Designed for travelers who pack lightly, Sony today unveiled a new high-definition camcorder that combinesperformance and simple operation into a portable body. The HDR-TG5V Handycam camcorder captures 1920x1080 high-definition video and four-megapixel photos. With a compact design, the model includes 16GB of flash memory (a portion of which is used for data management), embedded GPS, minimal buttons and a new user interface for the touch-panel LCD.

The camcorder?s built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ digital maps geo-tag your videos and photos so you can document your destinations on a map. Geo-tagged content is marked by a push pin at each shot location and can be played back on the camcorder map index display on the 2.7-inch (measured diagonally) wide LCD touch panel. You can also enjoy this feature on the PC using the included Picture Motion Browser software.





With 16GB of embedded memory, the HDR-TG5V camcorder holds more than six hours of high definition video footage (LP mode). You can also capture content onto Memory Stick PRO Duo media for additional recording time.

Smile Shutter technology automatically snaps photos of traveling companions when they smile, even while recording video at the same time. To make sure your subject stays in focus, Face Detection technology recognizes and enhances faces by automatically correcting focus, exposure and color control.

In addition to a BIONZ Image Processor that works with an Exmor CMOS sensor for better imaging, the camera features a Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar lens with 10X optical zoom designed specifically for compact camcorders. For added clarity and detail, a built-in flash reduces shadows and improves still images in low-light situations.

The HDR-TG5V camcorder will ship in May for about $1,000.