Sony has followed up the launch of its pocket camcorder range first launched at CES 2009 with new models for CES 2010.

Called the Sony Bloggie, the new camcorders are, as the name suggests aimed at those that like to blog their life.

While the name of the range will go under the bloggie moniker, there will be two models called the MHS-PM5/PM5K and MHS-CM5.

The MHS-CM5 will be a standard pistol grip offering, while the PM5K will be the more innovate of the two.

Styled in a choice of four vibrant colour finishes they will capture 1920 x 1080 Full HD MP4 video clips and 5-megapixel still photos. Both feature in-built USB adapters to connect directly to a PC or Mac. Both also feature on-board SteadyShot image stabilisation when shooting in 720p mode and you’ll get face detection as well.

The MHS-PM5/PM5K will take things further with a 270 degrees swivel lens for the egotistical amongst you as well as a special 360 video lens adaptor that lets you shoot panoramic videos.

Videos are stored on Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards.

Available from February.

via [ http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/30604/sony-bloggie-pocket-camcorder-launched ]

The Sony Bloggie, which can record high-definition video, is also capable of taking five-megapixel still photos, and is compact enough to fit in a pocket.

Sir Howard Stringer, Sony’s chief executive, said it was the company’s attempt to compete in the “Mpeg4 space”, a reference to the file format used by pocket camcorders such as the Bloggie and the hugely popular Flip range of video cameras.

Sony said that the Bloggie would make it easy to upload videos and pictures to the internet, or share them on sites such as Facebook or YouTube.

“Colourful, light and easy to carry, Bloggie is the fabulously spontaneous way to share memories, update your personal blog, or post to social networking apps while you’re travelling,” said Sony. “Just point and shoot, then walk in to any internet café, hook up Bloggie and upload your life using the camera’s embedded software.”

The camcorder features image-stabilisation technology, to reduce camera shake, and face-detection to ensure people remain front and centre in a shot. It also boasts a lens that can rotate through 360 degrees, which Sony says will make it easy to “capture life from any angle”.

Rather than twirl around on the spot to capture a panoramic view, the user clips a little circular lens onto the top of the camera, which captures a moving 360 degree image.

Sony also unveiled a “personal internet viewer” at CES. The gadget, known as the Sony Dash, looks like a digital photo frame. It connects wirelessly to the internet to bring news headlines, local weather, daily horoscopes, recipes and more to the device anywhere in the home.

“Home networking products can really help to improve our everyday lives,” said Sir Howard.