Sony introduces camcorder with built-in GPS receiver

Sony has come out with perfect holiday companion by adding GPS facility to its newest high-definition camcorder - the HDR-TG5V.

Like it's predecessor, the HDR-TG1, the TG5V captures video at 1920×1080 and can also snap 4-megapixel photos. Sony has added 16GB of onboard memory, which it says can hold up to six hours of high-definition video footage, and bumped up the optical zoom to 20X. All this is cloaked in a durable titanium body.

However, the real innovation lies with the location-finding capabilities of the camera. With the HDR-TG5V's GPS receiver, as well as built in support for Navteq digital maps, Sony says that location data can be added to recorded files. The user can view maps on the camcorder's 2.7-inch LCD as well as find geotagged locations on the map. Sony includes PC software that Windows users can use to via geotag information on a map; for Mac users, the geotags can use by iPhoto '09's Places feature. (See: Nokia to buy navigation software maker Navteq for $8.1 billion)

The camcorder includes features such as face detection, smile shutter, built-in flash, 10X optical zoom, Dolby Digital stereo recording with a built-in zoom microphone, a super slow motion recording mode, image stabilization, HDMI and USB 2.0 ports, and a rechargeable battery.

''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 HDR-TG5V will be available in May for $1,000.