Polaroid Tuesday unveiled the world's first Android-powered mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with a 18-megapixel censor at CES 2013 in Las Vegas. The iM1836 camera will be manufactured by Sakar International, an authorised Polaroid licensee.
The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean-running camera comes standard with a 10-30mm optical zoom lens, and is capable of recording full-HD video. It features 3.5-inch display will hit store shelves in the first quarter of 2013 for a price of $399.
"Throughout our 75 year history, Polaroid has been synonymous with innovation, creativity, and ease of use," commented Scott W. Hardy, President and CEO of Polaroid. "We are continuing that proud tradition at CES this year with the launch of the iM1836. This compact, connected camera is the ideal pocket-sized device to capture and share all of your most precious moments."
The iM1836 aims to combine the image quality of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras like the
Nikon V1, J1,
Nikon J2,
Canon EOS M,
Fujifilm X-Pro 1,
Samsung NX300 and the convenience of Android-based cameras like
Nikon Coolpix S800c and
Samsung Galaxy Camera. Before this, Sony had come the closest to combining the two worlds, with the
Wi-Fi enabled mirrorless NEX-5R, minus the Android.
Polaroid also announced the launch of two iM1836 cousins. First, the non-Android, Wi-Fi only iM1232W for $349 and the non-Android, non-Wi-Fi iM1030 for $299. It also unveiled the iS2433 with a 16-megapixel sensor and 24x optical zoom for $199.
In pics: Best of CES 2013