Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam preview video (exclusive)
April 11th, 2008
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Last week Sony announced their newest HD camcorder, the HDR-TG3E Handycam, the Worlds smallest digital HD camcorder.
Today Sony sent me the retail version of the TG3 to have a look at and, according to them, we are the first to get our hands on this puppy!
Unfortunately, due to the long queue of people waiting to review the HDR-TG3E, we only get to keep the Handycam for a few days so there wont be an detailed review from us this time. We do have our unboxing video though and I'll be letting you know what I think of the camera too. Hopefully we'll get our hands on another TG3 so that we can do a full review at a later date.
First impressions are that this is an amazingly small and light camcorder. The size and weight isn't achieved at the expense of build quality either as the TG3 looks and feels very solid, probably thanks to the chassis being made from titanium.
I also like the fact that so much is included in the package. In fact the box contains everything you need to get up and running, including a 4GB MSProDuo card. It's quite unusual for media to be included in a camcorder package.
Setting up and using the TG3 for the first time is straight forward thanks to the intuitive touch screen menus. It's simply a case of setting up the date and time and then choosing the shooting mode. Once you have inserted the memory card you are ready to start filming. Even if you have never used a video camera before I'm pretty confident that you'll be able to use the basic features of the TG3 without having to read the user guide.
The controls on the TG3 are well laid out, the most important ones sitting with in easy reach of your thumb while shooting. In fact there are not that many buttons or controls on the TG3, most of the settings and functions are accessed through the touch-screen.
The TG3 isn't just for videos though, you can take digital still pictures too and there's even a built in flash on the front of the camera. Another thing that's nice about the TG3 is that you can take a still picture while you are recording a video. If you choose to do this then the image is captured at 2.3 megapixels. However, if you are in still image mode that is increased to 3 megapixels - not a huge number, but adequate.
One thing to be aware of with the flash though is that it is so close to the camera lens that red-eye and dust orbs are likely to be more of an issue than normal.
The TG3 has a range of connectors that should cover almost every application. The AV connector covers composite video/audio and also component video. A USB connector allows you to hook the TG3 up to a PC or Mac in order to download and edit your videos. Under a cover on the back you can find an HDMI socket so you can plug directly into a HD TV and play back your HD videos. The HDMI cable is the only one not included in the box.
There's also a special connector on the bottom of the camera for the docking station (which is also included in the package). The docking station replicates the power, AV and USB connections from the camcorder but not the HDMI.
A final word (for now) on the video quality. I recorded a few sample clips in low-light conditions last night and I'm very impressed how well the TG3 performs. Playing back the video on my 50" HD Plasma TV the results are fabulous and despite the video being a digital format, requiring compression, there are no obvious compression artefacts.
As the camera uses no moving parts for recording there's no tape or DVD motor noise on the playback and it also means that recording is silent.
In all the TG3 is a great camcorder, small in size but not at all small in features.
Sample video and images as well as some answers to your questions can be found in this post.
Posted by: Matt
[Post tag(s): smartphone news, Pocket PC news, Tracy & Matt, Handycam HDR-TG3E, camcorder]
Comments, Pingbacks:
If you don't have the knowledge to answer these questions, at least please UPLOAD a 10 second clip (recorded in best quality) somewhere, so we can download it, so this way we can find that info ourselves.
Thanks.
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11/04/08 @ 09:36 
· www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs Will record and post a video clip later.
Matt
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11/04/08 @ 09:42 Permalink
11/04/08 @ 09:45 Permalink
11/04/08 @ 10:09 Permalink
11/04/08 @ 11:15 Would also like a sample file if possible and when will the unboxing video be available?
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11/04/08 @ 13:01 · www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs Matt
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11/04/08 @ 13:20 I'd like to see a sample recording under indoor lighting conditions to see what the low light noise levels are like.
It's a pity they didn't bring the HDMI connection out on the docking station as well.
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11/04/08 @ 14:08 Permalink
11/04/08 @ 14:18 But how does this camcorder compare to for example Sony's HDR-SR11E? Except for size and shape there seems to be only one difference between these camera's: the CMOS-sensor. The Sony HDR-TG3E contains a 1 / 5,0 ClearVid CMOS-sensor, resulting in 1.430.000 pixels in 16:9 camera-mode, and the Sony HDR-SR11E contains a 1 / 3,1 ClearVid CMOS-sensor, resulting in 3.810.000 pixels in 16:9 camera mode.
It seems obvious that this difference results in lower quality still images for the TG3E. But how does this influence video quality? Is there for example a big difference in video quality when playing it on a large 1080p LCD screen?
I'm not an expert, therefore I ask you. Will you prefer the SR11 because of this difference in CMOS sensor?
