Polaroid iM1836 Mirrorless Camera is Real and it Packs Android 4.1; Starts at $399

Polaroid is still a company that makes stuff and things, and that rumored mirrorless camera with Android is the real deal. The company officially unveiled the iM1836 on Monday, and when you stop and think about everything this device is trying to do, it’s not the worst deal imaginable. The Galaxy Camera just got some major competition.

Here’s what it’s packing: 18.1-megapixel, 1080p HD video recorder inside of a mirrorless body. And it doesn’t have some janky early version of Android, either—version 4.1 is packed under the hood, according to Engadget, meaning we should (potentially) get a nice sweet, smooth experience. Instant Instagram posts all day, assuming you’re near a Wi-Fi connection. Is no 3G a big deal? Probably not.

Polaroids new gem is smaller than the Galaxy Camera, with just a 3.5-inch display, but that’s all in the name of keeping things tight and compact. What’s really great is that optics can be swapped at will (there’s an optional adapter for Micro Four Thirds lenses), along with a pop-up flash. A 10-30mm lens is included, so you’re sure to get a nice wide perspective of all those vacations and birthday memories.

But you’re asking yourself, “How much is this thing going to cost.” Well that smaller screen and lack of data certainly keeps things low(ish); the cam is going to be available in the first quarter of this year for $399, which is smack in the face to the Galaxy Camera for sure. But is it better? We’ll have to wait and see.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Hasselblad announces Lunar mirrorless camera

The bar's pretty high when your company is behind the first camera in space. Hasselblad's looking to build on that theme with its new Lunar mirrorless, which according to the company "revives the timeless charm" of 1957's 500c -- and if nothing else, the camera's got a curvy, space age body, built out of high grade aluminum with either a carbon fiber (available in black, silver or titanium colors) or wood (beech, olive, pear or mahogany) grip.

Inside, you'll get a Bionz processor processor and an APS-C 24.3 megapixel sensor. The Lunar can do 10 frames per second, full HD recording and sports a 100 to 16000 ISO range. On the rear, you'll find a swiveling three-inch display. All of that's packed into a body that weighs roughly a pound.

[Source: Engadget]

Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 mirrorless cameras with Wi-Fi rumored for September launch

Sony's Q1 financial results made for predictably depressing reading yesterday, but one of the few positives was the imaging division's strong performance boosted by sales of interchangeable lens cameras. The popular mirrorless NEX range is at the forefront of Sony's drive to become a major photography player, so it's no surprise to hear word of new models coming up soon — the often reliable Sony Alpha Rumors says that the NEX-5R and NEX-6 are both set to be announced in September ahead of Photokina.

The NEX-5R is reportedly a follow-up to the excellent NEX-5N that uses a similar 180-degree tilting screen to the recent NEX-F3, while the NEX-6 is said to be a cut-price alternative to the high-end NEX-7 with a lower resolution electronic viewfinder. Both cameras will apparently feature Wi-Fi support, too, something we're slowly starting to see make the jump from compacts to more advanced models. Finally, for existing NEX owners not looking for new bodies, it looks like we'll see three new E-mount lenses appear at around the same time — 11-18mm and 16-50mm pancake zooms and a "fast prime" of unspecified nature.

[Source: The Verge]

The Canon EOS M Mirrorless is Here (almost)

Canon has announced their entry into the mirrorless camera market with the EOS M, due to be available around October 2012.

"An 18-megapixel interchangeable-lens compact system camera small enough to take anywhere. Enjoy simple creative controls and superb low-light performance for stunning images."

It sports a nice compact body and a large APS-C sized sensor. From what I have seen online, it does look like a bit too much plastic and not enough metal has been used, so I just hope the build quality is as good as the camera actually looks… which is very sexy.

"The EOS M keeps performing at its best, even when light levels get low. Hybrid autofocus ensures pin-sharp photographs and evaluative exposure metering picks the most appropriate shutter speed and aperture. Shoot hand-held pictures in low-light conditions without using flash or a tripod, thanks to a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12,800 (expandable to ISO 25,600)."

Alongside there are also two lenses, a 22mm and an 18-55mm, both of which are dedicated to the EOS-M line, but also use the recently introduced STM (stepper motor) which uses the new phase detect AF for improved focus during video use. There is also a new dedicated flash and an EF/EF-S lens adapter, so you can use your existing canon lenses.

Keep an eye on Geekanoids for the full review when this becomes available.