The Bottom Line
General Electric has jumped into the digital camera market with a variety of easy-to-use, low-priced cameras. The A1250 from GE is one of the best low-priced cameras I had a chance to review in 2009.
The J1250 is a similar camera. It carries a slightly higher price than the A1250, but it works very well as an introductory point and shoot camera for beginners. If you can find the J1250 at a price more in line with the A1250 (less than $100), it would be a great bargain.
Pros
- Response times are very good
- Extremely easy to use
- Image colors and photo exposures are good
- Menus are tailored to the current shooting mode
- 5X optical zoom lens moves quickly
Cons
- LCD could be bigger and sharper
- Focus is a little soft in most instances
- Manual modes are very limited
- Could use more scene mode options
- Price could be a little lower
Description
- Resolution: 12.2 megapixels
- Optical zoom: 5X (35-175mm)
- LCD: 2.7-inch, 230,400 pixels
- Maximum image size: 4000 x 3000
- Battery: Rechargeable Li-ion
- Dimensions: 2.4 x 3.8 x 0.8
- Weight: 4.6 ounces (no battery, no memory card)
- Image sensor: CCD
Guide Review - GE J1250 Review
Image Quality
For a camera in the sub-$150 price range, the J1250's image quality is slightly above average. It's really good in some areas, and it struggles in other areas, leaving "hit and miss" results.
Colors are bright and realistic, and the J1250's exposures are correct most of the time. With 12 megapixels of resolution, the J1250 ranks in the upper echelon of cameras in this price range.
The overall focus for the lens in the J1250 is a little soft sometimes, which isn't a surprise for a budget-level camera. However, this camera tends to have very sharp focus on close-up objects, both in regular shooting and macro modes. The J1250's flash unit could be better, especially in close-up photos, where it tends to wash out the subject. The J1250 seems to handle strongly backlit subjects pretty well, too, which is a surprise for a low-priced camera.
You can shoot at a variety of resolutions with this model, ranging from 0.3 MP to 12 MP. However, you have very limited resolution options for shooting at 3:2 and 16:9 ratios.
Performance
Response times are above average for the J1250, at least compared to similarly priced models. Shutter lag is not noticeable, which is great when you're trying to capture photos of children who won't stand still. The 5X optical zoom lens moves through its zoom levels very quickly.
The J1250 offers a panorama mode that's fully automatic. However, results are "hit and miss" with it.
Manual control options are very limited with this camera, but that's not a surprise for a low-priced model.
Design
General Imaging, the division of GE that manufactures digital cameras, offers the J1250 in four different body colors: Black, pink, red, and silver. Other than the color choices, the J1250's body is nothing special and doesn't offer any unique features.
Measuring 2.7 inches diagonally, the camera's LCD could be a little larger, and its sharpness could be better, too.
The J1250's menu structure is very easy to use, and the camera changes its menu options to meet the current shooting mode you're using. Each scene mode is accompanied by a description, which is nice. (Unfortunately, the J1250 has only 12 scene modes available.) You'll have access to a few special effect modes, too, including sepia, black and white, and vivid.
