The Sony HDR-SR8 digital camcorder is considered to be an improvement from its previous model, the HDR-SR7, which features its 100GB HDD that can store directly up to 38 hours of high-definition video. It uses a ClearVid CMOS sensor, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, and a 2.7-inch widescreen hybrid touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus display.

The Sony HDR-SR8 is equipped with a 3.2-megapixel CMOS sensor that gives sharper and clearer images video with a resolution of 1080 pixels in HD Mode and 530 pixels of horizontal resolution in SD Mode and still image performance of 6.1-megapixels. The HDR-SR8 also features x.v.Colour technology that assures true-to-life color reproduction, improves brightness and reinforces contrast. It also uses a 5.1 audio recording sound system and built-in microphone to deliver surround sound to your full HD videos, just like in the movies. The HDR-SR8 is also capable of recording and playing back both High Definition and Standard Definition videos recorded on a standard 3-inch DVD media.