If you’ve had time to take a look at what’s available in digital cameras lately, you’ve probably noticed that there are plenty of different models to choose from and they seem to serve every need and price range. Canon, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic are just a few of the manufacturers who have had digital cameras on the market for years. So it was a bit of a surprise to find that General Electric (GE) has decided to step into such a crowded frame.
In February, GE and General Imaging signed a licensing agreement under which General Imaging led by Chairman & CEO Hiroshi Komiya, would design, manufacture and distribute GE-branded cameras. It was recently announced that these cameras will begin reaching North American shelves in May, with European and Asian distribution to take place later this year.
The line of eight cameras represents the first time GE has forayed into the consumer camera market. The cameras will span all areas of consumer interest from entry level cameras to the “prosumer” level, along with a photo printer that can be matched with any camera in the range.
All of the GE cameras will offer popular advanced features as standard at every price point, including face tracking, image stabilization, red-eye removal, high ISO sensitivity and panoramic stitching.
The A Series will be the most affordable, entry-level GE digital cameras. The A730 will feature a 3x optical zoom and 7 megapixels of resolution. The A830 will offer 3x optical zoom and 8 megapixels. The intermediate level of the GE models, the E Series, will offer features found on other brands’ top-of-the-line models. The E1030 comes with a 2.7-inch LCD but all others in this series will be equipped with a 3-inch screen. All are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The E Series cameras will range from 8 to 12 megapixels.
The top-of-the line GE camera is the X Series and the signature GE cameras will be found in the G Series. The G1 is the most compact model at 3 inches wide and 21/2 inches high. The G1 is a point-and-shoot camera that includes a 3x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 7 megapixels, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Prices for the cameras are not yet firm, but are expected to range from $149 to $399. The General Imaging CEO has a goal of being among the top three camera brands in the world within five years.
“We believe digital cameras are still a growth market,” Komiya said. “With the replacement cycle now down to three years, many consumers are buying their second or third digital camera, while others have been waiting for just the right camera to come along to make their first purchase.”
For more information on the GE branded cameras see www.ge.com/digitalcameras. Now, most likely you may already have a digital camera. But if you’re the photographer of the family, you know what that means — you’re never in the shot It’s exasperating to go on vacation and never have a photo of yourself with your family at some exotic location.
That’s why before you go off on your next holiday, invest in a Quik Pod, the world’s first handheld extendable tripod. The Quik Pod is made of sturdy polycarbonate and aluminum, weighs less than 3.5 ounces and comes with a built in self-positioning mirror to help frame each shot.
Retailing for less than $30.00, the Quik Pod Pro+ includes a lightweight tripod leg adapter.
Quik Pod extras include a cell phone camera adapter and an electronic remote control. For more information on this excellent camera accessory click to www.quikpod.com.
With digital cameras all the rage, many people think there’s no longer a place for cameras that use film.
The fact is though that once in a while, nearly everyone buys a single use disposable camera that relies on film to record memories. A survey by Eastman Kodak Company found that people used disposable cameras:
*When more expensive cameras were not available;
*When a digital camera had a full memory card or dead battery;
*When there was a worry about exposing expensive film or digital cameras to the elements — whether those elements are snow, sand or sticky little fingers.
And of course there are places that for safety reasons, it’s just not a good idea to be carrying an expensive digital camera. The KODAK HQ Maximum Versatility Single Use Camera is 20 percent smaller than the camera it replaces.
This new design, combined with the KODAK EKTANAR Lens and Kodak’s 800-speed film aims to deliver high-definition pictures with clarity.
So, until someone creates a low priced digital camera that can reliably take and save high-resolution photos under a variety of conditions, it seems that we’ll all continue to depend on single use film cameras to capture some of the most special moments in life.
— MYBI
