Ricoh WG Range Gets A New Addition With WG-50

Ricoh Imaging has expanded the WG tough camera range with the introduction of the WG-50 compact camera. 

It actually has similar specs to the WG-40 which was only released in Japan but it does improve on the WG-30 which was released in the UK a couple of years ago. 

The WG-50 is waterproof to a depth of 14 metres, shockproof against falls from a height of 1.6 metres, and freezeproof to temperatures as low as -10°C. It also captures Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) video and is equipped with a 2.7 inch LCD screen where the brightness can be instantly adjusted to the lighting levels outdoors. 

A five-times optical zoom lens with a focal length coverage from 5mm to 25mm is built in and there's an Intelligent Zoom function that extends the zoom range to approximately 36 times (equivalent to 1008mm in the 35mm format).

The back-illuminated CMOS image sensor paired with the imaging engine creates 16MP images and has an ISO range that reaches 6400. The camera also offers a Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures several images of the same night-time scene from which it produces a single, blur-free composite image. Other features that have been added include white-balance optimisation in the Landscape shooting mode and the usual modes, such as macro which gives a minimum focus distance of 1cm and interval shooting, are also available. 

While underwater, the camera uses an Off + Flash On option which allows the user to consecutively capture two images, with a single shutter release, one without flash and another with flash and there's also a video mode specifically designed for capturing footage underwater.

As with previous WG cameras, the WG-50 has 6 macro lights around the lens which can be used when the Digital Microscope mode is selected and there's an Instant Illumination Enhance function which allows a high shutter speed to be used. The Macro Lights also provide other useful functions such as a Self-Portrait Assist mode, which uses the blink of an LED lamp to check if the subject’s face has been safely captured within the picture frame and the LED Lighting mode, which turns the camera into a torch.

As well as Full HD Video, the WG-50 can capture extended video clips at 30 frames per second and there's a high-speed camera function for slow-motion playback. A movie shake reduction mode is built-in as are 2 shake reduction options for when capturing stills. 

Other features of the WG-50 include: 

• A range of WG-series mount accessories (optional)
• Two remote control receptors (one in front and another in the back) to widen signal coverage
• Macro stand (included) to maintain a minimum focusing distance of one centimetre
• High-speed Face Detection function to capture as many as 32 faces in focus in approximately 0.03 seconds
• Smile Capture function to automatically release the shutter when the subject’s smile is detected
• Outdoor friendly Style Watch function to display the time on the LCD monitor
• Delay-free, push-button start of the playback mode, using an extended push of the playback button
• Auto Picture mode to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode from 16 different scene modes
• A choice of 12 digital filters
• Pet detection function to automatically detect the face of a cat or dog 

The WG-50 will be available from June, in orange or black, for £249.99.