The big camera corps are dumping a huge number of new compact cameras at CES 2011. While many are standard upgrades to bring their cameras up to par with what consumers expect nowadays, there are some that stand out for one reason or another. Some of Sony’s new compact cameras (the DSC-TX100V, DSC-TX10, DSC-HX7V, DSC-WX10 and DSC-WX9) are unique in that they can shoot 3D photographs with a single lens and sensor. The trick is that two separate photographs with different focus settings are captured and combined to produce a 3D look. The DSC-WX10 (shown above) is also the world’s first compact camera capable of 1080/60p video recording. These cameras will be available for between $220 and $380 starting in March 2011.

“Keep it simple, Stupid!.” That’s a principle exemplified by Apple’s industrial design, but sometimes is nowhere to be found when it comes to compact cameras. Panasonic, however, seems to be on the same wavelength with the Lumix FP7 they just unveiled at CES 2011. The physical buttons normally found on the back of point-and-shoots are missing, replaced instead with a sleek 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD. The only physical buttons that remain are found on the top of the camera — power, shutter, and zoom (dial). With the simplicity comes 16.1 megapixel photographs, 4x optical zoom, and 720p video recording. No word yet on pricing or availability.

Update: As @valerietherese points out, this is also taking a page from Sony and the DSC-T200 camera released in 2007.

Yesterday we got a sneak peek at a strange multi-dimensionally swiveling Casio TRYX camera, and today it was officially unveiled at CES 2011. The TRYX is a 12.1 megapixel camera that shoots 1080p HD video at 30fps or 240fps slow-motion video at 432 x 320. The unique thing about the camera is that the 3-inch touchscreen LCD can both bust out of its “frame” and also swivel, allowing the frame to be used as a stand and for the screen to point in all kinds of random directions.
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CES 2011 is still a couple days away, but camera gear announcements are already making their way out of Vegas, both intentionally or unintentionally on the part of the manufacturers. Engadget outed one of the soon-to-be-announced cameras, the Casio TRYX, after spotting massive advertisements outside a CES building. Apparently it’s a compact camera that sports two hinges — one on the frame and one on the display — that allow it to swivel in funky ways. Presumably the frame swiveling provides a simple stand, while the swiveling display could aid in self-portraits. See more of the shots over on this blog post.

There hasn’t been much directly photo-related news at CES 2010 today, but the announcements of newly redesigned e-readers might be key to drawing in a wider e-reader audience and — dare we speculate? — might bring some vigor back to traditional print publications.

While promising e-reader sale increases and recovering print publication’s mojo might be an optimistic goal, the recently revealed Skiff reader design is so innovative that it might just catch on.

Skiff reader content will be designed to look much like the designed content on a physical copy of a publication. Thus, newspapers and magazines can retain their carefully designed layouts, which conveys ranked importance, dominant headlines, featured artwork and photographs.

It may be a stretch, but Skiff could potentially bridge the gap between those readers reluctant to quit their physical newspaper and magazine subscriptions and those readers who only read e-versions of publications. However, print media will still technically die (or continue its current trend of rarity) … but the content (and subscriptions and ad revenue) could be more accurately transferred onto a new medium.

In the long run, publishers could potentially stop bleeding money on printing and distribution costs, while upping their circulation — that is, if Skiff finds favor amongst thus far critical e-consumers and outbids the efforts of Amazon and other e-reader distributors.

The Skiff e-reader is extremely flexible and thin, with a display size 9 inches by 11 inches, and a thickness of 0.268 inches, and weighs 17-9/16 ounces (498 grams) — that’s roughly the weight of four iPhones . It is made of silicon thin-film-transitors on a flexible stainless-steel substrate, which Skiff says makes the display is shatter-proof and crack-proof.

The device is 3G and WiFi enabled, has a USB 2.0 port, an internal memory of 4GB, a built in speaker, audio jack, an SDHC card slot, and a battery that lasts about a week before it needs to be recharged. Where does it fit all of that?

The color touchscreen display has resolution of 1200×1600 pixels at 174 ppi.

The Skiff e-reading service is set to launch with the Sprint 3G network this year.

Skiff has also partnered with the Hearst Corporation, the major news corporation that owns several newspapers including the San Francisco Chronicle, and has interests in several other major news groups, magazines, and major newspapers. LG Display and Marvell also had a hand in Skiff development, so it appears to be off to a hot start by connections alone.

Read more about Skiff and other e-readers at CNN.

Polaroid has been getting some viral attention today, partially from its addition of Lady Gaga to its staff, but also because it’s new nostalgic line of instant cameras. That’s right, folks, Polaroid’s back in the instant business — it couldn’t let such a good cash cow run away, after all. Several models of the PIC-1000 were displayed today at CES in Las Vegas, including this nifty wooden body camera:

Pricing and availability are still a mystery, but these cameras are compatible with Polaroid 1000 instant film. Features include a flash, self-timer and red-eye reduction.

