Tokyo, Japan, 3 February 2010: Ricoh Photographics today launched its latest model in the acclaimed CX series of digital compact cameras.  With a pedigree of award-winning predecessors, the new CX3 features a host of innovative features, this time including a back-illuminated CMOS sensor to deliver a new level of detail in low light photography.

The essential difference between conventional sensors and the CX3’s improved 10 megapixel CMOS sensor is its construction. Using a revolutionary structure to more efficiently capture light coming through the lens, this new sensor greatly increases sensitivity while also reducing noise (*see diagram). When combined with new noise-reducing technology borrowed from the Ricoh GR Digital III, the result is dramatic – beautiful images that have maintained their original resolution, tone characteristics and colour saturation, even at night.

While image quality has been addressed, Ricoh’s commitment to bringing professional photos within reach of the amateur continues with the CX3. A new “scene auto mode” has been added which identifies the image subject and automatically selects the most appropriate scene mode. Whether taking photographs of panoramic landscapes, portraits of the family, action shots at the tennis or getting up close with wildlife, the CX3 takes the guess work and hassle out of mode selection.

Ricoh has also made an effort to increase shooting options with the eagerly-anticipated addition of a 1280 x 720 pixel HD movie function. Adding to its cinematic appeal, the CX3 offers a number of aspect ratios including 16:9 which creates images in a size that delivers maximum impact on a wide-screen television.

Among the other key features, the popular dynamic range double shot mode has been further refined. Using this mode, the camera takes two images with different exposures almost simultaneously then combines the best exposed parts of each image into a final recorded version. With the introduction of the CX3, photographers are now able to specify the tone range to be given priority – whether it be the highlights or the shadows. Five new settings have also been added to control the dynamic range expansion effect – choose ‘auto’ or four levels ranging from very weak to strong. In scenes which include mixed light, for example, a bright sunlit background with people in the shadowed foreground, images are faithfully recreated with the same detail seen by the naked eye.

The CX3 inherits the 10.7x (28-300 mm equivalent) optical wide-angle zoom lens from its predecessor which, when combined with 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’, the photo possibilities are endless.

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 customer enquiries contact Ricoh’s Australian distributor, Tasco on 02 9938 3244 or visit www.tasco.com.au

Ricoh CX3      RRP: AU$499 – http://www.ricoh.com

For a company that was more a specialist in photo copiers, Ricoh is making huge strides in the digital camera market. Their newest premium compact digital camera offering, the Ricoh GR Digital III is proof of this. I’ve been reviewing / playing with one for the last 2 weeks and this is yet another camera that I will be sad to part with.

If you’d like us to giveaway cameras like this on the site, leave a comment to Ricoh below!

Quick Easy Shots

For a digital compact, this has got to be one of the fastest shooting cameras I’ve seen. Its new F1.9, f-6.0 lens is the main reason for this. This translates to better indoor / lowlight condition shots. Could this be why there is a hardware release for the flash? Are they’re trying to get more newbies to experience non-flash indoor shots? The quick response means that your more likely to get a good shot as compared to slower cameras.

Very Light

When I pulled it out of the box, I was surprised to find how light it was especially for a camera that is supposed to be in Ricoh’s premium range. Generally the rule with cameras is, the heavier the better, however the light weight of this camera is a handy attribute if you’re looking for something to take with you everywhere. If you’re looking for an above average camera to take with you on your travels, this must be in your must-see and test list. It’s half the weight of my Canon G10 and a quarter of the weight of my Canon 5D Mark II!

Rugged Construction

Another reason why this would make a great travel camera is that it has a solid metallic casing featuring rubberized grip. You can be confident when hiking up mountain tops, taking aerials of cities or bumping around in tour groups that this camera will be able to tough it out and allow you to take your travel pics.

Huge Hi-Resolution LCD Screen

Ricohs are famous for their generous LCD screens and the Ricoh GR Digital III is no different. The GR Digital III has been touted to have the first 920,000 dots 3″ VGA panel on a digital compact camera. This will do wonders when reviewing your photos or recording video on the camera. We all know how we love to share a photo when taking a great shot so perfect for when many heads are peering over your shoulder.

Summary of the Ricoh GR Digital III

It’s tough, got fast optics, huge LCD screen and is light – the Ricoh GR Digital III is the perfect handbag / travel camera.

Highly recommended. Well done Ricoh!

Main features of the RICOH GR DIGITAL III

Newly developed large-aperture lens

• The adoption of the new F1.9, f-6.0 mm (equivalent to 28 mm for 35 mm film cameras) lens for the GR DIGITAL III takes compact-body cameras into a new realm of images. This lens makes it possible to shoot with a faster shutter speed than could be used on previous models, or to shoot with the same shutter speed but at a lower setting for ISO sensitivity.
• Despite the large F1.9 aperture, the new lens achieves a resolution level equivalent to that of the F2.4 GR Lens.
• The use of a newly developed lens drive system has made it possible to achieve greater image quality in macro photography.

Taking the GR DIGITAL concepts another step forward, the GR DIGITAL III achieves even greater image quality.

• The new image processing engine GR Engine III is installed. Using newly developed noise reduction technology, it enables highly sophisticated noise processing to be done while maintaining superior resolution, tone characteristics, and saturation.
• The new high-sensitivity CCD (1/1.7 inch, approx. 10 megapixels) achieves high-sensitivity properties through the use of a new process. The combination of the newly developed GR Lens and GR Engine III significantly increases shooting performance in low-light scenes.
• Even faster shooting capabilities for capturing fleeting shutter opportunities.
• Algorithm improvements have reduced focusing time in low-light scenes. With the Pre-AF function, focusing speed is further accelerated by adjusting the focus to match the movement of the subject.
• The new “full-press snap” function shoots at a preset distance for a one-push full-press of the shutter button.
• Up to five RAW images can be recorded in consecutive shooting* and bracketing.

Enhanced expression capabilities make good use of GR Lens performance.

• Shutter speed priority AE is now available in addition to aperture priority AE.
• A more extensive range of image settings enables the photographer to control hue and saturation. This makes it easy to create images with a wide variety of coloration.
• When photographing subjects with mixed color temperatures, the multi-pattern auto white balance function makes it possible to achieve optimum colour reproduction.

Large, high-visibility 3.0-inch VGA LCD monitor.

• The 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot VGA LCD monitor provides high resolution, a wide viewing angle, excellent colour reproduction, good visibility outdoors, and a surface that resists soiling. The sRGB comparison for colour reproduction range is 100%.
• The micro-thumbnail display function displays 81 thumbnail images on a single screen.

Operability further enhanced.

• The My Settings on the mode dial have been expanded to three sets. The number of Fn (function) buttons on the back of the camera body has been expanded to two.
• A function has been added for assigning names to My Settings sets and storing and retrieving them. A maximum of six sets can be defined and stored.

Expandability further enhanced with addition of new options.

• The 21 mm wide conversion lens GW-2 and hood and adapter GH-2 will be sold.
• The available soft cases are the GC-3 for the body only and the GC-4 quick-shooting case type compatible with the GV-2 viewfinder.
• There are also plans to introduce the GF-1 external flash, which can handle TTL flash using auxiliary flash, in the autumn of 2009.

Function to be expanded using firmware.

• Even after the GR DIGITAL III is introduced, we will continue to add new functions through the release of new firmware. By updating their firmware, GR DIGITAL III owners can continue to utilize the latest functions.

More information at Ricoh Global.