GE X5 Digital Camera User Experience

I finally got the chance to explore the GE X5 ever since I got to use it two weeks ago. GE or General Electronics, a Korean owned company, produce their cameras to be low to mid-end compact cameras. Let the pictures and videos I've taken using the camera speak for itself. (Note: The pictures have been compressed for easy uploading.)

15x Zoom

15x Zoom

Here are the links for the video preview for the camera:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho7K9nuRvxk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7jNHmhviAM

The GE X5 comes with a lot of features similar to those of a DSLR camera. It won't match what a DSLR can do but for beginners, the camera can serve as a training kit as the controls and purpose is similar to a DSLR. So when you buy your DSLR in the future, your transition from a digital camera to a professional camera will be smoother. Here are the specifications:

• Effective Image Sensor Pixels - 14.1 Megapixels
• Lens Optical Zoom - 15X
• Image Stabilization
• Digital Zoom - 5.7X
• Still Image recording available in 14MP, 12MP (3:2), 10MP (16:9), 8MP, 5MP, 3MP, 2MP, 0.3MP
• Video Recording available in 640x480 pixels or 320x240 pixels at 15/30 frames per second
• Smile and Face Detection
• Red-eye removal
• Pan-Capture Panorama (One of my favorite features in this camera)
• 2.7" TFT color LCD
• ISO 80 up to 3200
• Continuous shooting at 1.39 frames per second
• Internal Memory: 13.7 MB, Can be upgraded with SD/SDHC card up to 16GB
• Other Features: PictBridge, ExifPrint Support, Multi-language support
• USB 2.0/AV-OUT (can be connected to TV for sharing photos and videos)
• Powered by 4x AA alkaline or NiMH battery
• Dimensions: 103mm x 74mm x 68mm
• Mass: Approx. 350g (Body only)

The camera is really worth the price especially because it's affordable at about Php 10,000. The camera has different modes to choose from using the mode dial located at the top. There's the automatic, manual, automatic scene mode, shutter priority, aperture priority, portrait, panorama mode, movie mode, and manual scene mode. The 15X zoom of the camera is perfect at broad daylight but your hands must be very steady to avoid blurring of the images. The panorama mode is the best feature I like about this camera. You must have a tripod though if you want an easy time taking panoramic pictures. It lets you take your first shot, then a guide on the LCD screen will appear so you will know where to stop. It can let you combine up to three shots. The GE X5 also has an Electronic Viewfinder which displays the same information as the LCD. The camera uses 4x AA batteries so it is very convenient in the long run because you can buy reserves at a cheaper price and when batteries die out, a replacement is just around the corner.

There is always a downside to everything as nothing in this world is perfect. The most annoying thing I find in this camera is the poor autofocus. The camera's autofocus works but it doesn't work all the time, especially when you need it. But when it works, great pictures are taken. Also the pictures can get grainy especially in dark environments but the camera's flash can compensate for it. The camera is a bit bulky too but it's good because it feels like you're holding a real DSLR.

The GE X5 is a camera worthy of your money if you like: a DSLR but can't afford it yet and you need a super zoom camera at a very cheap price. The camera is a available at camera stores for a cheap price of Php 10,000 including a hand GE camera bag, four AA alkaline batteries, four AA rechargeable NiMH batteries plus charger, camera strap, 4 GB SDHC card, and a one year warranty.