[TestDrive]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I have a GE A835 in the box, got it for $87, but am holding off on opening it up until I've learned something from the experts~! If I can do better it is still returnable.

I'm sure no expert, but know a little.

Hate to do anything to promote WallyWorld (WalMart), but if you buy your camera there, it can be returned even if opened (provided everything is there) with no restocking fee. I think the time frame is 90 days. (At least that was the policy last fall.)

Couldn't find any reviews of GE A835 at Digital Camera Review sites I trust

Digital Photography Review
Steve's Digicams

Based on the GE A835 feature list it doesn't appear to be an unreasonable choice, but no way to know how logically the controls are laid out nor the quality of photos it produces. Really good to be able to try it out before your money is gone for good.

Last fall I bought a Canon A590 IS and am happy with it. It has 4x optical zoom vs 3x for the GE. Optional Wide Angle Len and External Flash are available as add-ons.

There are plenty of modes available on the mode dial.
(Center between on/off and shutter button.)

The ones casual users like us will be most interested in are:

1. Easy (Red heart inside camera outline below AUTO)
   ...Flash: On/Off
   
2. Auto
   ...ISO:Auto/Hi Auto
   ...Shooting Mode: Single Shot/Self Timer
   ...Picture: Various Sizes & Compression
   ...Focus: Normal / Macro
   ...Flash: On/Off
   ...LCD: On/Off/Info Overlay
3. Movie Mode (4 possible size, frame rate, compression combinations)
   ...a) 640x480 @ 20 frames/sec - min compression
   ...b) 640x480 @ 20 frames/sec - max compression
   ...c) 320x240 @ 30 frames/sec
   ...d) 160x120 @ 15 frames/sec
   
4. All those other modes* EXCEPT P, TV, AV, M.
   ...* "Huh? What? How the ### am I suppose to remember what
   ......all those goofy icons mean?" No problem. If the LCD is set to
   ......Info Overlay, the names of each mode is displayed large letters,
   ......in plain English on the LCD:
   .........Portrait
   .........Landscape
   .........Night Snap Shot
   .........Kid's & Pets
   .........Indoor
   .........Night Scene
   .........Sunset
   .........Foliage
   .........Snow
   .........Beach
   .........Fireworks
   .........Aquarium.

Here is a review at Steve's Digicams.

I bought my A590 IS for about $140, now they're down to about $120.