GE Entering Digital Camera Market

[Ben Stafford]

At the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show in Las Vegas from March 8-11, we'll see another brand in the digital camera market. Today, GE announced that they will be showing off several digital camera models, including entry level models with 7 megapixel resolution with 2.5 inch screens and higher-end cameras with 12 megapixels of resolution and 3 inch screens.

Sample shot from GE's "G" line of digital cameras (view large image)

 

GE has reached an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with General Imaging Co. who will design, produce and distribute the GE-branded digital cameras. Already a trusted worldwide brand, the GE name has "instant credibility", according to General Imaging Co. Chairman and CEO Hiroshi “Hugh” Komiya.

General Imaging Co. is based in Torrance, CA and is run by many photo industry veterans. Komiya is a former president at Olympus Imaging of America. Rene Buhay will be leaving North American sales efforts and was a former vice-president at ArcSoft and also headed North America sales for Samsung and Ricoh. Chief designer Takeyoshi Kawano is credited with the design of Sony Walkman, Sony Vaio computers, and the Olympus Stylus camera.

All of the new digital camera models will have features such as image stabilization, high ISO sensitivity and panoramic stitching.

As I mentioned before, the GE cameras will make their debut at PMA at the beginning of March. They will become available in North America somtime mid-April. Shipments to Europe and Asia are planned for later in the year.

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[Andrew]

Already a trusted worldwide brand, the GE name has "instant credibility", according to General Imaging Co. Chairman and CEO Hiroshi “Hugh” Komiya.

Maybe for toaster ovens and light bulbs. If there were a scale of gadget brand coolness and you called Apple a 10 (they can slap their name on anything and sell it) I'd say GE probably sits at a 2 with say Emerson or Daewoo at a 1.

[bTaryag]

Maybe for toaster ovens and light bulbs. If there were a scale of gadget brand coolness and you called Apple a 10 (they can slap their name on anything and sell it) I'd say GE probably sits at a 2 with say Emerson or Daewoo at a 1.

I agree with the cool factor. The last time I saw a GE product was an old radio that my grandfather used.

But I disagree with your opinion about instant credibility. As a newcomer to the digital camera market I'm sure they'll have many things to learn, and their cameras may not be great. However, you can be sure that it will be a quality piece - it won't break in a week, and will pretty much work as it claims to work. I believe this is what they meant that the GE name has instant credibility.

[tiffany boggs]

I agree with bTaryag and abaxter. There probably is no cool factor, like with Apple, but I do think GE has credibility. Like bTaryag said they will have to learn things as they go since they are newcomers to the digital camera world, but they have been making innovative products for years. Mostly appliances and stuff, but they work and they last. My parents have had GE appliances for years. If GE can prove themselves than they may be a good contender in the digital camera arena.

[Andrew]

I see what you guys are saying with the quality/credibility thing. Still, it's a risky move for GE, such a mature market to jump into and sort of a blood bath already for the existing makers given the margins and competition. But, the more competition the better for us consumers so I'm not going to argue or say it's a bad thing. I just thought the GE mantra was that you have to be "#1 in a market or nothing", or so Jack Welch said. That'll be tough here.

[scratchgolfer3]

Unless GE is prepared to get into the DSLR market they will find that a new point and shoot is up against cutthroat competition. The swing in digital is to the entry level and Prosumer market in DSLR/