Ricoh WG-80 Digital Compact Camera (Black)

The solid, airtight body of the WG-80 is not only waterproof down to a depth of 46 feet 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 5 feet, dustproof (equivalent to IPX 6 or JIS Class 6), freeze-proof to temperatures as low as -10°C / 14°F, and crushproof against weights up to 100kgf (kilogram force). Thanks to this heavy-duty construction, the camera performs dependably even in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.

The WG-80 is equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which assures high-sensitivity, 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 effective megapixels. It has advanced image-processing functions, made possible by the latest super-resolution technology, to assure sharp, clear, high-resolution images. It even offers such innovative features as Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures several images of the same nighttime scene to produce a single, blur-free, composite image from them.

Ideally positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel for macro shooting, six LED macro lights allow the WG-80 to provide bright, uniform illumination on a subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected. Providing the maximum illumination intensity (almost twice that of its predecessor) and a five-step intensity adjustment function, this six-light unit enables the photographer to effortlessly optimize the close-range flash photography based on the subject or creative intention. 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 to light up in the dark.

Specifically designed for underwater photography, the Underwater and Underwater Movie shooting modes are programmed to optimize color and contrast, 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. In 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.

The WG-80 features 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. It also provides 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.

The WG-80 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 your movie recording, there is 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.

• Pixel Track SR Mechanism: When recording still images, this advanced shake-reduction mechanism effectively compensates for camera shake by digitally processing affected images.
• Digital SR Mode: When the camera detects low-lighting conditions in still-image shooting, this mode automatically raises the sensitivity up to as high as ISO 6400, making it possible to use a higher shutter speed and effectively minimize the adverse effect of camera shake and subject shake when dealing with poor lighting conditions.
• Movie SR Mode: During movie recording, this mode effectively compensates for the misalignment of images caused by camera shake through the use of exclusive software to produce beautiful, blur-free movie clips.

The WG-80 comes equipped with a 2.7″ 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 Outdoor View Setting mode, which easily sets the optimum monitor brightness level for a given lighting condition.

• High-speed Face Detection function to capture as many as 32 faces in focus in approximately 0.03 seconds (minimum);
• 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, using an extended push of the OK button when the camera’s power is turned off
• 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