GE’s 2011 camera range

Among the raft of cameras released at CES in January, one that has something just a bit different is the GE Power Pro GE PJ1 (£249.99). The compact camera has a built-in Pico projector, which lets you beam your video and images onto any surface up to 70 inches in size. A nifty way to show off your pictures and video when you’re in a group – whether you’re showing your Mum pictures of the kids, or replaying the video you took at a party. Business users may be interested in the PJ1 as it can be linked to a laptop and used as a portable video projector.

As well as this rather interesting feature, it also has a 14.1mp sensor, can take HD movies at 720p and has a 7x optical zoom. It offers 20 shooting modes, face auto exposure, and smile and blink detection. The camera will be available in the spring.

There are three more additions to the GE Power range – the X500 (£149.99), which is aimed at the ‘bridge’ market between compacts and DSLRS. It has a 15x optical zoom, 27mm wide angle lens and is as easy to use as a point and shoot yet has many of the features you’d expect from an SLR, including shutter and aperture priority modes. Look out for it in the UK in the spring.

For photographers who are looking for a compact with a long zoom, the E1680W (£149.99) could fit the bill. GE has designed it to be as slim as possible, while offering 16mp resolution, 28 wide angle lens, optical image stabilisation and auto scene detection. It has a 3in LCD screen and models will be available in black silver and red when they appear in February.

The E1450W (£89.99) offers 14mp resolution, 5x optical zoom, a 2.7in LCD screen as well as a facility for Pan-Capture Panorama. Coming out in April, it will come in silver, red and black.

GE has increased the GE Smart with three new models, all with 14.1 mp resolution. The J1470S (£89.99) has an incredibly useful retractable USB plug, a 3in LDC screen and captures VD video, while the A1456W (£79.99) has a new 28mm wide angle lens and Pan-Capture Panorama. Both are released in March. Coming a month earlier is the entry-level C1433 (£59.99), which has 14.1 mp resolution, panorama stitching and red-eye removal. Due out in February.

Anyone who’s tough on their gadgets should look for the GE Active DV1 (£79.99), a pocket-sized waterproof, shockproof and dustproof camera with flip-out USB plug, HD 1080p movies recording and a number of advanced camera features such as face detection and optical image stabilisation. Available now.

www.ge.com/digitalcameras