Sony says the Memory Stick-based TG1 is the lightest and most compact AVCHD camcorder available in the market today. With a pure titanium chassis, the video camera also claims to be extra scratch-resistant.

Sized at 32 x 119 x 63mm and weighing 300g, the TG1 can record 1920x1080i video (note interlaced not progressive, though Sony still considers this as full HD resolution) and can capture still images of up to four megapixel resolution.

"The HDR-TG1 has been developed especially for those with an active lifestyle, who need a lightweight, robust and stylish camcorder to capture those everyday and unexpected moments," said Sony Australia Handycam Senior Product Manager Di Shepherd.

Integrating Sony's ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor-derived technology and the BIONZ image processing engine, the new Handycam also features Face Detection – a technology which automatically allocates more pixels to a detected face during the encoding process. Or in layman's terms it's designed to focus in on and take clearer pictures of faces in a photograph or video.

Other ease-of-use features include Film Roll Index, a thumbnail display of scenes designed to make searching for certain videos easier. Connectivity includes Bravia Sync and HDMI.

The Handycam TG1 camcorder from Sony is available now.

RRP: $1,599

See: www.sony.com.au