Ricoh Caplio R5 Review

The Ricoh R5 is the latest version of Ricoh’s 7x wide-angle zoom compact cameras, with an upgrade to 7 megapixels and a new Smooth Imaging Engine II image processing engine which promises to reduce noise at faster ISO speeds (ISO 1600 is now available). The 2.5 inch LCD screen on the Ricoh R5 now has 230,000 pixels, battery life has increased to 380 shots and the improved video mode provides 640x480 movies. So is the Ricoh R5 worth considering if you’re looking for a point and shoot digicam, and is it any better than the 6-month old Caplio R4?

Website: Ricoh Caplio R5 Review

Published: Saturday, September 23, 2006

Reader Comments

1. Good review. I think you missed the point about the curved front that makes the flash edge stick out. It's so you don't put your fat fingers in front of the flash! And at the same time being a little more ergonomic.

   Anon Y Mouse at 01:23pm on Friday, September 22, 2006

2. I agree with the previous comment about the flash. Many complained that it's easy to cover the flash of the R4 with your finger. The new design is more ergonomic. What a shame this camera is not available in the US. It's possibly the ultimate vacation camera, with the amazing zoom range and the compact size.

   dubi at 06:28am on Monday, September 25, 2006

3. video specs NOT for today's user: only 6min. video with 1 Gigabyte SD card.
   Samsung i5 or i6 gives 1 hour video mpeg4 quality wit 1 GB card. That's how we want it. Tell Ricoh Panasonic and Canon ..
   so they know why we do NOT buy their 7x, 10x, 12x zoom stuff .. MPEG-4 DIGITAL VIDEO rules.

   rsxm6 at 10:49pm on Tuesday, September 26, 2006

4. One curious design element which I don't understand is a gradual 15 degree bend in the camera body on the right hand side (looking from the back).
   
   Exactly this bent ist super! Why I used to have my finger on the flash. Now I ell the flash with my finger, because the flash isn't even with the body anymore. Perfect!
   And I like the flash at right side (lens left), as i have less rd eyes than canon or all digicams with the flash at the top of the lens.

   Daniel Meyer at 03:43pm on Monday, October 02, 2006

5. Quite a thorough review . However a wee bit more info on the useability or functionality of that small zoom lever and the tiny power button would have been appreciated .

   Rfiver at 04:48am on Wednesday, October 18, 2006

6. my usb will not function windows says it is not compatable and no drivers installed any ideas anyone where to get the drivers for this camera

   James Thatcher at 03:51pm on Saturday, October 28, 2006

7. You can't buy them at U.S. stores, but you can buy them at Broadway Photo online for only $239. I think I'm going to get one. No other compact this small has 7.1x zoom, and image stabilization like the R4 or R5. As for image quality: I don't expect my point and shoot to take perfect pics, that's what my Nikon DSLR is for.

   Vines at 07:36am on Friday, December 01, 2006

8. Thanks for taking the time to write this helpful informative review.

   Phil Walters at 07:55am on Sunday, August 05, 2007

9. Buyer beware - Ricoh R5
   
   I've left the hard way with this particular camera never to buy a Ricoh, ever ever again.
   
   I have owned this camera for 13 months - within that time, the auto focus function broke whilst on a holiday of a life time and many beautiful landscapes coudl not be captured. This was repaired. Whilst on a second holiday 6 months later, the lens jammed out and I could not turn the camera off. This fault was repaired and returned to me. Yet again, the same fault has reoccurred. Please think VERY CAREFULLY before purchasing a Ricoh camera.....

   Kirsty at 01:30pm on Monday, April 21, 2008

10. I have found this camera really easy to use, and almost idiot proof, I have had the ricoh R5 since it came out and its as good now as then. The only problem was I didnt have drivers for it when I bought computer with vista so I bought a 15 in 1 card reader with usb lead and it does it all for me .

    lyn at 07:45pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2008

11. Our company bought 20 units of these camera and so far within 2 weeks, 4 units had its lens jammed open. Looks like a common problem. I personally wouldnt buy one!!!
    
    Ian Parale
    Surveyor.

    Ian Parale at 05:35am on Friday, May 02, 2008

12. Ian very sorry to hear your experience with the Ricoh, maybe I was just a lucky minority regards

    lyn at 10:23am on Friday, May 02, 2008

13. I have the same problem as above where the lens jams and the images are blurred. This is at the start of my holiday on the other side of the world three days out of the 12 month warranty - do I pay to get it fixed or bin it; think very very carefully before buying this camera.

    Rex Hawthorn at 02:17pm on Saturday, June 07, 2008

14. I bought an R6 twelve months ago. After around 6 months the lens jammed open. the first occasion it rectified itself, but then re-occured. Was repaired under warranty. The fault then occured a second time, this time the camera was replaced by a new R7. Last week the same problem of jamming occurred. Seems like this could be a design fault. Any readers of this blog with the same problem please contact me at
    Thanks

    David at 12:40pm on Saturday, August 30, 2008