection technology
• Photo taking during movie recording
• Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording
• 5.66 megapixel sensor resolution
• 3.83 megapixel effective video resolution
• 5.08megapixel effective still resolution
• 10.2 megapixel interpolated still resolution
• Sepia, Pastel, Monotone and Old Movie special effects
• Black and white fader
• Wide screen capture
• Built in flash

Sony HDR-SR 11 Handycam Key Comparisons

The Sony HDR-SR11 Camcorder is a little more expensive than some of its competitors, but you get what you pay for with this camera.  It also weighs a little more, but that is because of the hard drive compared to the flash drives that a lot of cameras are now using.  In order to get the memory that you have with this camera, you will spend a lot more than the difference in price to get the other cameras up to par with the Sony.

Pros

• Large memory
• Great HD capture
• Easy to operate
• Very good still photos
• Great software package
• Excellent low light performance
• Nice viewing screen
• Connects to PC very quick and easy
• Compact size for a hard drive based camcorder
• Fairly light for a hard drive based camcorder

Cons

• Plastic construction (used to keep weight low because of the hard drive)
• Battery life could be better
• Lack of wind filter
• No HDMI cable included with the camera
• Touch screen controls can be a little tough to use

Sony HDR-SR 11 Handycam Conclusion

When you break everything down for the Sony HDR-SR11, you are getting a lot more than you are giving up.  A lot of cameras are going to flash drive technology, but this camera proves that you can still have a light weight camera with a hard drive.  You just have to decide if you want to trade off the construction.  Don’t get the idea that this camera is not put together well, because it is.  It’s just that the body components that are plastic on this camera might be constructed a little better on other cameras.  This camera will hold up well though, just don’t abuse it and you will be fine.

The picture quality of this camera is really second to none.  These are clear images that beat out any other camera in its market.  You add the incredible still photos that this camcorder takes and you finally have one camera that you can use for everything.  There really isn’t a need to buy a normal digital camera if you have this Sony.  Its pictures can hold up against any 10 megapixel digital camera.

Once you get used to the touch screen menus, you are going to find that this camera is extremely easy to use.  If you are already familiar with how to operate touch screens, then this is not even an issue for you.  The backlight adjustment button on the front that was mentioned earlier is yet another example of how easy Sony has made this camera to operate.  It is about as user friendly as they come.

The Sony HDR-SR11 gives you plenty of value for your money and should easily be on your short list of camcorders when deciding what you are going to buy.  You have all the features of a much more expensive camera (the only difference between this and the SR12 is the memory) without getting stuck for the price of one.  Take the time to compare this to the other cameras in its class and you will see what we are talking about.  This is just a great all around camera.

B & H Photo, The Pros’ Choice

Pure Digital Flip MinoHD Camcorder Review

Pure Digital Flip MinoHD Camcorder Description

Pure Digital Technologies has really hit a home run with the Pure Digital Flip MinoHD Camcorder. This is the perfect mini camcorder to capture those moments that just ‘pop-up’ unexpectedly. Everyone has had a moment when something absolutely hysterical or just plain cute has happened and they wished they had their video recorder with them. You never have to experience that again as you can take this mini with you everywhere you go because it is about as big as an iPod and will easily fit into your pocket. It may not have all the features of a full sized camcorder, but this will more than do the job of capturing your special moments. Don’t get the impression though that this camera shorts you on features because it does have a lot more than you would expect in a mini:

Flip MinoHD Key Features

• 1.5” viewing screen
• 1280×720 resolution
• Ultra low-light sensitivity
• Automatic white balance and black level calibration
• Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity)
• 2 hour battery life between charges
• Powers up in less than 4 seconds
• Weighs only 3.3 ounces
• Super compact
• 4GB of Internal Memory

Flip MinoHD Key Comparisons

The MinoHD leaves the competition in the dust as it is tough to find one that can perform any where near the level of this camera. The Kodak Zi6 does not have the sharpness to its images that the MinoHD has and doesn’t even come close in its attractiveness. The RCA EZ300HD was also pretty weak and, in short, RCA puts out a product that simply does not perform well, especially when you stack it up against the MinoHD.

Usability

The thing that sets this apart from other camcorders is how easy it is to use and how quickly it fires up. In most cases, by the time your camera is up and ready to go, the moment is over. This camera seems like it is ready the moment that you hit the on button. Add to it the fact that all the features are extremely easy to use and this mini flies to the front of the pack in desirability. Here is an overall look at the good and the bad of this camera:

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Great design (you can actually design it yourself on their site)
• Easy to use
• Very portable
• Great low light images
• Quality sound capture
• Quick start up
• Easy to edit video with software provided
• Focuses quickly
• Images are very clear

Cons

• Battery cannot be replaced
• Memory cannot be expanded
• Fully charged battery only last 2 hours
• Does not take still photos (although the software will allow you to separate single images from your video and turn it into a single frame still photo)
• Does not have an HD direct connect feature for viewing on television or computer monitor

Flip MinoHD Conclusion

Overall, I think it will be very difficult for you to find a better mini camcorder in this price range. I was simply amazed at the quality of the images that it was taking. When you compare the images side by side with other mini cameras, you would expect to see very grainy photos and more discoloration from the natural surroundings in the pictures. That is not the case with this camera as the image is usually pretty true to life.

I can’t emphasize enough the portability of this camera. It weighs next to nothing and is so tiny that it is hard to imagine that they have packed so much technology into this little wonder. Now don’t confuse this for a regular sized camcorder, they are simply not able to put all of the features of a full sized camera in this creation, but it definitely is about as close as you are going to get. Other companies simply do not make as much good use of their space as the MinoHD does.

For portability, performance and picture quality, there simply is not a better camera out there in this price range or any price range close to it. And did we mention how cool this thing looks? If you needed another reason to buy this camera, that is the final touch!

B & H Photo, The Pros’ Choice