At DigitalRev where passion for photography burns deep inside our souls, we're known to get ecstatic just about anytime a new product gets announced. Fresh off the press, Sony has just announced the release of their brand new HDR-CX11E HD Handycam, a piping hot camcorder set to release in August. What really whipped us into a frenzy about this camcorder is that it actually hauls in jaw-droppingly good photos. So good in fact, that we might even feel a little guilty calling it a camcorder. Just how good are the photos you might ask? Well, packing in a high 10.2 megapixels, image stills are assisted with a bundle of Sony's best technology like Face Detection, Optical Image Stabilisation, D-range optimiser and the most exciting of all, Smile Shutter, a world's first for camcorders. The Sony HDR-CX11E is really just that good.

Made available in the month of August where holiday season is still at its peak, the Sony HDR-CX11E couldn't have come at a better time when it might just be everyone's idea of a dream holiday camcorder. To begin with, its Full HD video recording capability scores a lot of plus points when it's able to capture all your best moments in stunning detail. With your videos playing via your HD ready TV, we can say it's almost like re-living your holiday experience all over again right at the comfort of your own home. There's also a powerful 12x optical zoom lens in place, and made by Carl Zeiss, it lends you the power you need to snipe out the action from afar.

However, what really makes the Sony HDR-CX11E so special is its picture taking ability. It appears that in creating the HDR-CX11E, Sony seems to have rolled both an HD camcorder and a high quality digital compact into one body. Photo quality sure isn't going to disappoint with an incredible 10.2 megapixels but things get even sweeter with Sony's Face Detection on board. Powered by the BIONZ image processor, you also get the brilliance of Sony's D-range Optimiser, a technology that helps recover the details often lost in both shadowy and high-contrast scenes. Adding to the photo-capturing experience, you also get the thrills of Sony's Smile Shutter, a feature that automatically takes candid snaps anytime a smile is spotted. The 2.7-inch LCD provides superb contrast to display photos in all their glory.

While the HDR-CX11E gets outfitted and labelled as a full HD camcorder, we're impressed that beneath its exterior lies the abilities and features of a high quality compact camera. With a camcorder like the Sony HDR-CX11E around, you might as well give your compact camera a rest the next time you pack for that vacation abroad. Certainly not your average, the Sony HDR-CX11E is a smiling delight.