General Electric A1050 Review

General Imaging's GE A1050 digital camera is based around a 10.1 megapixel image sensor coupled to a GE-branded 5x optical zoom lens that offers focal length equivalents from a 35mm wide angle to a 175mm telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.0 to f/4.7 across the zoom range. The minimum focusing distance is ordinarily 60cm at wide angle, and reduces to just 5cm at wide angle in macro mode. There's no form of mechanical image stabilization, with the General Imaging A1050 instead opting solely for what the company calls an "Electronic Image Stabilizer" which essentially raises the ISO sensitivity (at the expense of image noise / fine detail) so as to offer a higher shutter speed that freezes motion. The GE A1050's sensitivity ranges from a minimum of ISO 64 to a maximum of ISO 1,600 equivalent.There's no optical viewfinder, with images being framed solely on a 2.5" LCD display with 234,000 dots of resolution. The display also offers an Auto Adjust Brightness function which corrects for ambient lighting conditions to try and keep it visible.

As well as a full auto mode, the General Imaging A1050 offers shooting modes including twelve scene modes and an Auto Scene Detection mode which can automatically recognize the scene type and select a relevant scene mode. The GE A1050's 9-point autofocusing system includes an AF assist lamp to help out in low light conditions. There's also face detection capability, linked to both the autofocus and autoexposure systems. General Imaging has also included both a Blink Detection function which alerts the user when their subject has closed their eyes during an exposure, and a Smile Detection function that automatically triggers the shutter while your subject is smiling. There's also a Pan-Capture Panorama mode that can automatically stitch together a panorama created by simply panning the camera across the scene, as well as a Red-Eye Removal function that can be used to correct for this common defect while reviewing an image.

The GE A1050 stores its images and QuickTime Motion JPEG movies on SD or SDHC cards, or in 24MB of built-in memory. Power comes courtesy of two AA alkaline disposable or NiMH rechargeable batteries. An integrated proprietary connector provides for both USB 2.0 computer connectivity, as well as an audio/video output.

The General Electric A1050 digital camera is priced at about $100, and is available in black, silver, pink or red body colors.