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