The 4 wildest camera innovations of CES 2026 — including a smarter bird feeder and a new kind of action cam

CES 2026 is well underway, having opened to the public on January 6, and the world's biggest tech show has debuted some wild new camera gear which has caught my eye.

Birdbuddy's 2 Mini stands out – it's an affordable bird feeder camera that can identify birds by sight and sound. And there's a surprising new player in the action camera market – robovac maker Dreame, with what looks like a DJI and Insta360-beating modular action cam. Hohem also unveiled probably the most advanced camera gimbal I've seen yet – the Hohem iSteady MT3 Pro.

I've rounded up those three intriguing new cameras and accessories below and more, and will add to this list should there be any further announcements during the show that are worth digging into.

Birdbuddy 2 Mini – a bird feeder camera that can see and hear birds

• Birdbuddy's smallest and most affordable bird feeder camera
• It's like the 'Shazam for birds', able to identify birds by their song

Following up its flagship Birdbuddy 2 bird feeder camera announced last year, Birdbuddy unveiled the 2 Mini at CES. The second generation models share the same core specs; an upgraded 2K camera that's able to shoot video in horizontal or vertical format, faster wakeup time, slow motion recording, plus AI bird detection that can see and hear birds. That's right, with upgraded mics, Birdbuddy can identify birdsong – consider it the 'Shazam for birds'.

Where the two smart bird feeder cameras differ is in design – the new 2 Mini is smaller and lacks an extended perch, while it's powered by a (rechargeable) internal battery only. The larger Birdbuddy 2 has built-in solar panels for continuous power. Despite its simpler design, the 2 Mini could even be the better option for tight spaces, apartments and balconies, thanks to its smaller housing, plus it costs around 35% less (unless you fork out for the optional solar panel).

The Birdbuddy 2 Mini costs $129 (compared to $199 for the Birdbuddy 2), and pre-orders are expected to open mid-2026 at Birdbuddy and shipped later on this year. UK / Australia pricing is TBC.

Dreame Leaptic Cube – a tiny, modular 8K action camera

• Robovac makers Dreame branch out into action cameras with the Leaptic Cube
• It's a '8K AI tiny' modular action cam like the DJI Osmo Nano

Robovac makers Dreame had a surprise up its sleeve for CES – it debuted the Leaptic Cube, it's first ever action camera. I've not tested the Leaptic Cube yet, but its design bears a striking resemblance to the DJI Osmo Nano – a tiny modular action cam that can magnetically attach to a pod with a screen.

And Dreame looks to up the ante over DJI and indeed Insta360, with 8K video recording in 10-bit, 50MP stills and a 1/1.3inch sensor. It says the Leaptic Cube has gyro AI stabilization – a feature usually reserved for bulkier action cams – 200 mins run time, pre-recording, wireless control from the pod and gesture control.

There's also AI editing skills which should speed up producing dynamic videos. It all sounds very promising, and refreshing to see a new player in a space dominated by DJI and Insta360. We'll be reviewing the Leaptic Cube soon, while pricing is TBC.

The best action camera

➡️ Read our full best action camera guide
1. Best overall
GoPro Hero 13 Black
2. Best budget
Akaso Brave 8 Lite
3. Best 8K
Insta360 Ace Pro 2
4. Best underwater
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

Hohem iSteady MT3 series – our favorite gimbal maker's most advanced model yet

• Hohem's latest camera gimbal with increased payload and advanced subject detection skills
• It comes with a 1.4-inch touchscreen module for remote control

We rank Hohem's iSteady M7 as the best phone gimbal, and much of its smart tech – including AI subject detection tracking and a 1.4-inch touchscreen module for wireless control – can be found in the serious new MT3 Pro and MT3 camera gimbals.

The new MT3 series of gimbals is a heftier proposition than those for mobile, being designed for larger cameras, and it supercedes the existing MT2 series with improved torque, higher payloads, and refined AI subject detection skills.

DJI might enjoy a lion's share of the camera gimbal market, but Hohem seemingly deserves a slice of that pie with what looks like a formidable camera gimbal. We've already received a sample of the MT3 Pro advanced kit to test and will share our review soon. Cost-wise, the MT3 Pro will be $449 while the Pro Kit will be $549, with an estimaed sales start date of January 20.

SmallRig's logo-free mic

• SmallRig unveils a tiny, discreet, logo-free wireless mic
• The kit is powerful and super affordable

OK, so discreet design is hardly innovative, but it is completely welcome when we're talking wireless mics. Take a look at my best wireless mics guide and you'll find plenty of tiny options like SmallRig's new S70 Wireless Microphone, but none like it where logos can easily be completely hidden. That's how you wear the S70 tie clip mics – with the 8.8mm tiny clip front-facing, and the SmallRig logo hidden.

On the technical front, SmallRig says its new S70 wireless mic is tuned by a Grammy Award Winner, delivering 24-bit in 360 degree clarity, with 3-level noise reduction and clipping protection, backed up with 40 hour battery life. The kit pictured above which comprises two transmitters (mics) and two receivers only costs $90 (around £66 / AU$134), too, with a bonus mobile receiver included for free at launch. That's what I like to hear!

TechRadar will be extensively covering this year's CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2026 live news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI.

You can also ask us a question about the show in our CES 2026 live Q&A and we’ll do our best to answer it.

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