Ricoh G600 : tough !

published : Wednesday, April 23, 2008 | model : RICOH Caplio G600

Theme : Digital Photography | Compact digital camera

The new Ricoh G600 is a water and dust-resistant, wide-angle, 5x zoom digital camera featuring enhanced shock resistance for outdoor use.

Ricoh G600 : a 500G Wide heritage

Ricoh has launched the G600, a new water and dust-resistant digital camera which will now be available along with the popular Caplio 500G Wide (launched in May 2006). The G600 is smaller and lighter yet it still passes Ricoh's shock resistance test for a 1.5 m fall, a test that conforms to US Department of Defense standards. In addition to the 5x optical wide-angle zoom lens (equivalent to 28-140 mm for a 35 mm camera), the G600 continues to provide the same strong set of features as previous models, such as a 1 cm macro function and a flash range of 10 m. It is perfect for customers who want to take pictures in a variety of outdoor activities, such as marine sports, mountain climbing, and fishing.

Ricoh G600 water and dust resistance

Superior water and dust resistance plus even greater shock resistance make the G600 ideal for hard outdoor use. A shock resistant structure and stronger camera cone create a robust body able to withstand falls from 1.5 m onto 26 surfaces, in compliance with US Department of Defense "MIL Standard 810F" (previous models withstood 1.0 m). The G600 is able to cope with rough handling outdoors. Besides taking pictures in the rain, it can also take pictures underwater at depths of up to about 1 m. Dust resistance satisfies JIS protection grade 6. Pictures can be taken in environments, such as the seashore, where there are high concentrations of sand or dust.

2.7-inch picture display

A large, high-definition 2.7-inch picture display is included. This enables accurate photography by making the picture display easier to see outdoors. A light sensor has been installed so that picture display brightness can be automatically adjusted based on ambient light level.

Dimensions and weight of Ricoh G600

Body size of 116.5 mm (W) × 68.0 mm (H) × 32.0 mm (D). Light weight of 260 g (Previous model dimensions 133.05 mm (W) × 78.5 mm (H) × 74.0 mm (D); weight approx. 400 g. The design uses a non-protruding inner-zoom lens so that the lens does not extend out from the body regardless of whether the power is on or off. A neck strap attachment to the camera body means that as well as horizontal suspension, vertical suspension is now possible, making it easy to store the camera in a shirt or jacket breast pocket while the strap is still around your neck.

The 5x lens of the G600

A 28-140 mm wide-zoom lens on a water and dust-resistant digital camera : well done ! The wide-zoom lens, equivalent to 28-140 mm, has been popular on other models. It can cover the whole of a large building and frame group pictures well in confined areas, and the 5x optical zoom can reach subjects it is not possible to shoot from close by. For even wider shots, there is an optional wide conversion lens equivalent to 22 mm. Size 37 mm filters can also be attached.

Lithium AAA Batteries

The large-capacity lithium ion battery provided with the camera gives long battery life for approximately 360 shots (CIPA standard). If the battery runs out, readily available AAA size batteries can be used instead. An optional AC adapter can be used indoors, so three different power sources are available.

Simple USB connection

When the camera is connected to a personal computer via a USB cable, it is recognized as an external storage device, so images in the camera can be transferred to the computer without using special software. Full, automatic transfer is also available with the special software.