Parsippany, NJ—Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation introduced the Ricoh WG-80 waterproof, compact point-and-shoot camera. Optimized for rugged outdoor conditions, the camera produces high-resolution photos and high-definition (HD) video.
In addition, it integrates a 5x optical zoom lens that provides 5–25mm coverage (a 28–140mm equivalent in the 35mm format).
The camera also boasts its own built-in ring light with adjustable illumination levels. Six LED macro lights are positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel. They achieve uniform illumination on a subject when digital microscope mode is selected.
In addition, they provide twice the illumination intensity of its predecessor, the WG-70. Consequently, the camera is a tool for low-light and macro photography, enabling extreme close-ups. Photographers can also use the ring light to take selfies with the help of its self-portrait assist mode.
Furthermore, in order to minimize the effects of camera and subject shake, the camera’s “instant illumination enhance” function allows the use of a higher shutter speed by automatically raising the discharge level of the macro lights at the moment of shutter release.
The macro lights also provide other useful functions, such as a self-portrait assist mode. This mode uses the blink of an LED lamp to check if the subject’s face was safely captured within the picture frame. What’s more, the LED lighting mode uses the macro lights as a lighting device in the dark.
Ricoh WG-80 Key Specs
For photos and videos beneath the waves, the WG-80’s enhanced underwater and underwater movie shooting modes deliver true-to-life imagery; they enhance shades of red typically lost in underwater photography. They also compensate for the loss of contrast caused by the diffusion of light in water.
The WG-80 employs a 16-megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and a high-performance imaging engine. As a result, it delivers a top sensitivity of ISO 6400.
In addition, it benefits from triple anti-shake protection to prevent blurred images and videos in all applications. A pixel track SR mechanism compensates for camera shake by digitally processing affected images. In digital SR mode, the camera detects low lighting during still shooting; it automatically raises the sensitivity up to ISO 6400, making it possible to use a higher shutter speed. And movie SR mode compensates for the misalignment of images during recording that are caused by camera shake through the use of software.
Moreover, the camera’s solid, airtight body is waterproof to a depth of 46 feet for up to two hours of continuous operation. It is also shockproof against a fall from a height of five feet; freezeproof to temperatures as low as 14°F; and crushproof against weights up to 100kgf (kilogram force).
The compact P&S also sports an outdoor-friendly, 2.7-inch LCD monitor with a brightness level that is instantly adjusted to the lighting level of a shooting situation. Another feature is handheld night snap mode, which automatically captures several images of the same nighttime scene and produces a single, blur-free composite image.
More Shooting Functions
Furthermore, the camera offers other shooting functions, such as a macro mode to capture close-up images from a minimum focusing distance of 0.4 inch; an intelligent zoom function to extend the zoom range to 36x (35mm equivalent of 1008mm) without compromising image quality; and an interval shooting mode.
For videos, the WG-80 records Full HD movies employing the H.264 recording format. Users can also capture extended movie clips (1,920×1,080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. Further, to add creative touches to movies, a high-speed camera function enables slow-motion playback of captured movie clips. Ricoh also integrated a micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) for simultaneous output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external devices.
In addition, other features are two remote control receptors; a macro stand; a face detection function that capture up to 32 faces in focus in approximately 0.03 sec; a smile capture function automatically detects a subject’s smile and releases the shutter; a watch function that displays the time on the monitor; auto picture mode; and 12 digital filters.
Available in black or orange, the Ricoh WG-80 ship mid-June 2022. It will have a suggested retail price of $399.99.
