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.


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.


LEGO(R) Photo, the First Official LEGO iPhone Application, Available for Free Download- -Original Short Film and Blog Among First Components of Campaign to Deliver Content, Experiences, Tools, Contests and More-

Think of that little bolt of excitement that hits when the solution to a problem suddenly becomes clear. That’s a CLICK moment in action. Consider times when a great idea comes out of the shadows of the brain and needs to be shared. That’s a CLICK moment, too. LEGO Systems launches a program to celebrate and foster these “CLICK moments”, jump-started by the company’s announcement of its first official iPhone application, LEGO® Photo, available for free at the iTunes App Store.

The hub of the program, www.LEGOCLICK.com, is a virtual canvas of ideas, inspired moments, quirky stories, solutions and tips from serial CLICKers designed to celebrate and inspire CLICK moments of all types.

“We hope to motivate people to recognize, embrace, share and yes, chase, those unpredictable but powerful light bulb moments in life when things just CLICK,” said Michael McNally, brand relations director at LEGO Systems, Inc. “Exploring your imagination from a young age, daring to realize your ideas, creating stories and uses for what you create, solving problems that no one knew existed – this is the stuff of LEGO play, and is exactly what leads to a lifetime of CLICK moments.”

LEGO Photo iPhone Application

LEGO Photo is an application for iPhone and works with the iPhone and saved images on an iPod touch that lets consumers immortalize their favorite things – or their own CLICK moments – in LEGO form. Users can simply choose a photo from an existing gallery or point the camera to snap a photo then touch the screen to watch their masterpiece build. Additional screen taps shows portraits in nine different color palette options. Celebrating CLICK portraits is easy. Users can upload to a social networking page, email it to grandparents and friends, print it–even tweet it using #legoclick.

LEGO Photo is available for free download from the iTunes App store; a link from the company’s blog at LEGOCLICK.com makes it easy to find the app directly. The best LEGO portraits use photos that are shot at close range against a light, solid colored background.

Short Film

Created especially for LEGO Systems by the team behind groundbreaking music videos for Coldplay, The Chemical Brothers and New Order among others, the 3:19 film reveals the story of a fictional inventor’s journey to the joy of his CLICK moment, inspired by millions of true stories of children who have realized a big idea using imagination, perseverance and sometimes even LEGO bricks.

A pile of LEGO bricks is what motivated the production team to create a visual vignette – punctuated with whimsical animation and a playful, original score – that celebrates the sometimes simple and often sublime attainability of a CLICK moment.

LEGOCLICK.COM

Fans of life’s CLICK moments can join the conversation on this blog that celebrates light bulb moments, grand or understated. A conversation about what makes things CLICK, the blog shines a light on those people whose ideas have helped to inspire others, or those little moments when an idea is incubated or launched. Guest contributors will share stories of how things CLICKed for them, ideas for how to find a CLICK moment and photo and video inspiration to tickle the inner creator in anyone.


Categories

Archives

Blogroll

Meta


Gadget Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory Technology Blogs - Blog Top Sites Technology Top 100 Gadget Blogs


Shop at Kodak.com

Shop at the Discovery Channel Store.

Buy.com Coupon