GE's G3WP waterproof point-and-shoot snoozefest
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Mar 7th 2009 12:38AM
posted Mar 7th 2009 12:38AM
Of all the 12.2 megapixel cameras we've seen from General Imaging this week, this is certainly one of them. But that ain't all -- it's waterproof up to 10 feet! Pretty awesome, right? The G3 WP fits in nicely with the rest of the new GE-branded lineup, including 4x optical zoom, auto scene detection, and pan-capture panorama. This guy sports a 2.7-inch LCD and ambient light sensor, with no word yet on price or availability. And to its credit, it does look more like a camera than our other waterproof offering this week. Additional pic and PR after the break.
TORRANCE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–General Imaging invites you to dive right in and start snapping. The company has just released a new camera that loves the water.
General Imaging, the worldwide exclusive licensee for GE digital cameras, has launched its first-ever waterproof model, the G3WP.
GE cameras have always been a great fit for active lifestyles, but the fun new G3WP takes things to new depths. Waterproof to 10 feet, the G3WP is perfect for backyard pool parties or weekends at the lake. Rain in the forecast? No problem – take the G3WP with you. The camera is specially designed to keep moisture out.
"We're very excited about this camera, because it opens up a whole new range of activities our customers can capture and preserve," said Tom Haga, CEO of General Imaging. "Whether you're going swimming or taking a walk in the rain, the G3WP is the perfect camera."
The G3WP – part of the 2009 lineup of GE digital cameras – features a massive 12.2 megapixels of resolution, 4x optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD screen that automatically adjusts to changes in ambient light.
As with the other cameras in the 2009 lineup, the G3WP offers Auto Scene Detection and Pan-Capture Panorama among its many advanced features. Auto Scene Detection automatically determines the appropriate scene type and optimizes exposure for sharp, vibrant pictures. Pan-Capture Panorama lets the user pan the camera across the scene while the engine automatically captures, determines overlap, and stitches the frames into a single panoramic picture.
at first i was like whats so "snoozefest"ish about these things? then i read that they were waterproof to "10 feet" and i literally lolled.
so...what? you can splash the fricken thing?! woo hoo! ill remember that the next time i break out the slip n' slide!
Are you going Deep Sea Diving? Perhaps a trip by the Titanic? I literally lolled at your comment after I read the article where it says, clearly - "Waterproof to 10 feet, the G3WP is perfect for backyard pool parties or weekends at the lake." . Most backyard pools never go over 8 feet. And the last time you were out on the lake did you go below 10 feet? And even if you did, what would you take a picture of? Really need that shot of something 11 feet down? Zoom.
This is a decent waterproof cam, most importantly, it doesnt look like a waterproof cam. 12.2 MP is nothing to shake a stick at either. Hopefully they keep the price low so that people can look to this for a fun to use, functional waterproof, weather resistant, ruged little cam to take pictures with while camping or out at the cottage. With little worry for the environments it may be exposed to.
Sandwich is right, Agent is wrong. And why must Endgadget (and Gizmodo) use the term waterproof when the correct term is water resistant (particularly with a camera that is water resistant to such a lowly depth)? The manufacturers know better, why must these tech websites always use inaccurate terminology (I know the answer, waterproof sounds cooler).
Agent, look up how they come up with these specs, and you'll see that water resistance is measured with brand new device perfect calm conditions for a single, very quick testing submerge. In other words, the water resistance depth needs to be far greater than any depth you actually plan to use the camera -- with the agitation of actually swimming underwater with this camera, the 10ft spec could fail at even 3ft with the added agitation/water pressures involved. Not to mention that the seal will break down with use, so after a summer of using this camera once a week to film the kid's water balet, the safe depth to use the camera will probably be significantly less. So yes, Agent Wise-ass, no need to deep sea dive to complain about this camera, this 10ft "waterproof" picture taking device could easily fail in your grandma's wading pool.
Agent is right. Rob is wrong in sentiment but right in technical aspects.
Agent brings up a very good point as to its intended use. If you need "water proof", you need to buy a dedicated dive camera or an underwater housing for an established model of SLR or something. This thing isnt intended as a dive camera, but as a camera that will endure a hiking trip with some rain, a boat ride where things may get splashy, or a weekend at the pool and beach.
All the stuff Rob said is true, but ALL water resistant cameras have the same need for maintenance and breakdown of its water resistant capabilities. Your technical correctness on these subjects is only limited by your misunderstanding of the intended use and market for a camera of this type.
Go buy a dive camera if you want anything more.
Sandwich, Agent, Rob and Don are all wrong. I am right.
*yawn*
wake me when they hire some creativity...
camera*slash*flask???
Who is the OEM/ODM for GE's Camera Lineup?
GE has cameras now?
some japnese guy set up a company to manufacture cameras and got a license to use the GE name
Man, i can't wait for the 90's when all the Industrial designers get out of college to make some really nice digital cameras!
Snoozefest is a tad harsh, not all cameras are pool/waterpark-friendly. So if you're into that kind of thing....
...you'll get something from a real camera manufacturer, that's waterproof to something a little more than 3 meters?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0901/09010703olympusstylustough.asp
@ UnixSystemsEngineer
Here is the thing about waterproof to 10ft: That is what is called the static pressure it can withstand. So if you carefully took the object and very gently submersed it, you could probably get it down to 10ft without damage. However, what they do not mention is that it is the dynamic pressure that will usually get you well before the static pressure. Dynamic pressure is the pressure generated by moving an object in water, so you if you are jumping up and down or swinging something, or even just drop something in the water, the movement of the object creates a dynamic pressure between the water and the object that is much more than the simple 10ft static pressure the thing is rated for, even if just for a brief time (think seconds or less). That is where the thing will fail. This probably applies to watches more than cameras as watches are on your arms when you are swimming and such, but with such a low static pressure rating, it will be pretty easy to get the dynamic pressure above that if you are not careful.
It has underwater G3 => or 3G??? so you can browse internet or check your e-mail while you are submerged... niceeee...
FILL IT UP: It looks like a hip flask.
now i can take pics of myself in the shower, sweet
Sandwich, Agent, Rob and Don are all wrong. I am right.