Location:Home » cameras » All Digital Camcorders » Sony HDR-TG1 4MP High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Super Steady Shot Zoom (4GB Memory Stick Included)
Product Description Sony's Handycam(R) camcorder, HDR-TG1, records Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution video from a small, light, and slim body crafted from pure titanium that's tough enough for travel or everyday HD video shooting. The stylish model incorporates a Premium Hard Coating for superior resistance to even the smallest scratches. The HDR-TG1 records to convenient Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media, and Sony's ClearVid CMOS Sensor (with Exmor derived technology) and BIONZ image processor provide spectacular video and stunning 4.0 MP still images. Additionally, Sony Face Detection technology automatically finds and enhances a face, to help capture faces beautifully. Dynamic Range Optimizer enhances exposure and Contrast Smooth Slow Record (240fps) with Audio Recording x.v.Color technology captures lifelike color Bionz Image Processor PictBridge Compatible Face Detection technology controls focus, exposure, and color for both video and still images, so faces are captured more clearly and skin tones look more natural Dual record capability lets you capture precious still shots while simultaneously shooting HD or Standard Definition video 1920 x 1080 Full HD video Resolution 10x Optical Zoom and 20x Digital Zoom 1/5 ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology) 2360K Pixel Gross 2.7 wide touch panel Clear Photo LCD Plus Display 4.0 megapixel JPEG still image capture Video Formats - High Definition - MPEG4, AVC/H.264; Standard - MPEG2 Recording Time with supplied 4GB Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo (We recommend purchasing an optional 8GB Memory Card for optimal usage)High Definition - FH = up to 25 min., HQ = up to 55 min. SP = up to 65 min., LP = up to 85 min.Standard Definition - HQ = up to 55 min., SP = up to 80 min., LP = up to 160 min. Connections on Handycam(R) A/V Remote Station - Analog A/V Outputs, Component Video Output, S-Video Output, Audio Connections on Handycam - USB 2.0, HDMI (mini) 1-Year Pa
A stylish, convenient, full featured ultra compact HD camNovember 20, 2008 I've tried out a number of high definition camcorders in the last few years and so far this is my favorite, even compared to bigger, more robust models. That's not to say that the HDR-TG1 isn't full featured. It is. It's also one of the most elegant and easy-to-use HD camcorders on the market today. Admittedly, I like Sony products a great deal but they've raised the bar here and the HDR-TG1 looks good, feels great, and produces video of such startling clarity that it can take your breath away.
Here's how the HDR-TG1 breaks down:
PROS:
- Insanely high resolution 1920x1080i video that's super sharp. - Audio picked from the top mounted mike is clear and loud. I was worried this was going to be the weak point of the design, but the sound is tremendous and can even focus on specific targets when using face recognition mode. - The titanium body makes it light and doesn't dimple, which is what I was worried about when it's in my pocket for long periods of time. Since it's brushed, no fingerprints ever appear. Very slick. - Fast startup. I can take it out of my pocket and start recording in 4-5 seconds if it's not in standby and in 1-2 seconds if it is. Never miss a shot again. - Very well designed menus usable by touch screen. Auto-scene indexing is excellent and the options for most features are quickly found. - LCD is amazingly sharp and bright, even outside. - Zoom control is about the most ergonomic I've seen on a camera, though I've found it's also easy to forget which direction to go in. - One handed operation for all major features while recording. - The automated lens cap is extremely handy and tries hard to keep the lens covered at all times except when actually recording. - Battery life is good, if not stellar. Have not run out of power yet, but you'll need to be good about keeping it on the charging stand. - Nice heft and just about perfect size. Fits easily in a coat or pants pocket. This thing is slightly smaller than it even looks in the pictures. - The steadyshot makes a big difference in video quality compared to other compact HD camcorders. I've tried a number of other compact camcorders and with the resolution of HD, image stabilization is a must. The HDR-TG1's steadyshot may not be the very best but it produces very decent results compared to other camcorders in the same category.
CONS
- The AVCHD format that the camera uses is not the most well supported HD video format out there. Many editing applications and video upload sites will not like the *.MTS files that the HDR-TG1 outputs. iMovie on the Mac is about the best for handling them though there are others. Bottom line: You will have to get used to some post processing of the files to use them elsewhere. - The joint mount of the LCD display seems to be a design weak spot in an otherwise incredibly well built device. I'm having no problems right now but I can see how this might wear out in a year or two of regular use. I bought the extra warranty so I'm hoping Sony will just give me a new camcorder if this breaks. - No audio input jack. Although it doesn't really seem to need it, but it's always a nice feature to have on a camcorder. But it would also make this little gem seem a little uglier. - The still photos the HDR-TG1 takes are the typically awful ones you get from a camcorder CCD. No surprise here but it's definitely a downside; for good stills you'll still need to pack a dedicated digital camera. - Connecting to USB on this device requires a special dongle or the base station. Not very convenient IMHO but they've tried very hard to make this iPod-like in terms of utter simplicity and understated elegance, meaning that there's really not much room to stick an ugly USB port on the body of this device without ruining the design. There is a dock connector at the bottom that turns into the USB port with dongle or dock (both included with the device.) - Low light performance is not the strong point of this camcorder. The lens is just too small to gather enough light. That being said, its BIONZ processor does well compared to other compact HD cams. I just pack a portable light, though I wish the HDR-TG1's built-in flash was really a video light source since the still photo function isn't worth much anyway. Note: Well lit interiors record just fine, but candlelight and a little bit brighter do not come out as well.
