With advanced features, power and style, GE digital cameras offer something for everyone; from aspiring photographers to everyday shutterbugs, and now the fashion enthusiast!

General Imaging (GIC), the exclusive licensee of GE digital cameras, announced the complete 2010 line-up of cameras offering innovation in features and design, and an optimum balance between technology, style and functionality. From everyday photographers to picture-taking-fanatics and even the style conscious shutterbug, General Imaging offers an array of cameras for every need at an exceptional value.

“We have done extensive research into what consumers want and need from their digital cameras, and simplicity is key in helping them take great pictures,” said Paul Meyhoefer, General Imaging’s vice president of Marketing and Product Planning. “Our 2010 family of GE branded digital cameras is feature-packed, yet easy-to-use, offering consumers more value at a remarkable price.”

THE 2010 GE DIGITAL CAMERA LINEUP – SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AND MORE TO DISCOVER

Create by Jason Wu

In a related announcement, General Imaging unveiled today Create by Jason Wu, a unique line of point-and-shoot cameras resulting from its exclusive collaboration with talented fashion designer Jason Wu. Available in a variety of metal or leather colors, Create by Jason Wu is a line of fashion forward cameras inspired by Jason’s love of details and style. More importantly, the camera focuses on simplicity and effortless picture taking. The cameras feature one-touch buttons to record videos, take pictures and easily delete photos. The Create collection includes built-in memory, battery, a retractable USB connector, and software for automatic backup and playback of pictures and video. Create will be available next month for suggested retail prices (SRPs) ranging from $179.99 to $229.99 depending on model, built-in memory and camera accessories.

GE Active Series – G5WP

The waterproof G5WP features a sturdy metal design and 4X internal zoom lens to capture amazing pictures or video shots whether your adventures take you far away, underwater or keep you close to home. With 12.2 megapixels you can be assured of striking enlargements of your favorite underwater photos. The G5WP will be available in graphite gray, raspberry red and ocean blue in late Q2 for a SRP of $179.99.

GE Power Pro Series – X5

General Imaging moves beyond point-and-shoot technology with the new X5. It defines the Power Pro Series with the latest in intuitive high-tech features all captured in a professional, easy to use design. Optical image stabilization and a powerful 15X zoom put you closer to the action to take photos like a pro. The X5 also touts ISO 3200 and a 28mm lens. The X5 will be available in Q2 for a SRP of $149.99.

GE Power Series – E1486TW and E1480W

For focused photographers looking for more power and performance at an affordable price, the GE E1486TW and E1480W are the latest additions to the Power Series. Unveiled last month at CES 2010 , the E1486TW and E1480W are loaded with highly?coveted features, including the ability to film high?definition movies, Optical Image Stabilization to insure great pictures, 14 megapixels of resolution for incredible clarity, and a large 3-inch LCD screen. The cameras also offer an amazing 8X optical zoom, which is unprecedented compared to other models in a similar price range. At only .83 inches thick, the cameras are one of the slimmest offering 8X optical zoom performance in the market. The E1480W will be available in Q2 for a SRP of $149.99, and the E1486TW will be available later this quarter for a SRP of $179.99. Both are available in black, red and silver.

GE Smart Series – J1455

The all new J1455 digital camera offers an exceptional value for anyone looking for the latest camera features to help them take better pictures. It features an impressive 14.2 megapixels of resolution and 5X optical zoom lens, along with image stabilization for high quality and vivid images at the tip of your finger. The J1455 will be available in black, silver and red among other colors in Q2 for a SRP of $129.99.

GE Smart Series C1033 and C1233

General Imaging’s new C Series cameras are designed to be budget-friendly, yet feature-packed with top of the line technologies found in pricier models such as electronic image stabilization, face detection and red-eye removal. The C1233 and C1033 will be available in black, silver, red and other colors. The C1233 will be available in Q2 for a SRP of $59.99 and the C1033 in Q3 for a SRP of $69.99.

GE Smart Series – A1255 and A1455

Last month, General Imaging introduced the A1255 and A1455, two dependable and stylish cameras with intuitive features that make beautiful photography accessible. Part of its smart value series, each camera offers 5X optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD screen to easily preview your shots. The GE A1255 is a robust camera that features 12 megapixels of resolution, for a SRP of $89.99. For the everyday photographer who seeks even greater high-resolution detail the GE A1455 offers 14 megapixels of resolution for crystal clear enlargements at a SRP of $99.99. Both cameras will ship this spring, and are available in a variety of colors including black, silver and red.

