Meet Sony's incredibly small high definition camcorder: the HDR-HC5 "PAL" Camcorder. At just under a pound and a half, it has tons of features. First, it has genuine 1080i resolution, so you shoot in real HDTV. Second, it uses HDV, which brings the resolution of HD to a tape the size of a Mini DV cartridge. Menu options are easy to choose, thanks to the 2.7" widescreen LCD SwivelScreen monitor.
This 2.1 megapixel CMOS processes faster than a CCD for richer color and better detail. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens also adds color and detail, plus reduces glare with its special T coating.

As impressive as the HDR-HC5 is as a camcorder, it gets even better as a 4 megapixel digital still camera. Store images on Memory Stick DUO Pro media and use the slot on the camera to view them. You can even shoot HD video and take a 2.3 megapixel still at the same time. Connect to a PC through USB or i.LINK to edit or share video.

• HDV Format with Real-Time HD Codec Engine

HDV puts widescreen high definition on a compact digital videocassette for the ultimate mix of quality and convenience. The Real-Time HD Codec Engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on to MiniDV cassettes.

• 1080i Resolution

Shoot in genuine 1080i high definition - this camera's native format.

• x.v. Color

x.v. Color can capture or display nearly twice as many colors as formerly possible.

• 1/3" CMOS Sensor

The ClearVid CMOS sensor has 2.1 megapixels. It delivers faster image processing than a CCD, meaning richer color, greater detail, and less glare from objects.

• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens

The lens is specially coated to reduce glare and improve detail.

• 2.7" Touch Panel SwivelScreen

This widescreen color LCD monitor adjusts to almost any angle. It gives you an accurate interpretation of what your video will look like on a larger screen, whether in 4:3 or 16:9. Menu options are just a touch of the screen away.

• Cinematic Mode

Make your movies look even more like movies. Cinematic Mode duplicates the look and feel of film on videotape, using 24 fps.

• Manual Controls

Put yourself in control with manual settings of shutter speed and white balance. A zoom ring, zebra pattern, Iris and spot focus give you even more control.

• Super Steadyshot

Super Steadyshot electronically reduces or eliminates camera shake for smooth shots under almost any condition.

• Super NightShot Plus

Get the most detail out of dark scenes with Super NightShot. This infrared system lets you shoot in almost total darkness.

• 4 Megapixel Still Camera

This camcorder doubles as a high-end digital camera. In fact, the camcorder and still camera work together - you can shoot high definition video and take a 2.3-megapixel still photo at the same time.

• Intelligent Pop-Up Flash

The flash pops up from inside the camera body automatically at just the right time, then disappears.

• PictBridge Compatibility

Print photos and still frames from video directly to a PictBridge-equipped printer with just one button. No computer required!

• Memory Stick PRO Duo Slot

Memory Stick PRO Duo slot stores still images up to 2304 x 1729 for uploading to your PC for emaling or printing or for use with other memory stick compatible devices.

• i.LINK Interface

An IEEE 1394 connection lets you digitally connect to other camcorders, computers, or professional video systems for fast, flawless editing and file transfer.

• USB Port

Link this camcorder up to a computer or printer for fast file transfer and communication between machines.