Ricoh Caplio R1

Review Date: November 15th 2004

Page 1
Introduction / Price
Page 2
Features
Page 3
Specifications
Page 4
Design
Page 5
Ease of Use
Page 6
Image Quality
Page 7
Sample Images
Page 8
Conclusion / Links

Features


The Ricoh Caplio R1 has a 4.19 megapixel, 1/1.8 inch CCD that delivers 4.0 megapixels. There are 4 image sizes available (2304 x 1728, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480) and 3 compressions settings (Fine, Normal) which are recorded as JPEGs or uncompressed TIFFs. There is no RAW format. The camera features a 4.8x optical zoom lens that is equivalent to a 28–135mm lens on a 35mm format camera. There is also a 3.6x digital zoom should you feel the need to use it. The camera uses Secure Digital (SD) or Multi Media memory cards.

There are no selectable exposure modes, such as auto, aperture-priority and shutter-speed priority, on this camera. Instead there are 6 scene modes ((Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Night Scene, Text, High-Sensitivity) and a fully auto mode. The Ricoh Caplio R1 has 3 exposure metering modes (Multi (256 segments), Center Weight, Spot) and there are 4 different types of focusing available (Autofocus, Manual Focus, Fixed Focus (Snap), Infinity). In Macro mode the camera can focus as close as 1cm from the subject.

The aperture range starts at f3.3 in wide-angle and f/4.8 in telephoto, and the shutter speed range is 8 sec. – 1/2000 sec. There are 5 ISO speeds ranging from 64 to 800. There are 5 different White Balance settings to choose from (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light, One Push), plus a Full Auto setting. The camera offers exposure compensation from +2.0–2.0 EV in ± 3 in 1/3 EV stops and exposure autobracketing is available in 0.5 EV stops. The Ricoh Caplio R1 has a 1.8 inch colour translucent amorphous silicon TFT LCD monitor which has 110,000 pixels. There is also a traditional optical viewfinder (with no adopter control).

The Ricoh Caplio R1 has a normal shooting mode (single-shot) and 3 continuous modes (Continuous, S-Continuous, M-Continuous). There are also 2 different self-timer modes (Self-timer - 2 sec, Self-timer - 10 sec.). The camera also has an interval timer that allows shooting intervals from 30sec.-3hours in 30 second steps. The built-in flash offers a range of different modes; Auto, Red-eye Reduction, On, Slow Synchro, Off). Working distance is pprox. 0.2-2.7m (Wide angle setting), 0.13-2.1m (Telephoto setting).

There are 2 different movie settings available on the Ricoh Caplio R1 (320 x 240, 160 x 120), both with simultaneous audio. These are recorded in the Motion JPEG format, a type of AVI format that can handle images and sound as a single file, and can be played back by QuickTime 3 or later. The Ricoh Caplio R1 can also be used as a multipurpose voice recorder.

The camera's dimensions are 100.2mm (W) x 55mm (H) x 25mm (D), and it weighs 150g without batteries and storage cards fitted. The camera is powered by either an optional proprietary Lithium-ion battery, an optional AC adpater or 2 AA alkaline/niMH batteries. PC Interface is USB1.1 and there are Audio Out and Video Out ports.

As usual Ricoh aren't exactly generous with their camera kits. The Caplio R1 kit that I reviewed contained very little in the way of accessories. In addition to the camera, there is a USB cable for downloading photos to your PC/MAC, a CD containing the Caplio R1 software, a Video cable, 2 Alkaline batteries and a User Guide. There is no memory card supplied, which is pretty annoying as you can only fit 6 images on the camera's 12Mb built-in memory at the highest quality setting. You will definitely need to invest in a few more SD Cards to store your images on.

Page 1
Introduction / Price
Page 2
Features
Page 3
Specifications
Page 4
Design
Page 5
Ease of Use
Page 6
Image Quality
Page 7
Sample Images
Page 8
Conclusion / Links

DIWAPhotographyBLOG is a member of the DIWA organisation. Our test results for the Ricoh Caplio R1 have been submitted to DIWA for comparison with test results for different samples of the same camera model supplied by other DIWA member sites.