Advanced features are standard in all 2010 GE digital cameras some of which include Pan-Capture Panorama for seamless, wide-angle shots and Auto Scene Detection for sharp, vibrant pictures in virtually any setting. Visit the GIC booth at PMA 2010, Anaheim to learn about the new 2010 line up.

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Nikon new COOLPIX Digital Camera lineup for 2010

Nikon Continues To Lead Innovation by Offering CMOS Image Sensor, Super Zoom and HD Movie Capabilities in a Broad Range of Color and Style Options

At the forefront of product innovation and market firsts, Nikon introduced seven new COOLPIX compact digital cameras, marrying performance and design for an enhanced user experience. Building on the success of the COOLPIX brand, Nikon continues to lead innovation in game-changing categories, including the introduction of a CMOS sensor and 26x optical zoom lens into the flagship Performance Series with the new COOLPIX P100. Because of the growing popularity of content-generation and High Definition (HD) video, Nikon has equipped five of its new COOLPIX cameras with HD movie capabilities, making creating and sharing memories fun and easy. A hallmark of the COOLPIX line, Nikon offers elegantly designed compact cameras in vibrant must-have colors to suit personal style, including the new COOLPIX S8000, COOLPIX S6000, COOLPIX S4000, COOLPIX S3000 and COOLPIX L22. Additionally, the new COOLPIX L110 offers 15x super zoom and HD video recording with stereo sound and easy shooting versatility.

“These latest Nikon COOLPIX cameras reflect the easy-to-use technology in compact and stylish cameras that consumers have come to expect from Nikon,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “With new features such as HD movie and long-zoom shooting capabilities, these COOLPIX cameras empower consumers with powerful, yet easy-to-use features that also serve as an expression of personal style.”

The Nikon COOLPIX cameras incorporate Nikon’s world-class NIKKOR lenses, delivering accurate detail and brilliant color, as well as Nikon’s EXPEED(TM) digital image processing concept, which helps to ensure high-quality pictures with stunning color and sharpness. A new enhancement in select camera models is Advanced Flash Control, which creates a more natural-looking appearance in low-light settings. Other COOLPIX features include Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization, which minimizes blur that may appear in pictures, even in low-light or unsteady conditions while shooting handheld; and Scene Auto Selector, which automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts camera settings accordingly. Also, the new Night Landscape Mode found in the P100 combines a series of consecutive shots into a single, clearer image with low noise when photographing at night. Adding to the overall functionality, many of the new models sport an easily accessible video record button to make recording movies a one-step process. To make sharing images and HD video fun and easy, many of the new COOLPIX cameras also feature enhanced HDMI connectivity.

New COOLPIX P100 Digital Camera Features 26x Super Telephoto-Zoom Lens and CMOS Technology for Shooting Versatility

Nikon continues its commitment to high performance in the compact digital camera category, offering photo enthusiasts ultra long-zoom capabilities, high-speed action and shooting versatility in a compact body. New to the COOLPIX line, the P100 is the first Nikon COOLPIX camera to incorporate a 10.3-megapixel backside illumination CMOS sensor, which enables high-speed shooting at 10 frames per second (fps) at full resolution and exceptional image quality even when shooting in low-light settings. Other functions benefitting from the lower noise and exceptional image quality of the new CMOS image sensor include an in-camera high dynamic range (HDR) function, which merges images of the same scene to achieve a single image with a broader range of tonal detail.

Additionally, a Night Landscape Mode combines a series of consecutive shots taken into a single image, with reduced noise. An expansive 26mm wide-angle to 678mm super-telephoto 26x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens brings users closer to the action, which can be utilized while capturing Full HD movies (1080p) with stereo sound recording. The P100 also features a high-speed Sport Continuous Mode for shooting up to 120 fps (1.1 MP) and a pre-shooting cache to help ensure users never miss a shot.

Additional COOLPIX P100 features include: 3.0-inch vari-angle 460,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD; Electronic Viewfinder; 5-way hybrid VR Image Stabilization System for crisp, blur-free photos; Mode Dial; Active D-Lighting; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System.

The P100 will be available in March 2010, and retails for $399.95 MSRP.

