Ricoh Press Release 10/03/04

Ricoh Announces The European launch of the Caplio 400G Wide.  Capture a Wider Image With This High Performance, Water and Dust Resistant, Digital Camera

March 2004.
Following on from the success of the 300G last year, Ricoh are proud to announce the Caplio 400G Wide. This model has the same characteristic tough body of its predecessor, the Caplio 300G, and is the perfect choice for taking pictures in the rain, in sandy, or in dusty environments. The new wide 28-85mm zoom lens allows you to capture a wider image with sharp focus and not compromise on any detail - it’s wider, faster, better.

Ricoh has taken digital imaging a step forward with the introduction of its wide lens technology. Zoom lenses for digital cameras generally do not compare favourably with those for conventional 35mm cameras. The main reason for this is because digital camera lenses require more peripheral light. Ricoh was able to overcome this handicap through a unique arrangement of eight lens elements in three groups. The first group, the most important for realising a wider lens, comprises three lenses, one of which is a concave, Meniscus aspherical lens, made of low-dispersion glass with a high refractive index. With the Caplio G4 wide and now the Caplio 400G Wide, users no longer have to make any sacrifices in zoom performance for the convenience of a digital camera.

The Caplio 400G Wide is designed for durability and geared towards a wide range of outdoor applications. It affords users JIS* Protection grade 7-equivalent water resistance and JIS Protection grade-6 dust resistance, which make it possible to take pictures in sandy or dusty environments. It is even possible to wash the camera with water! The 400G Wide can even take pictures under water at a depth of 1m or less, for up to 30 minutes. The camera is lightweight, easy to handle and has padding protection on either side and around the lens to provide superb durability when being used outdoors.

With a blazing shutter response time of 0.14-second and a fast start up time of 1.8-second, the Caplio 400G Wide is ready to take pictures quickly to take advantage of every photo opportunity. One of the features of the Caplio range is the superb 1cm Macro facility that allows the photographer to capture even the smallest details ? with the Caplio 400G Wide, the photographer also has the advantage of the tele macro function, which provides the same magnification but allows the user to move the camera 4cm away in order to prevent the shadow of the camera from creeping into the shot.

Easy to use, the Caplio 400G Wide has a 3.24 megapixel and 3x wide zoom lens; combining the 3x optical zoom and 3.4x digital zoom to gives up to 10.2x zoom photography. The Caplio 400G Wide has all the features that a photographer needs to be able to take exact quality images in any environment.

Main Features:

1. Designed To Stand Up To Outdoor Use.
Water- and dust-resistant, durable, portable, and easy to operate
- Use of a reinforced glass dust protector in front of the lens, and rubber packing on opening parts and buttons provides JIS protection grade 7-equivalent water resistance and JIS protection grade-6 dust resistance. The camera can be washed with water and used in the rain, and is capable of photography in highly dusty or sandy environments.
- Protection on each side and in key locations provides superb durability.
- The camera uses a sturdy, two-piece strap for hanging the compact, lightweight body around your neck when walking.
- The large shutter button and switches make the camera easy to use even when wearing gloves.

2. Groundbreaking Wide Zoom Lens.
- The Caplio 400G Wide 3x zoom lens ranges from 28mm to 85mm (equivalent on a 35mm camera). A unique lens arrangement and use of highly refractive low-dispersion, aspherical lenses, allows it to perform at the level of conventional 35mm film cameras, a significant step in the evolution of the digital camera.
- Combine the 3x optical zoom and 3.4x digital zoom to enable up to 10.2x zoom photography.

3. Never Miss That Perfect Shot.
- Superb response: just 0.14 seconds between the time the shutter release is pressed until exposure begins.
- High-speed processing: Start-up takes approximately 1.8 seconds.

4. Long Operating Time.
Long battery life and choice of power sources keep low batteries from stealing photo opportunities
- Long battery life: Use the optional high-capacity lithium ion battery to take up to 3,500 continuous shots. Reduce the hassle of changing batteries in adverse weather conditions .
- No more worries about running out of batteries at a bad time: the camera also supports readily- available AA batteries (alkaline, nickel, and NiMH). Get the most out of outdoor use.
- An optional AC adapter is also available for indoor use.

5. Six Distinct Scene Modes.
- Portrait, sports, landscape, night scene, text and high-sensitivity. All these modes help to optimise results in varied shooting situations.

6.  1cm Macro; 4cm Tele Macro.
- The Caplio 400G Wide takes macros as close as 1cm from a subject, allowing the photographer to capture every small detail.
- The photographer may also take advantage of the tele macro function, which provides the same magnification but allows the user to move the camera 4cm away in order to prevent the shadow of the camera from creeping into the shot.

7. Fast and Easy Transfer To PC.
- The imaging software provided makes instant image transfers from the Caplio G4wide to USB-equipped personal computers fast and easy.

The Caplio 400G kit includes:
USB cable, AV cable, Software CD (Win, Mac), AA Alkaline batteries (2), Neck strap, LCD hood, Instruction manual, Warranty card.

Caplio 400G Wide Optional Accessories List:

Product name / Model
Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery / DB-43
Battery Charger / BJ-2
Soft case / SC-40
SD Memory Card / FS-32SD
AC Adapter / AC-4a