NEW : Sony HDR-TG3/TG1 - New Smallest 1080i camcorder Pt 2

jimnorth · 08-05-2009, 8:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougal365

What price and where from?

Cheapest I can find is Currys at £399.99, add something for a pound and theres a £20 off £400 code valid until the 11th I think.

I'm still deliberating whether to go for this or not.

muscleflex · 08-05-2009, 8:43 PM

i hope you already know that sony already has a replacement coming out for the TG3?

dougal365 · 08-05-2009, 8:50 PM

I figure the price of the TG3 may drop a little yet (I've still not bought one!)
New one will be out my range.

orpheus · 08-05-2009, 9:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougal365

What price and where from?

I went to the Dixons website and used the voucher code FILM5 to reduce the price from £399 to £379.24.
I wanted to try the camera before buying, so I went to my local Currys. They had the camera on sale for £399. I showed them a printout of my shopping basket from the website, and after some initial resistance, agreed to match it.

jimnorth · 08-05-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougal365

I figure the price of the TG3 may drop a little yet (I've still not bought one!)
New one will be out my range.

Same here.......it'll be 6 months to a year before the replacement hits this price point.

SnowJim · 12-05-2009, 12:13 PM

Hey!

I bought the TG3 yesterday for $926 (SWEDEN), but haven't tried it much. I can however say that it is not produce any good results indoor in low-light environment, but this you already knows.

The camera is without a doubt bigger then I was imaging but it might get in to the pocket in may jacket.

I bought the camcorder be course we are having a baby soon. We will probably be used indoors most of the time which get me thinking.

Maby a camera like HF200 will provide way behter quilty indoors? Yes it is not that portable as TG3 but it do fit in to my girlfriends handbag.

I have also lookt closer on the Sanyo models, thay have som cheaper version with 720p suport whitch should not be a vary grate change from 1080i? Do any one know how the sanyo camcorders works in lowlight? The samples I have seen have been vary jerky?

My parents got a 15 year old camcorder, this takes bether indoor picture then the TG3, but yes the sharpnet is not even close when the TG3 get enouth with light to focus.

What do you thing? Should I go with a HF200 or maby a Sanyo, or is TG3 the one?

tank1234 · 23-05-2009, 6:05 PM

I am looking to buy a new camcorder, which is very small. I`v been looking at the - Sony HDR-TG3E HD Camcorder.Here are the specs

Benefit
Video Format
Flash Memory
Optical Zoom
10 times magnification
Optical zoom is most important. When you move the lens optical zoom magnifies and also maintains the image quality
LCD Screen Size
2.7 inches
Size of the LCD screen measured diagonally across the screen
Removeable memory
YES
Digital Zoom
120 times magnification
Digital zoom uses the "electronic brain" within the camera to digitally zoom in, the higher the digital zoom the closer you can get
Minimum Light Level
5 lux
Digital effects
YES
Compact design
YES
Wide Mode
YES
Sound Quality
5.1
See our TV Buying Guide for more information
Camcorder Weight
240 g
Type of Memory Supplied
MEMORY STICK
Memory Supplied Size
4000 MB
LCD Screen
YES
The LCD on the back of digital cameras is an indispensable help. You can use it to compose your photos and for instant replays of photos you've already taken

All i am worried about is the imige quality is as good as taping on a digital video tape? What is flash memory ?

StormHD · 23-05-2009, 6:45 PM

I've just changed from a digital tape camcorder to a flash memory camcorder. With my old camcorer I could hear a constant background whirr, so immediately, I've benefited by changing!

Flash Memory = Memory cards, like SD cards etc. The Sony camera you're looking at takes Sony Memory sticks (more expensive than SD Cards).

One thing to bear in mind is that Sony are soon to be releasing a replacement model for the TG3, which will likely drive down the price.

I would've chosen the TG3 myself, but I got a very good deal on a panasonic SD100, so went for that instead. If you're sure you want the TG3 then I'd look to buy from John Lewis. They sell it for £399.99 and that includes a 2 year warranty.

Hope this helps.

tank1234 · 23-05-2009, 8:01 PM

Thanks for reply, is there any difference in quility between sd memory card and memory stick. Why would u choose the
panasonic SD100 over the Sony HDR-TG3E ?

JH4 · 23-05-2009, 9:22 PM

Check out this thread>>

NEW : Sony HDR-TG3/TG1 - New Smallest 1080i camcorder Pt 2

And this one>>
NEW : Sony HDR-TG3/TG1 - New Smallest 1080i camcorder

Most people love it..

StormHD · 23-05-2009, 9:22 PM

No, they're just different types of card really. Memory sticks just tend to be more expensive.

I was all set to buy the TG3 when I saw the Panasonic. The panasonic is better in low light conditions, is absolutely feature packed, uses SD cards (which I've already got a few of), and was also a lot cheaper: £279.99 (Normally sells for well over £400).

Reviews seem to indicate that the picture quality of the Panasonic is much better than that of the TG3.

I picked it up at currys and the way it was priced it appeared to be a nationwide offer.

