The Ricoh CX1 is a new compact camera with a 9.29 megapixel CMOS sensor. Offering a dynamic range of 12 EV, the Ricoh CX1 also offers a Dynamic Range Double Shot mode that shoots two images with different exposures, and then combines the properly exposed portions of each image, giving an almost naked-eye impression. High-speed continuous shooting at 4 frames/sec at full image resolution is available, and the CX1 can even shoot at 120 frames/sec (640x480 pixel images). A 3 inch, 920k dot LCD screen and 7.1x, 28-200mm lens complete the headline features. The Ricoh CX1 will be available for £299 from 13th March in the UK.

Ricoh Press Release

19th February 2009

Ricoh announces the CXI

New Smooth Imaging Engine IV?CMOS sensor

Tokyo, Japan, February 19, 2009—Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the release of the CX1. The CX1 features the highly evolved image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine IV together with a CMOS sensor that enables high-speed image processing. For maximum enhancement of image beauty, the CX1 has the imaging power to brilliantly isolate one instant in time, and for high-sensitivity shooting it achieves sharp resolution and noise reduction without compromising colour reproduction. The CX1’s expanded dynamic range of 12 EV equivalent makes it possible to capture high-contrast scenes in a way not possible with earlier models.

With the new image processing engine Smooth Imagine Engine IV and a new high-speed image processing CMOS sensor installed, the CX1 achieves greater image quality while at the same time expanding dynamic range with its Dynamic Range Double Shot Mode that shoots two still images with different exposures, and then records an image that combines the properly exposed portions of each image. With the new enhanced continuous shooting function, the CX1 shoots at 120 images (120 frames/sec.)

In addition, functions such as Multi-Pattern Auto White Balance (sets white balance based on the light sources of segregated areas of the image) and Multi-Target AF (shoots consecutive images at seven focal distances automatically defined by the camera) enable the new CX1 to create beautiful images giving an almost naked-eye impression.

This is a digital camera that takes the design concept “A tool you will want to use every day” to a new level of perfection.

New Features
1. Enhanced high-speed continuous shooting functions - Don’t miss the decisive moment.
o Smooth continuous shooting*. High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 4 frames/sec
*Continuous shooting speed will vary depending on shooting conditions, card type, card condition, etc.
o Continuous shooting at overwhelming speed. 120 frame/sec. Ultra-high-speed continuous shooting. With ultra-high-speed continuous shooting, the CX1 shoots 120 images (120 frames/sec.) during an interval of about one second after the shutter release button is pushed, or 120 images (60 frames/sec.) during an interval of about two seconds.
*Image size is fixed at N640 (VGA).
*The consecutively shot images are recorded as a single MP file (a file format with multiple still images in a single file).
o Don’t miss your target. M continuous shooting plus. The M-continuous plus shooting function does continuous shooting that saves the 30 images (30 frames/sec.) taken during the one second or so before the finger is removed from the shutter release button or the 30 images (15 frames/sec.) taken during the two seconds before. By taking your finger from the shutter release just after the decisive moment has passed, you can be sure that you have caught the exact image.
*Image size is fixed at N1728 (2M).
*The consecutively shot images are recorded as a single MP file (a file format with multiple still images in a single file).

2. Dynamic Range Double Shot Mode - Decisive reduction of overexposure/underexposure.
It can be difficult to photograph scenes in which the level of brightness varies greatly. With dynamic range double shot mode, the CX1 shoots, consecutively at high speed, two still images with different exposures, and then it records an image that combines the properly exposed portions of each. Expanding the dynamic range up to a maximum equivalent to 12 EV makes it possible to record images that give an almost naked-eye impression. You can select the expansion effect from 4 types, Very Weak, Weak, Medium and Strong on the menu.

3. Multi-Pattern Auto White Balance - A dramatic transformation for people photography.
For scenes with both sunlight and shadow and scenes mixing flash and natural light (or fluorescent light, etc.) during flash photography, this function can define white balance to fit the light source of each segregated area of the image. This new capability is very powerful for people photography in scenes which could not be adequately handled by past auto white balance functions, which used an average setting for the entire image.
The new image processing engine (SIE IV? has a specialized circuit that analyzes the image broken down into 32x27 areas. The white balance correction factor is defined for the light source of each area. This makes it possible to do white balancing correction for multiple light sources.

