I was quite amazed the first time I read about pico projectors. For the longest time, projectors were very expensive machines, especially when LCD projectors came out. Only those with really deep pockets could afford it, and even when it did drop in price it was still something you have to think about if you want to take the plunge.

Pico projectors made owning a projector more reachable. It’s relatively more affordable. But more than the cost, what makes pico projectors stand out is their size. Pico projectors are so small you can fit them in your shirt pocket.

Sony has taken advantage of the portability of projectors and has made a product that really takes advantage of what a pico projector can do. Sony has released the HDR-PJ50. This is a high definition camcorder that has a built in pico projector. As I’ve mentioned, this is a great way of using pico projector technology – adding it to the features of a camcorder.

The pico projector in the HDR-PJ50 can project images as large 60 inches on any flat surface. This makes impromptu screenings of the footage you’ve shot possible. No more crowding around the small LCD screen of the camcorder. The Sony camcorder itself has good features. It can record full HD video (1920 x 1080) and store it in a relatively large 220GB hard drive. If you do run out of space, it can also record on Memory Sticks and SD Cards. Aside from HD video, it can also record sounds in Dolby Digital 5.1, for true surround sound audio.

The HDR-PJ50 has a 12x optical zoom, a feature that is only possible with actual camcorders (miniature video recorders can’t offer this feature yet). You can also take still shots at 7.1 megapixels. Image stabilization is also a standard feature.

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