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Sony TG3 High Definition Digital Camcorder
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| Price: | £499.00 |
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Dispatched from and sold by Cyclops Electric Sports
7 new or used available from £329.00
Average customer review:
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #16460 in Consumer Electronics
- Brand: Sony
- Model: HDRTG3E.CEH
- Released on: 2008-04-06
- Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, .53 pounds
- Display size: 2.7
Editorial Reviews
Manufacturer's Description
Sony’s Handycam camcorder, HDR-TG3, delivers Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution video recording in a small, light, and slim camcorder perfect for travel or everyday recording. The stylish model incorporates a pure titanium body and Premium Hard Coating for superior resistance to even the smallest scratches, giving you the confidence to take the HDR-TG3 wherever you go. The HDR-TG3 records to convenient Memory Stick 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, beautifully recording your videos and photos.
Sony HDR-TG3 Highlights
1920x1080 Recording Record stunning, incredibly detailed video footage in the clarity of 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution.
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Face Detection for Video Footage and Digital Still Photos Made possible by the BIONZ image processing engine, Face Detection technology recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and colour to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly. Face Detection technology also helps make skin tones look natural without affecting other colours in the image.
Supremely Mobile Design Sony has created a camcorder with the ability to fit in a shirt pocket, yet still capture stunning Full HD resolution video and 4.0 megapixel still images. Whether for personal or business use, around town or on vacation, the HDR-TG3 is the ideal travel companion for capturing those special memories.
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2.7-inch Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD Plus Display (211K Pixels) The 2.7-inch Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides exceptional viewing clarity with improved resolution (211K pixels). The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.
Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System An advanced version of Super Steadyshot Picture Stabilization from Sony controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.
10x Optical/20x Digital Zoom The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.
Built-in zoom microphone with 5.1ch recording Featuring Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator, the built-in zoom microphone focuses audio recording on your subjects in sync with the camera’s zoom lens, helping memories ring true with clear dialogue and crisp, discrete sounds.
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Picture Motion Browser Software Supplied software makes it easier to upload, organize, search, and edit video and still images on your PC. With the included Handycam®Station, Picture Motion Browser software also provides one-touch operation to create a disc of your video or digital photos.
Dynamic Range Optimizer Powered by Sony’s exclusive BIONZ high-speed processing engine, D-Range Optimization preserves image data in bright highlights, such as suppressing "whiteout" in skies. When shooting in backlit settings, D-Range Optimization reveals more detail in shadows, preventing "blackout." As a result, the captured image appears as natural as the original scene.
Dolby Digital 5.1ch Recording Record in Dolby Digital 5.1ch surround sound with the camcorder’s built-in microphone. Recording in 5.1 channel surround sound allows you to experience your home movies with active sounds coming from all directions, so you can enjoy your personal home movies the way you experienced them while recording.
Smooth Slow Recording By increasing the record rate from 60 fields per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, record an audio track to narrate what is being seen during the video.
x.v. colour Technology x.v.colour technology can capture or display nearly twice as many (1.8x) viewable colours than the standard RGB colour range. This provides a more accurate and vivid colour range, for a more natural, lifelike overall experience.
Dual Record While recording video in High Definition you have the ability to capture still images directly to Memory Stick Duo media (4GB3 Memory Stick PRO Duo media included).
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PhotoTV HD Viewing with HDMI Output With direct HDMI output to your compatible HDTV screen, you can view and share photos in breathtaking clarity and detail. You can choose between standard 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio--and with select Sony BRAVIA HDTV models, your photos are automatically optimized in sharpness, gradation, and colour reproduction.
Face Index Face Index makes it easier than ever to find and play back the right video scene. Using Face Detection technology, Face Index indexes your video footage according to the faces detected in each scene. When it's time to play back video, simply search for what you want by selecting from among the detected faces displayed in the index.
Film Roll Index Like chapters in a book, Film Roll Index helps you easily find desired scenes in video footage. When using this feature, the camcorder previews the beginning of scenes and can create scene indexes set at specified display intervals (3, 6, or 12 seconds and 1 or 5 minutes).
One Touch Disc Burn Easily burn a DVD copy of your footage using the supplied software. Simply connect the camcorder to your PC via a USB cable and press the One Touch Disc Burn Button.
InfoLITHIUM Battery with AccuPower Meter System Unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "Memory Effect," so you’re free to charge the battery at any time. Additionally, Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
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Stamina Battery Power Management System When using the Sony InfoLITHIUM Battery, the Stamina Battery Power Management System helps the camcorder prolong battery life for extra long continuous recording times from a single charge.
Battery Information At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. When using the LCD screen or viewfinder, the display will show how much the battery is charged--in 10% increments--and the recordable time left.
HDMI Connection with BRAVIA Sync (CEC) Technology HDMI connectivity provides a simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video and 5.1 channel audio directly from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single cable. With BRAVIA Sync (CEC) technology, the HDMI connection also delivers the ability to control both the camcorder and HDTV using a single BRAVIA TV remote.
Built-in Intelligent Flash For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.
BIONZ Image Processor The advanced Sony BIONZ Image Processor uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that improves camera response time, screens out noise before RAW data conversion, handles Dynamic Range Optimization processing, and prolongs battery life.
