GE Digital Cameras Find Retail Homes At Sears, Kmart
- May 23rd, 2007
- 4 Comments
General Imaging, “the worldwide exclusive licensee for GE-branded digital cameras”—that debuted at this year’s PMA convention—signed a contract with Sears and Kmart to be the first retailers to carry the digital cameras, hitting stores this holiday weekend. As a bonus, the stores will get the cameras in some exclusive colors. Yay colors.
Both retailers are getting the entry-level A730 (MSRP: $129.99) in black, while Sears will sell the slightly better A830 ($149.99) in white and the ultra-compact G1 ($199.99) in navy. You’ll be able to pick up an A830 in blue exclusively in Kmart stores.
Here’s the thing: I had a chance to play with these back at PMA and while I was impressed with the designs (very stylish and oh so shiny), once I picked them up, they felt like toys. No weight to them at all. Normally this would be a good thing, but I—like many people—equate solidity and weight with quality. And this of course speaks nothing of their image quality; I have no idea what that’s like.
Of all the ones that are going up for sale, the G1 (above) seems mostly likely to succeed. In a market flooded with budget cameras from established names, General Imaging/GE has to use price and style to differentiate its cameras on the shelf. The G1 is an attractive, slim and reasonably priced 7-megapixel camera.
Jon (Who am I?)
1 year ago
I find it interesting at how many companies are diving into the “digital imaging” sector - the profits are getting slim as demand tapers by consumers… so what’s the motivation?
Jon
Rod (Who am I?)
1 year ago
“but I—like many people—equate solidity and weight with quality.”
Don’t agree on this point. I’ve got a very heavy high-end SLR. If I could get the same quality at half the weight I would take it.
Josh Goldman (Who am I?)
1 year ago
@Jon
I have no idea. I guess there are people out there looking for an inexpensive digital camera, but don’t want to look like they own an inexpensive digital camera.
@Rod
I agree with you, but it was tough not to contradict myself. That’s why I said normally it would be a good thing. Lighter is much much better when it comes to gadgetry but not at the cost of losing the feeling that something is solidly built. These cameras, they felt hollow inside, like there was nothing holding them together. If you’re laying out $800 to $10,000 on a dSLR and one felt like it was a toy and hollow inside and another had a heavier and sturdier feel to it, which would you buy?
MiMi
1 year ago
I actually have the camera but am going to change it.My mom got it for me….Well the camera seems to be very light and the image it shows is not really good.My cellphone takes better pix. I thought it would be like other digital cameras but its not..I don’t really recommend this camera but if you wish to try it feel free to do so.
Reply