Ricoh WG-70 Tough camera announced



The previously rumored Ricoh WG-70 Tough camera is now officially announced. The price is $279.95 and pre-orders are now open at B&H

Press release:

Ricoh announces newest ultra-rugged digital compact camera in its acclaimed WG series

RICOH WG-70 features advanced shooting modes for underwater and macro photography, high-definition video

PARSIPPANY, NJ, February 4, 2020 - Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the RICOH WG-70, a durable, lightweight and waterproof compact digital camera that produces super-high resolution photos and high-definition (HD) video. Equipped with a 5x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage and a large, outdoor-friendly wide-frame LCD monitor, the new model in the rugged WG series makes it easy to capture a range of images – from eye-catching close-ups to sweeping landscapes – in extreme conditions, both on land and under the sea.

The RICOH WG-70 adds a number of newly designed features including a digital microscope mode that, when coupled with the use of the camera’s six-LED macro lights, enables the user to clearly see a magnified view of the microscopic world and effortlessly capture eye-catching close-up images. It also features an advanced underwater shooting mode that optimizes color, contrast and white balance to deliver sharp, true-to-life images. Ricoh has also added a new digital Cross Processing effect option, allowing the user to give an artistic, altered color finish to images, similar to result of cross-processing film images.

The RICOH WG-70 camera’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with approximately 16 effective megapixels and a high-performance imaging engine delivers super-high-resolution still images and HD video clips. It features triple anti-shake protection to prevent blurred images and videos in all applications.

The RICOH WG-70 is waterproof to a depth of 46 feet (14 meters), shockproof against a fall from a height of five feet (1.6 meters) and freeze-proof in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). It also comes equipped with an outdoor-friendly LCD monitor with a brightness level that can be instantly adjusted to the lighting level of a shooting situation. The camera is 4.8 inches wide by 2.4 inches high by 1.2 inches deep and weighs approximately 6.8 ounces (including battery and SD memory card).

Main Features:

1. Heavy-duty construction assuring underwater shooting down to 14 meters, for up to two hours

The solid, airtight body common to the WG-70 is not only waterproof down to a depth of 14 meters for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX 8 or JIS Class 8), but is also shockproof against falls from a height of 1.6 meters,* dustproof (equivalent to IPX 6 or JIS Class 6), freeze-proof to temperatures as low as -10°C, and crushproof against weights up to 100kgf (kilogram force). ** Thanks to this heavy-duty construction, the cameras perform superbly and dependably even in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.

* Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards — from a height of 1.6 meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood — conforming to Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL-Standard 810F.

** Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards.

2. Exceptional image quality

The WG-70 comes equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which assures excellent high-sensitivity and low-noise characteristics and high-speed readout of image data signals. Coupled with a high-performance imaging engine, this image sensor delivers a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and super-high-resolution images with approximately 16.0 effective megapixels. These models also provide advanced image processing functions, made possible by the latest super-resolution technology, to assure sharp, clear, high-resolution images. They even offer such innovative features as Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures several images of the same nighttime scene and produces a single, blur-free composite image from them.

3. Improved usability of Digital Microscope mode

The WG-70 has a Digital Microscope mode that allows the subject to be greatly enlarged. Usability is improved as the recording size can be newly selected from 2M (1920 x 1080), which gives priority to enlargement with digital zoom, to a maximum of 12M (16: 9) (4608 x 2592), which is useful when printing or trimming with high resolution which further expands the field of shooting.

4. Six Macro Lights to assist close-up shooting, with various functions

Ideally positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel for macro shooting, six LED Macro Lights allow the WG-70 to provide bright, uniform illumination on a subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected. Thanks to these Macro Lights, the user can clearly see a magnified view of the microscopic world undetectable by the naked eye on the camera’s LCD monitor, and effortlessly capture eye-catching, close-up images. In order to minimize camera shake and subject shake, the Instant Illumination Enhance function allows for 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, 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 uses the Macro Lights as a lighting device in the dark.

5. Advanced underwater shooting mode

Specifically designed for underwater photography, the image processing of Underwater and Underwater Movie shooting modes optimize color, contrast, and white balance, based on the data of images captured under the water. These modes deliver sharp, true-to-life images by enhancing shades of red, which are lost in underwater photography, while effectively compensating for the loss of contrast caused by the diffusion of light in water. During Underwater mode, the Flash Off + Flash On option, allows the user to consecutively capture two images — with a single shutter release — one without flash and another with flash.

6. Cross Processing added to Image Tone

Cross Processing is an effect popular among our products, which allows you to enjoy unique photographic expressions. With WG-70, this mode is added to Image Tone, which can be selected with several shooting modes including, P (Program). The parameters of the image is adjusted to give a unique color-changed finish, like a cross-processed film ***.

*** A film development technique that uses unconventional film development to create a distinctive finish with dramatic, stylized colors.

7. 5X optical zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle coverage

The WG-70 feature a high-performance, five-times optical zoom lens with a focal-length coverage from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent to approx. 28mm to 140mm in the 35mm format) to accommodate a wide range of scenes and subjects, including sweeping landscapes. They also provide other convenient shooting functions, such as a macro mode to capture dramatic close-up images from a minimum focusing distance of a mere one centimeter; an Intelligent Zoom function to extend the zoom range to approximately 36 times (equivalent to 1008mm in the 35mm format) without compromising image quality, for superior telephoto photography; and an interval shooting mode, which comes in handy for fixed-point observation.

