LAS VEGAS--A not-very-well-kept-secret of the new year, Polaroid is lending its name to a Sakar-manufactured series of interchangeable-lens cameras. One model, the Nikon CX-mount-size iM386, also runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, making it potentially the first ILC to do so (I say "potentially" because Polaroid never shipped the last Android "first" it announced last year this time). That model is based around a sensor the same size as Nikon's 1 series of ILCs, with the same 2.7x focal-length magnifier ratio; the non-Android iM1030 and iM1232 are based on a Micro Four Thirds mount. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--It seems like just a couple months ago Olympus announced the Tough TG-1 iHS, its first rugged compact with an f/2.0 lens. It was actually in May 2012, so I guess it's not completely out of the question that Olympus is launching its update.

The Olympus Stylus Tough TG-2 iHS doesn't appear to be all that different from its predecessor. It still has a 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a 4x f2.0-4.9 25-100mm lens with an adapter ring for add-on lenses, and a high-res 3-inch OLED screen.

It looks like the biggest differences are … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Nikon shipped the Nikon 1 J2 interchangeable-lens camera only five months ago and already it's obsolete. Given the lukewarm reception for such a meh update, especially given the flurry of competing products this past fall, it's neither surprising nor distressing that it's being superseded. Here at CES 2013, the company announced two new models in the Nikon 1 series: the Nikon 1 J3 and the cheaper entry-level model, the S1.

The J3 essentially has the same internals as the V2 in the body of the J2; the one physical difference is the mode dial has been … Read more

Editors' note, January 7, 2013: This was originally published on November 6, 2012, when the camera was announced in Europe. I've updated it to reflect the official U.S. pricing and availability.

LAS VEGAS--By our traffic metrics, the Nikon D5200 is the most popular unofficial-in-the-U.S. camera on our site. But the wait is over; Nikon has formally announced the camera's U.S. pricing and availability. Unsurprisingly, it's slated to cost the same as the D5100, and will be shipping by the end of January. (The rest that follows is my take from November. I will update … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Nikon kept its point-and-shoot announcement to just one model at CES 2013, the new Coolpix S6500.

And by "new" I mean that it's an already existing model, the S6400, but with Wi-Fi.

The built-in wireless allows you to directly connect to an Android or iOS device and transfer photos and movies to them using Nikon's Wireless Mobile Utility app. The app can also be used to remotely control the camera from more than 30 feet away.

The camera's other features include a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor for potentially fast performance and improved low-light photos … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Though Sony announced five new Cyber-shot camera models at CES 2013, none of them are jaw-droppers.

However, one of them, the DSC-WX80, does give you a look at some features coming to Sony's higher-end Exmor R CMOS sensor-based cameras this year.

The $199 WX80 is the entry model with an Exmor R sensor, in this case 16 megapixels. That sensor gets you features like multishot shooting modes for improved low-light and backlit photos, 1080/60i AVCHD movie capture, 10fps burst shooting, and high-resolution, 360-degree panoramas.

New for 2013, these models get faster autofocus speeds and improved optical image … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Just like it did at CES 2012, Samsung's newest compact cameras announced at CES 2013 are ready to shoot and share.

Last week's announcement of the NX300 interchangeable lens camera gave us a look at what wireless features would be coming to Samsung's other Wi-Fi cameras. Those include wrapping its multiple apps for iOS and Android into a single app for each OS and an AutoShare option, letting you take a picture, then automatically send it wirelessly and save it straight to a smartphone.

The flagship point-and-shoot Smart Camera model is the WB250F, featuring an 18x, … Read more

Nikon photography pros will be happy to know there's a major new supplier of XQD flash-memory cards: Lexar.

They might not be so happy about the price for the new high-end format: a 1100X 64GB model costs $580, and a 32GB model costs $300. At CES today, the Micron subsidiary also announced a $45 USB 3.0 card reader for the new format.

Nikon's flagship D4 SLR uses the XQD cards, which before were available only from Sony. Lexar's 1100X models guarantee a 168MB/sec read speed, though write speeds are somewhat lower.

XQD is one of … Read more

LAS VEGAS--When I awoke this morning to the headline "Pentax Debuts Retro Design Camera...Classically Crafted Brass Body" in my inbox, my first thought was "Steampunk! Yeah!" Sadly, after that, nothing could possibly live up to my expectations. Nevertheless, Pentax entering the advanced compact market with the $499.95 MX-1 -- even though it's yet another vintage-style camera along the lines of the Fujifilm X20 -- still merits some attention.

As far as I can tell, the Pentax follows a well-traveled path. Unfortunately, it uses a BSI sensor as has become popular of late, but … Read more