GE G100 review

This latest addition to the Power Pro series from GE has a features list which is sure to impress

The G100 from GE is the newest member of the Power Pro Series, and takes the top spot as the flagship model among the range. The G100 moves away from the more automatic compact cameras, and offers users manual controls to tinker with, along with a whole host of other impressive features.

One highlight among the extensive specs of the G100 is the 15x optical zoom, which gives the equivalent of 28-420mm of focal range. This means you can get some great wide-angle landscape shots, as well as zoom right in on the action. In practice, getting great shots with the longer focal lengths of any camera can be difficult, but the image stabilisation in the G100 certainly helps you to capture distant subjects.

Shooting Full HD video is also as you’d expect, with a dedicated mode as well as a quick-start button placed conveniently on the back. The G100 manages to focus quickly while recording, however, one downside is that if you’re recording a quiet scene, the sound of the lens focusing can be picked up on your video.

The design of the G100 incorporates a top-mounted mode dial which is great for switching modes and the scroll wheel on the back makes changing settings a lot easier. These additions mean you won’t have to enter the menu every time you want to experiment.

Given the right conditions, images are generally very good. It’s possible to get sharp shots at any focal length, especially when taking control of the settings yourself. Low light can often be the biggest issue, though, with noise at high ISOs, but the pop-up flash does a good job.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of the G100 is the price. It comes with features you’d expect to see on more expensive cameras, and therefore helps to bridge the gap for beginners wanting to push the boundaries of what a regular automatic compact can do.