Compact Camera News

Instant photography is enjoying a resurgence among both young snapshooters and even some pros, with several makers — from established brands to startups — offering cameras and films to scratch that instant itch. Most photo buffs know the Polaroid story; how the company went bankrupt and is now operating as essentially a brand licensing company putting the Polaroid name on everything from TVs to Blu-Ray players to tablets to, yes, cameras and film. 

Back in 2005, before Sony launched their Alpha line of interchangeable-lens digital cameras, they introduced the very unusual DSC-R1 “bridge” camera, which offered a highly regarded zoom lens, a wide ISO range of 160-3200, and an APS-C 10.3 MP CMOS sensor. The camera even featured a two-inch swiveling and rotating LCD, which was a pretty big deal in 2005.

Designed to appeal to serious photographers and informal snapshooters alike, the family-friendly Leica C-Lux takes its place in the highly acclaimed Leica lineup.

Leica Camera just introduced its first underwater camera: the Leica X-U (Typ 113). Designed to be durable, rugged and easy to use, the Leica X-U is waterproof, shock-resistant, winterized and dust-sealed. The camera is designed for outdoor and underwater photo adventures, travel and landscape photography (even in full HD video)..

Leica just announced the full frame Leica Q2 Monochrom, a black-and-white-only version of the popular Leica Q2. Shutterbug was able to borrow an early sample before the announcement and we put her through the paces. Sporting the same sharp Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH non-interchangeable lens and a modified version of the 47.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, the new Leica Q2 Monochrom wears covert dress without the famous red Leica circle logo and has a new maximum ISO 100,000.

Leica turned back the clock (again) on its digital rangefinders today, announcing the M Edition 60 model that has no LCD screen on back, just a dial to adjust ISO. The limited edition camera (there will only be 600 made), which celebrates the 60^th anniversary of Leica’s M series rangefinders, was unveiled by Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Leica’s chairman, at a press conference at the photokina show in Germany this morning.

Built for fun, the new compact Lomo’Instant Sanremo camera is designed to offer maximum creativity on the go.