Just when it looked as if the digital camera market was starting to narrow, along comes a new line of cameras with the GE label. These cameras are manufactured by General Imaging Co. using the brand licensed from General Electric.

According to company representatives, the products are meant to cover a full range of cameras, with each one representing a higher level of performance than similar cameras at the same price levels. Judging by the review units that I got to examine, they do offer significant features; although there are some inconsistencies.

Originally the company sent me an entry level point-and-shoot A830 camera and a premium level point-and-shoot E850; but I had to request replacements for each -- the entry level camera because it chewed through batteries like termites eat through wood; the high-end camera because it had problems reading my flash memory cards. Both problems were resolved with the replacement units.

The A830, the entry-level camera, is a competent camera that features 8.0 megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom using a 36-108 mm lens. Its white body is easy to grip and lightweight -- and because of its color, is easy to find on the floor of a dark room.

Unlike most of higher-end camera models, the A830 uses two AA cells for power. This has both advantages and disadvantages. It's nice because you don't lose photo opportunities waiting for your only rechargeable cell to recharge; simply drop in a couple new AA cells and you're still clicking away. You can even purchase standard AA Ni-Cad rechargeables so you always have rechargeable batteries with you.

But the drain on the batteries can be significant, especially if you like to keep your lens open waiting for the next photo opportunity -- or if you go heavy on the pan and zoom or automatic focus. Good thing the camera allows you to conserve juice by adjusting the LCD brightness and how quickly to turn off the LCD and camera after you last pushed a button. Curiously, this camera doesn't seem to hold enough charge to keep the time and date intact when the AA cells are removed. So every time you change the batteries, you need to reset the time and date.

The other camera, the E850, does have some of the features you expect in higher priced models -- including electronic image stabilization and a panorama mode that can stitch together several shots into a single scene. I tested it at Yankee Stadium the day Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th home run. Although our seats were in the highest part of the stands off the left field foul line, the E850 did a great job of stitching together the view of the stadium -- and even zoomed in close enough on A-Rod's second at-bat to show the ball hit the slugger's elbow.

The GE E850 includes a 5x optical zoom and lens rated at 4.6-23 mm as well as 28 mm wide angle capability; so it should be able to handle most point-and-shoot situations. This one had several idiosyncrasies, though. Its layout was unusual, with the zoom adjustment situated next to the shutter in a way that can be confusing. I also found that it frequently took a blank picture the first time the shutter was clicked after turning it on.

Both models use SD flash cards as storage, have bright LCDs and advanced features such as face detection. The A830 is available for $117 to $171 online and at traditional retailers. The E850 will cost you around $200. Additional information about both cameras and the entire GE Camera product line is available at general-imaging.com.