RICOH CAPLIO R8

published : Tuesday, February 19, 2008 | model : RICOH Caplio R8

Theme : Digital Photography | Compact digital camera

Slim 7.1x Optical Wide-Angle Zoom Digital Camera with 10 Megapixel CCD and Enhanced Photography Functions. Ricoh has developed and introduced the new R8 compact digital camera featuring a 7.1x optical wide-angle zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm focal length) and a new high-resolution 10 megapixel CCD.

Ricoh R8 Digital Camera

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319.95 $

The new R8 is the successor model to the Caplio R7 (launched September 14, 2007), which also had a slim body and 7.1x optical wide-angle zoom lens (28-200 mm in 35 mm focal length). By combining a new 10 megapixel CCD with the earlier model's popular Smooth Imaging Engine III image processing engine, the R8 updates its technology.

The R8 also offers various other enhanced capabilities for fun and easy photography, such as a large 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel HVGA LCD and the same 1:1 aspect square format photography function that has proven extremely popular on Ricoh's Caplio GX100 (launched April 2007) and GR DIGITAL II (launched November 2007) models.

In addition to the specification improvements, the R8 has also undergone a complete redesign. This new model combines ease of use and technical specification in a body that is contemporary and stylish and has been designed based on a concept "A tool you want to use every day." In creating the R8 as a tool for taking photographs, great care has been given not only to styling and coloring but also to its operability, portability, comfort in hand, and its solid, high-quality feel.

The new 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel high-resolution LCD has a wide viewing angle and high contrast for distinct, easy viewing even outdoors. When thumbnail images are displayed, even the small 1/20 size images are clearly reproduced. Ricoh's original double retracting lens system has made it possible to equip the R8 with a 7.1x wide-angle zoom lens in a compact body with both operability and portability. Measuring only 22.6 mm at the thinnest point, the slim body features a 7.1x wide-angle zoom lens with a 28–200 mm range.

Square format photography

The R8 has a shooting function for an image size aspect ratio of 1:1. This square format photography has proved very popular on Ricoh's Caplio GX100 (launched April 2007) and GR DIGITALII (launched November 22, 2007) models. The resulting composition has quite a different feel from the standard rectangular vertical or horizontal format. This format can also be quite convenient for blog photographs.

Expanded functionality for the ADJ. (Adjust) button

Already given enhanced usability in the Caplio R7 (launched September 2007), the ADJ. (Adjust) button has further evolved in the R8. Integrating the ADJ. (Adjust) button functions with those previously controlled by the cross-key has made menu operations even faster and simpler.

Vibration correction functions, face recognition mode, and macro functions are provided. The R8 contains Ricoh's original CCD-shift vibration correction function which compensates for camera shake when it is detected. This reduces the blurring that tends to occur in situations such as telephoto and macro photography. Face recognition mode automatically identifies faces in a scene and optimizes focus, exposure, and white balance for the faces. Ricoh's macro functions are included, enabling shooting of objects as close as 1 cm with wide macro and as close as 25 cm with telemacro.