General Imaging

General Imaging
Industry	Electronics
Founded	2006; 18 years ago
Founder	Hiroshi Komiya
Defunct	October 5, 2015
Fate	Filed for bankruptcy
Headquarters	Torrance, California, United States
Products	Digital cameras

General Imaging was a manufacturer of digital cameras headquartered in Torrance, California, established in 2006 by Hiroshi "Hugh" Komiya, a former executive of Olympus Corporation. General Imaging sold their cameras internationally under the General Electric name, used under license. General Imaging was licensed to manufacture and sell their cameras under the AgfaPhoto name in Japan. On October 5, 2015, General Imaging filed for bankruptcy.^[1]

Products

A Series

The entry-level GE-branded digital cameras are designed for first-time buyers and those upgrading from first-generation digital cameras. Models in this series are powered by two AA alkaline batteries.

A730

The A730 is an inexpensive point-and-shoot GE-branded 7-megapixel camera. It has a 3X optical zoom and a 4.5X digital zoom. The screen is a LTPS TFT, 153,600 pixel, 2.5 inch, color LCD. ISO Sensitivity is Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600. Internal memory is 26 MB. A SD/SDHC slot supports up to a 4 GB memory card. Power is by two AA batteries, alkaline or NiMH recommended.

A830

The A830 is a point-and-shoot 8-megapixel camera that has the same zoom capabilities and other features of the A730.

A1230

The A1230 is a 12.1-megapixel camera with a 3X optical zoom lens. 4.5X digital zoom is also provided for a total available zoom of 13.5x. The camera supports electronic image stabilization, face detection, smile detection, blink detection, and red-eye removal. A mini USB port on the side of the camera allows users to download image files to a computer which recognizes the A1230 as a removable drive. The screen is an LTPS TFT, 153,600 pixel, 2.5 inch, color LCD. ISO sensitivity options are Auto, ISO 64/80/100/200/400/800/1600/3200(3M). It has 24 MB of internal memory. A SD/SDHC slot supports up to an 8 GB memory card. It is powered by two AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH recommended). The camera's firmware lacks a battery type selection setting option to obtain optimum use from NiMH batteries. Known firmware versions are 1.01 D7 and 1.10 D7. The latter version has paginated menus whereas the early version has scrolling menus.

E Series

The intermediate level of the GE-branded camera models, the E series features larger screens and is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Memory can be expanded up to 4 gigabytes with SD or SDHC memory cards.

E850

The E850 includes a 28 mm equivalent wide-angle lens, a 5X optical zoom and 8 megapixels. The wide-angle lens is useful for large indoor group photos. It has a 5X optical zoom and the 4.5X digital zoom. The camera comes with a 3-inch (76 mm) LCD screen. It also can delete unwanted sections of a photo

E1030

The E1030 has 10 megapixels, a 3X optical zoom and 4.5X digital zoom, which combine for a maximum zoom of 13.5X. The LCD screen is 2.7 inches (69 mm).

E1040

The E1040 includes 4X optical zoom, 4.5X digital zoom; and 10 megapixels. 3-inch (76 mm) LCD screen.

E1240

The E1240 features 12 megapixels. A 4X optical zoom and a 4.5X digital zoom combine to create a maximum zoom of 18X; 3-inch (76 mm) LCD screen.

G Series

G1

The G1 is the most compact model in the GE-branded line at 3 5⁄8 inches (92 mm) wide and 2 1⁄2 inches (64 mm) high. It includes a 3X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch (64 mm) LCD screen, 7 megapixels. Comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and an SD/SDHC memory card slot, expandable up to 4 gigabytes.

G100

The G100 is a modified bridge camera featuring an Aptina A-Pix CMOS 14.4-megapixel pixel sensor and a 15x optical zoom lens. 6X digital zoom is also provided for a total maximum zoom of 90X. It has a 3-inch (76 mm), 460K pixel, color LCD display. The movie mode offers 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30, VGA, and QVGA Video. It has 15 MB of internal memory. An SD/SDHC/SDXC slot supports up to a 128 GB memory card. The camera is powered by a 3.7 V, 880 mAh, GB-50A, rechargeable lithium-ion battery with in-camera charging.

