Updated 15 Feb, 2012, 6:16 pm IST

Sony Launches Miniature Handycam

03 Apr, 2008, 2:00 pm IST | tech2 News Staff |

Sony has launched a new pocket-sized Handycam camcorder - the HDR-TG1.

Weighing in at ten ounces the camcorder has an ultra-portable body measuring 1.3-inches wide by 4.7-inches tall by 2.5-inches deep. Its titanium body and premium hard coating make it highly resistant to scratches.

The full-featured camcorder 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.

It ships with a supplied 4GB PRO Duo Mark2 media card.

"Sony was the first to introduce a travel-sized camcorder with 8 mm technology in the 1980's, and it revolutionized the travel and electronics industries," said Kelly Davis, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics. "This new model is a great example of our expertise in miniaturization, as well as advanced imaging technologies with features like face detection."

This 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 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 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, delivering clear recordings of subjects along with the video.

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.

These can be purchased, along with other accessory options, direct at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores and at authorized dealers. Pre-orders begin on April 4.