Ricoh has announced the launch of the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS rugged waterproof cameras.
Posted: 06/02/2014 - 10:18
Ricoh has announced two new top-of-the-range digital compact cameras that are capable of shooting underwater to a depth of 14 meters.
The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS feature a rugged design and are shock proof to two meters. They feature a 16 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, with a top image sensitivity of ISO 6400.
Both cameras have 29 shooting modes, and incorporate a 4x zoom (25-100mm 35mm equivalent). They also feature six macro lights positioned around their lens barrel, allowing them to provide brighter illumination for close up subjects.
Both cameras will be available from mid March 2014. The WG4 will be available in silver and yellow for £279.99, and the WG4 GPS will be available in black and blue for £329.99.
From Ricoh:
RICOH IMAGING UK, LTD. is pleased to announce the launch of the RICOH WG-4 and RICOH WG-4 GPS digital compact cameras. Developed as the latest, top-of-the-range models in the renewed WG-series lineup, these models incorporate exceptional waterproof and shock-resistant performance with high-quality shooting both outdoors and in the water.
The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS offer outstanding waterproof performance — down to 14 metres —and shock resistance against drops from up to two metres. While inheriting the easy-to-hold, non-slip design of the previous models, they provide a choice of new body colours which stand out in the outdoors. They also incorporate state-of-the-art features including a large-aperture, four-times optical zoom lens (with a maximum aperture of F2.0 at the wide-angle end) and a high-sensitivity, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor to deliver high-quality, low-noise images — even in the water, at night and at indoor sporting events where the subject is poorly illuminated. Other significant improvements have been made to upgrade the camera’s operation and performance, including faster AF operation in macro shooting, improved image quality in underwater shooting, and the addition of the USER mode for instant recall of the user’s favourite settings. An array of optional accessories are also available to accommodate active outdoor photography including an adhesive mount and a handlebar mount to securely fix the camera for hands-free shooting, allowing the photographer to take advantage of movie recording features including a dual shake reduction system and Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels).
The RICOH WG-4 GPS model also boasts an advanced GPS unit to record position data and travel log data for captured images. It also provides GPS-related functions including a pressure/altitude/depth gauge and a digital compass to further facilitate outdoor shooting.
Major Features
Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting to 14 metres, for up to two (continuous) hours
Thanks to their fully watertight construction, the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS assure outstanding waterproof performance to a depth of 14 metres, for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8). They are also designed to be shock-resistant against falls from a height of two metres, dustproof (equivalent to IPX6 or JIS Class 6), cold-resistant against temperatures to –10°C, and crushproof against weights up to 100kgf (kilogram force).** All of these features combine to make these new models truly dependable, heavy-duty digital imaging partners in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.
Exceptional image definition, thanks to a large-aperture zoom lens and latest imaging technologies
The high-performance optical zoom lens offers a maximum aperture of F2.0 (at wide-angle end) to capture bright, clear images with minimal noise, even in dimly lit locations. With its four-times zoom coverage from 4.5mm to 18mm (equivalent to approx. 25mm wide angle to approx. 100mm medium telephoto in the 35mm format), this versatile zoom lens accommodates a wide range of applications, from macro shooting of flowers to wide-angle photography of sweeping landscapes. Thanks to the upgraded AF algorithm, the focusing speed in macro shooting has been greatly increased to facilitate close-up applications.
In the Underwater and Underwater Movie modes, the colour rendition and contrast of a captured image is automatically optimised based on the original image data: Red tints and shades, which tend to be lost in underwater photography, are enhanced for true-to-life colour rendition, while the loss of contrast caused by the diffusion of light in the water is effectively compensated for producing sharper, clearer images.
A comprehensive selection of shooting modes
Including the Shutter Priority and USER modes, a first for the WG series, the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS provide a total of 29 shooting modes. In the Shutter Priority mode, the camera automatically sets the aperture and ISO sensitivity for a user-selected shutter speed to assure optimum exposure. In the USER mode, the photographer can instantly recall preprogrammed settings for more personalised camera operation. In addition, the Auto Picture mode automatically selects one of 16 different scene modes for a given scene or subject. With a wide choice of shooting modes, the user can always find the ideal mode to suit every subject and occasion.
