Ricoh G700

The lens features 28mm wide angle of view yet it not very bright - it offers only f/3.5 aperture value when zoomed out. There’s only Digital image stabilization in the camera, which means raising ISO level in unfavorable lighting conditions. On the positive side, you can attach an optional wide conversion lens to a build-in one and enjoy 22mm angle of view.

The camera’s body can withstand falls from 2.0 m even with the power on. The camera can be used in the rain as well as for underwater shooting - down to 5 meters for up to 2 hours. The camera can also ensure dust and sand and operate in sub-freezing temperatures. In addition, the buttons are optimized for shooting with gloves on.

The G700 offers point-and-shoot operation ideal for those who prefer to rely on the camera’s “brains” and deal with the composition of the shots only and still get quality images. There’re also some pre-set creative functions like High Sensitivity, Firefighting, Skew Correct, Text, Zoom Macro where Skew correction mode gives your photos the feel that they were shot directly. It is useful when photographing message boards and display panels, as they are not distorted and readable in the final image.

The camera offers 103Mb of internal memory and a lot of enhanced security and file management functions for your images. It is possible to connect the camera directly to a printer without using a PC.

Ricoh G700 - Specifications:

• 1/2.3″ CCD Image Sensor
• 12.10 Megapixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2
• 3.0 in. LCD Monitor with 920,000 dots
• 5x Optical Zoom
• Digital Image Stabilization
• Focal Length Equivalent: 28 - 140mm
• Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) - f/5.5 (tele)
• Focusing: AF (multi / spot), MF
• Macro: 0.4″ / 1 cm
• Metering: 256-segment multi, center-weighted, spot
• Sensitivity: ISO 64 - 3200
• Shutter Speed: 8 - 1/1500 sec
• Exposure Modes: Program
• Creative Scene Modes: High Sensitivity, Firefighting, Skew Correct, Text, Zoom Macro, Movie
• 103MB Built-In Memory
• SD, SDHC, MMC Memory Cards
• Power Source: 2 x AAA Batteries
• Shockproof: up to 2.0 m drop
• Waterproof: down to 5.0 m

]]> http://www.shotaddict.com/wordpress/2010/08/31/8978.html/feed http://www.shotaddict.com/wordpress/2010/02/04/8127.html http://www.shotaddict.com/wordpress/2010/02/04/8127.html#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:16:26 +0000 Jane http://www.shotaddict.com/wordpress/?p=8127

What’s new: Digicamreview have already reviewed this camera!

Ricoh Co., Ltd. announced the release of the CX3, a new digital camera featuring 10 megapixels, a 28mm wide-angle lens with 10.7x zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD screen and 1280 × 720 pixel HD movie capture.

The camera’s back-illuminated CMOS sensor (the same was used in Ricoh Gr Digital III announced in August) ensures excellent image quality when shooting low-light scenes. It also enables a sophisticated noise reduction function.

At the heart of the camera lies the Smooth Imaging Engine IV image processing engine. It features the pixel output interpolation algorithm that reduces whiteout in high-contrast situations, thus ensuring that images look naturally.

The CX3 is an easy-to-use digital camera offering its Auto Picture mode for fully automatic settings adjustment. It identifies the scene being photographed from portrait, sports, night portrait, landscape, nightscape, macro mode, etc, and switch to the necessary one. There are also 13 scene modes in the camera from which you can choose manually.

In the camera’s Dynamic range double shot mode it is possible to record images with an almost naked-eye impression. It also has an array of settings to control the dynamic range expansion effect. For instance, you can choose the tone range to be given priority using the following options: highlights, shadows, and off.

The CX3 features fast performance and can shoot 10-megapixel images at a speed of 5 fps. there’s also an ultra-high-speed continuous shooting for recording of  120 images  at 60 or even 120 frames/sec.

Camera Reviews:

Photoreview.com.au:
The camera has extended dynamic range capture and better low-light performance than most small-sensor digicams provide. But it doesn’t offer much control over your images.

Photographyblog.com:
This is a fast, easy-to-use compact camera that delivers excellent image quality. Being a great pocket camera it still lacks manual controls.

Digicamreview.com:
The camera delivers great color reproduction and improved noise handling. It performs fast and its back-lit CMOS-shift image stabilization helps with zoom and low light. But its flash tends to overexpose. And its price is against it.

Sample Photo Galleries: photographyblog.com, digicamreview.com.

Alternatives/Rivals: Canon PowerShot S90, Canon PowerShot SX120 IS.

Ricoh CX3 – Specifications:

• 10.00 Megapixels
• 1/2.3-inch CMOS Image Sensor
• 10.7x Optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 28-300mm
• Aperture Range: F3.5 (Wide) - F5.6 (Telephoto)
• Sensor Shift Image Stabilizer
• 3.0-inch Transparent LCD with 920,000 dots
• Exposure Metering: Multi (256 segments), Centre-weighted, Spot
• Sensitivity: ISO80 - 3200
• Auto Shooting Mode
• Dynamic Range Double Shot Mode
• 13 Scene Modes
• Contrast AF Method
• Face Detection
• Manual Focus Possible
• Macro focus: 1 cm
• Shutter Speed: 8 -1/2000 sec.
• Continuous Shooting: 5 frames /sec
• Movie: 1280 x 720 pixels at 30fps
• SD, SDHC Memory Card
• 88Mb Internal Memory
• Body Colors: Violet, light Grey/Pink, Black

What’s new: Photographyblog have reviewed the camera!

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.

Camera Reviews:

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.

Photographyblog.com:
The camera offers a sable ISO range of 80-800, with the fastest ISO 1600 setting being OK for small prints and web images. Chromatic aberrations are not an issue, and the anti-shake and flash systems work effectively.

Sample Photo Galleries: photographyblog.com.

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

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

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.

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.