The entrance of Sony Ericsson's factory in Ribeauville, eastern France. Japan's Sony Corp. said Thursday that it would next month launch the world's first high-definition camcorder that records video while snapping smiling photos at the same time.

Japan's Sony Corp. said Thursday that it would next month launch the world's first high-definition camcorder that records video while snapping smiling photos at the same time.

The palm-held handycam automatically releases the shutter when the subject smiles during video taping, freeing the user from switching between recording mode and picture-taking.

The still photos are stored in a memory stick. The camcorder, to be launched on July 20, can also give priority to children or adults to snap the intended subject.

© 2008 AFP