Best Photo Gadgets for 2012

• Liquid Image Ego HD Action Cam

This little mountable action cam caught my eye.  It doesn't seem to be available until June this year.  At just $150, Liquid Image's tiny Ego is on the cheaper side of the helmet cam spectrum. But, it has a pretty impressive set of features considering its price. It does 1080p footage at 30 fps, but if you're into action sports shooting, you'll find the 720p 60 fps mode even more attractive. The camera itself is tiny and has built-in WiFi so it can be monitored and controlled using a smartphone app. The 136mm lens isn't quite as wide as we'd like, but with a variety of mounting options, it may be a serious contender.  This Ego HD cam looks to be quite similiar to the Contour.

•  NIKON COOLPIX AW100

If I had a dime for everytime someone asked me what camera they should get... This is it. Rugged, waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof.  I am going to bet even I couldn't break this thing.  Love the 5x Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens and 16-MP CMOS sensor to record action photos and Full HD (1080p) movies. Life on the road deserves GPS + Electronic compass, so the COOLPIX AW100 has these too. This camera will cost you about $380.

• KODAK PLAYSPORT BURTON EDITION ZX5

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera, BURTON Edition/ Zx5 is a great addition to your snowboard. Kodak built this hardware for the slopes. Its shockproof, waterproof, and dustproof design will power through the elements, so you can shoot and share your ride in full 1080p HD. And its built-in image stabilization will give your camera a balanced ride, even when you don’t. This comes with HDMI cable for watching on your TV, 4GB (80 min) memory card, remote control, tripod, and a grip case.  This camera also alows you to take still photos but only at 5.3 MP. Count on spending $200.

• AQUATECH SENSORY GLOVES

The Aqua Tech Sensory Gloves are built for both cold and wet environments, and provide superior fingertip control thanks to their unique design advantage.There's a fleece covering where the glove meets the wrist and all upon the areas where the fingers extend from your palm, providing great resistance to cold.  But the thumb and index finger are sealed in a thin, fine layer of neoprene, and upon the tip of this neoprene there is a small hole meant to allow the very end of either digit to extend outside of the glove for precision control of equipment. The body of the Sensory Glove is made from several panels stitched together, instead of a seamless piece of fabric, because this provides a better fit to your hand.  Sensory Gloves are tough and made to withstand many seasons of harsh winter use. $49.95

• Lowepro Dryzone 200

I want this bad!  I can't seem to find anything wrong with it except that it will set me back around $365. I consider it good insurance on protecting my gear. DryZone is the world’s first totally waterproof, soft-sided camera backpack.  Even fully loaded, they float so your gear is always protected. The inner drypod with patented, waterproof TIZIP™ zipper provides 100% watertight protection. It’s like a drysuit for your equipment. When less protection is needed, leave the TIZIP™ open and fasten just the inner zipper and top clip for easier access. The heavy-duty, padded camera compartment inside is fully customizable while the outer shell comes complete with a technical backpack harness. Also included, ergonomic lumbar support, fully adjustable CollarCut™ shoulder straps, tuck-away tripod holder, self-draining mesh pockets, drain hole, rubber handle, and attachment loops for SlipLock™ accessories. DryZone packs are comfortable to wear and give you total peace of mind in extreme environments.

• Zeal Optics’ iON Goggles

Really? Filming with your goggles? It would be nice not to see those helmet cams on everyone! iON uses a high-quality camera with a sophisticated, 170-degree wide angle lens that captures images in the wide periphery. The camera automatically adjusts for light levels and has infinity focus. iON utilizes an in-goggle viewfinder and is controlled by glove-ready buttons on the side of the frame. The goggle runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a six-hour run time, depending on video and camera usage. $399

• HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition

GoPro cameras are used by more professional athletes, sports filmmakers and core enthusiasts than any other camera in the world. The HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet. Wearable and gear mountable, waterproof to 197′ (60m), capable of capturing professional full 170º wide angle 1080p video and 11 megapixel photos at a rate of 10 photos per second, the HD HERO2 is the world’s most versatile camera. Whether your goal is to capture a great day out with friends or you’re gunning for the cover of a magazine, the HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition can help you nail it and look like a HERO. $299 I am yet to have a GoPro but pretty close to purchasing one.  Glad I waited because this edition looks nearly perfect.

• ContourROAM 1080p Camera

The ContourROAM is the ideal camera for a fun and easy experience capturing your adventures anywhere life takes you. Just slide the record switch and you’re instantly filming beautiful HD video. The award-winning design is tough, compact, waterproof to one meter, and versatile which means you can use your ContourROAM anywhere, anytime and capture all the action you want.

Record up to 8 hours of 1080p video (12 hours of 720p video) on a 32GB MicroSD card, then use the free Contour Storyteller App to easily transfer and share your videos with your friends and the contour.com community (32GB SD card sold seperately). $199