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The Ricoh Caplio R4 digial camera is a 6 megapixel (CCD) digital camera with a nice large 7.1x Optical Zoom lens (equivalent of 28-200mm). Despite the large lens the camera weighs in at just 135 grams and is only 26mm thin.
It features a high resolution 2.5 inch LCD (154,000 pixels), anti-shake technology and boasts the ability to take 330 images per charge.
The Ricoh Caplio R4 will retail for a price of £249.99 and will hit stores in March.
Main Features of the Caplio R4:
New 6.04 million square pixel CCD.
- Often used icons can be enlarged for greater visibility.
- The brightness of the LCD can be increased to maximum with a single touch and visibility can be adjusted to suit well-lighted areas.
- The CCD is effective up to 6.04 million square pixels with the Smooth Imaging Engine image processing system. Combined with the vibration correction function, representative, superior, high-definition images can be created.
- It is possible to select a 35mm aspect ratio (the horizontal to vertical ratio of the image) of 3:2.
The long-life rechargeable battery, a standard accessory, lets you shoot approx. 330 pictures.
- Thanks to the power-saving features of the internal circuit, it is possible to capture up to 330 separate images under CIPA standards using the standard accessory rechargeable battery even while using the large LCD display. (310 pictures for the Caplio R3).
New improved 2.5-inch large-scale LCD, with 150,000-pixel resolution.
- The Caplio R4 has an easy-to-see 2.5-inch large-scale LCD monitor with improved resolution (150,000 pixels compared to 110,000 for the Caplio R3).
- During playback, 12 pictures can be displayed simultaneously on the large screen. While checking previous and subsequent pictures, the screen can be separated into three parts to allow fast forwarding and rewinding.
- Often used icons can be enlarged for greater visibility.
- The brightness of the LCD can be increased to maximum with a single touch and visibility can be adjusted to suit well-lighted areas.
7.1x wide zoom lens, largest in its class, in a lightweight 135g, 26mm body!
- The newly developed Double Retracting Lens System, allows part of the lens assembly to protrude from the camera body during lens storage. This enables the body, a mere 26 mm, to have a 28–200 mm 7.1x wide zoom lens.
- The highly versatile Caplio R4 delivers outstanding results in practically any photographic situation, whether it’s capturing a panoramic landscape in one shot, wide-angle images in a room where everything is very close, or the fine details of distant objects.
Vibration Correction function, based on a CCD shift method.
- Whenever it detects excessive camera motion, the vibration correction system, based on a newly developed CCD shift method, moves the CCD in the opposite direction to counterbalance camera shake, resulting in sharp pictures that would have been blurred otherwise.
- As it is not necessary to incorporate the vibration correction system into the lens, many lens design options, were available, facilitating the design of a slim body and a wide to long telephoto range lens.
- The Caplio R4 shows its effectiveness best in high-powered telephoto, macro, or indoor shots without using flash. Once again the vibration correction system allows for sharp images that would not be possible otherwise.
The macro function, a Ricoh specialty, has been further strengthened.
- The camera’s macro mode, can take a macro shot of an object from just 1 cm away.
- The zoom macro function automatically sets the focal distance of the lens at the optimum distance for capturing an image of each object as large and close as possible.
- If AF Target Selection is used, it is even possible to focus on objects within the frame without moving the camera. By determining the optimum field of view, taking into consideration such information as the size or contrast of the object, focusing accuracy becomes that much higher when shooting in macro.
High-speed response capability enables stress-free shooting.
- Release time lag (the time from the instant the shutter button is fully pressed—without using focus lock—until exposure actually starts) is as fast as approx. 0.09 seconds on average. Quick responses are essential in order to capture picture-perfect but near-instantaneous moments such as the expressions and movement of children or pets. Now stress-free, near-instantaneous shots are possible.
- Time calculated from the instant the focus is locked (half-press) until exposure actually starts is a miraculous 0.007 seconds on average.
- Shooting interval and start time are both rapid, approx. 0.5 and 1.1 seconds, respectively (measured while the flash is off).
