Ricoh Caplio R2

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      In summary

      Ricoh’s Caplio R2 is an upgrade to the R1 with a 5-megapixel CCD sensor but the same 4.8x zoom lens, which is equivalent to 28-135mm in 35mm format, and the same ‘pendulum’ lens retracting mechanism. The physical dimensions and controls of both models are similar, although the R2 lacks an optical viewfinder and its 2.5-inch LCD monitor takes up most of the rear panel. . . [more]

      Full review

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      Rating (out of 10)

      Build: 8.5
      Ease of use: 8.0
      Image quality: 7.5
      Value for money: 8.5

      Ricoh’s Caplio R2 is an upgrade to the R1, with a 5-megapixel CCD sensor but the same 4.8x zoom lens, equivalent to 28-135mm in 35mm format, and the same ‘pendulum’ lens retracting mechanism. The physical dimensions and controls of both models are similar, although the R2 lacks an optical viewfinder and its 2.5-inch LCD monitor takes up most of the rear panel.

      The R2 is also $150 cheaper than its predecessor – despite its higher resolution – indicating how quickly camera prices have dropped in the past six months. The monitor supports three display modes: full icon display, enlarged icon display and three shot playback display. The R2 has a new Advanced Intelligent Auto Exposure system that boosts ISO sensitivity in dim indoor light and displays a camera shake warning on-screen when slow shutter speeds are selected. Shutter speeds between one and eight seconds can only be set in Long Exposure mode, which is accessed via the Menu button.

      Three button controls (Menu, Erase/Timer and Display) on the rear panel are small, domed and difficult to use by anyone with large fingers or limited dexterity. However the Quick Replay and ‘Adj.” button (which accesses exposure compensation, white balance and ISO settings) are larger, flat and easier to operate. Although the zoom rocker is small, the five-step zoom makes it easy to set the lens focal length accurately and the AF system is fast and accurate.

      The test camera produced slightly soft pictures with modest colour saturation and reasonably good colour accuracy, although image noise was evident at ISO 400 and 800. Our Imatest graphs for chromatic aberration (see website) were unusual looking but the level of CA detected was very low.

      The R2 is as responsive as its predecessor, taking less than two seconds to power-up and shut down. We recorded an average capture lag of 0.2 seconds, which dropped to 0.1 seconds with pre-focusing. The burst mode recorded three high-resolution shots at intervals of 0.4 seconds and there are two multi-burst settings that capture shots at 0.15 second intervals and save them as a single file. [23]

      IMATEST RESULTS

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      Ricoh-R2-SFR

      Excellent image resolution for such a small camera and sensor, with minimal chance of aliasing (jaggies). Image files from this camera should be printable up to A3 size.

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      Ricoh-Caplio-R2-CA

      Chromatic aberration is detectable at a low level. Problems should only be visible at high magnifications.

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      Ricoh-R2_colour-error

      Subdued colour saturation and above average colour accuracy suggest this camera will produce natural-looking pictures. Thw minor colour errors shown should be easily correctable with editing software.

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      Ricoh-R2_colours

      The above chart confirms the L*a*b* colour error results and suggests that noise will be problematic at high ISO settings.

       

      Specifications

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      Image sensor: 5.34 x 4.01mm CCD with 5.19 million square photosites (5.02 megapixels effective)
      Lens: 4.6-22.2mm f3.3-4.8 zoom (28-135mm in 35mm format)
      Zoom ratio: 4.8x optical, up to 3.6x digital
      Dimensions (wxhxd): 100.2 x 55.0 x 25.8mm
      Weight: Approx. 150g (without battery, SD Memory Card, hand strap)
      Image formats: Stills – JPEG (Exif ver. 2.21), Text – TIFF (MMR system ITU-T.6); Movies – Open DML Motion JPEG/WAV (QVGA/QQVGA at 15 fps)
      Shutter speed range: 8,4,2 seconds plus 1-1/2000 sec.
      Focus system/range: External passive/CCD AF; range 30 cm to infinity, macro to 1 cm
      Exposure metering/control: TTL-CCD photometric with Multi, Centre-weight and spot metering; six scene modes
      White balance: Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten Light, Tungsten Light 2, Fluorescent Light, One Push
      Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto, Red-eye Reduction, On, Slow Synchro, Off; range: 0.2-2.7 m
      ISO range: Auto, ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800
      Storage Media: 28 MB internal plus SD/MMC slot; internal memory holds 14 high-resolution images or up to 300 VGA shots
      LCD monitor: 2.5-inch translucent amorphous silicon TFT LCD (approx. 114,000 pixels)
      Power supply: DB-50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery or 2x AA batteries

       

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      Rating

       

      Buy