General Electric X3 Review

General Imaging's GE X3 digital camera is based around an SLR-like body housing a 12.2 megapixel image sensor coupled to a GE-branded 12x optical zoom lens. The X3's lens offers focal length equivalents from a 33mm wide angle to a useful 396mm telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/2.8 to f/5.0 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. As well as what the company calls an "Electronic Image Stabilizer" which essentially raises the ISO sensitivity so as to offer a higher shutter speed that freezes motion, the General Imaging X3 also includes true mechanical image stabilization. It's a far better option that helps fight blur without adversely affecting image noise / fine detail, and an absolute must for a camera with a zoom of this strength. The GE X3's sensitivity ranges from a minimum of ISO 80 to a maximum of ISO 3,200 equivalent. As well as a 2.7" LCD display with 234,000 dot resolution, the GE X3 also includes an electronic viewfinder of unspecified type and resolution. The LCD 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 X3 offers shooting modes including thirteen scene modes and an Auto Scene Detection mode which can automatically recognize the scene type and select a relevant scene mode. The GE X3'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 X3 stores its images and MPEG4 movies on SD or SDHC cards, or in a generous 116MB of built-in memory. Power comes courtesy of four AA batteries - either Alkaline disposables or NiMH rechargeables. An integrated proprietary connector provides for both USB 2.0 computer connectivity, as well as an audio/video output. There's also a DC power input connection.

The General Electric X3 digital camera is priced at about $230.