Tasco hot for GE's Jason Wu collection

Tasco Sales (Australia) will unveil a major new GE camera series in June, highlighted by a collaboration with US fashion designer Jason Wu, the man who gained international fame for dressing presidential First Lady Michelle Obama.

The ‘Create by Jason Wu’ collection is a line of “fashion-forward cameras”, available in a range of custom metal and leather finishes and packaged with complementary accessories.

Tasco expects the ‘Create by Jason Wu’ collection will attract a healthy female audience.

“According to the PMA Australian Consumer Digital Imaging Survey, women under the age of 30 with a child younger than seven are the most prolific family photo-takers. In fact, women of all ages, with or without children, take more photos than their male counterparts,” said Tasco’s general manager – digital camera sales division, Stewart Pickersgill.

“While women’s comfort levels with technology are at an all time high and performance is more important than ever, market research shows they still crave simplicity and will steer away from products that seem too complicated,” he said.

Tasco has also released a new range of point-and-shoot compacts from GE, which “fuse advanced technology with simple functionality and exceptional value.”

Pickersgill said the new range was conceived following extensive market research into what most consumers want and need from their digital cameras.

“GE found simplicity was ultimately what consumers sought when buying a point-and-shoot camera. They want to take great photos when they are out with their family and friends without the frustration of worrying about camera settings being right or the risk of missing out on capturing the moment,” he said.

The GE Smart Series C1033 (10.2 megapixel, $89.95 RRP) and C1233 (12.4 megapixel, $99.95 RRP) will be the first two GE cameras available to Australian consumers.

Leica launches V-LUX with GPS

Adeal has released a new 12.1 megapixel digital compact camera – the Leica V-LUX 20. The V-LUX 20 features a high-performance Leica DC-Vario-Elan zoom lens with a range of focal lengths of 25–300 mm in 35-mm format.

The V-LUX features GPS tagging (a first for a Leica camera), HD movie recording and various automated Functions It is available now at $899 (RRP).

DES releases metallic lustre papers

DES has announced an addition to the line-up of Chromajet papers, with the release of Chromajet Centurion Metallic, Australia’s first ever metallic lustre papers which are designed for use in an inkjet printer.

The papers will be available in sheet packs and roll form. DES marketing and visual communications manager Scott Collins said the overseas photo industry is already talking about the product.

“At the US PMA in Anaheim, it was selected twice as the ‘Hot Pick’ of the show. DES will be stocking two variants of the Metallic paper; a bright white and high gloss. DES will launch the range of Chromajet Centurion Metallic at PMA in Melbourne. 

The products will be available to purchase in mid-May and will be retail at $49.5 (RRP) for a 25 pack of A4.