Sony debuts new HD camcorder for 1920x1080 video

Sony today unveiled a new high-definition camcorder, the HDR-TG5V Handycam, that captures 1920x1080 HD video and four-megapixel photos.

The model includes 16GB of flash memory (a portion of which is used for data management), embedded GPS and a new user interface for the touch-panel LCD. The TG5V has a titanium body with a "premium hard coating."

[ZDNet Photo Gallery: Sony HDR-TG5V Handycam digital camcorder]

The camcorder has a built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ digital maps, and can geo-tag your videos and photos. It has a 2.7-inch LCD touch panel, and comes with Picture Motion Browser software.

Thanks to 16GB of embedded memory, the HDR-TG5V holds more than six hours of HD video footage in LP mode. Naturally, this being Sony, it supports Memory Stick PRO Duo media for additional space.

The camcorder also has Sony's "Smile Shutter" technology, Face Detection tech and a BIONZ Image Processor that works with an Exmor CMOS sensor and a Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar lens with 10X optical zoom. It's also got a built-in flash.

The HDR-TG5V camcorder will ship in May for about $1,000. An optional travel kit (Sony ACC-TCH5) with a battery, travel charger and pouch will be available for about $100. There is also a wide angle conversion lens (Sony VCL-HGE07TB) accessory for about $100.