Ricoh intros wide-angle R8, 5X zoom R50 cams

Ricoh this morning used the relative lull in the weeks after the PMA photo show to introduce two new Caplio models. The 10-megapixel R8 serves as one of the firm's new top-end models and bridges some of the gap between point-and-shoot and semi-pro cameras through its lens: the wide-angle glass not only has a 28-200mm focus range that helps compose more difficult shots but also zooms out by a 7.1X factor for long distance images.

The R8 is also a physical redesign of the R7 that fits the sharper sensor and strong lens into a thinner body. Ricoh's third-generation processor provides sensitivity up to ISO 1600 and continues to offer a unique 1:1 aspect ratio shooting mode useful for blogs. Pricing and availability have not been listed but will likely focus on Europe and Japan.

The Caplio R50 acts as the R8's budget sibling and shares the same 10-megapixel resolution but with a standard-angle, 36-180mm 5X optical zoom lens that Ricoh touts as an advantage over the 3X and 4X lenses more likely to be found on compact cameras. This simpler camera is also targeted at Europe and Japan and has not received specific launch information of its own.

Caplio R8

Caplio R50