Polaroid iM1836 Android camera first with swappable lenses

Polaroid is set to plug into Android in an unstoppable 'roid combination, a giant 'roid the likes of which we've never seen before, sure to strike fear into the hearts of even the mightiest of foes.

The former instant camera maker is putting its name on a swappable lens snapper powered by Google's mobile software, according to leaked publicity shots spotted by Photo Rumors. It looks very much like a Nikon 1 J2, so there's every chance this is just a rebadged model (or the wishful thinking of a determined hoaxer).

The Polaroid iM1836 boasts an 18-megapixel sensor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a 3.5-inch touchscreen. That's a slightly higher resolution than the superb Samsung Galaxy Camera's 16 megapixels, but the Galaxy has a much larger 4.8-inch screen and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a more up to date version of Google's software.

The Galaxy Camera also has 3G, so you can stick a SIM card in it and upload photos anywhere, whereas Polaroid's effort relies only on Wi-Fi. HDMI and headphone ports are also included in the iM1836, and it takes microSD cards for all your storage needs.

While our very own Richard "The Hair" Trenholm nominated the Galaxy Camera as his product of the year (mainly because he claims he invented it), it wasn't the only Android camera out this year. The Nikon S800c wasn't quite so successful, because it was expensive for a relatively standard camera. Another Polaroid, the SC1630, never made it to the UK after its exciting debut at the CES show last year.

Here's hoping the iM1836 reaches this side of the Atlantic -- a swappable lens camera with all the sharing and editing power of Android would be formidable. We liked the Nikon 1 J2, although at £500 it was expensive at the time. It's now dropped to under £400, a much better deal. If Polaroid can deliver the promised resolution and keep the price around the same, it'll be a cracking snapper.

Are you sold on the idea of smart cameras? Would swappable lenses tip you over the edge? Or is it all unnecessary expense, better handled back at base by a real computer? Let me know what you think with a snappy comment, or swap over to our Facebook page.

Image credit: Photo Rumors