Ricoh has announced the Pentax XG-1, a 16-megapixel bridge camera with 52x optical zoom, 9fps continuous shooting and Full HD movies. Able to cover ultra-wide-angle (24mm equivalent) to super-telephoto (1.248mm eq.) ranges, the Pentax XG-1 has a 1cm Macro mode and an Auto Tracking AF function to keep your moving subject in focus. The camera also offers ten shooting modes including the hands-off Auto Picture, Scene (11 options), Program, Face Beautifier and Movie. There’s even a pet detection mode for automatic recognition of up 10 pet faces. The XG-1 is compatible with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards so you can share your images and videos straight to your phone or tablet. Available from the middle of August, the Pentax XG-1 carries a suggested retail price of £279.99.

Ricoh Press Release

Introducing the PENTAX XG-1: Bridge the gap with the latest digital camera

• 16MP CMOS sensor
• 52-times optical zoom lens with 24-mm ultra-wide-angle coverage to shoot a range of subjects
• Back-illuminated CMOS image sensor;  top sensitivity of ISO 3200
• High-speed continuous shooting; up to 9 frames per second
• Reliable shake- reduction system for sharp, blur-free images
• Full HD-standard movie recording

The PENTAX XG-1 is a versatile, all-purpose bridge camera; perfect for beginners who are looking for a step up from a compact camera.  The camera allows you to effortlessly capture a variety of images from friends and family to more specialist subjects including nature, pets, beautiful scenery and fast-action sports.

The XG-1 is deal if you’re looking for a camera to capture those all important moments when you’re out and about.  This lightweight, compact camera has an easy-to-carry body with a design resembling PENTAX SLR cameras.  It offers a host of outstanding basic features, including a powerful 52-times optical zoom lens, approximately 16.0 effective megapixels for high-resolution images, and a large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor.

For those who are less keen on carrying a bag of lenses ‘just in case’ this camera offers it all.  Able to cover ultra-wide-angle (24mm) to super-telephoto (1.248mm) ranges, this all-in-one model performs superbly whatever the subject.  If close up macro shots are more your thing, then you’ll love the 1cm Macro mode, which allows you to capture dramatic, eye-catching close-up images from a distance of just one centimetre. That’s perfect for capturing the detail of your favourite wildlife and flowers.

This digital bridge camera certainly packs a punch when it comes to high-speed continuous shooting, making sure you never miss a moment – even if it’s a moving subject.  The PENTAX XG-1 offers standard continuous shooting mode with a maximum speed of 9 images per second.  But if you prefer life in the fast lane this camera also offers a super-high-speed continuous shooting mode with a maximum speed of approximately 60 images per second* and a high-speed continuous shooting mode with a maximum speed of approximately 30 images per second**.  Coupled with Auto Tracking AF function, it will keep your moving subject in focus, whether that’s a bird or a dirtbike – producing dramatic, perhaps even once-in-a-lifetime shots!  Add to this the XG-1’s shake reduction system and you’ll be guaranteed a full set of sharply focused, blur-free pictures.

* In the super-high-speed continuous shooting mode, the image size is fixed at VGA format (640 X 480 pixels).

** In the high-speed continuous shooting mode, the image size is fixed at 4M (2304 X 1728 pixels).

And if a picture still doesn’t capture the full essence of your subject, switch your XG-1 into HD-standard movie recording, select your preferred choice of one of eight digital filters (including black & white and sepia), and sit back.  You can playback your movies on the camera, or connect a micro-HDMI lead to watch on the big screen at home and share your adventures with friends and family.

If that wasn’t enough, the XG-1 also offers ten shooting modes including the hands-off Auto Picture, Scene (11 options), Program, Face Beautifier and Movie.  Select digital filters such as black & white and fish-eye to extend the creativity of your shots.  There’s even pet detection mode for automatic recognition of up 10 pet faces . The XG-1 is with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards so you can share your images and videos straight to your phone or tablet, and post them online before you get home.

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