4. Multi-Target Auto Focus - Shoot seven images with different focal distances.
Multi-target AF does high-speed consecutive shooting of seven images with different focal distances determined by the camera. It is effective for scenes (such as flowers) where there is a narrow range for a sharp focus. The camera automatically decides the seven focus points and does the high-speed consecutive shooting of seven images while shifting the focus to each point. After shooting, you can select the image with the preferred focus.

5. Smooth Imaging Engine IV?CMOS sensor - superb image quality.
The CX1 features the highly evolved image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine IV together with a CMOS sensor that enables high-speed image processing. For maximum enhancement of image beauty, the CX1 has the imaging power to brilliantly isolate one instant in time, and for high-sensitivity shooting it achieves sharp resolution and noise reduction without compromising colour reproduction.

6. Pixel output interpolation algorithm
The addition of a customized circuit to the image processing engine has made it possible to include a pixel output interpolation algorithm that minimizes whiteout in high-contrast situations, thereby enabling you to faithfully capture the excitement seen by your eyes. With techniques that use R (red) and B (blue) information to interpolate G (green) information (which is prone to saturation), the CX1 expands dynamic range by up to +1 EV over previous method.

Price and Availability
The CX1 will be available at SRP £299.inc VAT from 13th March – pre-orders will be taken prior to this date. For further sales information, please contact Ricoh on 0208 261 4031

