Sony Corp. said it is to sell the world's smallest and lightest video camera -- as large as a playing card and as heavy as a VCR tape.

The video camera weighs just 230 grams (eight ounces) and is 91 millimeters (three and a half inches) high, 69 millimeters long -- the same size as a playing card -- and 39 millimeters wide, and has digital image definition of 1.07 million pixels.

"The key to success in the mass production and sales of the world's smallest, lightest video camera is downsizing the lens and liquid crystal panel," Sony spokeswoman Yumi Matsui said.

"We're targetting it at a broad range of customers from beginners to experts," Matsui said.

Sony plans to sell the video camera in the United States and European Union markets by the end of this year. The sales target for other countries is not available.

"We also plan to introduce the product in Singapore and Hong Kong later this year or next year as Asia is another important market," said Mami Imada, another Sony spokeswoman.

The DCR-IP1K can record for one hour with a fully charged battery and also functions as a digital still camera.