Waterproof series

G3WP

The first camera in GE's waterproof series was the G3WP, a compact camera with capability for up to 3 meters (10 feet) underwater, 12.2-megapixel CCD sensor, "All-Glass" 4X optical zoom f/3.5-5.15 lens, and VGA Video.^[2]

G5WP

Underwater capability 5 meters (16 feet), 12.2-megapixel CCD sensor, "All-Glass" 4X optical zoom f/3.5-5.15 lens.

Bridge Cameras

X1

GE X1 is the first camera from General Imaging for the more serious photographer. It has a 12X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch (64 mm) LCD screen, 8 megapixels, and a handgrip. Paired with the camera's 12X optical zoom is a 4.5X digital zoom. Together, they give the X1 a maximum zoom of 54X. It also includes a 4-gigabyte SD/SDHC expansion slot.

X5

The GE X5 is a bridge camera with a 14 MP CCD sensor, and a 15x optical zoom lens.

X500

GE Power Pro X500 is the successor of GE X5. The camera has a 16-megapixel sensor and an electronic viewfinder, whereas the optical zoom and other features are relatively still the same as the predecessor.^[3]

On March 15, 2011 the price of the X500 was about $139.99.^[4]

X550

In 2012, GE Power Pro X550 was introduced with Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) $149.99 as a minor improvement on the GE Power Pro X500 with added object tracking capabilities to automatically focus on moving objects.

X600

GE Power Pro X600 had an MSRP of $199.99 when it was announced in 2012. It has a 14.4 MP CMOS sensor, 26× optical zoom (26–676 mm), and is capable of capturing Full HD 1080p video recording.^[5] It can take 7 frames per second of continuous shooting (up to 150 images) without slowdown when using SD card with a transfer rate of at least 95 MB/second. The body shape of the camera is similar to the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 with a deep handgrip, big lens, and eye-level electronic viewfinder. It is more compact than other models with a weight of 12.5 ounces (350 grams). The camera can also take Pancapture panoramic photos, up to six multi successive exposures in one frame, and has 6× digital zoom. It lacks RAW support, stereo sound and does not have a hot shoe. The longest shutter speed the camera supports is four seconds.^[6]^[7]

X2600

GE Power Pro X2600 has an MSRP of $169.99, an optical zoom of 26x (the same as the X600), but instead uses a 16 MP CCD sensor. It is larger, heavier, and lacks an electronic viewfinder.

References

^ Reorganization Plan Approved for General Imaging Company, Bloomberg, March 15, 2016
^ Johnson, Allison, GE adds waterproof G3WP, touch-screen E1250TW models to point-and-shoot lineup, Digital Camera Review, TechTarget, March 7, 2009, retrieved 1/15/2018
^ "General Imaging CES 2011 digital cameras and camcorders line-up". ZDNet. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013.
^ S-M-and-II. "GE Power Pro X500-WH 16 MP with 15 x Optical Zoom Digital Camera, White (OLD MODEL) : Point And Shoot Digital Cameras : Electronics". Amazon. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
^ "New GE Power Pro Series Bridge Cameras [CES2012]". January 13, 2012.
^ "General Electric X600". Retrieved January 10, 2015.
^ "GE X600 Bridge Camera Review". Retrieved January 10, 2015.

External links

GE Digital Cameras

[1] Reorganization Plan Approved for General Imaging Company, Bloomberg, March 15, 2016

[2] Johnson, Allison, GE adds waterproof G3WP, touch-screen E1250TW models to point-and-shoot lineup, Digital Camera Review, TechTarget, March 7, 2009, retrieved 1/15/2018

[3] "General Imaging CES 2011 digital cameras and camcorders line-up". ZDNet. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013.

[4] S-M-and-II. "GE Power Pro X500-WH 16 MP with 15 x Optical Zoom Digital Camera, White (OLD MODEL) : Point And Shoot Digital Cameras : Electronics". Amazon. Retrieved 2022-08-07.

[5] "New GE Power Pro Series Bridge Cameras [CES2012]". January 13, 2012.

[6] "General Electric X600". Retrieved January 10, 2015.

[7] "GE X600 Bridge Camera Review". Retrieved January 10, 2015.

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