Ricoh CX1 – Major Speci?cations
No. of Effective Pixels (Camera):
Approximately 9.29 million pixels
Image Sensor:
1/2.3-inch CMOS (total pixels: approx. 10.29 million pixels)
Lens:
Focal length: f=4.95-35.4 mm (equivalent to 28-200 mm for 35 mm ?lm cameras. With Step Zoom set, option of seven ?xed lengths: 28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm, 135 mm, and 200 mm)
F-aperture: F3.3 (Wide) - F5.2 (Telephoto)
Shooting Distance: Normal shooting: Approx. 30 cm - in?nity (Wide), approx. 1.0 m - in?nity (Tele-
photo) (from the front of the lens)
Macro: Approx. 1 cm - in?nity (Wide), approx. 25 cm - in?nity (Telephoto), approx. 1 cm - in?nity (Zoom Macro) (from the front of the lens)
Lens Construction: 10 elements in 7 groups (aspheric lens: 4 elements and 5 surfaces)
Zoom Magni?cation:
Optical: 7.1x zoom (equivalent to 28-200 mm focal length for 35 mm cameras)
Digital: 4.8x up to 34.1x (equivalent to 960 mm) when used with optical zoom
Auto Resize: 5.4x*1 up to 38.6x*1 (equivalent to 1080 mm) when used with optical zoom
Focus Mode:
Multi AF (contrast AF method) / Spot AF (contrast AF method) / Multi-Target AF / Manual Focus / Fixed Focus (Snap) / In?nity (AF auxiliary light)
Motion Blur Reduction:
Image sensor shift method image stabilizer
Shutter Speed:*2
Still image: 8, 4, 2, 1 - 1/2000 sec. / Movie: 1/30 - 1/2000 sec.
Continuous Shooting:
Continuous shooting speed*3: approx. 4 frames/sec. (F3456, F3:2, F1:1 shooting time; shooting speed after 60 pictures is approx. 3 frames/sec.)
Continuous shooting capacity: 999 pictures
Exposure Control:
Exposure Metering Mode: Multi (256 segments), Centre Weighted Light Metering, Spot Metering Exposure Mode: Program AE
Exposure Compensation: Manual Exposure Compensation +/-2.0EV (1/3EV Steps), Auto Bracket Function (-0.5EV, ±0, +0.5EV)
ISO Sensitivity (Standard Output Sensitivity):
AUTO, AUTO-HI, ISO80 / ISO100 / ISO200 / ISO400 / ISO800 / ISO1600
White Balance Mode:
AUTO / Multi-Pattern AUTO / Outdoors / Cloudy / Incandescent / Incandescent 2 / Fluorescent / Manual, White Balance Bracket Function
Flash:
Built-in ?ash mode: Auto (during low light and when the subject is backlit), Red-eye-Reduction, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Built-in ?ash range: Approx. 20 cm - 3.0 m (Wide), approx. 25 cm - 2.0 m (Telephoto) (ISO Auto/ISO 400, from the front of the lens)
Flash compensation: +/-2.0EV (1/3EV Steps)
Monitor:
3.0-inch Transparent LCD (approx. 920,000 dots)
Shooting Mode:
Auto Shooting Mode / Easy Shooting Mode / Dynamic Range Double Shot Mode / Continuous Shooting Modes (Continuous, M-Continuous Plus, Ultra-High-Speed Continuous) / Scene Modes (Portrait / Face / Sports / Night Portrait / Landscape / Nightscape / High Sensitivity / Zoom Macro / Skew Correction / Text) / My Setting Mode / Movie Mode
Picture Quality Mode:*4
F (Fine) / N (Normal)
No. of Pixels Recorded:
Still image/multi-picture: [4:3] 3456x2592, 3072x2304, 2592x1944, 2048x1536, 1728x1296 (M-Cont Plus), 1280x960, 640x480 / [3:2] 3456x2304 / [1:1] 2592x2592
Movie: 640x480, 320x240
Text: 3456x2592, 2048x1536
Recording Media:
SD memory card (32, 64, 128, 256, 512 MB, 1GB, 2GB), SDHC memory card (4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB), Internal memory (approx. 88MB)
Storage Capacity (Pictures/ Time):*5 (internal memory 88MB)
Still image/multi-picture: 3456x2592 (F: 24, N: 43) / 3456x2304 (F: 28) / 2592x2592 (F: 33) / 3072x2304 (N: 53) / 2592x1944 (N: 73) / 2048x1536 (N: 109) / 1728x1296 (N: 143)(M-Cont Plus) / 1280x960 (N: 181) / 640x480 (N: 705)
Movie*6: 640x480: 15 frames/sec. (1 min. 42 sec.), 320x240: 15 frames/sec. (4 min. 19 sec.) / 640x480: 30 frames/sec. (51 sec.), 320×240: 30 frames/sec. (2 min. 12 sec.)
Recording File Format:
Still Image: JPEG (Exif ver. 2.21)*7
Multi-picture: CIPA DC-X007-2009 Multi-Picture Format draft compliant
Movie: AVI (Open DML Motion JPEG Format compliant)
Compression method: JPEG Baseline method compliant
Other Major Shooting Functions:
Continuous, Self-Timer (operation time: approx. 10 sec. / approx. 2 sec. / custom self-timer), Interval Timer (Shooting interval: 5 sec. - 1 hour (5 sec. steps)*8, Colour Bracket function, Focus Bracket function, Fix Min. Aperture, AE/AF Target Shift, Histogram, Grid Guide, Electronic Level
Other Major Playback Functions:
Grid View, Enlarged Display (maximum 16x), Resize, Level Compensation, White Balance Compensation, Trim, Flag, Slideshow, DPOF Setting
Interface:
USB 2.0 (High-Speed USB) Mini-B, Mass storage compatible*9 / AV Out 1.0Vp-p (75?)
Video Signal Format:
NTSC, PAL switchable
Power Supply:
Rechargeable Battery: DB-70 x1, AC adapter (AC-4g optional)
Battery Consumption:*10
Based on CIPA Standard: Using the DB-70, approx. 270 pictures (when LCD Dim is on)*11
External Dimensions:
101.5 mm (W) x 58.3 mm (H) x 27.9 mm (D) (excluding projecting parts)
Weight:
Approx. 180 g (excluding battery, SD memory card, strap), Accessories approx. 23 g (battery, strap)
Operating Temperature Range:
0ºC-40ºC

*1. VGA image size
*2. Shutter speed upper and lower limits vary depending on Shooting Mode and Flash Mode.
*3. Values measured under Ricoh measurement conditions using a Panasonic PRO HIGH SPEED 8GB SDHC memory card. The continuous shooting speed and number of pictures will vary depending on the shooting conditions, the type of recording media used, the condition of the recording media, etc.
*4. The picture quality modes which can be set vary depending on the image size.
*5. Estimated number of still images it is possible to record and estimated amount of movie recording time.
*6. The maximum length for one instance of movie recording is 90 minutes or the ?le size upper limit of 4GB.
*7. Compatible with DCF and DPOF. DCF is the abbreviation of the JEITA standard “Design rule for Camera File system.” (Full compatibility with other devices is not guaranteed.)
*8. With ?ash off
*9. Mass storage driver is compatible with Windows Me, 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS9.0-9.2.2, and Mac OSX10.1.2-10.5.5.
*10. Shooting capacity was measured using CIPA-standard parameters. This is only an estimate, and performance may vary according to usage conditions.
*11. When LCD Auto Dim is off: approx. 250 pictures

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