Ricoh Caplio R5 Announced

August 24, 2006 by Josh
Filed under: Uncategorized

Ricoh have announced the new 7 megapixel Ricoh Caplio R5 – an update to the unique Ricoh Caplio R4 reviewed here, the new R5 features a wide-angle 7.1x optical zoom lens, ISO upto 1600, a 2.5″ screen, newly designed controls and curvier body, and image stabilisation in an (ultra) compact metal body. The camera will be available in Silver, Red, or Black for £249 including VAT:

“Tokyo, Japan — August 24, 2006 — Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Masamitsu Sakurai) has announced the release of the new Caplio R5 digital camera featuring a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm camera format), the highest zoom in the compact class*. Combining the Caplio R5’s Ricoh-original CCD-shift vibration correction method and brand new image processing engine greatly expands the range of shooting in low light areas producing high quality images at even higher ISO settings with low noise.”

Click here to read the full press release.
View Ricoh Caplio R5 Sample Photos.

*among compact digital cameras less than 150g as of August 23

The new Caplio R5 succeeds the standard setting Caplio R4 with wide angle /
high-magnification zoom (open priced, launched March 17, 2006, featuring effective
6.04 megapixel CCD).
With its roots based in the solid features of it’s predecessor, the Caplio
R5 has been designed to give even more fun and easy photography. Improvements
include employing an effective 7.24 megapixel CCD, and achievement of high-sensitivity
photography with low noise and edge to edge picture clarity through the New
Smooth Imaging Engine II image processing engine.

Ricoh has traditionally created feature-rich products under a concept of broadening
the range of photography and the new Caplio R5 is a product that provides
enhanced image quality while taking that concept to a higher level through image
processing engine innovations and numerous newly developed functions.

Ricoh Caplio R5

Main features of the new Caplio R5

1. Photography at even higher image quality and zoom magnification.
(a) High image quality CCD with effective 7.24 million pixels.
The improved CCD enables even higher quality photographs.
(b) Reduced noise through the new Smooth Imaging Engine II image processing
engine.
High-level image processing is enabled and images with low noise are produced
through the development of a new image processing engine that achieves high-speed
processing and a new algorithm that makes the most of the image engine.
Further noise reduction is achieved with the design of new peripheral CCD circuitry.

ISO 1600 sensitivity at full resolution is achieved.
Superior edge to edge picture clarity.
Improvements in auto-focus, automatic-exposure and AWB.

2. 7.1x wide-angle zoom lens (the largest in the compact class) and vibration
correction function in a body only 26 mm thick and weighing approx. 140 grams.
The well-received 28-200 mm 7.1x wide-angle zoom lens from the preceding model
has been fitted into a body of just 26 mm. The lens supports a wide range of
photographic options from panoramic landscapes to wide-angle photography and
indoor shooting under low light close to the subject to impressive telephoto
photography.
Furthermore, the Caplio R5 includes an Auto Resize function that automatically
changes the image size when shooting at 7M size and zooming in excess of 200
mm optical. This enables high zoom photography of up to 34.1×1 (equivalent to
960 mm) at high image quality without image correction processing.
1. at VGA image size (E-mail size)
Also equipped with general digital zoom.
Whenever it detects excessive camera motion, the vibration correction system,
based on Ricohs own CCD shift method, moves the CCD in the opposite direction
to counterbalance camera shake. This results in the ability to take clear telephoto
shots at high zoom magnification, macro shots, and indoor shots.

3. Further improvements to stress-free response.
Release time lag (the time from the instant the shutter button is fully pressedwithout
using focus lockuntil exposure actually starts) is as short as approx.
0.09 seconds* (with vibration correction off). Quick responses are essential
in order to capture picture-perfect and near-instantaneous moments such as the
expressions and movement of children or pets. Thus the short time lag means
stress-free, near-instantaneous shots.
Time from depressing the shutter button with focus locked (half-press) until
exposure actually starts is a speedy 0.007 seconds*.
Shooting interval (with vibration correction off) and start time are both rapid,
at approx. 0.5 and 1.2 seconds*, respectively.
Continuous shooting speed is improved to 2.8 frames/second*. In addition, shots
can be taken at best image quality until memory is full. Furthermore, those
images shot can be displayed on the LCD while shooting.
*measured while the flash is off

4. Large, high-resolution high angle shooting LCD.
The Caplio R5 has a 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 pixels compared to 150,000 pixels
for the Caplio R4. The brightness of the LCD makes it easier to see outdoors
even on sunny days from greater viewing angles.

5. Long-life rechargeable battery for approx. 380 shots (standard accessory).
Thanks to the power-saving features of the internal circuit, the battery has
a longer life. This makes it possible to capture approx. 380 images under CIPA
standards (approx. 330 pictures for the Caplio R4).

6. Powerful macro functiona Ricoh specialty.
The cameras macro mode allows close in shooting of objects from a wide
macro 1 cm to tele macro 14 cm.
A Zoom Macro function is included to allow use of digital zooming from the optical
zoom position where subjects can be captured at their largest.

7. Your favourite settings in scene modes.
??Up to two setting conditions of your choice can be saved to scene modes with
the Personalized Setting function. That allows you to apply your own settings
to scene modes to enable easier photography at your favourite settings.

8. Enhanced Skew Correction function.
Through an original algorithm that automatically detects trapezoids in images
based on composition when shooting and corrects them to rectangles, images can
be corrected to look as though they were shot from the front. The function is
most effective in business environments where subjects such as blackboards,
overhead projector images, time schedules, and signs cannot be shot from the
front.
The improved function now allows for correction after the image has been taken
in
play back mode.

9. A portable and beautiful design with an eye to robustness and quality.
The design combines functionality and texture with such features as a comfortable
grip, easy-to-use controls, high-grade materials, and surface finishing in a
compact body of 96 mm (W) x 55 mm (H) x 26 mm (D). With emphasis on robustness
and quality, the camera embodies reliability and functionality.