What’s new: Photoreview.com.au have reviewed the camera!

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Ricoh announces the CX2, a 10-megapixel camera with 10.7x optical zoom, high-definition 3.0-inch 920,000-dot LCD monitor and 5 fps high-speed continuous shooting in a compact body only 29.4 mm thick.

With its expanded range of functions, the CX2 represents the further evolution of the compact digital camera as “A tool you will want to use every day.”

The camera’s Smooth Imaging Engine IV and a high-resolution CMOS sensor allow for high-quality images with high resolution and low noise. And Dynamic range double shot mode makes it possible to record images with an almost naked-eye impression.

The new CX2 inherits many popular features from its predecessor, the CX1 (introduced in March), such as the high image quality, expanded dynamic and a high-speed image processing CMOS sensor.

At the same time various CX1’s functions have received enhancements, for instance, face recognition (of up to 8 faces in a frame) has been added to easy shooting mode and now it’s possible to automatically define the range expansion effect in dynamic range double shot mode.

The Ricoh CX2 offers you more advanced high-speed continuous shooting functions. It features 5 frames/second continuous shooting for still images with the maximum number of pixels. And in 2-megapixel mode you can take as many as 30 images in one second. Ultra-high-speed continuous shooting is also possible at 120 fps.

With Pre-AF function, quick shooting is possible as the camera automatically adjusts the focus in response to subject movement even when the shutter release button is not half-pressed.

Photoreview.com.au:
The camera is ultra-compact long-zoom for snapshot photography and you could benefit from the dynamic range expansion function. Though it doesn’t have P, A, S and M shooting modes or high-definition video.

Ricoh CX2 –Specifications:

• 10 Megapixels
• 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
• Maximum Image Size: 3456×2592
• 10.7x Optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 28-300mm
• Aperture Range: F3.5 (Wide) - F5.6 (Telephoto)
• Shooting Distance: Normal shooting: Approx. 30 cm - infinity (Wide), approx. 1.5 m - infinity (Telephoto) Macro Focus: 1 cm
• Focus Mode: Multi AF, Spot AF, Continuous AF, Multi-Target AF, Manual Focus, Fixed Focus (Snap), Infinity
• Sensor Shift Image Stabilizer
• Shutter Speed: 8-1/2000
• Continuous shooting: 5 fps
• Sensitivity: ISO80 -1600
• 3.0-inch Transparent LCD Monitor with 920,000 dots
• Easy Shooting Mode
• Dynamic Range Double Shot Mode
• 12 Scene Modes including Manner, High-Contrast B&W and Miniaturize
• SD, SDHC memory card
• 88MB Internal Memory
• Movie Mode: 640×480 at 15 fps
• Power Supply: DB-70 x1Rechargeable Battery

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What’s new: Photographyblog has recently reviewed this camera!

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Ricoh unveiled GR Digital III premium compact camera that achieves a whole new level of image quality in comparison to its predecessor model, the GR Digital II. The new model gains more sensitive sensor, faster AF and faster performance in burst mode.

The Ricoh GR Digital III uses a large 1/1.7″ CCD sensor with 10 megapixels of resolution, 3.0 LCD Screen and fast f1.9 28mm wide angle prime lens. Such a lens makes it possible to shoot with a faster shutter speed and also to achieve greater image quality in macro photography.

Besides, the camera uses a new image processing engine GR Engine III that enables highly sophisticated noise processing. This engine in combination with the new high-sensitivity CCD and the newly developed GR Lens significantly increases shooting performance in low-light scenes.

The 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot LCD monitor provides high resolution, a wide viewing angle, excellent color reproduction, good visibility outdoors, and a surface that resists soiling.

There is a more extensive range of image settings in the camera. You can now control hue and saturation and also use the multi-pattern auto white balance function to achieve optimum color reproduction.

And what’s more, operability of the GR III can be further enhanced by the 21 mm wide conversion lens GW-2, the GV-2 optional viewfinder, and the GF-1 external flash.

Camera Reviews:

Photographyblog.com:
The camera shows great high ISO performance and this, together with the faster f/1.9 lens and the new Dynamic Range option, makes this camera very effective in low-light conditions, either hand-held or with the use of a tripod.

Sample Photo Galleries: photographyblog.com.

Ricoh GR Digital III – Specifications:

• 1/1.7″ CCD Sensor
• 10 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 3648 x 2736
• 3.0-inch transparent LCD Monitor with 920,000 pixels
• Prime Lens (No Optical Zoom)
• Focal Length Equivalent: 28mm
• Aperture Range: F1.9 - F9
• Lens Construction: 8 elements in 6 groups (aspheric lens: 2 elements and 2 surfaces)
• Supports Conversion Lenses
• 4x Digital zoom
• Focus: Auto, Manual, Snap, Infinity
• Macro Focus: 1 cm
• Metering: 256-point multi-segment, Center-weighted average, Spot
• Sensitivity: ISO 64-1600
• Shutter speed: 1-1/2000 sec
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program AE, Shutter/Aperture Priority AE, Manual
• Built-in Flash + Hotshoe for external flash unit
• Optional hotshoe-mounted viewfinder
• Movie Mode: 640 x 480 @ 30 fps
• 88 MB Internal storage
• SD / SDHC Memory Card
• Power: Li-Ion battery pack DB65

Official Information: ricoh.com.

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Panasonic releases new firmware updates for their compact digital cameras.

Panasonic DMC-FT1 / TS1 firmware update version 1.1 includes:

• Capable of playing back AVCHD motion picture format (1,280 x 720) taken with Panasonic Digital Camera DMC-GH1
• Not capable of playing back Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) motion picture format
• The quality of viewing image (still image) is improved
• This update of firmware is already included in some units depending on the production timing

Panasonic DMC-TZ6 / ZS1 firmware update version 1.1 includes:

• Noise of auto focusing (Quick AF) is reduced during action
• The quality of viewing image (still image) is improved

Panasonic DMC-TZ7/ ZS3 firmware update version 1.1 includes:

• Capable of playing back AVCHD motion picture format (1,280 x 720 ) taken with Panasonic Digital Camera DMC-GH1
• Not capable of playing back Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) motion picture format
• Noise of auto focusing (Quick AF) is reduced during action
• This update of firmware is already included in some units depending on the production timing

Panasonic has also updated the firmware of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 compact digital camera. Version 1.2 promises “improved image quality”.

Download pages:
* Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Firmware Update Service

* Panasonic DMC-TZ7 / ZS3 Firmware version 1.1

* Panasonic DMC-TZ6 / ZS1 Firmware version 1.1

* Panasonic DMC-FT1 / TS1 Firmware version 1.1

Ricoh updates their Ricoh GR Digital II professional digital compact camera. Version 2.30 gives it several significant functional enhancements, including the following:

• It is now possible to manually set the flash amount - you can select from 12 levels ranging from full flash to 1/45. This results in a relatively short time lag since there is no need to do a pre-flash to get exposure information.
• It is now possible to set the flash timing. It can be selected from the choices “1st Curtain” (immediately after exposure begins) and “2nd Curtain” (immediately before exposure ends).
• It is now possible to register white balance compensation in My Settings. You can select whether to save in My Settings the value set for white balance compensation.
• The TODAY’S SHOTS display function has been added. The number of images recorded during the current day can be displayed on the LCD monitor when the power is turned off.

Ricoh Firmware Download Page

And I remind you - be careful when updating your camera yourself. Make sure the battery is full, and don’t switch off your camera till the end of the operation.

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