The new pocket-sized Sony HDR-TG1 Handycam camcorder's weighty high-definition capability will appeal to vacationers who prefer to "travel light."
The camcorder weighs in at only ten ounces. It has an ultra-portable body measuring just 1.3-inches wide by 4.7-inches tall by 2.5-inches deep.
It can record 1920 x 1080 HD video and 4-megapixel digital photos directly to Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo or PRO Duo Mark2 media cards. Its size and full recording capability makes it the world's smallest full HD camcorder. The camera offers four recording modes: The "FH" (16Mbps), "HQ" (1,440?1,080 about 9Mbps), the "SP" (about 7Mbps) and the "LP" (1,920?1,080 dots about 5Mbps).
Another bonus for any traveler is the camcorder's durable titanium body and premium hard coating that makes it resistant to scratches.
It ships with a supplied 4GB PRO Duo Mark2 media card so it's ready to go straight out of the box and you don't have to make space in your travel bag for extra discs or tapes.
In addition, the new model incorporates face detection technology for both video and still images, a technology also shared with select Sony Cyber-shot digital cameras. It can identify up to eight faces in the camcorder's 2.7-inch touch panel LCD screen, and automatically adjust focus, exposure, color control for natural-looking skin tones, and when photos are taken, flash control.
The model also allocates more encoding bits to a detected face during the encoding process for the best possible picture when people are the subjects.
The camcorder is also equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 10x optical zoom lens and 2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor-derived technology, engineered to minimize picture noise.
The camcorder is also equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 10x optical zoom lens and 2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor-derived technology, engineered to minimize picture noise.
The camera's BIONZ processing engine also features noise reduction capabilities in addition to fast processing speeds. This engine powers the model's dynamic range optimization feature, which automatically adjusts under- or over-exposed areas in a picture.
Audio is recorded in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound and features a built-in zoom microphone.
The HDR-TG1 camcorder will ship with supplied accessories in May for about $900. There is also an optional travel kit (Sony ACC-TCH5) that includes a battery, travel charger and pouch for about $100. Plus, there is a custom-fit case (Sony LCM-TGA) with brushed metal accents available as an accessory for about $50.