The skew correction function.
- Through an original algorithm, which automatically detects trapezoids in images and corrects them to rectangles, images of such things as blackboards, documents, or time schedules shot at any angle can be corrected so that the image looks as though it were shot from the front. The camera is most effective in business environments where blackboards, overhead projector, OHPs, time schedules, signs, etc. cannot be shot from the front.
A design combining style with portability
- The design combines functionality and texture with such features as a comfortable grip, easy-to-use controls, high-grade materials, surface finishing, and a compact body of 95.0 mm (W) x 53.0 mm (H) x 26.0 mm (D).
Price and Availability:
The Caplio R4 will be available from March RRP £249.99 inc
ephotozine reviews the Ricoh Caplio R4 and writes - 'I really enjoyed using the Ricoh Caplio R4, having a long zoom range like this in such a tiny camera is a lot of fun, especially as it is equivalent to 28mm at the wide end. The price you pay is in the maximum aperture of the lens being only f/3.3-4.8, although in my opinion it is a price worth paying. Also the CCD shift vibration correction is very effective, with good technique long exposures are possible handheld.'
DigiCam Review has posted a review of the Ricoh Caplio R4 and writes - 'The Ricoh Caplio R4 is a minor update to the Ricoh Caplio R3, with a higher resolution 6 megapixel sensor, a higher resolution screen, and longer battery life. I suspect that there have been more improvements made in the background as the camera seems quicker in operation, and I've been more impressed with image quality this time, particularly with the rich colours and good exposure. The Ricoh Caplio R4 is a stylish digital camera with a wide angle 7.1x optical zoom lens packed into a very compact metal body. The 6 megapixel camera features a 2.5" screen and built in vibration correction - this helps produce blur free photos in low light or at full zoom. When using the camera you do need to be careful that ISO isn't set to AUTO, otherwise you'll end up with high noise in photos, but if you can manage to stick to ISO64 or IS100 then you should end up with some great photos - despite the camera having more megapixels - noise doesn't seem higher than the R3. If having a lot of zoom power in a very compact camera is a priority then this is definitely worth considering. Ricoh are to be commended for innovation in providing such a large amount of zoom with image stabilsation in such a small and speedy camera. The Ricoh Caplio R4 is well worth considering as there are very few alternate digital cameras that offer so much, at such a competitive price.'
PhotographyBlog has a review up of the Ricoh Caplio R4 and writes, "The Ricoh Caplio R4's image quality is below average. The Ricoh Caplio R4's main drawback in terms of image quality is noise, with ISO 200 showing obvious noise, particularly in shadow areas. ... the R4 still suffers from obvious chromatic aberrations and poor night shots, although once again the the amazing macro mode and the anti-shake system are definitely worth having. The main attractions of the R4 remain the same. A point and shoot camera that can easily fit in your pocket, yet has a massive 7x wide-angle optical zoom lens. A camera that is easy-to-use, well-built and stylish in an understated kind of way, with a genuinely useful anti-shake system. ... The R4 isn't worth upgrading to from the R3, but it's definitely worth a look if you want a camera that offers something a little different to the norm."
Pocket-lint has a review of the Ricoh Caplio R4 and writes, "Image noise becomes an issue, but only when you get to sensitivity settings above ISO 400 (you have ISO 64, 100, 200, 400 and 800 to play with). ISO 64, and 100 look good, 200 things get a little worse but not problematic, at ISO 400 noise becomes noticeable, but in a film grain-like way. At ISO 800, the camera throws all its toys out of the pram and you get some serious noise all over the images. However, thanks to the anti-shake system, you can shoot a lower ISOs than you might otherwise be able to get away with and because the anti shake works well, particularly at longer focal lengths when the limited maximum aperture of the optics means shutter speeds quickly drop into camera shake territory. Overall, detail is superb, fringing is almost non-existent, colour control is great – natural rather than over saturated – but you can adjust that too if needed all making the R4 a very accomplished little camera."
Posted by Darren in our Miscellaneous category on February 23, 2006