GE Jason Wu Create Camera Review

You'll find some good and some bad in the stylish Jason Wu Create camera from General Imaging, the photography division of GE. My Jason Wu Create camera review shows style and image quality that are very good. However, the camera's limited feature set and its lack of manual control features can be a little frustrating.

If your camera needs match up with its strengths, this camera will be a nice choice at less than $200 for a 4GB memory version and less than $150 for a 2GB version. Otherwise, you'll receive more power for your camera dollar with other models that give you more photography options.

Image Quality

I was pleasantly surprised with the image quality in a camera as simplistic as the Jason Wu Create camera. With a maximum 12.2 megapixels of resolution, the Jason Wu Create camera shoots sharp and vibrant photos.

This camera is a fully automatic model, giving you no control over the photos. In fact, the Jason Wu Create camera does not even include scene modes, which are standard fare for most of today's point and shoot cameras. Still, this camera does a decent job with image quality.

Without a macro mode, this model doesn't perform very well with extreme close-up photos, as the flash tends to wash out such photos.

Performance

The performance level of the Jason Wu Create camera is by far its weak point. Shutter lag can be a problem with this model, and it gives the photographer a warning to "hold still" as the camera records the photo.

The camera has no manual control options, as the camera is fully automatic. The only controls you have over the camera while shooting are setting the self-timer and choosing the flash setting (on, off, or automatic).

The camera has a very limited menu listing, and the menu is only available when you turn on the camera. If you want to change the resolution while shooting, you must turn the camera off and on again.

Design

If you want a sharp-looking camera that has an amazing number of cool accessories and interesting body colors, the Jason Wu Create will meet your needs. During my Jason Wu Create camera review, I tested the blue metallic model, and it drew plenty of positive comments about its look from those who saw me testing it.

GE offers the camera in 10 different body colors, all of which are trimmed in silver. You'll find black, blue, gold, green, red, white, and yellow metal finish colors and black, gray, and white leather finish colors with this camera. The metal finish cameras include a microfiber camera pouch, which works well for cleaning the lens and LCD screen. Leather cases and straps are available, too.

The Jason Wu Create camera has very few buttons, and the simplistic design emphasizes the camera's body colors and cool styles. When a button is "active," it lights up, making the camera easy to use. You don't have to guess which features are available, thanks to the lights on the buttons.

GE carries the simplistic design over to the battery and memory card. The Jason Wu Create camera has no battery compartment, as the battery is built into the camera, and no memory card slot, as it uses only internal memory. The USB connector pops out from the camera body, allowing you to make a direct connection to a computer. The camera can charge from the computer or through a power cord that attaches to the USB connector.

Finally, the 2.7-inch LCD is a little smaller than I'd like to see, and it can be a little tough to see in direct sunlight. You also cannot change the brightness level of the LCD, which is disappointing. However, you can zoom in to your stored photos during playback on the camera's LCD.