New COOLPIX S8000 Digital Camera Boasts 10x Zoom, Ultra-High Resolution 3.0-Inch LCD Screen and Enhanced Creativity with Class-Leading* Slim Design

Built on the success of Nikon’s previous long-zoom compact cameras, the new 14.2-megapixel COOLPIX S8000 is the thinnest camera in its class*, featuring a powerful and versatile 10x (30mm to 300mm) telephoto Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens to capture incredibly sharp, crisp images. Additionally, the S8000 has the ability to record HD movies (720p) at 30 fps with built-in stereo sound recording, and also features a 3.0-inch ultra-high resolution 921,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD for composing and sharing images or movies.

Allowing the user to enjoy more creative freedom with convenient in-camera functions, the COOLPIX S8000 features the Creative Slider, a fun new way to apply effects when shooting in Auto Mode. Brightness, saturation and hue can be adjusted using the Rotary Multi Selector, all while watching a real-time preview on the camera’s LCD monitor. The COOLPIX S8000 also features new functions to enhance image quality in dark settings, including Advanced Flash Control to enable users to create more natural-looking flash shots by utilizing higher ISO settings and faster shutter speeds in low light.

Additional COOLPIX S8000 features include: High ISO up to 3200; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; ultra-fast start-up; Sport Continuous Mode up to approximately 3 fps for 45 frames (3 MP); Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and an ultra-stylish design.

The COOLPIX S8000 will be available in February 2010 for $299.95 MSRP in a choice of colors, including black, red, bronze and champagne silver.

The New COOLPIX S6000 Digital Camera Delivers Super Slim Design and Fast Response

The new COOLPIX S6000 blends style and performance into a compact, go-anywhere package. Measuring at only 25mm (approximately 1.0-inch) in depth, the COOLPIX S6000 is the thinnest in its class**. With a versatile 7x wide-angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens, users can capture the action near and far. The COOLPIX S6000 includes a bright 2.7-inch 230,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD and the ability to record HD movies (720p) at 30 fps.

Additional COOLPIX S6000 features include: 14.2-megapixel resolution; ISO 3200; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Ultra-fast start-up (approx. 0.75 sec.); HDMI Connectivity; Sport Continuous Mode approximately 3 fps for 45 frames (3 MP); Advanced Flash Control; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and a sleek design.

The COOLPIX S6000 will be available in March 2010 for $249.95 MSRP in a choice of colors, including champagne silver, black, red and bronze.

The New COOLPIX S4000 Digital Camera Combines Stylish Design with Intuitive Touch Controls

Integrating sleek design and intuitive touch operation, the new COOLPIX S4000 digital camera is all about the user experience. Whether it’s recording HD movies or exploring creative possibilities, the COOLPIX S4000 places the camera’s controls at the touch of a finger. The COOLPIX S4000 incorporates a new 3.0-inch, high-resolution touch-panel 460,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD which makes it easy to compose, review and share pictures. Advanced touch features include Touch Shutter, allowing users to select their subject with a single touch on the screen to adjust focus and exposure, and to automatically release the shutter, as well as Subject Tracking to automatically follow and focus on a subject selected by touching the screen.

The COOLPIX S4000 features 12-megapixel resolution; a 4x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens; ISO 3200; HD movie (720p); 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and a sleek design.

The COOLPIX S4000 will be available in March 2010 for $199.95 MSRP in a choice of vibrant colors, including plum, champagne silver, pink, red and black.

New COOLPIX S3000 Style Setter in Sleek Design, Vivid Colors

Sleek design, eye-catching colors and innovative technology make the COOLPIX S3000 the ideal tool to express one’s personal style. Measuring at just 19mm (approximately 0.8 inches) in depth, the COOLPIX S3000’s stylish looks and color options make it a great camera for capturing and sharing memories on the go.

The COOLPIX S3000 features 12-megapixel resolution; a 4x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens; ISO 3200; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and a colorful yet compact design.

The COOLPIX S3000 will be available in March 2010 for $149.95 MSRP and comes in a vivid array of colors, including orange, green, blue, plum, black and champagne silver.

New COOLPIX L110 Delivers Uncomplicated Awe-Inspiring Zoom

Optimized for action shots, high-powered zoom and simple operation, the COOLPIX L110 is equipped and ready to easily capture life’s precious moments up close or far away with stunning quality and clarity. The ideal choice for consumers seeking a fully-featured long zoom camera at a great value, the COOLPIX L110 achieves its versatility through its 15x Optical Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens. Covering a focal length from a wide 28mm to 420mm super-telephoto, the lens’ broad focal range can readily handle the task of capturing all of life’s events, including action shots at the kid’s soccer game or stunning landscapes from the family vacation. The COOLPIX L110 also features Sport Continuous Mode, allowing users to capture the best highlights from the stands or the sidelines. The power-efficient L110 digital camera can shoot approximately 840 still images or record seven hours*** of HD video with a set of four AA Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries, which are included with the L110. Nikon EN-MH2 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, which are available separately, can also be used for rechargeable convenience.

