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February 3, 2010: Ricoh Photographics has added a new model, the CX3, to its popular CX series of digital compact cameras.
The new CX3, which goes on sale this month at an RRP of $499, features a host of innovative features, including a back-illuminated CMOS sensor that records more detail in low light photography. The CX3 inherits the 10.7x (28-300 mm equivalent) optical wide-angle zoom lens from its predecessor. As in previous models, the lens retracts into the camera body for protection and portability. It also comes with the popular dynamic range double shot mode, which has been further refined. Photographers are now able to specify the tone range to be given priority – whether it be the highlights or the shadows.
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Colour options for the new Ricoh CX3. (Source: Ricoh.)
The essential difference between conventional sensors and the CX3’s improved 10 megapixel CMOS sensor is its construction. By capturing all the light that passes through the lens (as shown in the diagram below), this new sensor greatly increases sensitivity while also reducing noise.
Ricoh_cx3_diagram
This diagram shows the structural differences between conventional sensors and the new back-illuminated CMOS sensor. (Source: Ricoh.)
A ‘new scene auto mode’, enables the camera to identify the type of scene being photographed (portrait, sports, night portrait, landscape, nightscape, macro mode, etc.) and automatically switch to the optimum shooting settings. Five new settings have been added to control the dynamic range expansion effect: auto plus four levels ranging from very weak to strong.
The new camera also offers super-fast continuous shooting speeds of 5 frames per second, user-friendly auto focus (AF) functions which automatically respond to subject movement and artistic scene modes including ‘high contrast black & white’ and ‘miniaturise’. Ricoh has also added a 1280 x 720 pixel HD movie function that enables users to record video clips in a number of aspect ratios including 16:9 for display on widescreen TV sets.
Available from leading electronics retailers and camera specialists from February 19, the Ricoh CX3 features an inlay handgrip and is available in black, violet and two-tone grey-pink. For more information, contact Ricoh’s Australian distributor, Tasco on (02) 9938 3244 or visit www.tasco.com.au
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