(via Electricpig)

In other news…

• Canon reveals three new Wireless File Transmitters for the EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 7D that can link up to 10 cameras, wireless, Wi-Fi protected setup, FTP transfer mode, and more. Read the press release here.
• Camera makers are releasing new point-and-shoot cameras left and right. The Imaging Resource has a pretty comprehensive list of the announcements.
• Casio releases a new digital picture frame that adds art effects to your photos. Read more on CNET.

Check up on us tomorrow for more news and product announcements from CES 2010.

Here’s a brief interview with Lady Gaga by MSNBC. Aside from her distracting hat, she makes an interesting point about how Polaroid’s traditional medium, the instant camera, is “tangible,” and how the company is struggling to find a place for itself in a digital world. Strange as it may be, she might be key (though maybe in name) to bringing Polaroid back.

This is one of the coolest gadgets we’ve seen in quite some time. The Parrot AR.Drone is a quadricopter that you control visually through wifi using your iPhone or iPod touch. The quadricopter has a built in camera that displays the real time view of the drone on your screen while you control it. We’re not sure if still photography or video capabilities are built in, but this could open the door to making simple aerial photography accessible to the general public.

What’s even cooler is the fact that the AR.Drone comes with augmented reality games for both single and multiplayer. This means the real world is turned into the battleground, and you can either have aerial fights with virtual enemies or your friend’s quadricopter!

Parrot is currently showing off the carbon-fiber toy at CES 2010 in Las Vegas, and there isn’t any word on the pricing or availability yet. If the price is anything reasonable, you can be sure these things are going to be flying off shelves!

To whet your appetite even more, here’s a super-awesome video demonstrating how the AR.Drone works:

(via PDNPulse)

The Consumer Electronics Show hasn’t even officially begun, but product announcements and press releases are already flying around.

There are plenty of new, amazing, and often routinely updated camera features, point-and-shoots, and swanky add-ons like the upgraded Eye-Fi 8GB Pro X2. In addition to our regular content, we’ll be discussing some of the gear on PetaPixel and sharing noteworthy photo-related news links over the next few days as CES kicks off.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HXV5 has GPS Feature

Sony’s got an interesting concept: the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V features a built-in GPS and compass, on top of the included Sony G 25mm-equivalent lens, 10x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a full HD video mode, and 10fps. Impressive. However, for consumers who already have a functioning GPS system or a smart phone, GPS as a camera feature seems a bit redundant.

Read the Sony release here.

Sony starts new line of SD memory

Sony made a surprising announcement that they are to produce a new line of SD memory cards. In the press release, Sony claims the inclusion of SD technology in more products, along with manufacturing Sony branded cards will “compliment Sony’s existing Memory Stick line, satisfying the needs of a broader range of users.”

Read the release here.

Kodak and Canon release Wi-Fi enabled printers paired with Apps

Kodak’s new ESP 6150/ESP7250 models (ESP 7250 shown on left) are compatible with the Kodak Pic flick application which allows smartphone users to print images directly.

Canon multifunction printers (Pixma MX870 on right) also utilize the new Easy-PhotoPrint EX application for the Apple iPhone.

Read more on Kodak and Canon printers.

LaCie’s WhizKey and CooKey modern USB design

While not directly photo-related, the new LaCie key-shaped USB defices are worth a second look. LaCie came out with the innovative design last year, but jazzed the 2010 with faster transfer rates and a more durable handle.

Take a look here.

• Panasonic introduces brand new SDXC card memory
• Snow Goggle Camera by Liquid Image

Stay tuned for more CES 2010 news and product finds later today on PetaPixel.

Whether you love her or hate her, music artist Lady Gaga’s made an interesting new business venture, expanding what she dubs her “Haus of Gaga” into the world of Polaroid. Famed for its square, white-framed instant gratification photography, the company seems to suit her. According to a Polaroid press release, Gaga will be the new creative director for a specialty line of Polaroid products.

She’ll actually be making an appearance to discuss her new line and partnership with Polaroid at the Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off tomorrow in Las Vegas.

Polaroid’s been an iconic presence in the consumer photography world for over half a century, and music culture seems to have a special place in its heart for the company … or at least OutKast did (“Shake it like a Polaroid picture”). It’s a stretch, but Gaga indirectly references photography in her song, Paparazzi. Whatever the connection might be, keep an eye out for more info at CES from Polaroid, which has now focused its photo business arm onto digital photography.

Lady Gaga will be making speaking at the Polaroid booth tomorrow at 10:45am, and Gaga-inspired products are set to be released late 2010.