GE J1470S

The GE J1470S follows in the footsteps of General Electric's other budget cameras by delivering remarkable features at a low price. While reviewers and users agree the bland J1470S isn't much to look at, big things come in its small, 4.6-ounce chassis: a 14-megapixel sensor, a huge 3-inch LCD display and a long 7x zoom lens that works while shooting HD video (720p). There's also a flip-out USB connector that plugs directly into a computer (eliminating extra cables) along with plenty of automatic shooting modes, including the Pancapture feature that stitches together three photos into one. It's a spec sheet that's "hard to beat" for the price, says David Pierce at PCMag.com.

However, the J1470S isn't the easiest camera to use. One user at Amazon.com says the flip-out USB is "an almost good idea," but it's awkwardly placed, which requires holding the camera while it's attached to a computer, and another says the video zoom stutters because of the "hunting focus." Image quality, though, gets solid grades. In tests at PCMag.com, the J1470S beats the top-rated Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 for sharpness and the Kodak EasyShare Mini for noise, although video ratings vary among reviewers. Overall, Pierce says the Panasonic S3 offers better performance, but nevertheless rates the GE J1470S as an "impressive camera for snapshooters on a shoestring budget." 

PCMag.com provides the most comprehensive review of the GE J1470S, with its combination of lab tests, hands-on use and plenty of product comparison. ConsumerReports.org and Choice magazine also perform rigorous tests, and their sorting charts show how the GE J1470S fares next to other point-and-shoot models. Comments from users at Amazon.com help to reveal common problems with features and performance.