Sony Handycam HDR-TG7VE High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Memory
HDR-TG7E Full HD Movie CamcorderIncredibly small and light with stylish titanium body. Full HD recording on internal memory plus GPS Smile Shutter Face Detection and SteadyShot image stabilization.- With less size and weight to carry it’s easy to slip your camcorder into a pocket or bag: you can be sure it’s always with you wherever you go.- Wouldn’t it be great having a photographer by your side capturing great still pictures of happy faces while you’re shooting video of a party or another special event? Smile Shutter automatically shoots still photos whenever your subject smiles without interrupting video recording.- GPS tracks your position as you travel. See the exact location of your clips and still images with maps on the LCD screen. Then review your journey when you’re back home with online maps on your PC.- Once you’ve shot a lot of footage with your camcorder it takes time and effort to edit the results together and produce your own ‘mini movies’. The camcorder… more >>
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(out of 16 reviews)
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Review by Mr. Eiren O’keeffe for Sony Handycam HDR-TG7VE High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Memory
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Having several camcorders ranging from SD MiniDV through DVD to SD card based my search for a true 1080 HD device led me in an unexpected direction once I’d seen the HDR-TG7VE. Although there are a number of 1080 HD camcorders available now, I ruled out HDD based camcorders as well as any any disc based immediately due to their fragile nature (especially with children). Additionally the inclusion of GPS has gone from novelty to necessity as my video and photo library grows and AVCHD is the preferred codec base. Whilst Sony was not at the top of my list originally due to the use of memory stick, the feature set of the HDR-TG7VE kept it in the running and ultimately I found myself purchasing one along with a 16GB Pro Duo HX memory stick.
After two weeks of heavy use on holiday there’s no doubt that this is absolutely a brilliant piece of equipment with nothing significant in the way of faults. Switching it to Full HD mode with GPS and the Zoom Microphone function enabled we have been awed by the quality of not just the video, but also the sound and the brilliant “smile” detection. The colour reproduction and detail in the video, even in low light conditions, is simply extraordinary and watching photos and videos on an HD screen is like watching it again in real life.
The sound as well is amazing: Filming from the opposite end of the swimming pool I zoomed in on one of the kids as they threw their goggles in to dive and retrieve them – you don’t hear the people between us however you hear the clear, precise sound of the goggles hitting the water and the splash of my daughter following them thereafter. Very impressive.
The photos it takes in photo mode are more than passable but better still are the photos it takes automatically when someone smiles whilst videoing; you find that not only do you have fantastic video at the end of the day but also a collection of brilliant photographs to go with them.
Whilst not a fan of Sony’s software, they have improved dramatially and their PMB application is actually a reasonably well done package, transferring video from the device over, picking faces and scenes out so that you can hone in on specific clips, and allowing you to easily transcode it to different formats, record to DVD, BluRay, etc.
The diminutive size of this device coupled with it’s rapid on/off and brilliant built-in screen have seen it used by everyone in the family including the children, who find the thumb operated start/stop Wide/Telephoto controls not only intuitive but simple to use.
This is simply a briliant piece of equipment that you can carry everywhere, get great videos and photos, as well as know WHERE you took them (the GPS is incredibly accurate and pinpointed our location even in small side-streets). I’d recommend you set it to full HQ HD, which will reduce your overall video time from 6 to just under 2 hours, however this matches the battery life fully and the quality beggars belief.
This is the best consumer camcorder I have used to date and the quality rivals that of much more expensive prosumer models. You will not be sorry if you pick it up and you’ll love the memories you capture with it (especially since you can carry it non-intrusively).
Review by Mr. S. G. Orr for Sony Handycam HDR-TG7VE High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Memory
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Having just come back from Florida where this camera came in very handy i can only heap praise on the product.
It functioned admirably and as most of the videoing was outdoor the GPS locked onto a signal very quickly. It is very quick to start from just opening the side viewfinder and records within a split second so you can catch the moment unfolding.
The other family in the group after the 3rd day didn’t bother taking their video camera as it was bulky (even though it was a palm grip type) but the TG7 is easy to slip in the pocket when not in use.
I’d recommend the leather and metal case (says its for TG3 but still fits).
The digital camera side is adequate for A5 pics but maybe too grainy for anything bigger and the flash being around the lens itself sometimes isnt powerful enough in comparison to dedicated compact cameras.
This video camera is MAC compatible and the GPS info is used by iPhoto 09 to geotag pictures.
Well worth the expense.
Review by Ks Graves for Sony Handycam HDR-TG7VE High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Memory
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My 2 previous camcorders were a Super VHS and Hi 8 and having spent countless hours transferring 20 plus years of video tape at a snails pace, I decided to go digital. I wanted a camera that didn’t weigh a ton, didn’t need it’s own suitcase and took high quality images that last. To that end I haven’t been disappointed. As luck would have it, my first real use of the camera was in Denmark at a friend’s wedding, so the GPS was a source of endless amusement to the Danes. In good light the images are terrific, better than anything I’ve ever videoed. Unfortunately in the evening the indoor shots were very grainy, so I’m looking at Litepanels Micro Kit to light interiors. Goodness knows whether I can afford this or where I will put it on the camera if I buy it. The camera has a “smile” facility that is transfixing – every time someone even starts a smirk, let alone a smile, the camera captures the moment without asking. I was going to turn this off as the pictures are not very high quality, but the poses it captures are excellent. Transferring the images onto a computer was very easy and very fast, although the software then wanted to analyise every little thing for ages, but at least I can sort the images by smiles, dates, people, views and yes, countries. Reviewing the footage on the computer I was dissapointed that when I panned around, the images became jerky and I’m not too sure how to correct that. I’ve certainly dusted down my tripod to see if that makes a difference, although that kind of defeats the object of having a tiny camera somewhat. The case I bought at the same time is great and essential and I also bought an extra memory card and spare battery, neither of which I have had to use yet, but you never know.
Overall it’s great and a worthwhile investment if you can afford it. It’s not perfect, but then again, nothing is.
Review by A. ogden for Sony Handycam HDR-TG7VE High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Memory
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Im changing camcorders every year because i like gadgets and keeping up with technology.
This unit has superb build quality and useability. really love this unit.Downloading content to pc no problems and quality in normal light excellent and grains up in lower ligh.compared to panny sd9 its so much better though and stills are really good in daylight and not bad with flash indoors.
memory cards are a bit steep .
Although itry and buy here amazon are tops for delivery and authentic stock, i ended up saving £30 via a uk site with euro plug eu stock.
really this is best for carrying etc although sanyo 2000 came close.
Review by Terrence W. Allan for Sony Handycam HDR-TG7VE High Definition Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Memory
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This is an excellent camcorder. It is very straightforward to use. The absolute minimum number of buttons, Well done Sony. Manuals are just not necessary. The lense is superb and close up work on auto focus is stunning. The camera can also be used with the LCD rotated to be flat against the case. This is a real bonus for me as I use it when exercising and so I can hold it a compact form. Whether taking stills or video the process is simple. I would unreservedly recommend it to anyone with a PC (Windows).
Whilst the GPS works and it is possible to see a map view on the camera LCD I would not recommend purchase of the camera just for this facility.
Unfortunately if you use a Mac you won’t be able to use the Sony software supplied. This is a tremendous frustration rather than an inconvenience as iMovie on the Mac or any other Mac video editing software can be used once the video is imported. It is a frustration because Sony is simply shooting itself in the foot by not fully providing for Mac users – user perception of being a second class citizen. Despite being a Mac user I am still able to make use of this excellent camera and the video produced. I am, however, a little annoyed that the software supplied only works under Windows.
This is a 5 star camera. I have voted it down to 4 stars based only on the Mac issue.