Press Release: The Rumor Is True: Ricoh Caplio R3 introduction
Ricoh Co., Ltd., introduces the Ricoh Caplio R3
featuring a 7.1x optical wide zoom, largest in the compact class (28–200mm
in 35mm camera), and vibration correction function. With a smaller body, the
Ricoh R3 digital camera, has a 7.1x wide-angle, high-powered zoom lens, the
biggest in its class. The lens was created by adopting the newly developed
Double Retracting Lens System, an advance on the highly successful Retracting
Lens System, the original lens storage system engineered by Ricoh. Moreover, to
address blurred images caused by hand movement inherent to long focal ranges,
the Ricoh Caplio R3 avoids this problem in telephoto, macro, or indoor shots
with the vibration correction function.
Ricoh R3 camera - Expendability
By letting the lens assembly fully retract
into the Ricoh Caplio R3 camera body during storage, the wide-angle,
high-powered zoom lens is more compact and pocketable. Ricoh has historically
manufactured products based on the concept of Expandability. In addition to the
wide-angle high powered zoom, the new Ricoh R3 digital camera expands the range
of shooting even further by employing such enhanced features as 1cm macro
function, Ricoh’s specialty, and quick response times.
Ricoh Caplio R3 - 7.1x wide zoom lens
The newly developed Double Retracting Lens
System, allows the lens assembly to be stored in the Caplio R3 body during lens
storage. This enables the body, a mere 26mm, to have a 28–200mm 7.1x wide
zoom lens. (The Caplio R2 has a 28–135 mm 4.8x lens.) The highly versatile
Ricoh Caplio R3 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.
Caplio R3 digital
camera - Vibration reduction
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 Ricoh Caplio R3 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.
Ricoh R3 digital camera - Macro and Skew
correction
The camera’s macro mode, can
take a macro shot of an object from just 1 cm away. The new 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. 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, over head projector, OHPs, time schedules, signs, etc. cannot be
shot from the front.
Caplio R3 camera -
Fast resonse and 5.13 Megapixels
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. 0.09sec.
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 CCD is effective up to 5.13 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.
R3 digital camera - Power
consumption and 2.5-inch display
Thanks to the
power-saving features of the internal circuit, it is possible to capture up to
310 separate images under CIPA standards using the standard accessory
rechargeable battery even while using the large LCD display. The Caplio R3
digital camera has an easy-to-see 2.5-inch large-scale LCD monitor. 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. 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 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).
Posted: Wed - September 7, 2005 at 08:53 AM