Remember my review on Ricoh CX1 digital camera a couple of weeks ago? Just less than a month after I decided to buy the sample unit from Ricoh, I got an announcement on my email inbox that Ricoh is releasing the next version, the Ricoh CX2, next month! Ouch! A new release of the same model type means better and more improvements and it hurs when you just bought a previous model, not long before the next release.
So let’s see what’s new in Ricoh CX2 compared with Ricoh CX1 from Ricoh’s press release that I got earlier.
Ricoh CX2 vs Ricoh CX1
(This observation is made by me based on the press release which you can read for yourself on the next section)
- A new higher magnification of 10.7x optical wide-angle zoom lens.
- A more advanced high-speed continuous shooting functions.
- New scene modes: High contrast B&W, Miniaturize, and Discreet mode.
- A new AUTO option where the camera automatically defines the optimal exposure difference on the Dynamic Range mode.
- An even easier mode on the Easy mode (recognized up to 8 faces, auto switch to Macro).
- New Pre-AF, the camera automatically adjusts the focus even when the shutter release button is not half-pressed.
- Image flag function to enable the quick display of specific images from among those in the camera. The maximum number of flags has been increased from 3 to 20.
Ricoh CX2 seems to have the same high-speed CMOS censor of its predeccesor, the CX1, and also has the same 9 megapixel CMOS sensor.
Ricoh CX2 Main Features
(quoted from the press release):
1. With a 10.7x optical zoom lens (28-300 mm) in a compact body only 29.4 mm thick, the CX2 shoots freely all the way from wide-angle to telephoto.
- Ricoh’s original retracting lens system made it possible to fit the newly developed high magnification 10.7x optical wide-angle zoom lens in a 29.4 mm body that is both easy to carry and easy to operate.
- With 28 mm wide-angle to 300 mm telephoto coverage, this high magnification zoom lens can handle a wide range of shooting situations, including powerful telephoto shots as well as wide-angle shooting of both expansive landscapes and interior scenes with limited distance between camera and subject.
- The zoom function can be switched to high-speed zoom by continuing to turn the zoom lever.
2. More advanced high-speed continuous shooting functions enable you to get the shot you want.
- With the enhanced continuous shooting mode, it is possible to do high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 5 frames/second for still images with the maximum number of pixels.
- Continuous shooting speed will vary depending on shooting conditions, card type, card condition, etc.
- M-Continuous Plus (9M) image size is fixed at N3456 (9M).
- M-Continuous Plus (2M) image size is fixed at N1728 (2M).
- The consecutively shot images are recorded as a single MP file (a file format with multiple still images in a single file).
- With ultra-high-speed continuous shooting, the CX2 shoots 120 images (120 frames/sec.) during an interval of about one second after the shutter release button is pushed, or 120 images (60 frames/sec.) during an interval of about two seconds.
- Image size is fixed at N640 (VGA).
- The consecutively shot images are recorded as a single MP file (a file format with multiple still images in a single file).
- For the M-continuous plus shooting function, which saves consecutive images shot before the finger is removed from the shutter release button, a mode has been added that makes it possible to shoot at the maximum number of pixels. To fit the scene being photographed, you can select from two modes: M-Continuous Plus (9M) for 15 images (5 frames/sec.) taken in as little as three seconds and M-Continuous Plus (2M) for 30 images (30 frames/sec.) taken in about one second.
3. High image quality from Smooth Imaging Engine IV and a high-resolution CMOS sensor.
- The CX2 has the image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine IV and a high-speed image processing CMOS sensor. Together they can shoot high-quality images with high resolution and low noise.
- Residing on a customised circuit of the image processing engine, the pixel output interpolation algorithm reduces whiteout in high-contrast situations, thereby recreating beauty as seen.
- Dynamic range double shot mode makes it possible to record images with an almost naked-eye impression; it has a new AUTO option where the camera automatically defines the optimal exposure difference. Now it is even easier to enjoy the benefits of dynamic range expansion of up to 12EV.
- Multi-pattern auto white balance makes it possible to recreate natural as-seen colors even in people-photography scenes that were difficult to shoot with past auto white balance functions, such as scenes with both shadow and sunlight and scenes mixing flash and natural light (or fluorescent light, etc.).
4. New modes to stimulate creative photography.
- As the name implies, “high-contrast B&W mode” shoots images with higher contrast than normal black & white mode. This makes it possible to record images with a grainy feel such as that created by using ultra-high-sensitivity film in a film camera or by push processing film at the development stage.
- The new “miniaturize mode” shoots scenes with the top and bottom areas of the image blurred. This makes it possible to shoot actual scenes but record images that recreate the impression given when photographing miniatures.
- The new “discreet mode” enables you to turn off the flash, the AF auxiliary light, and operation sounds without changing the camera settings. This is convenient when shooting in museums and other public buildings.
5. Easy shooting mode which can be enjoyed by a simple operation now has a function for automatic face recognition.
- When faces are detected during shooting, the CX2 shoots the image with the focus, exposure, and white balance optimized for the faces. Compared to the previous model, there have been increases in recognition speed and number of faces detectable.
- A maximum of eight subject faces can now be detected.
- When shooting subjects up close, the camera automatically switches to macro mode so macro photography can now be enjoyed without the inconvenience of having to switch modes.
6. Pre-AF and Continuous AF functions quickly and accurately focus on the subject
- With Pre-AF, the camera automatically adjusts the focus even when the shutter release button is not half-pressed. Quick shooting is possible since the focus is adjusted in response to subject movement.
- With Continuous AF, if subject movement is detected while the shutter release button is half-pressed, the camera automatically adjusts the focus to match the subject movement.
7. High-definition 3.0-inch 920,000-dot VGA LCD monitor
- The large, high-resolution LCD monitor has a wide viewing angle and high contrast. The screen has a fluorine coat to prevent soiling, a hard coat to prevent scratches, and an anti-reflection coat to give excellent visibility even outdoors in bright sunshine.
- With sRGB comparison of 100% for colour reproduction range, the monitor vividly reproduces image colours.
8. A wide range of functions inspired by the “A tool you will want to use every day” concept
- With the macro photography functions you can get as close to the subject as 1cm for wide-angle* and 28cm for telephoto.
- *Equivalent to 31 mm focal length for 35 mm cameras
- A comfortable and easy-to-hold grip shape.
- Electronic level utilizing an acceleration sensor.
- Image sensor shift blur reduction function to reduce hand-motion blurring.
- Three grid guides useful for framing images while shooting.
- Image flag function to enable the quick display of specific images from among those in the camera. The maximum number of flags has been increased from 3 to 20.
Ricoh CX2 Options
- Rechargeable Battery
- Battery charger
- Soft case (brown)
- Neck strap
- Cable switch
- AC adapter
*All of the focal lengths in this release are converted to the equivalent values for a 35 mm film camera.
*The “dynamic range” of a digital camera is range of light intensity that the camera is able to process.
*The term “MP file” used in this document refers to “Extended MP files” conforming to the “multi-picture format” standardized by the CIPA. (The file extension is MPO.)
With MP file images recorded by the CX2, a selected frame can be extracted and saved as an individual JPEG image within the camera.
RRP: AU$599
Available: Mid September 2009
Source: Ricoh Australia Press Release, 20th August 2009
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Ugh! Now I’m going to chase up Ricoh and begging for an upgrade from my Ricoh CX1 that I bought only a few weeks ago to Ricoh CX2! Ricoh CX2 RRP is the same as Ricoh CX1 a few weeks ago so I hope they are being nice to me :(