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11/04/08 @ 15:12 Permalink
11/04/08 @ 15:44 · www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs Matt
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11/04/08 @ 15:46 Video:
Pixels in cameramode: 1430000(16:9modus) and 1080000 (4:3modus)
Pixels in memorymode: 14900000(16:9modus) and 1990000 (4:3modus)
Photo (max):
2304x1296 (3MP) 16:9modus
2304x1728 (4MP) 4:3modus
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11/04/08 @ 16:06 Many thanks if you can answer this.
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11/04/08 @ 18:50 I am currently looking for a really small Full HD camcorder and this model looks really good, but I wonder how the video quality compares to Panasonic's SD9 which offers 1080p rather than 1080i.
Looking forward to seeing your test video clip...
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11/04/08 @ 20:09 To burn directly into DVD in HD, you will need a VRD-MC5 which is around US$200.
I tried it and the DVD plays fine on PS3 in HD. ;)
You lucky guy who can get this now. I have to wait another month to pick up mine.
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11/04/08 @ 22:36 It has image stabilization according to Sony. Again, face detection is first in any comcorder from Sony.
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11/04/08 @ 22:40 Permalink
11/04/08 @ 23:30 Do you think it will be comparable to HDR-CX6EK in terms of image quality ?
The cx6ek's bigger sensor make me doubtful about that ...
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11/04/08 @ 23:48 Permalink
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12/04/08 @ 00:47 Permalink
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12/04/08 @ 17:02 Permalink
12/04/08 @ 22:12 Price £649 (£546, ex VAT and delivery to shop)
Availability: May 1st (although stock available to store 25th April)
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13/04/08 @ 07:24 · www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs Matt
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13/04/08 @ 14:43 anybody knows how to view the video .mts on a Mac ?
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13/04/08 @ 19:15 Permalink
16/04/08 @ 08:37 Permalink
18/04/08 @ 16:46 Permalink
19/04/08 @ 10:10 There is a NY Times review out there which places the TG1 (TG3E) above the HD1000 in all tests from what I can remember but on par or just below the HDC-SD9. I am going for the TG3E simply due to the size factor and that it performs “nearly” as well as the SD9. I realise that the review is short and until the TG3E is readily available on the market we won’t really know how good/bad it is but from Matt’s sample it is good enough for me.
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23/04/08 @ 11:55 Permalink
23/04/08 @ 11:56 Permalink
24/04/08 @ 06:58 Permalink
27/04/08 @ 21:13 Mark, any thoughts about your camera at this moment or perhaps you have not got it yet?
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28/04/08 @ 22:00 I did receive it last week, please see the other blog linked above under "Sample video and images"
Not quite sure what you mean by too small, it depends what you are looking for? My objective was to get a camera that was as portable as possible and hence easy to take out with the kids etc… the TG3E fits the bill and as a bonus it does give fantastic results for its size. It is extremely easy to operate but has the added advantage of some manual overrides (but not loads) if you need them. It is light in weight and perhaps you may get a little more wobble than with a heavier counterpart but it’s all compromise, right!
My main issue in the past with my Sony HC3 was that although it is a relatively small camcorder for what it does, or rather did back then when I purchased it, it is still not, in my opinion a HandyCam! Taking the camera out was a chore, had to take the whole camera bag with spare tape(s) and a battery etc… not really ideal for a day out with the family. This is where the TG3E comes in. It easily fits in to your trouser pocket or handbag, spare battery in the other pocket and MS Duo in your wallet. This past weekend I used the TG3 more than I have used the HC3 in the past year (not just because it was new), it was just so easy to have it with me.
I am not a camera junkie but I do love my toys and purchasing this camera made me realise how easy it is to just video at will without the previous hassle of carrying round a sack of potatoes to get the job done.
You need to ask yourself what it is you are looking for, if you want a camera that is going to give you a beautiful picture on a 100” 1080p screen then you will want to look at something else but if you want a camera that will give you fantastic results on a 42” plasma or LCD with the added bonus of being highly portable then the TG3E is for you! As I said in the other blog, I would recommend this camera to everyone. I cannot see any reason for you to be disappointed with the results is gives considering its size.
Having seen the other cameras you mention, although they are small they are no way near as pocketable as the TG3E, however they may give you better results. Keep your eye on the proper reviews and comparisons which should start to trickle out now perhaps they will help.
I will just add though that I have not done any really low light shots (will do some soon and post my opinion) so cannot comment on the results there but from what I have seen from other SolidState or HD camcorders I am not expecting the world.
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29/04/08 @ 11:41 Permalink
03/05/08 @ 14:36 I assume LP = long play?
Does this mean that HD SP mode on the camera with 4GB stick as delivered can record 5h55/8 = 44 min 22.5 sec?
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15/05/08 @ 13:25 Leave a comment:
