In the States, Sony has launched the new pocket-sized HDR-TG1 Handycam with the boast that it is the world's smallest Full HD camcorder.

This little device weighs in at ten ounces and has an "ultra-portable" durable titanium body measuring 1.3-inches wide by 4.7-inches tall by 2.5-inches deep.

Despite its diminutive dimensions it can record 1920 x 1080 HD video and 4-megapixel digital photos directly to Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo or PRO Duo Mark2 media cards.

It is equipped with a 2.7-inch touch panel LCD display, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 10x optical zoom lens and 2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor-derived technology, engineered to minimise picture noise.

Other features including face detection, auto adjusting technologies and backing up the HD image recording, the Handycam records audio in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound and features a built-in zoom microphone.

Supplied with a 4GB PRO Duo Mark2 media card the camcorder will be available in May for about $900.