Ricoh UK Press Release 20/08/04

Ricoh launches the Caplio R1 - a powerful 4.0 megapixel digital camera that offers a 28mm wide-angle 4.8x optical zoom lens in a 25mm super slim body

Ricoh is proud to announce the release of the Caplio R1, a powerful 4.0 megapixel digital camera featuring an innovative lens retracting system that allows an incredible 4.8x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle shooting capability to be stored in a 25mm super slim aluminium body. The 28mm wide-angle 4.8x optical zoom lens produces the finest quality images that compact digital cameras in this class can offer. The Caplio R1 features the world?s fastest shutter response* and Ricoh?s outstanding 1cm wide macro technology. The Caplio R1 incorporates all the latest high-end features of the digital camera to satisfy even the most discerning professional, whilst offering user-friendly functionality that is sure to capture the hearts of all photo enthusiasts. That these powerful features?and more! ?are encased in an elegantly sleek body as thin as 25mm and weighing a mere 150 grams is simply amazing in and of itself.

*  As of August 2004 for all auto focus digitalcamera

Main Features:

28mm wide-angle lens opens up boundless photo opportunities

The Caplio R1?s 28mm wide-angle lens is a truly versatile feature that adds to the fun and excitement of photography. It is ideal for capturing the beauty of expansive landscapes and fitting in a large number of people in a group photo without having to take the picture from a far distance. In limited spaces where the subject is apt to fill up most of the image sans background, the Caplio R1?s wide-angle lens provides the scope to include more background. With an incredible 75-degree angle of view, it can preserve a surprising amount of scenery (and people!) on a single image?far more than with just 62 degrees offered by conventional 35mm digital cameras. The applications and advantages of the 28mm wide-angle lens are boundless.

Innovative lens mechanism incorporates a 4.8x optical zoom lens in an ultra thin 25mm body.
Underlying Caplio R1?s stunning picture-taking abilities is its unique lens design incorporating a retracting system that allows a part of the lens group to slide out from the cone and become thin enough to store in the compact body. The development of this amazing mechanism was the key in achieving a powerful 4.8x wide-angle optical zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-135mm telephoto lens on a regular 35mm camera) in a body as thin as 25mm. Coupled with a 3.6x digital zoom lens for an outstanding 17.3 zoom, distant objects are brought ever closer to the camera, while a superior lens structure featuring eight lenses placed in eight groups effectively controls and balances wide-angle zooming operations to obtain clearer images than ever before. A superb 4.0 megapixel CCD and the ?smooth imaging engine,? Ricoh?s unique image processor, ensure sharp, rich colours and clean high-quality images even in large printed formats.

Super quick shutter response to seize the perfect moment!

Because picture-perfect moments are too precious to miss, Ricoh has relentlessly pursued the world?s fastest shutter response time. Incredibly, the Caplio R1 can start up and be ready to shoot in less than 0.8 seconds. Moreover, the release time is almost instantaneous?as short as 0.05 to 0.1 seconds calculated from the time the user presses the shutter button, and a miraculous 0.003 seconds or less from the time when focus lock is achieved?so the Caplio R1 is highly unlikely to miss those exquisite picture-perfect moments. A hybrid auto focusing system also ensures quality images of fast-moving objects. Furthermore, with a shooting interval of 0.9 seconds or less, continuous shooting is smooth and stress-free.

1cm ?wide? macro mode inspires creativity.

Be it the smallest detail of a flower petal or the intricate pattern of a butterfly?s wings, Ricoh?s impressive 1cm macro technology is designed to take close-up shots from a distance of just 1cm. Combined with the 28mm wide macro, the Caplio R1 can take macro shots that include more background or add more depth to an image. The AF target shift function conveniently allows the user to pan around the image and locate the desired focus point without moving the camera, and is especially handy when using a tripod. Additionally, in telemacro mode, a built-in flash highlights objects as close as 13cm while protecting against any unwanted whiteout effects to ensure sharp, clear macro shots. The Caplio R1 and a little creativity are all it takes to produce professional-looking macro images.

Three power source options guarantee constant power.

The Caplio R1 effectively puts an end to digital camera battery problems. No more missing precious photo opportunities while recharging batteries or when running out of batteries without a backup at hand. In addition to the long-life lithium ion rechargeable battery (optional) and the AC adapter (optional), the Caplio R1 features the unique ability to switch to widely available AA size alkaline batteries or nickel metal hydride batteries when the occasion demands it. The Caplio R1 can shoot as many as 500 images* between recharges when using the lithium ion rechargeable battery, and up to 200 images* when using AA alkaline batteries.

* Under normal usage conditions (50% flash and zoom usage, LCD on, 30 seconds between shots, reviews of all photos)

Price and Availability.

The Caplio R1 will be available in retail from September priced at ?199.99 including VAT

For further details on the Caplio R1 or any other products in the Ricoh range:

Ricoh UK ? EPMMC

Ruchita Kalia

Telephone: 0208 2614031

Fax: 0208 2614220

Email: [email protected]

Website:           www.ricohpmmc.com

CCD

4.19 million pixels (effective 4.06 million)

RESOLUTION

Still 2304x1728 1600x1200 1280x960 640x480

Text 2304x1728 1280x960

Motion 320x240, 160x120

RECORDING MEDIUM

Internal 12MB SD Memory card, Multi-Media card

FOCAL LENGTH

4.6 to 22.2mm (28-135mm equiv.)

SHOOTING RANGE

Approx. 0.3m-Infinity (Macro Approx. 0.01m-Infinity)

Telemacro Approx. 0.13m-Infinity

RECORDING MODE

Still Still+Sound Motion+Sound Voice Memo Continuous S-Continuous M-Continuous       Scene (Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Text, Night Scene, High-sensitivity)

PICTURE MODE

Fine Normal

SHUTTER

Still 8, 4, 2, 1 - 12000sec.

Motion 130 - 12000sec.

ISO SENSITIVITY

Auto, ISO64, ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800

MONITOR DISPLAY

1.8 TFT LCD

BUILT-IN FLASH

Auto On Slow Synchro Off Red-Eye Reduction

FOCUS

Auto Focus Manual Focus Fixed Focus (snapshot)

EXPOSURE MODE

Multi Light Metering (256 segments), Center-weighted, Spot

EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT

Manual Exposure Compensation (+- 2.0 EV in 13EV steps)

WHITE BALANCE

Auto Fixed (Outdoors, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, One Push)

INTERFACES

PC USB Video Out

BATTERY

AA-size Dry Alkaline batteries, Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (option)

WEIGHT

Approx. 150g (excluding battery, SD Memory Card, hand strap)

DIMENSIONS (WxHxD)

100.2mm x 55.0mm x 25.0mm (excluding projections)

Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Caplio R1 Standard Package Contents;
USB Cable, AV Cable, Software CD (Win/Mac), AA Alkaline batteries (2) and Instruction manual