Exmor Imaging Sensor Exmor technology captures video and still photo images with high resolution, high sensitivity, and exceptional detail. Advanced on-sensor A/D conversion yields rich tonal reproduction with high signal-to-noise ratio.
Tele Macro Function Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode help your subject stand out by properly focusing the subject while leaving the background unfocussed. The Tele Macro Mode is useful for shooting close-up shots, especially when you need to prevent the camcorder from casting a shadow on the subject.
Date Index Function Search recorded content by shooting date to quickly and easily find a specific scene.
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USB 2.0 Interface The USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.
Manual Focus Manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.
Memory Stick PRO Duo Media Slot Capture still images directly onto Memory Stick PRO Duo media (sold separately) for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices (sold separately).
Fader Effects Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black and White.
Picture Effects Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia. Effects available in Playback mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia.
Scene Selection Modes Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise and Sunset.
Multi-Language Menu Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish, or Brazilian Portuguese
Box Contents
Customer Reviews
Simply stunning spec for a bargain price !!!
Wow... what a stunner!
I bought this Sony TG3 video camera, having spent hours researching both Sony + Panasonic + Canon. I have stated some facts below that I have struggled to find on most reviews so hope it helps.
I am pretty clued up when it comes to gadgets, but I have to say even with my knowledge, the offerings out there from the 3 above manufacturers is not easy to compare when you have different formats- hard drives, memory stick, DV etc......!
I decided on the Sony memory stick option as many users of the HD camcorders complain about slow start up time and apparently they are VERY slow when trying to edit the footage on your PC. Also the HD video cameras are much heavier & bulkier.
The memory stick is rapid on start up and I am about to start editing some video.
My old video camera was a high spec Sony (approx 3 years old now) and I thought you cannot go wrong with this brand. Also the £60 cheque back offer was the icing on the cake for me.
I opened the box, charged up the battery and it is SO EASY TO USE! I worked everything out without even reading the manual. Yes you need to play around with it but it is not hard.
The video camera is designed for one handed operation if you need to do this. The touch screen is a doddle, the weight is just right, the zoom is easy to use, the menu is straight forward and I have to say the quality and sound is amazing.
I have tried it in darker conditions, daylight, played with the exposure etc and I have to say I can see why it won best product of 2008 - 2009!
I have read conflicting reviews on this product and I think that those complaining maybe don't know how to use it properly. Sony have made this VERY user friendly and that is what we all want. In my opinion, unless you buy a professional video camera probably 6 times the size & costing 4+ times more, you cannot better for the money.
The supplied 4GB card gives you approx 30 mins of full HD quality recording, if you want SD then I recall it giving you about 45 mins. Like most owners, I have now ordered a couple of 8gb cards & spare batteries (with HD recorders you need batteries anyway).
Battery time seems pretty good, I am getting approx 45 mins form each charge, which does not sound much, but bearing in mind how small this unit is, it is amazing!
I have just researched video editing software..... I have ordered, after much research - Power Director 7 Ultra. Amazon are the cheapest by far and it looks very impressive. I have tried Pinnacle in the past but their software is 4+ times the price, so I will save my money thanks and put it towards the cost of a couple of spare batteries & cards.
Make sure if you are buying edeting software, that you buy software that handles avchd (many of the packaged out there require you to upgrade to benefit from this feature).
If you ask me what are the negatives, I have listed a few but none of them are serious at all... I would call them small issues. That is why I have given this 5 stars as I think the positives heavily outweigh the negatives! :-
No case- I have never received one with any video camera, I have just ordered a Lowepro case that will fit this and my Sony digital slim camera together. They are cheap
No HDMI cable- Not a problem as I have ordered a good quality one off Ebay delivered for only £5.00
No remote control- I have to say this is the one thing I had to think about, as you have to sit near the tv to play it back in front of friends/ family
No way of charging he battery unless the camera is in its dock. Not really a big deal as the dock is diddy. You can always order a fast charger although this battery was charged in under an hour
**** If you want the best looking & one of the best performing HD video cameras out there then look no further.! ****
SO EASY TO USE
This camera is a delight to use and excellent quality. Very user friendly and the touch screen is great.
Sound quality is second to none. Picture superb. Build quality excellent.
Set up is so easy. Insert battery and memory card. Charge battery and your off.
Saves individual recordings into events so you can access very easily.
Comes with lots of cables for connecting to tv/computer and nice base station for charging/transferring info to computer.
Works like a dream on an Intel iMac with imovie.
This is my first camcorder and I'm delighted I made the decision to buy it.
Sony TG3
i love this camcorder. it is my third and is easily the best. never mind whether you can get HD camcorders with slightly better picture quality, at least with this one, you have it in your pocket when you need it. that alone makes it worthwhile as you get footage you would never other wise have. the zoom is great, the still shots are really excellent for a camcorder and the antishake seems to work ok. i get about 2 hrs on a 16gb memory card, and with a portable hard drive that only cost 40 pounds holding 40gb, i cant see memory ever being a problem. anyway if you reduce the quality a bit you can do over 5 hrs on the card. it is easy to go from SD to HD and easy to record blu-ray dvds as well as standard.
i love it and recomend it highly. the only draw back is it isnt as good in low light as my previous dig panasonic zero lux camcorder but lets be honest the pics using infra red arent great anyway. i wouldnt let low light probs put you off unless that is very important to you. in half reasonable light the colours are vibrant.
John Preston
