GE slaps its brand onto a line of... digital cameras?

We're so used to GE staying above the fray -- at least for the most part -- with it's snazzy medical imaging devices and non-stick plastics, that it's rather odd to see them really going head to head with the likes of Canon, HP and Sony in the consumer digicam space. No word on the use of non-stick plastics in the development of these things, but it looks like GE is playing it pretty safe for the moment. Its lineup, which will be announced in March and available mid-April, will range from 7 megapixel shooters with 2.5-inch LCDs on up to 12 megapixel cameras with 3-inches of screen. The cameras will be designed, manufactured and distributed exclusively by General Imaging, a new player on the scene formed of former "photo industry veterans" including CEO Hiroshi Komiya, a former president of Olympus. Apparently all of the cameras will include image stabilization, high ISO and panoramic stitching as a standard feature, and there will be a photo printer joining the ranks as well. Otherwise we're in the dark besides that concept render up above, but it seems like we'll be hearing a good bit more about these down the road, 'cause according to Rene Buhay, lead of sales: "Our aim is to be Number 1 in all aspects – quality, technology, performance and value – and these cameras will do that."

[Via PhotographyBlog]

[photographybyjim @ Feb 13th 2007 2:12PM]

whatever...

[John B @ Feb 13th 2007 2:23PM]

I don't see why this is all that surprising. Their medical imaging technology is practically second-to-none. It's not like digital imaging is an unknown field to them. If this was for a film camera, then I would definitely question it.

Personally, I would have been much more impressed if they were taking aspects of their digital imaging technology and putting it into this camera. But, the camera is going to be taken care of by veterans of the genre.

Besides, General Electric is having this designed by General Imaging. The similarity in names is a bit coincidental. It is possible that GI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GE?

[Jason @ Feb 13th 2007 2:38PM]

I must admit, they got the style part down.

[Connor @ Feb 13th 2007 2:45PM]

I like this.

[GE Worker @ Feb 13th 2007 2:53PM]

It is name licensing and nothing more. GE will not make this camera. Just like GE does not make toasters, blenders, USB hubs, remote controls, and keyboards, and yet you can find them in various places like Target and Wal-Mart. GE doesn't make TVs either, but you can still find them with the GE logo on it. The smallest appliance that GE actually makes itself is a dish washer. Almost everything else is some other manufacturer being allowed to slap the GE logo on a product they already make. In some cases, GE will resell it (like microwaves and air conditioners), and in other cases, GE will never resell it (like telephones, blenders, and televisions).

General Imaging paid General Electric some money. General Electric sets some guidelines in terms of marketing rules. General Imaging agrees to follow them. General Electric allows them to use the GE logo. That's it and that's all, end of story. There will be no donation of GE imaging technology into this camera, and it's doubtful that GE Healthcare even knew that this product was going to have the logo (by the way, we call it "the meatball" when no one is listening) slapped on it.

[John B @ Feb 13th 2007 3:41PM]

@GE Worker:

If that's true, then it is indeed a pity. GE is a good name. It shouldn't have its name diluted with nonsensical licensing like this, especially when it has go much experience and expertise in digital imaging technology.

A true pity indeed. I think that that GE could actually bring a hell of a lot of interesting technology to the consumer-based, digital imaging world.

[Kyle @ Feb 13th 2007 3:07PM]

Is it Six Sigma compliant?

[GE Worker @ Feb 13th 2007 3:46PM]

God I hope not. Six Sigma is 3.4 defects per million. In a 7 megapixel camera, that's 24 dead pixels. :-)

[Bobby @ Feb 13th 2007 3:25PM]

Bring it on!

More competition makes prices go down and features go up

Just don't make sucky cameras GE. Give these other guys a run for their money.

[keithn @ Feb 13th 2007 4:09PM]

Anyone else remember when GE slapped their name on old Ericsson phones? That made about as much sense as this.

[Jason @ Feb 13th 2007 4:44PM]

@GE Worker: Thanks for the heads up. I'm still interested in seeing what General Imaging can do though. They need the GE logo (meatball, hah!!) in order to give themselves a head start, and I'm fine with that. Like I said, at least the GI camera is nice looking. So far, so good!

More specifically, things I notice right off the bat:
- Unusual, but perfectly logical zoom lever.
- Mode dial mirrors the navigation pad. Nice!

Of course, I'll be more interested in how it performs. I'd need a good reason to choose this over, say, a similar Fuji.

[Enzo @ Feb 13th 2007 7:45PM]

I don't see why anyone is so surprised -- did nobody bother to open the press kit? If General Imaging Co. was really smart they would have slapped an Apple logo and people would of purchased the camera just for the logo.

It is right in the press release:

"GE and corporate newcomer General Imaging Co. announced today that the two companies have reached an
exclusive worldwide licensing agreement by which General Imaging will design, manufacture and distribute an all-new line of GE-branded digital cameras.

“We were seeking to enter the digital camera arena and found a perfect partner,” said Brad Irvine, GE President of Trading and Licensing. “The cameras from General Imaging are truly worthy of the GE name, representative of GE’s leadership in technology and innovation.”

General Imaging Co. Chairman and CEO Hiroshi “Hugh” Komiya said the GE brand comes with instant
credibility."

[Siva @ Feb 13th 2007 10:42PM]

As a GE employee (in rail industry), I have confirm that GE does not produce small appliances and electronics. However, they do make microwave ovens including the advanced advantium. They make them in their factory in Louisville, Kentucky. I interviewed there several years ago. As part of their consumer products division, they also make washing machines, dryers, cooking ranges, ovens, dish washers, water filters and filtration systems, refrigerators, etc. They also make light bulbs, etc. Just go to http://www.ge.com and you will know what the company is about. The philosophy is that they don't compete in a field that is too crowded and if it is they exit the field if they are not number 1 or 2. GE also owns Universal, NBC, USA networks, Sci-Fi channel, Bravo, etc. They also make nuclear reactors, plastics, aircraft engines, locomotives, large industrial controllers, wind power, solar power, healthcare (MRI, CT scan, etc). They are big in every market they play in.

All the alarm clocks, TVs, etc are licensed to various other vendors. Thompson of France licensed the GE logo for the TVs, VCRs, DVD players, etc.

[Marius @ Feb 14th 2007 11:00AM]

I'm glad! I hope this only adds up the competition and forces their contenders to compete, therefore possibly bringing out better, quicker, cheaper products.