In its HDR-TG1, Sony has managed to steal the tag of, "smallest full high definition camcorder" from Panasonic in a race for bragging rights. But as is sometimes the case in races, someone (or in this case, something) always gets left behind.
Clad in scratch-proof titanium and shaped like a block of soap, the TG1 isn't the most ergonomic video camera to hit the market. Smaller hands will find that their fingers may cover the lens while trying to reach for the video/photo mode dial or the zoom toggle with their thumb. Weighing in at 240 grams without the battery, it’s small and light enough to be able to fit into your jeans pocket without any problems.
The TG1 keeps the buttons to the essentials with only the power, photo capture, video recording, and an LCD info display switch. There’s even an Easy mode button which is an autopilot setting for beginners taking their first steps into filming. We’re wondering why Sony bothered with a power button as the TG1 instantly turns on whenever you open the LCD screen and then switches off again when you close it. Auto on comes in handy especially when you want to start shooting right away as the power button is situated in an awkward position.
Most of the video and image settings are accessed using the 2.7-inch LCD touch screen. Sony’s menu system can be confusing to use with some menu options requiring a lot of digging around to get to, plus some of the menu items themselves were quite vague.
It wouldn’t be a Sony product with a proprietary connection of some sort. On the TG1 this comes in the form of a dock connector located at the bottom of the video camera. The dock allows for charging, file transfer via USB and an AV port that accepts Sony’s proprietary cables.
