Compared with the traditional imaging systems, the polarization imaging systems are capable of improving the detection and recognition ability of the target by detecting the obvious polarization differences of the target in different states. Therefore, they have been widely used in complex environments or target detection with camouflage. In particular, the information detection in the short-wavelength infrared spectrum range can provide high resolution and details that cannot be seen by the human eyes, which is one of the key research directions in the military and civilian applications. First, the structural classification and characteristics of traditional polarization imaging systems were summarized. Then, the recent research progress of new micro-nano polarization imaging systems was discussed. Finally, the feasibility analysis and suggestions for the main problems of the current short-wavelength infrared polarization imaging technologies were provided.