The Ricoh Caplio R7 is a 8.15 (CCD) megapixel digital camera with a 7.1x Optical Zoom lens (28-200mm equivalent).

It features image stabilization, upgraded image processing system and a 2.7 inch LCD.

The Ricoh Caplio R7 comes in black, orange and silver. It will have a retail price of £230 when it hits stores in September.

Ricoh Caplio R7 News Release
7.1x Wide-Angle Digital Camera Features Low Noise in High-Sensitivity Photography

Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) has developed and introduced the new Caplio R7 digital camera. With a new image processing engine and a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm camera format) mounted on a slim body only 20.6 mm at its thinnest point, the Caplio R7 takes digital photography to an even higher level of image quality.

The new Caplio R7 is the successor to the award winning Caplio R6 (launched March 23, 2007), which earned high recognition for its slim body, wide-angle zoom lens, vibration correction, and face recognition mode.

With a new image processing engine and a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm camera format) mounted on a slim body only 20.6 mm at its thinnest point, the Caplio R7 takes digital photography to an even higher level of image quality.

Retaining the best features of earlier models, the Caplio R7 further enhances the line’s established reputation for high image quality with the introduction of:

1. Smooth Imaging Engine III, a new image processing engine capable of even more sophisticated image processing, and
2. An effective 8.15 megapixel CCD for outstanding results.

In addition, the Caplio R7 achieves a variety of other evolutionary advances in fun and easy photography with enhanced usability for its unique ADJ. (Adjust) button function, which makes it easy to set exposure compensation and white balance. The introduction of brightness and colour-tone functions allows still image brightness and colour-tone to be adjusted in the camera after the picture is taken.

Available colours: Silver, Black and Orange

More detils…..

Having been fairly impressed by the entry-level Olympus FE-250 last week, today I’m taking a look at a mid-level camera from the company’s premium compact range, in the shape of the mju 780 (known as the Stylus 780 in the US). Launched in March this year at the same time as the E-410 and E-510 DSLRs, the mju 780 is a 7.1-megapixel pocket compact with a 5x zoom lens, 2.5-in monitor and mechanical image stabilisation. Like all the cameras in the Olympus mju range it has a degree of water-resistance; in this case it is described as “weatherproof”, in other words it’s ok to use it in the rain, but you can’t take it swimming. Or rather, you can take it swimming, but don’t expect it to work afterwards.



It’s a sturdily built camera, with a strong all-steel body that looks like it could survive a few knocks. Despite this it is relatively slim and lightweight, measuring 99.6 x 55.1 x 24 mm and weighing 125g minus battery and card. That’s a pretty impressive specification, especially considering the current retail price of under £170. Compared to other premium compacts it looks like a bargain. The Canon IXUS 75 is around £160, but it only has a 3x zoom and isn’t weatherproof. The same can be said of the Nikon CoolPIx S500, which costs around £150. The lovely Canon IXUS 850 IS has a 3.8x wide-zoom, but it too isn’t weatherproof and costs £235. The Casio EX-V7 is about £160, and has a 7x zoom lens, but it’s not weatherproof either. In fact the only other choices for weatherproof cameras are either other models from the mju range, the indestructible but expensive Ricoh Caplio 500G Wide (£340) or the Pentax Optio W30 (£160), although both of these camera only have a 3x zoom lens.

In spite of its tank-like construction, the mju 780 is a particularly sleek and stylish camera. The body has a curved wedge-like shape, thicker on the right where the controls are. The camera is available in either black or in the smooth brushed-steel finish of my review sample, which resists finger-marks and scratches and will stay looking good for a long time.

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Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm F3.8-5.6 Mega OIS
Thursday, 30 August 2007 14:00 GMT< Previous Next > Panasonic has also come up with a smaller, lighter 28-100m equiv. kit lens for its DMC-L10 – the Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm F3.8-5.6 Mega OIS (note the ELMAR label which in Leica nomenclature denotes a simpler lens than the existing ELMARIT). The new lens also omits an aperture ring and focus distance scale from the specifications and provides a larger zoom ring as well as supporting the L10’s contrast-detect AF in Live-View.

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- Press release
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Perhaps the most surprising of Canon’s PowerShot announcements today is the SX100, the first in a new series of budget super zoom compact digital cameras. The PowerShot SX100 IS features a 10x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer, 8.0 Megapixel image sensor (1/2.5″) and DIGIC III processor. It’s also got face detection (of course) and a full complement of auto and manual exposure modes, plus a 2.5″ LCD screen (there is no eye level viewfinder). It’s not the prettiest camera Canon has ever made but it has a suprisingly comprehensive spec for a ‘budget’ model.

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- Press Release
- Specifications
- Technologies Explained
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Features:

• 10x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer
• 8.0 Megapixels
• DIGIC III image processor
• Face Detection Technology enhanced with new Face Select and Track function and dedicated
• Face Selector button
• Canon’s total anti-blur solution with ISO 1600, Auto ISO Shift and optical Image Stabilizer
• Improved Red-Eye Correction in playback
• 2.5” LCD screen
• 18 shooting modes including full manual control
• Digital Tele-Converter and Safety Zoom*