8. Full HD movie recording for extended shooting of high-quality movies

The WG-70 provides Full HD movie recording employing the H.264 recording format. Users can capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. To add some creative touches to movie recording, they also feature a high-speed camera function**** for slow-motion playback of captured movie clips, and an interval movie function. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided on the camera body for simultaneous output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external audio-visual devices.

**** When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 1280 x 720 pixels.

9. Triple anti-shake protection to prevent blurred images in all applications

10. 2.7-inch LCD monitor with the Outdoor View Setting mode

The WG-70 come equipped 2.7-inch LCD monitor with horizontally extended 16:9 proportions and approximately 230,000 dots. The monitor’s AR (Anti-Reflection) coating minimizes annoying glare and reflections to assure a sharp, clear on-screen image even in the harsh sunshine often encountered during outdoor shooting. It also comes equipped with such convenient features as: the Outdoor View Setting mode, which easily sets the optimum monitor brightness level for a given lighting condition.

11. Other features

♦ All other brands or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

♦ Designs and specifications are subjects to change without notice.

Major specifications

Lens RICOH lens, 11 elements in 9 groups (5 aspherical elements)
Focal Length 5 – 25 mm
(in 35mm format equivalent) Approx. 28 – 140mm
Maximum Aperture F3.5(W) – F5.5(T)
Zoom Optical Zoom 5X
Digital Zoom approx. 7.2X
Intelligent Zoom approx. 7.5X at 7M, approx. 36X at 640 (including optical zoom)
Motion Blur Reduction Still Pixel Track SR

Hi-sensitivity anti-shake mode (Digital SR)
Movie Movie shake reduction mode (Movie SR)
Focus Type 9-point AF, Spot AF, Auto tracking AF
Focus Range

(From lens face)
Standard: 0.5m – infinity / 1.64ft. – infinity (entire zoom range)

Macro:0.1 – 0.6m / 0.33 – 1.97ft. (entire zoom range)

1cm Macro:0.01 – 0.3m / 0.03 – 0.98ft. (middle zoom position)

Infinity-landscape, Pan Focus, Manual Focus: available
Number of Effective pixels Approx. 16 megapixels
Image Sensor 1/2.3″ CMOS
Image Tone Bright, Natural, Vibrant, Slide Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing
Number of Recorded pixels Still 16M, 12M(1:1), 12M(16:9), 7M, 5M(16:9), 5M, 4M(16:9), 3M, 2M(16:9), 1024, 640
Movie 1920, 1280
Sensitivity (Standard Output Sensitivity) AUTO, Manual (ISO 125 – 6400)
White Balance Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light(D:Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:White Light), Manual
Display 2.7″ Wide LCD, approx. 230K dots, AR Coating(Cover only)
Exposure Control Metering System Multi-segment metering, Center-weighted metering, Spot metering
Exposure Compensation ± 2EV ( 1/3EV steps)
Scene modes Auto Picture, Program, HDR, Handheld Night Snap, Movie, High Speed Movie, Digital Microscope, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Underwater, Underwater Movie, Interval Shot, Interval Movie, Surf & Snow, Kids, Pet, Sport, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Fireworks, Food, Digital SR, Report, Green
Face detection Face Detection AF&AE is available for all modes up to 32 faces. Smile Capture, Self-portrait Assist, Self-portrait Assist + Smile Capture, Blink Detection
Pet detection Detect up to 1 pet’s face(auto)
Playback modes Slideshow, Image Rotation, Small Face Filter, Ink Rubbing Filter, Collage, Digital Filter(B&W / Sepia, Toy Camera, Retro, Color, Extract Color, Color Emphasis, High Contrast, Starburst, Soft, Fish-eye, Brightness, Miniature), HDR Filter, Original Frame, Movie Edit, Red-eye Edit, Resize, Cropping, Image Copy, Protect, Start-up Screen
Shutter Speed 1/4000 – 1/4sec.(Mechanical and electronic shutter), 4sec at most. (Night Scene mode setting)
Built-in flash Modes Flash-on and Flash-off modes. “Red-eye” compensation function employs a pre-discharge.
Flash Range Wide:approx. 0.2 – 5.5m / 0.66 – 18 ft. (ISO Auto)

Tele:approx. 0.2 – 3.5m / 0.66 – 11 ft. (ISO Auto)
Drive Modes One shot, Self-timer, Continuous Shooting, Burst Shooting, Remote Control, Auto Bracketing
Storage Media Built-in Memory (approx. 68MB), SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
Power Source Rechargeable D-LI92 lithium-ion battery
Battery life Still*: approx. 300 shots (Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery)

Playback**: approx. 260 min. (Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery)
Interfaces USB2.0(Micro-B), HDMI output terminal(Type D)
Water proof / Dustproof Equivalent to JIS Class 8 waterproof and JIS Class 6 dustproof capabilities
Dimensions Approx. 122.5 (W) x 61.5 (H) x 29.5 (D)mm /4.8 (W) x 2.4 (H) x 1.2 (D) inches (including lens depth)
Weight With battery & SD card Approx. 193g / 6.8 oz. (loaded and ready)
Body Approx. 173g / 6.1 oz.(without battery and SD memory card)

* Recording capacity shows approximate number of shots recorded during CIPA-compliant testing. Actual performance may vary depending on operating conditions.

** According to the result of RICOH IMAGING in-house testing.