Sony HDR-TG5 makes world's smallest Full HD camcorder smaller, adds GPS

The problem with Sony's previous world's smallest pistol-grip Full HD camcorder -- the HDR-TG1 aka, the TG3E -- wasn't size, it was usability. So we're happy to hear that Sony's TG5 counts a tweaked UI among its updates. And although Sony doesn't say in the press release, the TG5's touch-panel looks far more sensitive (capacitive maybe?) than that of the previous generation's finger bender. The other improvements are GPS to geotag your media (assuming your software supports it), Navteq maps, improved image processing, smile shutter technology, and 16GB of built-in storage (up from 8GB) all riding inside a slightly smaller and lighter chassis. Other specs remain unchanged: 1920 x 1080 AVCHD video, 2.7-inch touchscreen display, and a 10x optically stabilized zoom exposing a 2.4 megapixel CMOS sensor. Expensive? Oh most definitely: $1,000 starting in May. Check the video after the break.

[Via CNET]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 2nd 2009 4:35PM]

Are we talking about 1080p or 1080i here? "Full HD" is so ambiguous. Is it progressive or is it interlaced. Also what is the frame rate? Canon has been trying to pass off 20 FPS as full HD lately.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 2nd 2009 6:29PM]

I think I saw the 1080p HD logo...

However, resolution alone does not tell anything about the PQ... What size CMOS sensor is this device using?

Furthremore, what type of file is being recorded? Does this device record "Fake HD" AVCHD MEGP-4 AVC files at only 13 Mbps to 17 Mbps bit rate, like the one used in Cannon HD camcorders, or the "True HD" MEGP-2 at 25 Mbps like the one used in JVC HD camcorders?

Without the above 2 specifications revealed, the PQ of this device is up to anyone's guess....

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 23rd 2009 4:48AM]

Very beautiful , at Tradestead , there are many kinds of beuatiful and powerful consumer electronics that I like it very much!

[(Unverified) Posted May 7th 2009 2:42PM]

It is interlaced so it is vastly inferior to a good 720 Progressive
Image.
I also believe it is at only 30 fps.

On top of that it is AVCHD, which is not so great from what I hear
again and again.

The JVC Prosumer stuff is now at 35 Mbps, so they may have a lead in
quality at
a certain price.

Also I have many arguments that a good decent size CCD chip is still better then a
CMOS one. (Low light video noise)

It is funny Kodak makes the Zi6 ($129 at Target) that while having no
Optical Zoom and is made for internet video. Does indeed do 720
Progressive at '60 Frames per second.'

If you record 10 seconds worth of Sunlit video at 60 Progressive (full frames)
frames per second, you may re think purchasing a 1k consumer Sony,
that only does 30 and interlaced at that.

There is a difference to the look of a 60 fps video image !!

--I personally have had enough of Sony's consumer & Prosumer level Video products.---

[ndrwme Posted May 14th 2009 9:38PM]

These things are sexy!