Ricoh Caplio R6 Review

The Ricoh Caplio R6 is a 7 megapixel digital camera with a 7x zoom lens equivalent to 28-200mm on a 35mm camera, yet it’s only 23mm thick and weighs 135g. 6 months on from the previous R5 model, the Ricoh R6 adds face-detection and a larger LCD screen, whilst retaining the optical image stabilizer and 1cm macro mode of the R5. We criticised the R5 for improving in some areas, but going backwards in others, so does the new Ricoh R6 offer a better all-round package? Read our Ricoh R6 review to find out.

Website: Ricoh Caplio R6 Review

Published: Friday, May 18, 2007

Reader Comments

1. I was bought R6 on 3 weeks ago. And, now the camera is not working properly. Once I press half to focus an object, the camera "hang", LCD black-out and it can't be turned off and on. I thought it was battery died, but it wasn't. Therefore, I'll need to take out the battery and put it in again until it able to off/on.
   
   Actually, at first I bought R4. But when shoot at a specific angle, it will have a dark shadow at the Left-Top corner.
   And then, I was told to upgrade to R5 by the distributor. Then, the problem came from the LCD screen. When the camera charging (press half to focus or after shot photo with flash), it show shock wave on LCD screen, and it was getting worst and worst.
   
   That's why now I'm using R6. Unfortunately, Caplio R4, R5, and R6 gave me a lot of problems. I'm going to ask for refund from the distributor. Bad experience for Ricoh Caplio models.
   
   If you want to see the sample photo taken by R4, please reply me here. I will email to you once I see your comments.

   Haha R6 at 03:01pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2007

2. I was also puzzled by the small extension of the surrouding metal band on the right hand side of the camera. Extending the measurements of a compact camera for design reasons only? When trying different holding positions, I took the camera in both hands and rested my right middelfinger vertically against the metal edge. The camera then feels amazingly steady during operations. If this is Ricohs interpretation of functional design I can only applaud.

   Henk at 01:37pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2007

3. Excellent review. With reviews of this quality and depth I wonder why I bother with Photography magazines.

   David Bourne at 09:07am on Wednesday, August 08, 2007

4. Hi,
   
   I just bought the R6, specifically for its interval shooting feature whose output (a few thousand jpegs) will be used to make an mpeg movie. (I will hack it to use an external power cable).
   
   In general, it is a very good camera for the "compact" style. It's low light performance is a lot better than my Casio Exilim S600 (which itself is exceptional for its size) although in bright light I cannot detect any difference even on 100% pixel comparisons. It is about 2x faster on the shutter speed (at a given light level) than the Casio, which one would expect from its much bigger lens.
   
   It's only real drawback, a showstopper for some, is that the battery cannot be recharged unless it is removed from the camera and placed into the charger. This is a stupid drawback; a power connection would have been so easy.

   Peter Holt at 09:49am on Saturday, August 11, 2007

5. Your reviews are the most complete and totally objective reviews I have ever had the pleasure to read. Please keep going!
   
   I now look for your reviews first, and find I don't need to look further; I know all I need to about a prospective purchase.
   
   How can I support your work?

   Bill Patton at 01:51pm on Thursday, August 16, 2007

6. Hi Bill,
   
   Glad you enjoyed the review!
   
   You can support PhotographyBLOG by continuing to visit and spreading the word.
   
   Also, I'd like to quote your comment on our About page, if that's OK with you?

   Mark Goldstein at 10:29am on Friday, August 17, 2007