Sony unveils pocket-size, high-def Handycam

What do you get when you combine the trend toward miniaturization of all gadgets with the fast-growing popularity of high-definition (HD) devices and put both attributes in one product?

You get Sony’s new Handycam HDR-TG1, the world’s most compact HD recording camcorder.

“With the HDR-TG1, Sony Philippines not only reaches out to the ‘on-the-go’ users of Handycam, but shows our customers that the camcorder business is very much alive and is constantly improving,” said Takashi Kozu, Sony Philippines Inc. vice president for marketing.

Hardly bigger than some smartphones or camera phones, HDR-TG1 is the first camcorder to be housed in a pure titanium chassis with Premium Hard Coating to ensure increased scratch-resistance and lower wear and tear.

This ultra-compact camcorder measures 32 x 119 x 63 millimeters and weighs a mere 300 grams. It is capable of recording full 1920 x 1080p High-Definition movies and capturing high-quality still photos.

The HDR-TG1 combines the power of Sony’s ClearVid CMOS Sensor with Exmor-derived technology and BIONZ Imaging Processor, technologies commonly associated with digital SLR cameras, allowing users to record crisp, vivid movies and pictures with high sensitivity and low noise.

It also boasts the functionality and convenience of simultaneously taking still images while recording videos with its Dual Recording capability.

“Sony knows that portability is key for those on the go, so this is why the HDR-TG1 comes with a supplied 4GB Memory Stick to capture more still and moving images from your adventures, travels or anything else you could think of,” shared Kristine Villanueva, Sony marketing manager for digital imaging. 

Also featured in this new Handycam is Sony’s passion to make more natural and evenly exposed images a reality with two of their signature technologies.

First is through its Face Detection of up to eight faces, allocating more pixels, optimizing focus, exposure and color to detected faces during the AVCHD encoding process.

The D-Range Optimizer, on the other hand, limits “blackout” in subjects and “whiteout” in brightly lit settings. The HDR-TG1 also boasts Carl Zeiss optics.       

Throw in some more neat features like a built-in zoom microphone that clearly records Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound audio from the subject a user zooms in; a crystal-clear 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD; a Quick On button that puts your Handycam on “standby mode” and lets you resume use with the exact settings instead of having to turn it off; capability to record in various Memory Stick media; and a one-touch disc burn function for hassle-free transfer of files to AVCHD or DVD format.

“A result of Sony’s ‘My HD to Go’ design concept, the HDR-TG1 exemplifies power brought about by the perfect marriage of superior technologies, plus ease of use and pocket-sized elegance,” Carmina Lumabas, Sony marketing officer for Handycam, said.

The new Sony Handycam HDR-TG1 retails for P49,999 and is available in Sony Squares, Digital Solutions Plazas, and all authorized Sony dealers nationwide.