Sony HDR-C500V, HDR-CX520V HD Camcorders with geotagging

If you are hesitant to spend a couple hundred dollars on a new Flip UltraHD, you will be even more hesitant to drop five times that amount on a new Sony camcorder. However, the new flash memory-based camcorders from Sony offer at least a couple of huge advantages over the pocket camcorder market.

The cheaper of the two is the Sony HDR-CX500V comes equipped with 32GB of flash memory and costs $1100, whereas the HDR-CX520V bumps the memory to 64GB of flash memory and costs $1300. Aside from memory capacity, the two Sony HD camcorders appear to be pretty much the same.

Using either cam, you can record amazing 1080p HD video at 60fps. Those of you with shaky hands will be glad to hear about the three-way SteadyShot (vertical, horizontal, roll). There’s also the integrated GPS chip for geotagging your photos and videos. No more wondering where you shot what.

Rounding out the specs are a "Face Touch" mode for focus prioritization, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, direct to DVD burning, zoom microphone, Memory Stick expansion, and a flip-out LCD screen.

Look for both the Sony HDR-C500V ($1100) and the HDR-CX520V ($1300) to launch this September.

Via mobilemag.com via CrunchGear

MSNBC says flash memory means smaller devices

In her article titled "Camcorders get flashier", MSNBC editor Suzanne Choney has this to say about the new wave of flash memory based HD camcorders:

Samsung's SMX-C14 camcorder, due out in July, has 16 gigabytes of internal flash memory and can also use an SD or SD High Capacity card. Pricing has not been set, but is likely to be less than $400.

Some of them are hybrids and some are GPS-enabled. They're not cars, they're digital camcorders and the recent generation of them have almost as many options as automobiles have.

Want to take 8-by-10 quality photos at a friend's wedding, as well as high-definition video? Canon's "hybrid" VIXIA HF S100 includes an 8-megapixel camera. Into "geo-tagging" your video so you know the exact location of where it was shot? Several of Sony's camcorders, including the HDR-XR200 V, have built-in GPS. Like a hint of color in your camcorder? Samsung's SMX-C14 and C10 camcorders, due out this summer, infuse a subtle dose of red, gray or teal into the black body of the video cam.

Check out the full article at MSNBC
Buy a Samsung HMX-R10 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/5x Optical Zoom (Black)

Sony HDR-TG5V and HDR-TG7VE HD Camcorders

Sony unveiled the new HD Camcorder HDR-TG5V with integrated GPS for automatic geotagging.

At the same time Sony announces in Europe the HDR-TG7VE. I hate when companies use different model numbers for the same product in different regions. It just plain sucks.

The features of the new highly compact HDR-TG5V include full HD recording, 16GB memory, embedded GPS, NAVTEQ digital maps geo-tag, 2.7 inch touchscreen, Smile Shutter technology, Face Detection and Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar lens with 10X optical zoom.

The Sony 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.

Buy a Sony HDR-TG1 4MP High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Super Steady Shot Zoom (4GB Memory Stick Included)

Via i4u

New Sony HDR-TG5V Offers Embedded GPS, Durable Titanium Body, and Sleek Design

Designed for travelers who pack lightly, Sony today unveiled a new high-definition camcorder that combines powerful performance and simple operation into a sleek, 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 intuitive user interface for the touch-panel LCD.

“Travelers are looking for high-quality products that focus on performance and portability,” said Kelly Davis, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics. “This new model has a titanium body with a premium hard coating enhancing durability and it’s packed with high-performance features—like GPS and Smile Shutter™ technology—that deliver the best combination for your travel experiences.”

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) so it is virtually ready for capture right out of the box. You can also capture content onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately) for additional recording time.

Ideal for the active explorer, a new graphical user interface helps personalize menus for easy operation and quickly sort through captured content.

Smile Shutter technology automatically snaps quality 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 pristine imaging, the camera features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-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.

Pricing and Availability

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.

Via Sony press release.