Additional COOLPIX L110 features include: 12.1-megapixel resolution; 3.0-inch high-resolution 460,000-dot Clear Color Display LCD; HD movie (720p) with Optical Zoom and Auto Focus while recording video and a built-in stereo microphone; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Smart Portrait System; Scene Auto Selector.

The COOLPIX L110 will be available February 2010 for $279.95 MSRP and will be offered in black or red.

New COOLPIX L22 Digital Camera is Compact and Easy To Use at an Affordable Price

The COOLPIX L22 is the ideal camera for consumers who are looking to easily capture all of life’s memories at an affordable price, but without compromising performance. The COOLPIX L22 features 12- megapixel resolution for stunning image detail, a 3.6x Zoom-NIKKOR lens for creative compositional freedom, while a huge bright 3.0-inch 230,000-dot LCD screen makes sharing and composing photos enjoyable.

Additional COOLPIX L22 features include: 3-way VR Image Stabilization System; Smart Portrait System; Easy Auto Mode and can be powered by two AA-batteries or Nikon EN-MH2 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries which are available separately.

The COOLPIX L22 will be available in February 2010, for $129.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors, including black, red, blue and champagne silver.


With New Built-In GPS Feature, Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 Digital Camera is Ultimate Travel Companion, Allowing Users to Geo-Tag Photos and Videos

Panasonic introduces the LUMIX DMC-ZS7, the newest member of the acclaimed superzoom ZS-Series of digital cameras that have gained worldwide popularity. Complete with its hallmark 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and a powerful 12x optical zoom (operable in video recording mode), this 12.1-megapixel powerhouse performer, also includes a new built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) feature that embeds photos and videos with the latitude and longitude location details, a useful feature when using an online photo-sharing website. The LUMIX ZS7 is also the world’s smallest photo/video hybrid superzoom digital camera(*1), which can also record High Definition (HD) video using the recording capability in AVCHD Lite, which includes a dedicated video record button and new to the ZS-Series is a manual shooting mode.

“As a successor to the Panasonic LUMIX ZS3, which was last year’s most popular compact model, we are confident the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 will continue the success, thanks to big features like HD video, 12x optical zoom and the newly added GPS capabilities and it’s super-fast Auto Focusing,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Panasonic is excited to introduce our first GPS-enabled digital camera, and it adds to the ZS7’s appeal as the ultimate travel companion – from its range of shooting options, both far and wide, and now the ability to record exactly where photos were taken. We are confident consumers will have all the features they need to capture high quality photos and video and share their travels with their friends and family.”

The Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 features Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus), which enables a super-fast response time, and a shutter release time lag as short as approximately 0.006 second. The camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities and together with the Sonic Speed AF that lets users lock on the subject minimum in approximately 0.35 second (wide-end) / 0.41 second (tele-end)(*2). The LUMIX ZS7 also features a short startup time of approximately 1.1 second.

With the new GPS feature, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 is the ultimate travel companion, and can record the latitude and longitude in the EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data, while also displaying the location information real-time while shooting and during playback. These geo-tagged images can be pinpointed on maps common in photo-sharing websites and social media sites – so travels can be archived and also visually represented on a map – and easily shared with friends and family. The Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 also shows the name of the city, country and state, and information for more than 500,000 popular landmarks, covering 73 countries, are stored in the camera’s internal memory. For instance, when users are taking photos of the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building, landmarks stored within the camera, these locations will be displayed on the screen while taking it and tagged in the data. Users can also refer to the locations using the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO HD Edition Version 5.1. The LUMIX ZS7 automatically adjusts its internal clock to the local time, so there’s no need to set the clock manually when traveling.

The Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 also features a new image processing technology, Intelligent Resolution, which is incorporated in its Venus Engine HD. With the Intelligent Resolution technology, three areas – outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation – are examined pixel by pixel and automatically detected to enhance any degradation created during the digital zoom process or in high-sensitivity shooting. The outline areas are enhanced effectively to give the edges more clarity, while simultaneously giving a moderate accent to the textured areas so it looks accurately detailed. To the soft gradation area, such as a face, the increased noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. As a result of Intelligent Resolution, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and video recording. The Intelligent Resolution technology powers Panasonic’s new Intelligent Zoom feature, which extends the camera’s zoom ratio by approximately 1.3x while maintaining the picture quality – and enhancing the digital zoom and making it comparable to the quality of an optical zoom. With Intelligent Zoom, the Panasonic ZS7 features a total zoom range up to 16x.

For more advanced users, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 adds manual control features, allowing for adjustments in shutter speed, aperture and exposure – and encouraging more creative photography options. For digital camera users looking for an easy-to-use setting that still ensures high quality photos, Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode is the solution. Panasonic iA is a popular feature on LUMIX digital cameras, making them intuitive to use without changing any settings, as technologies engage automatically. For instance, iA incorporates Panasonic’s POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which doubles the repression power compared to the conventional image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S.

Other technologies incorporated into the LUMIX ZS7’s iA mode include:
– Face Recognition – With new enhancements when compared to previous editions, Face Recognition allows users to register up to three different images for a person, helping to improve detection accuracy. Face detection is also included for up to 15 faces.
– Intelligent Scene Selector – Automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene Modes – Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly added Sunset – best suits the shooting situation.
– Other iA Technologies: Intelligent Resolution and Intelligent Zoom, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure.

Panasonic’s iA is also available in video mode, and it automatically selects the most suitable Scene mode and helps to reduce blur due to handshake and improves focus, brightness and exposure. In addition, iA in video mode features Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the shooting environment.

The LUMIX ZS7 can record AVCHD Lite HD video, which almost doubles the recording time in HD quality compared with the Motion JPEG format. To complement the HD video capabilities, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 also features Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high quality audio. Also, the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 has a 3.0″, high resolution 460,000-dot Intelligent LCD with a wide-viewing angle with excellent visibility during recording and playback.

Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 include:
– Happy Mode – New Scene mode that optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make both photo and video more vivid and true to the color the users remember when they took it.
– High Dynamic - Newly added to the existing Scene modes. This mode helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure, even though the scene contains both bright and dark area together. The user can select one of three options, Standard, Art, or B/W, depending on the desired effect and personal taste to make the photo look natural to artistic.
– Compatibility – Compatible with SDXC Memory Cards, including Panasonic’s newly announced 64 GB(*3) and 48 GB SDXC Memory Cards – to enable high capacity content storage and fast data transfer speeds. Also compatible with Windows 7(*4).
– Video Divide – Users can divide video into two sections to shorten or delete the unwanted clips directly on the camera. Users can also grab a still image from a video – all within the menus on the camera.
– Battery Life – Can take up to 340 images on a single battery charge(*5).

Panasonic also introduces the LUMIX DMC-ZS5, which like the LUMIX ZS7, features a 25mm ultra-wide angle Leica lens, 12x optical zoom and manual controls. Distinguishing it from the LUMIX ZS7, the LUMIX ZS5, has a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD, records HD video in Motion JPG at 30fps, and has a high performance Venus Engine VI. Battery life on the LUMIX ZS5 has approximately 330 photos and does not include GPS capabilities.

Pricing and availability for the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 and LUMIX ZS5 will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date. The Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 will be available in silver, black, red and blue models; while the Panasonic LUMIX ZS5 will be available in black and silver.

(*1) Superzoom defined as digital camera with a 10x optical zoom and greater; single lens digital camera as of January 26, 2010.

(*2) Using 1-area AF.

(*3) 1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. Usable capacity will be less. SDXC Memory Cards can only be used in SDXC host devices, which support the SDXC Memory Card.

(*4) Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

(*5) Based on the CIPA standard.

* Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

*The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.

*The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The “AVCHD Lite” is a subset of the “AVCHD format” for HD digital video cameras with HD video recording restricted to 720P. The new “AVCHD Lite” Logo and the “AVCHD Lite” License are restricted to devices within the AVCHD Video Camera category. Digital cameras have been added to the AVCHD Video Camera category.

*The “AVCHD Lite” and the “AVCHD Lite” logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.

* AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.

*Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

* GPS may not work in China or in the order regions of countries neighboring China.

* Depending on the locations, GPS may not be possible to correctly receive the signals from the GPS satellites. In such cases, positioning may not be possible, or significant positioning discrepancy may occur.