All in all, the HDR-TG1 has become my new favorite camcorder since the size and features are just right and I end up having it with me for all occasions. I'd buy this again in a heartbeat and I'm using it almost every day now. Finally a compact HD camcorder with just about zero compromises.
High Def CamcorderNovember 2, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent in day light and well lit places. However not good at all in dim lights needs external light
HD CamcorderOctober 24, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A great little HD Camcorder that does a super job....very easy to use, small enough to take anywhere and everywhere.....great video at the press of a single button....all the features you could possibly desire...video and/or photos show up superbly on both a HD TV and a Computer....highly recommend this camera..you will love it just as I do.
Terrific Second CamcorderAugust 16, 2008 14 out of 14 found this review helpful
Other reviews have fairly described the pros and cons of the TG1. I own a Canon HV20 for "tripod events" - nothing beats HDV for image quality and low-light performance, and I always use a quality Senneheiser wireless mike for subjects greater than 10 feet away. But there are too many moments in life - of one's kids, mostly - that are over by the time you go get the beast, make sure there's room on the tape and juice in the battery. These are what the TG1 was designed for - it's your second camera, for the moments that normally get away.
I think the design and execution of the TG1 are brilliant. The IS and face detection work very well. Yes, I would have loved a mike input and an exposure button. But my guess is that Sony made these decisions of omission very carefully. If you have been waiting for a decent-quality shirt-pocket HD camcorder - as I have been ever since flash-memory models hit the market - didn't you expect to pay four figures for the early-adopters' privilege? Just think about it - this machine is roughly 30% smaller than its nearest competition, and Sony brought the price point for such exquisite miniaturization down to a level competitive with the other premium flash-memory camcorders. Every extra button or dial would have driven up the price of the unit. Design simplicity may have been a motivator as well - the camera's native point-and-shoot capability is just fine for about 75% of the moments most of us are trying to capture, and more buttons would make the unit a bit more geeky.
BTW, I have not had any trouble importing and manipulating AVCHD on my Lenovo T61 Thinkpad. The video editor is certainly meager - one can divide and trim the videos, and that's about it. But the DVD-AVCHD burning utility is fantastic. I had about twenty minutes of video from my first week with the camera. It took about 15 minutes to burn them onto a 25-cent DVD-R, and watch it on my Blu-Ray player (BDP-S350), and the daylight images were beautiful and sharp, even on a big screen.
From shooting my kids for the past week indoors and out, I have one other thought about the TG1's low-light drawbacks - they are more than outweighed by what I call 'form-factor-comfort'. It's not just the delay in getting out my big HDV unit that lets those little moments get away - the size of the tape units is inherently conspicuous and inhibiting, and my kids become self-conscious. The TG1 is roughly the size of my iPod, and its small size makes it much less intrusive in real-time. The little goofy moments when my 15, 13, and 8 year old kids all act like they're three years old are not perturbed by the TG1. This kid-comfort factor is of inestimable importance, in my opinion.
There might be two diametrically opposite subsets of first-time buyers who might consider this unit as their primary camcorder. First are tech-savvy young parents who are aware of the camera's limitations, but want to be able to grab a video with one hand while holding their baby with the other. The second would be techno-challenged people who happen to already own a blu-ray player (this may, admittedly, be a very small group).
Is there an early-adoption penalty? There is, always. Future cameras will be incrementally smaller, or slightly better in low light. But you only want an LCD so small, and the most critical limiter of low-light ability is the light-gathering ability - namely the size - of the lens. So until there is some great new video codec or a new chip technology, low-light performance won't be improved significantly without having a thicker unit. The most realistic expectation one might realize by waiting is having true 1080p resolution. But my kids get older, and less goofy, every day - 'damn good' now trumps 'even better' a year from now.
So do your research, read all the subjective and technical reviews you can, and remember the compromises inherent in the very smallness you seek. You won't find the best image quality and low-light performance unless you go HDV. But for a great second camera, you won't go wrong with the TG1.
Sony quality - Some issuesJuly 24, 2008 5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Pros: small, portable, easy to use, slick touch screen, compressed video formats look great (1080 in AVCHD and 720p in MPG format), 'Steady Shot' noticibly improves video, nice zoom and the still shots aren't half bad (has a tiny built in flash!), and *true* 5.1 surround! (5.1 or just stereo, your choice).
Cons: Not great in low light (including stills), battery time could be longer (I purchased a quick charging unit and another battery), memory is expensive (1/3 more than the average flash stick of comparable size), no mic input (windy days will kill audio).
WARNING: Do not expect ease of use with AVCHD format and MAC (long conversions given that you have the right software). However, with an upgrade to my Sony Vegas software on my PC, I am able to natively edit Sony's AVCHD format, and 5.1 surround. You can edit the SD format (720p MPEG) on a MAC.
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