For some reason, quite a lot of digital photographers out there want to be able to identify the exact position of the photographs they've taken over the time, and the only way they can do this is, quite obviously, to use a GPS-based device. And this is exactly the type of product we'll talk about as follows, namely the GPS-CS1KA, announced by Sony back in the first half of 2007 and rolled out in December, a GPS image tracker that works with just about any digital camera from Sony.



Thus, the device calculates and records the time, date and location of each picture taken by the user, and when used with the supplied Picture Motion Browser software, it matches the time and location data in the camera with each photo. In addition, when the Picture Motion Browser software is used in conjunction with Google Maps, one can view a map on a webpage and the photos will pop up next to push pins by the actual location where the picture had been taken.



Sony hasn't provided any significant details regarding the manufacturer of the GPS chipset within the GPS-CS1KA, but they do inform us that the device works on the 1575.42 MHz frequency band, has a sensitivity level of -150dBm or less (average, while tracking) and provides around 31 MB of user memory.



Nevertheless, the company does provide more details regarding the specific range of batteries this device works with. Thus, it seems that the GPS-CS1KA can function for around 10 hours using Sony's LR6 AA alkaline batteries, or for around 14 hours with the company's HR6 AA versions. Moreover, the device's compatibility list is absolutely huge, as the image tracker works with anything from a low-end Cyber-shot to Sony's Alpha DSLR, going through a few of the company's handycams in the process.



Furthermore, it's important to note that the device is quite easy to carry around (87 x 36 x 36 mm, 55 grams), and that it works only in the 0 to +40 degrees Celsius interval.



Sony's GPS-CS1KA image tracker retails for around 150 US dollars, which is by no means a small price, but it's kinda worth it, taking into account the features and specs it has to offer.