High-performance, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor
The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS come equipped with a state-of-the-art, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which excels in high-sensitivity and low-noise characteristics, and assures high-speed readout of image data signals. Coupled with a high-performance imaging engine, this image sensor delivers a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and super-high-resolution images with 16.0 effective megapixels. These models provide advanced image processing functions made possible by the latest super-resolution technology to produce sharp, clear, high-resolution images. Both models also offer innovative features including a Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures multiple images of the same night-time scene and produces a single blur-free, composite image from them.
Dual anti-shake protection for sharp, blur-free images
The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS’s dual shake reduction system combines an image-sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a Digital SR mode to more effectively compensate for the adverse effects of camera shake and subject movement in shake-prone conditions, such as photographing poorly lit subjects in ambient light, or when shooting sunset scenes.
Six Macro Lights to assist close-up shooting
With six LED Macro Lights positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel for macro shooting, the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS provide brighter, more uniform illumination on the subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected. With the Macro Lights, the user can clearly see a magnified view of a microscopic world often unseen by the naked eye on the camera’s LCD monitor and effortlessly capture eye-catching images. In order to minimise camera shake and subject shake, the instant illumination enhance function allows for the use of a higher shutter speed by automatically raising the illumination level of the Macro Lights at the moment of shutter release. In addition, the Macro Lights can provide other user-friendly features, such as a Self-Portrait Assist mode to check if the subject’s face is safely captured within the picture frame using the blink of an LED lamp, and an LED Lighting mode that uses the Macro Lights as a lighting device in the dark.
Full HD movie recording for extended shooting of high-quality movies
The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS provide Full HD movie recording employing the H.264 recording format, allowing the user to capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. They also feature a high-speed camera function for slow-motion playback of captured movie clips and a fast-forward movie function to simplify creative movie techniques. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided on the camera bodies for simultaneous output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external audio-visual devices.
Extra-large, high-resolution, wide-frame 3.0-inch LCD monitor
These WG-series models incorporate an extra-large, high-resolution 3.0-inch colour LCD monitor with horizontally extended 16:9 proportions and approximately 460,000 dots. The AR (Anti-Reflection) coating minimises annoying glare and reflections to assure a sharp, clear on-screen image, even under the harsh sunshine often found in outdoor shooting. The wide-view design offers a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, making it possible to check an image from different angles.
Built-in GPS functions and pressure/altitude/depth gauge to facilitate outdoor shooting (WG-4 GPS only)
The WG-4 GPS comes equipped with a sophisticated GPS module, which automatically records position data and travel log data onto captured images and adjusts the built-in clock to local time. Its pressure sensor and digital compass also allow the user to check the pressure, altitude/underwater depth and direction of a shooting location on the camera’s LCD monitor.
Other features
- Sub-display on the front panel to indicate time and GPS data (WG-4 GPS only)
- Two remote control receptors (one on the front and another on the back) to widen signal coverage
- Digital level to check the camera’s horizontal/vertical inclination
- 50282 Protector Jacket (optional accessory) to protect the camera from scratches and dirt
- 50195 Float Strap (optional accessory) to prevent the loss of the camera in the water
- Carabiner strap (included) for hooking the camera to a backpack or other outdoor gear
- 12 digital filters
- Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards
Optional Accessories
O-CM1471 WG Adhesive Mount
A camera mount with a powerful adhesive tape to fix the camera body to an intended object, such as a canoe, helmet or bicycle.
O-CM1472 WG Handlebar Mount
A pinch-type camera mount to fix the camera body to a pipe of a bicycle or hang glider.
O-CM1473 WG Suction Cup Mount
A camera mount with a suction cup, easily removable for repeated use, to fix the camera body to an intended object, such as a canoe or bicycle. Can also be used as a handy substitute for a tripod.
O-CH1470 WG Holder
A camera holder for use on all WG-series models. By mounting this holder on the camera body, the user can attach another optional accessory to the camera body.
50284 Shoulderstrap
A camera holder for use on all WG-series models to strap the camera across your body at breast height for maximum manoeuvrability
For more information, take a look at the Ricoh website.
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