How 'bout some GPS with your megazoom?
Sony announces the HX5V, a 10x zoom compact with built-in GPS and compass among a whole lot of other features.
- More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
If you were considering picking up a $350 pocket megazoom camera, you might want to hold off until March when Sony ships the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V. The camera features a high-quality Sony G 25mm-equivalent lens with a 10x optical zoom, a 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, and built-in GPS and compass.
It also can capture video at full HD (1,920x1,080 at 60i) in AVCHD format; it supports HDMI out; and there's improved optical stabilization to help control shake while you're on the move.
The camera supports both Memory Stick Pro Duo and SDHC cards in addition to TransferJet cards that allow you to transfer files between two TransferJet-enabled devices just by bringing the devices within 1 inch of each other.
The high-speed Exmor R allows for some fast shooting--10fps in its burst mode--but it also adds things like better handheld low-light shots, a new High Dynamic Range mode for balancing out high-contrast scenes, and the new Intelligent Sweep Panorama, which provides better stitching of scenes with moving objects/people.
