In summary
Ricoh’s Caplio R1V is essentially a Caplio R1 with a 5-megapixel CCD. It’s a reflection of market trends that the company is offering the new model at the same price as its predecessor. The 4.8x retracting zoom lens covers the same angles of view and combines with a 3.6x digital zoom to offer up to 17x magnification. . . [more]
Full review
Quality rating (out of 10)
Build: 8.5
Ease of use: 8.5
Image quality: 8.0
Storage capacity with supplied card: 6.5
Value for money: 8.5
Ricoh’s Caplio R1V is essentially a Caplio R1 with a 5-megapixel CCD. It’s a reflection of market trends that the company is offering the new model at the same price as its predecessor. The 4.8x retracting zoom lens covers the same angles of view and combines with a 3.6x digital zoom to offer up to 17x magnification. Both models’ physical dimensions are identical, although the RV1 comes in ‘champagne’ and black instead of silver and black. Their controls are also virtually identical, although the RV1 has a ‘one push’ manual white balance setting the R1 lacked.
Our tests showed the R1V to be as responsive as the R1, with almost instantaneous start-up and an average capture lag of just under 0.2 seconds, regardless of whether focusing was involved. With pre-focusing, capture was almost instantaneous. With the standard continuous shooting mode, the number of shots you can capture varies with the resolution setting. At top resolution, three images are recorded at 0.5 second intervals, while with the F1280 (???) setting, 13 shots were captured at 0.3 second intervals. The two Multi-Shot modes recorded 16 shots in 2.2 seconds, the S mode capturing the first 16 and the M mode the last 16 in a burst. Shots are presented as a single 2560 x 1920 pixel file.
The test camera’s imaging performance was patchy. For outdoor shots, multi-segment metering overexposed by roughly a stop and we obtained better results with the centre-weighted and spot settings. Colours were reasonably well recorded, although a magenta bias was evident in some shots. The white balance pre-sets and manual mode eliminated this inherent bias.
A slight decline in edge-to-edge sharpness was seen in wide-angle shots, although pictures were generally sharp, with minimal coloured fringing. The flash was weak, only producing enough light to illuminate an average room at ISO 800. Low-light shots were colour-shifted in several directions, depending on the ISO setting. Noise was visible – though not overwhelmingly so – at sensitivity settings of ISO 400 and above. No stuck pixels were found. [22]
Specifications
Image sensor: 5.34 x 4.01 mm primary colour CCD with 5,190,000 photosites (5.02 megapixels effective)
Lens: 4.6 ““ 22.2mm f3.3-4.8 zoom (equivalent to 28-135mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 4.8x optical; 3.6x digital
Dimensions (wxhxd): 100.2 x 55 x 25mm
Weight: 150g (without battery, card and hand strap)
Image formats: Stills ““ JPEG (Exif 2.21); Text ““ TIFF (MMR system ITU-T.6); Movies ““ AVI (Motion JPEG/WAV)
Shutter speed range: 8,4,2,1-1/2000 sec.
Focus system/range: Auto focus, Manual Focus, Fixed Focus (Snap); range 30 cm to infinity; macro to 1 cm
Exposure metering/control: TTL-CCD photometric system: 256-point Multi, Centre-weighted, Spot; Program AE plus 6 scene modes.
White balance: Auto, Fixed (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light, One push), White Balance Bracket
Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto, Red-eye Reduction, On, Slow Synchro, Off; range: 0.2 ““ 2.7m (W), 0.13 – 2.1m (T)
ISO range: Auto, ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800
Sequence shooting: single shots at 3 fps plus S and M multi-shot modes (16 shots/frame over 2.2 seconds)
Storage Media: 12 MB internal memory plus SD/MMC slot; internal memory holds 6 high-res. Still images or up to 127 VGA shots
Viewfinder: Real-image optical zoom
LCD monitor: 1.8 inch translucent amorphous silicon TFT LCD (approx. 110,000 pixels)
Power supply: DB-50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery or 2x AA batteries
Retailers
CamBuy
www.cambuy.com.au
Digital cameras, lenses and accessories with 100% genuine Australian manufacturer’s warranties.
Ph: (02) 9029 2219
Camera House
www.camerahouse.com.au
Ph: 133 686
The largest speciality photographic retail chain in Australia.
Camera Pro
www.camerapro.net.au
CameraPro Pty Ltd
Suite 607, 180 Queen St, Brisbane 4000
Tel: 07 3333 2900
Australian owned and run company based in Brisbane.
Camerasdirect
www.camerasdirect.com.au
Retailer of digital camera equipment and more.
Secure online shopping and delivery across Australia.
Ph: 1300 727 056
Camerastore.com.au
Camerastore.com.au
Ph: 1800 155 067
Camera-Warehouse
www.camera-warehouse.com.au
Comprehensive range of digital cameras and accessories online (www.camera-warehouse.com.au) and an online print service (www.royalexpress.com.au).
Digital Camera Warehouse
www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au
174 Canterbury Road 367 High Street
Canterbury Northcote
NSW 2193 VIC 3070
Ph: 1300 365 220
Electronics Warehouse
www.electronicswarehouse.com.au
1300 801 885
Australian retailer of Vapex rechargeable batteries offering factory direct prices and fast, free shipping Australia wide.
<
Photographic Equipment & Supplies – Retail & Repairs. Click here for list of stores.
Ted’s Cameras
1800 186 895
Big range of cameras and photographic products with stores in most states and online.
Rating