I'd read some reviews on the panasonic to check that it's the right camera for you, but I believe it's a better camera and it's £120 cheaper than the TG3.

tank1234 · 24-05-2009, 12:34 PM

Could some one please tell me how many hours of video recording i could fit on the 16gb memory stick ? How long on avarage does the battery last ? and is it possible to record without the LCD screen out, so i can save battery life ?

tank1234 · 24-05-2009, 12:40 PM

Could some one please tell me how many hours of video recording i could fit on the 16gb memory stick ? How long on avarage does the battery last ? and is it possible to record without the viewfinder out, so i can save battery life ?

SnowJim · 24-05-2009, 12:41 PM

I returned the Sony TG3, it is the wors in indoor. I tried the Sanyo but it ended with the Canon HF200, its with out a doubt the best of them.

cosmic68 · 24-05-2009, 1:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank1234

Could some one please tell me how many hours of video recording i could fit on the 16gb memory stick ? How long on avarage does the battery last ? and is it possible to record without the viewfinder out, so i can save battery life ?

About 110 mins on 16GB.

Battery roughly an hour, you will need to purchase a second.

No, viewfinder needs to be out to shoot film.

Great camera, bit crap in low light. Plus editing on a Mac (don't know about a PC), whatever your settings, can create juddery playback when recording panning shots. Something to do with CMOS sensor OR AVCHD, haven't got to the bottom of it yet. But when viewed natively, straight off camera to HD telly, in a bright situation-stunning for such a little camera.

younso · 24-05-2009, 1:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank1234

Could some one please tell me how many hours of video recording i could fit on the 16gb memory stick ? How long on avarage does the battery last ? and is it possible to record without the LCD screen out, so i can save battery life ?

ca 2 hrs with top quality picture, ca 1 hr for the battery and no, you cannot record without the screen.

tank1234 · 24-05-2009, 2:34 PM

Can u record with the lcd screen just slighty open ? not fully open ?

JH4 · 24-05-2009, 2:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank1234

Could some one please tell me how many hours of video recording i could fit on the 16gb memory stick ? How long on avarage does the battery last ? and is it possible to record without the viewfinder out, so i can save battery life ?

A 16G card gives 116 minutes at best resolution, more at lower res.
Battery time is about 80 - 90 Mins fully charged - a bit more on a brand new battery.
Yes, you can record with the viewfinder display switched off and folded back on itself. ie. display off but folded back in reverse of the off position.

**senu** · 24-05-2009, 2:47 PM

There is a longer TG3 thread which might make this make a " duplicate .. of sorts
Unless there is a good reason Ill merge them

tank1234 · 24-05-2009, 2:52 PM

Thanks for reply, most people say that i can not record when lcd screen is folded away. So is this true ? i can actully record when it is folded away ?

JH4 · 24-05-2009, 3:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank1234

Thanks for reply, most people say that i can not record when lcd screen is folded away. So is this true ? i can actully record when it is folded away ?

Yes, you start recording, press and hold the display button until the display darkens, then fold the display back so that LCD is facing outward. It carries on recording. Apologies for not explaining it better, before.

younso · 24-05-2009, 6:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank1234

Can u record with the lcd screen just slighty open ? not fully open ?

Slightly or fully open will not change the battery life. On the other hand there is no viewfinder so if you do not open the screen you will not see what you are filming

JH4 · 24-05-2009, 9:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by younso

ca 2 hrs with top quality picture, ca 1 hr for the battery and no, you cannot record without the screen.

Yes you can, see here>
http://www.avforums.com/forums/camco...camcorder.html

younso · 24-05-2009, 9:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JH4

Yes you can, see here>
http://www.avforums.com/forums/camco...camcorder.html

OK, fair enough, there is also a mode to dim the screen a lot, but if your subject is moving you will not see to be able to recompose.

tank1234 · 25-05-2009, 5:20 PM

Does anyone know what is the cheapest website to get a 16gb sony memory stick ? Didn't know they where that expensive.

tank1234 · 25-05-2009, 7:44 PM

hey people another question, does any one know what file these are when put to p.c and would i need a new video editor like nero or pinnacle studios?

tank1234 · 01-06-2009, 4:49 PM

Hi just bought this camera and is really good, but 1 problem i have found is that when i transfer my videos to computer and play them they are fine when camera is connected throught the usb. But when i disconnect the camera and i go and try and play a video (using avchd player) it says - reconizing drive, then - cannot find any media recorded avchd format. I can still play them through picture motion brouser but not straight from the file they are collected in .

muscleflex · 01-06-2009, 6:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tank1234

Does anyone know what is the cheapest website to get a 16gb sony memory stick ? Didn't know they where that expensive.

play.com
that's where i got my 16gb from

cosmic68 · 03-06-2009, 11:28 AM

I've stupidly been posting this question on other threads, not realising the TG3 had it's own thread, so apologies for repeating myself but does anyone know if this product for the new TG7 (magnetic wide angle lens):

VCL-HGE07TB (VCLHGE07TB) : Accessories and headphones : Sony

Will fit existing TG3. The new cam is 2mm less on width. I own a TG3 and love it, but find the angle of filming very narrow.

Anyone else tried it/know if it'll work?

cosmic68 · 03-06-2009, 12:09 PM

Ok,

I rang a helpful chap at Sonystyles online ordering/help number-he went and spoke to a technician who reckons wide angle lens WILL be backward compatible with TG3. I bit the bullet and ordered one. Will arrive in 5 days, will post back result/if fits.

Apologies for double posts on different threads, Mods please feel free to delete.