Ricoh Caplio R4 Review

With a massive 7x optical zoom lens that is equivalent to 28-200mm on a 35mm camera, a CCD anti-shake system, ISO 64-800, 1cm macro mode and a body that is only 26mm thick, the Ricoh Caplio R4 certainly stands out from the crowd. But is the Ricoh Caplio R4 worth considering if you’re looking for a point and shoot compact digicam? Read our latest review to find out.

Website: Ricoh Caplio R4 Review

Published: Thursday, July 13, 2006

Reader Comments

1. I agree with almost all of the conclusions other than the amount of purple fringing and other CA manifestations which I haven't encountered in 2 months quite intensive use of this little camera.
   
   I think people will buy this camera because of its zoom range coupled with small size and really quite good results printed up to 7x5. With a bit of post processing even good-light shots at ISO 800 can be recovered.
   
   I've recommended it to a few pros for quick candid work (and use it myself for that) with good feedback.

   Nick Spurrier at 07:15pm on Friday, July 14, 2006

2. The "all plastic" construction referred to is wrong. Both the R3 and R4 have metal back and front plates, and the wrap around the edge is plastic, not metal as said in the review. But if the edge was metal as the reviewer thought, then how can it be an "all plastic" camera? I'm confused.
   
   The Ricoh R3 and R4 cameras perform way better in real life than they do in these reviews. Just visit the Ricoh Talk forum at http://www.dpreview.com to talk to some users of this camera.

   Guy Parsons at 01:17am on Saturday, July 15, 2006

3. I agreed with most of the review, but also haven't seen much purple fringing. But, like some other R4 owners, I do sometimes get serious banding in high contrast images. But the cameras seem to vary, with some being worse than others. Various theories exist, including some sort of interference with the focusing at max zoom.

   Nigel Pendse at 09:41pm on Friday, July 28, 2006

4. A very helpful and comprehensive review - I have decided to get one - the macro and also the speed of use decided it for me.
   Thank you

   Chriscris at 06:05pm on Saturday, August 12, 2006

5. And now the next one is comming.
   The R5 is announced:
   http://tinyurl.com/ldcjq
   
   More or less the same as the R4
   New:
   640x480 Movie (yes that's it what I'm waiting for)
   new processor, more pixel ...

   athiel at 05:39am on Saturday, September 02, 2006