GE intros nine new point-and-shoots, no one notices
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Mar 2nd 2009 10:48AM
posted Mar 2nd 2009 10:48AM
GE, that iconic brand that has brought so many things to life -- from clock radios to locomotives to widespread air and water pollution -- is back with a new digital camera lineup to amuse and titillate the easily amused and titillated. The nine new devices (manufactured by General Imaging) feature auto scene detection, pan-capture panorama, optical image stabilization, and all but two boast at least 12 megapixels. These guys hit the UK in April, and all are priced at less than £150 (about $215). Full details after the break.
General Imaging announces 2009 GE camera range
General Imaging today announced its new range GE digital cameras for 2009. Nine new models were unveiled at the Photo Marketing Association trade show in Las Vegas.
The range, which will arrive in the UK from April, offers exciting new features; auto scene detection, pan-capture panorama, and optical image stabilisation.
Now entering their third model year, GE digital cameras offer higher resolution and more powerful zooms than ever before. Each camera in the 2009 collection features at least 9 megapixels of resolution – with seven models boasting 12 or more – helping capture your life and tell your story with greater clarity.
Ready for your close-up? GE cameras certainly are, as seven of the new models feature zooms of 5x or higher, including an impressive 12x zoom in the X3.
Waterproof – and hard to miss
GE cameras have always been a great fit for an active lifestyle, and the G3WP is no exception. It is waterproof to a depth of three metres and with a stylish design, it's predicted to be a hot model this year.
Speaking at PMA, Katsuhiko (Vic) Watanabe, President of General Imaging Europe Ltd, said: "We are launching a fantastic new line up of cameras, ranging from budget AA powered models right through to a stunning bridge camera with 12x zoom and great features to match. All the latest cameras feature 'Auto Scene Detection' and 'Pan-Capture Panorama'- two more great reasons to choose a GE camera."
Features in detail
Auto Scene Detection: this feature automatically determines the appropriate scene type and optimises exposure for sharp, vibrant pictures. It means you spend less time setting up your shot with more time to compose and frame it.
Pan-Capture Panorama: one of our most popular features just got even better. Our earlier panorama stitching feature allowed the user to seamlessly stitch together three photos into one extra-wide angle image. Pan-Capture Panorama is even easier, letting the user pan the camera across the scene while the engine automatically captures, determines overlap, and stitches the frames into a single panoramic picture.
Optical Image Stabilisation: while all GE cameras employ image stabilisation to overcome camera shake, General Imaging is including superior optical image stabilization technology in the E1276W and the X3.
Touch Panel LCD: the new E1250TW allows the user to control features by touching icons displayed on a three-inch LCD screen.
HDTV Output: The E1250TW also allows users to view high-definition photos connecting directly to their HDTV.
Most of the popular features from earlier models are back for 2009, including blink, smile and face detection, auto-adjust brightness LCD, and in-camera red-eye removal. Three of the new models also feature 28mm equivalent wide-angle lenses.
The new range will be arriving in the UK from April, starting with four models:
A950: 9 megapixels, 5x zoom, 2.5 inch screen
A1150: 11 megapixels, 5x zoom, 2.5 inch screen
A1250: 12 megapixels, 5x zoom, 2.5 inch screen
E1255W: 12 megapixels, 5x zoom, 3 inch screen, 28mm wide angle lens
If GE wants to make a camera, couldn't they just brand it under another name they own?
I don't get the feeling of a good camera from the name GE.
GE sells off most of its products to get rebranded by alot of companies.
Its highly likely that you have a few rebranded products in your house now.
I know that. That's why I'm wondering why GE is now actually using there name now?
Apparently you noticed Flatley or should I add your name to the other failure writers @ Engadget. GE can do whatever the h*** they want.
My father works for GE and GE is doing the opposite in this case, GE really "sold" its brand to some random company possibly owned by GE whose making them
It's interesting to see how a brand can be perceived differently by country. GE must have some reason for using their name on these, but it wouldn't appeal to me.
There must be a whole other demographic out there, like your parents who might trust the GE brand name because of the other appliances in the house.
A lot of it has to do with their Logo. Americans are so comfortable on seeing that logo on durable appliances that it looks strange to see it on cameras. If they plan to continue producing digital consumer products they should update their logo.
http://loscuatroojos.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/logos-over-time.jpg
"to widespread air and water pollution "
really? this kind of thinking is getting old man...
Not nearly as old as is the ignoring the ecological implications of manufacturing.
I find it hilarious that they say "all glass lens" when Canon and even Leica has shown that acrylic lenses can actually improve image performance.
It doesn't matter what Canon has shown. The person who ends up buying this camera probably has no idea that acrylic lenses exist. Also, manufacturing isn't going anywhere, and GE is doing alot to help bring green technologies to the forefront of consumer goods. Just saying.
Don't forget nuclear weapons. They've been instrumental in that too... & defrauding the DoD.
I could swear I've seen that GE logo on toilets or sinks, weird.
It's a little early for april fools...
Dear god, this better be a mockup.
GE Consumer Products used to be a division of Thomson Consumer Electronics.
So, GE did not even own their own brand of electronics most recently.
http://www.thomson.net/GlobalEnglish/Products/Pages/default.aspx
Coincidentally, I'm meeting a guy for lunch whose wife worked at Thomson for a long time.
GE is not manufacturing this camera. There are companies who believe the brand name will sell their product and GE can get fees just for the right to use the name. They sold the Housewares Business (Irons and toaster ovens) 30 years ago. If you go into Walmart or Target, anything you see, other than light bulbs and electrical components, likely is not made by GE.
They may not be from a huge brand, but they're well specced and reasonably priced.
Why all the snobbery?
I think you probably meant to say "from a huge brand" in the consumer digital photo world because GE is one of the HUGEST brands of all time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric
"General Electric has the fourth most recognized brand in the world, worth almost $49 billion."
"as of September 30, 2008, GE is the world's tenth largest company."
i want to get a digit came from Apple
Dork factor is off the charts with a GE camera...
Absolutely agree with those who think this is an odd branding choice.
"GE - it's not your father's camera. It's your GRANDFATHERS!"
This reminds me of the 70's and 80's when JCPenney sold a bunch of self-branded electronics. You just knew you were getting mediocre quality when you bought electronics of the same brand as shirts and underwear.
LOL...great headline.
Yeah, I'm not surprised GE's announcement got a yawn. Last year I bought and returned a GE camera because I just wasn't impressed with it.
Let's 'em stick to light bulbs and late-night TV (they're the owners of NBC where Jimmy Fallon's new show premieres later tonight).
The only thing GE are even vaugly known for in the UK are light bulbs. Seems to be a bit overpriced to me.
yeah exactly, nobody else picked up on that, but GE is not a 'huge' brand in the UK these days. It's not even a big brand. It's a tiny brand. If people know it, they're going to think 'uh I think that's some big industrial company in the US', unless maybe they bought a lightbulb recently.
nothing against them or anything (well except the missiles and shit), and I'm sure these aren't any worse than the other no-name cameras.
I'd buy it, I trust this brand for some odd reason. i just can't put my finger on it but GE makes me nostalgic, but im only 18 and i dont own anything GE.
Why GE couldn't make a camera with positron emission tomography scanning?
There's nothing attractive about that camera, in fact it almost looks like a cheap knock off. Plus I don't see anything out of the ordinary that would make anyone choose it over another brand. I hope they don't fire me for saying that lol