Video: Sony's TG1 / TG3E -- world's smallest 1080i camcorder unboxed, previewed

Whether you call it the HDR-TG3E (as it's known in Europe) or the HDR-TG1 (as it's been dubbed everywhere else), it's still the world's smallest 1080i camcorder. Tracy and Matt got their hands on an early unit for all your unboxing and first-impression pleasures. They're already "very impressed" with the "fabulous" image quality when viewed on their 50-inch plasma. Don't let the Queen's English and SCART adapter fool you, this is pretty much exactly what you can expect to land Stateside next month. Click through for the moving pictures then hit up that read link for a more detailed analysis -- looks like Sony's got themselves a winner.

[A.C.E.R. @ Apr 11th 2008 4:25AM]

Awesome. Now tell me how to get my profile picture to work.

[CT A @ Apr 11th 2008 8:11AM]

No.

[jason @ Apr 11th 2008 4:32AM]

pretty good,
sony sony sony
expensive

[gad get @ Apr 11th 2008 4:36AM]

Pardon?

[Patricia Pangelinan @ Apr 11th 2008 6:08AM]

For something like that 900 is not that bad at all.

[MikeKlein @ Apr 11th 2008 1:12PM]

I've been doing 720p with my Kodak V1233 for 5? months now...at $200 from CostCo it's quite the steal.

Now...getting good support for those MP4 files can be a bitch...this is what TCPMP is for.

[gad get @ Apr 11th 2008 4:40AM]

Ooohh, impressive! The smallest of its kind... in Sony's world.

[荆轲不想刺秦王 @ Apr 11th 2008 4:41AM]

msn:[e-mail]

add me....

[ray @ Apr 11th 2008 4:55AM]

what?

[DarkLightConnection Unbanned @ Apr 11th 2008 4:56AM]

No.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 5:27AM]

All you have achieved with your comment is that you will be a 'lowest ranked' comment.

If that was your goal, congratulations, you have succeeded.

Well done :)

[Tim Brown @ Apr 11th 2008 9:15AM]

...to the dumb ass list...to the person most likely to be given a Darwin Award list...to the bugger off and go spam yourself list...

[Johan S @ Apr 11th 2008 5:14AM]

"world's smallest TG1 / TG3E 1080i camcorder"

Oh, so there are other camcorders that are not TG1. which are smaller?

I must own the world largest Nikon D3. Which is also the world's smallest.

[Thomas Ricker @ Apr 11th 2008 6:13AM]

Yeah, that title was horrible. Still boring, but Fixed.

Thomas

[nate @ Apr 11th 2008 6:05AM]

I'd watch that video if it didn't sound like my ears were being filled with liquid nitrogen. Gorgeous camera though.

[Cassini @ Apr 11th 2008 6:26AM]

Beautiful kit, that camera is.

But I have to say, why is it that Sony refuses to integrate headphone jacks into so many of their camcorders? There are times I'd be out and about and would want to review what I shot, but I don't want everyone around me to hear it, too. For privacy, security, or social reasons, headphone jacks are necessary.

I hope the performance on it is really good. But even if it were the case, and although the camera looks fantastic:

No headphone jack = no sale.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 6:29AM]

That's a good point that didn't occur to me. Well said good Sir. Well said. +1 from me.

[CSlim @ Apr 11th 2008 6:52AM]

Here I was thinking, WOW! Sxxy Sxxy Sxxy! Instead of practical, practical, practical. Good point. He didn't mention how much it'll cost.

[Benoit Proulx @ Apr 11th 2008 8:35AM]

I'd put it in my wish list if it were compatible with SDHC memory! I won't buy a gadget that doesn't support SD.

When is Sony going to stop thinking of itself as being the center of the universe?

[Cassini @ Apr 11th 2008 9:38AM]

"When is Sony going to stop thinking of itself as being the center of the universe?"


Probably never.

[DJ @ Apr 11th 2008 9:06AM]

Could be the greatest thing to happen to homemade porn in 50 years.....

[Anthony @ Apr 11th 2008 9:37AM]

Anything that records in HD will never be considered a great thing to happen to homemade porn.

[Neeko @ Apr 11th 2008 9:15AM]

Cool camera.. Can anyone recommend something cheaper but still small to hold and HD. I really dont wanan spend 1K on a camcorder..


Wow to bad youll have to use memory stick only.

[knowsbetter @ Apr 11th 2008 11:03AM]

Said it before, and I'll say it again - Canon TX-1 for under 400 dollars.

[Reekdik @ Apr 11th 2008 11:41AM]

aiptek action hd.

has no stabilization, really bad audio, and, being from aiptek, probably has a semi-decent/bad build.

but its small, films in 1080p and costs less than 300.

[andrew @ Apr 11th 2008 11:23AM]

Does it have NightShot?

[ubercool @ Apr 11th 2008 11:59AM]

I can't believe that Engadget missed David Pogue's review in the NY Times yesterday. This is not a great camera image-wise. He recommends, and I agree, the Canon HV30. While it uses old-fashioned mini DV tapes, the video quality is superior compared to even this third-generation AVCHD camcorder.

[required @ Apr 11th 2008 11:38AM]

The Sanyo Xacti HD1000 is a better camera.

[mcdj @ Apr 11th 2008 12:09PM]

What's with Sony and their mushy touchscreens? They look like a subway window within a day. And forget trying to wipe it clean.

[mike @ Apr 11th 2008 1:04PM]

SanDisk 8GB Ultra II SDHC: $59.99
SanDisk 8GB Ultra II Memory Stick PRO Duo: $98.50

I hate Sony for all of the stupid things they do to (otherwise) great products.

[umm....hello??? @ Apr 11th 2008 2:32PM]

well, the MemoryStick only makes this fine piece of equipment a loser for me....

[peestandingup @ Apr 11th 2008 2:39PM]

Nice, but not worth almost $1,000. Especially if it shoots in 1080i (instead of 1080p), only shoots 3MP stills & uses Sony's blasted memory stick.

Canon TX1 still has my vote. Better stills, 720p, SD cards, small design with nice body materials & MUCH cheaper.

[TG @ Apr 11th 2008 3:07PM]

Still trying to forgive Sony for putting very nasty trojan on music cds.

Anyway, would Paris Hilton be caught dead with this little spy-like snooper video camera?

This camera would give horny teen boys lotsa sneaky ideas.. wouldn*t it?

Doncha hafta find the controls to operate it properly?

Color me undecided and on the fence .. er defense. = TG

[Simon @ Apr 11th 2008 3:37PM]

I am ditching my HDRCX7 and getting with this for sure. :)

4GB memory is actually perfect. Everytime u fill the card, u back it up into a single layer DVD.

All you need is 1 or 2 extra 4GB Pro Duo and a photo bank or a small laptop for your trip. I have 3 sticks of 4GB and carry my UX280 UMPC while I took my kids to Disneyland. I just copy videos every night to my 100GB HD in my UX280 and then put it my on my PS3 when I get home. It all worked out great.

Now the smaller the camcorder, the easier for me to carry it everyday with my kids. ;) TG1, here I come!

[Tek B. Lang @ May 8th 2008 12:10AM]

How's the reliability on that little thinggy. Knowing Sony It must be the trow away camcorder. hello Sony take care of my precious dsc-V1.