General Electric A830

Review by Emily Raymond

The GE A830 is one of two digital cameras in the manufacturer’s A-series and one of a small handful of premiere models from GE. Yes, the company that makes refrigerators and washing machines now makes digital cameras. The A830, which retails for less than $150, is the company’s budget model with 8 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens.

Front (6.5)

The front of the GE A830 has a rounded left edge with a protruding chrome wrist strap eyelet. Near the center of the camera’s left side is a GE logo. A few words grace the bottom: “8.0 megapixel A830.” The right side of the camera has a labeled “Auto Focus Zoom Lens, 3x 36-108mm 1:2.8-4.8.” The actual glass is covered by thin plastic panels that snap together in the middle. There is a bright chrome rim around the outer edge of the lens barrel and an autofocus assist lamp to the lower left of the lens. In the lower right corner are three holes for the microphone. To the upper left of the lens is the built-in flash unit.

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General Electric G1 Digital Camera

Review by Emily Raymond

As the digital camera industry matures and some perennial manufacturers drop out (e.g. Konica Minolta), it’s a rare occasion that newcomers arrive on the field. Nevertheless, refrigerator and appliance manufacturer General Electric formed a branch called General Imaging and decided to create its own brand of digital cameras. In its first batch of releases is the GE G1, an ultra-slim model that totes 7 megapixels and an internal 3x optical zoom lens. The tiny, trendy G1 sells for a budget-friendly $199.

Physical Tour

Front (6.0)

The front looks like a cross between a flat Sony T-series digital camera and a shiny black refrigerator. The left side of the front curves ever so slightly to the back to make somewhat of a hand grip, although the surface is so slick that this camera will slide right out of your hands if they’re even a bit sweaty. There is a circular GE logo on the left that certainly reinforces the refrigerator look. In the lower left corner are printed words: “7.0 megapixel G1.” The upper right portion of the center of the camera houses the lens unit, surrounded by a square, chrome frame. To the right of the tiny lens is a tiny LED indicator lamp that doubles as an auto focus assist lamp. To the left of the lens is a small flash unit., and below the lens are the printed lens’ specs: “3x optical zoom 6.4-19.2mm 1:3.5-4.3.” Echoing the chrome frame around the lens is a larger rectangular chrome frame around the entire front.

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