Ricoh R8, R50 compact digital cameras announced

[David Rasnake]

Ricoh has developed a reputation for offering up compact cameras with off-beat features that have strong niche market appeal, and the latest announcements from the company look to be no different. In a press release late yesterday, the company made speculations about a new model official, announcing the portable R50 and the high-spec, high-end R8 compacts.

The compact, 10 megapixel R50 sports a 5x zoom with an equivalent range of 36-180mm.

The camera is relatively conventional otherwise, emphasizing a broad range of scene modes, user-friendliness, and its audio recording capabilities.

More impressive and interesting to photography buffs is the Ricoh R8. The successor model to the relatively new Caplio R7 (Ricoh has opted to drop the "Caplio" name for its digicams going forward), the R8 utilizes its predecessor's 7.1x (28-200mm) optical zoom.

Other key features include a 2.7-inch, 460K-pixel LCD, a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, mechanical image stabilization, and Smooth Imaging Engine III processing. Distinguishing elements of the R7's design and functionality, including its stopped zoom and 1:1 aspect ratio picture mode, have also been retained.

Styling for the R8 is in line with expectations for a high-end camera, with a basic, streamlined look that suggests a serious camera.

Online camera retailer Adorama will continue to be the exclusive US distributor for new Ricoh models. Information on pricing or anticipated US release dates for both cameras has not been announced.

Ricoh R8 Specifications:

Sensor	10.0 megapixel, 1/2.3" CCD
Lens/Zoom	7.1x (28-200mm), f/3.3-5.2
LCD/Viewfinder	2.7", 460K-pixel TFT LCD
Sensitivity	ISO 64-1600
Shutter Speed	8-1/2000 seconds
Shooting Modes	Auto, Scene
Scene Presets	Portrait, Face, Sports, Landscape, Night, High Sensitivity, Macro, Black and White, Sepia, Skew Correction, Text
White Balance Settings	Auto, Outdoors, Cloudy, Incandescent I, Incandescent II, Fluorescent, Manual
Metering Modes	Multi, Center, Spot
Focus Modes	Multi AF, Spot AF, Manual, Fixed, Infinity
Drive Modes	Normal, Continuous
Flash Modes	Auto, Forced On, Forced Off, Slow Sync, Red Eye Reduction, Soft
Self Timer Settings	10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off
Memory Formats	SD, SDHC
Internal Memory	24 MB
File Formats	JPEG, AVI
Max. Image Size	3648x2736
Max. Video Size	640x480, 30 fps
Zoom During Video	Not Specified
Battery	Rechargeable lithium-ion
Connections	USB 2.0, AV output, DC input
Additional Features	Smooth Imaging Engine III processing, CCD shift image stabilization, face recognition mode

[neenee]

Interesting. I hope it, the R8, will arrive very soon, but I think it'll be April or such.

*update*

I just found the following here:

"The R8 is a redesign of the older R7, with an aluminum body, higher resolution viewing screen and Smoothing Imaging Engine version III. It takes SD and SDHC cards, and shoots VGA at 30 frames per second, in AVI format. Measuring 4 x 1 x 2.3 inches and weighing about 0.4 pounds, it’s available March in silver or black for around $460."

[David Rasnake]

Excellent. Thanks for the link with pricing.

dr

[neenee]

Pleasure. It's in my own interest too

[usapatriot]

Hopefully these two cameras will be a bit better than past mediocre Ricoh cameras.

[neenee]

In what way were they mediocre? Apart from the noise of the R7, it seemed to be doing very well in reviews. Sure, they're not as popular as more well-known brands, but that shouldn't be a reason to dismiss it, nor to call it mediocre.

In short: What did I miss that was bad about Ricoh cameras?

Oh, here's another link with info, it's linked to from the official Ricoh site:

http://www.justnow-press.de/showPrAr...&nLanguageID=2

Of note is the confirmation:

Available colours: silver, black and two tone Available: March 2008 at £ 249,99 inc vat.

[David Rasnake]

USA may be remembering the Ricohs from a few years back (when they called their cameras "Image Capture Devices" - how enthralling...). I don't think it's fair to call the R7 mediocre.

dr

[user]

"Capilio"

it's not Capilio, it's Caplio

[David Rasnake]

My mistake. Corrected now.

dr