Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Ricoh Announce Pentax XG-1 Bridge Camera

Ricoh has announced a new Pentax bridge camera with 52x optical zoom and Full HD recording capabilities.

Posted: 15/07/2014 - 09:41

Pentax XG-1

Ricoh Imaging UK has announced a new 16 megapixel bridge camera - the Pentax XG-1. 

The XG-1 features a 52x optical zoom lens, a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor that's back illuminated with a top sensitivity of ISO3200 and a 24mm ultra-wide angle coverage lens. 

The camera features high-speed continuous shooting at up to 9 frames per second, as well as a reliable shake reduction system for sharp, blur-free images. The XG-1 is also capable of Full HD standard movie recording. 

The Pentax XG-1 is set to be available from mid August 2014 at £249.99. For more information, take a look at the Ricoh website

XG-1 back

From Ricoh:

The PENTAX XG-1 is a versatile, all-purpose bridge camera; perfect for beginners who are looking for a step up from a compact camera.  The camera allows you to effortlessly capture a variety of images from friends and family to more specialist subjects including nature, pets, beautiful scenery and fast-action sports.

The XG-1 is deal if you’re looking for a camera to capture those all important moments when you’re out and about.  This lightweight, compact camera has an easy-to-carry body with a design resembling PENTAX SLR cameras.  It offers a host of outstanding basic features, including a powerful 52-times optical zoom lens, approximately 16.0 effective megapixels for high-resolution images, and a large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor.

For those who are less keen on carrying a bag of lenses ‘just in case’ this camera offers it all.  Able to cover ultra-wide-angle (24mm) to super-telephoto (1.248mm) ranges, this all-in-one model performs superbly whatever the subject.  If close up macro shots are more your thing, then you’ll love the 1cm Macro mode, which allows you to capture dramatic, eye-catching close-up images from a distance of just one centimetre. That’s perfect for capturing the detail of your favourite wildlife and flowers.

XG-1 top

This digital bridge camera certainly packs a punch when it comes to high-speed continuous shooting, making sure you never miss a moment – even if it’s a moving subject.  The PENTAX XG-1 offers standard continuous shooting mode with a maximum speed of 9 images per second.  But if you prefer life in the fast lane this camera also offers a super-high-speed continuous shooting mode with a maximum speed of approximately 60 images per second* and a high-speed continuous shooting mode with a maximum speed of approximately 30 images per second**.  Coupled with Auto Tracking AF function, it will keep your moving subject in focus, whether that’s a bird or a dirtbike – producing dramatic, perhaps even once-in-a-lifetime shots!  Add to this the XG-1’s shake reduction system and you’ll be guaranteed a full set of sharply focused, blur-free pictures.

* In the super-high-speed continuous shooting mode, the image size is fixed at VGA format (640 X 480 pixels).

** In the high-speed continuous shooting mode, the image size is fixed at 4M (2304 X 1728 pixels).

And if a picture still doesn’t capture the full essence of your subject, switch your XG-1 into HD-standard movie recording, select your preferred choice of one of eight digital filters (including black & white and sepia), and sit back.  You can playback your movies on the camera, or connect a micro-HDMI lead to watch on the big screen at home and share your adventures with friends and family.

If that wasn’t enough, the XG-1 also offers ten shooting modes including the hands-off Auto Picture, Scene (11 options), Program, Face Beautifier and Movie.  Select digital filters such as black & white and fish-eye to extend the creativity of your shots.  There’s even pet detection mode for automatic recognition of up 10 pet faces . The XG-1 is with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards so you can share your images and videos straight to your phone or tablet, and post them online before you get home.

Russ
Posted 16/07/2014 - 16:03 Link
Not sure how well that will be recieved. It seems a few steps behind what makes a good Bridge camera these days. With other manufacturers (Sony, Panasonic and Fuji) moving away from mega zooms and tiny sensors. Now concentrating on adding a larger sensor combined with decent quality optics but with not so much at the long end of the zoom. The XG-1 looks to be an old school bridge in the mould of the old ten a penny Fuji bridge cameras.
Its also missing a flip screen, a must for all bridge cameras.
Posted 16/07/2014 - 20:57 Link
+1 and weathersealing. Regards
philstaff
Posted 18/07/2014 - 12:42 Link
ultra-wide-angle (24mm) realy.
smc
Posted 20/07/2014 - 20:00 Link
Isn't 223mm at the long end one of the largest zoom ranges on this type of cam? Nonetheless, not really of interest to me.

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.