RICOH launches Caplio R7 digital camera

8-megapixel compact with 7x optical zoom

28 August 2007 14:25 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Ricoh has introduced the new Caplio R7 digital camera. The R7 is an 8.14-megapixel model that comes with a new image processing engine and a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens - the equivalent to 28–200mm in 35mm camera format.

This 7.1x wide angle zoom lens, on the R7's body measuring 20.6mm at the thinnest point, is apparently the slimmest in its class of compacts with 5x digital zoom or more.

The new image processing engine "Smooth Imaging Engine III" claims to reduce the noise that can occur in high-sensitivity photography, without loss of resolution.

Introduced to this model are brightness and colour-tone functions allow still image brightness and colour-tone to be adjusted in the camera after the picture is taken.

The R7 offers a unique "Adjust" button function, which makes it easy to set exposure compensation and white balance one-handed.

It also offers a range of photographic options, from macro shooting modes and wide-angle photography – for panoramic landscapes and indoor shooting near the subject – all the way to telephoto photography.

The Caplio R7 boasts a 2.7-inch LCD with 230,000 pixels and a new on screen display with "highly readable" font and clearer menu tabs makes the Caplio R7 even easier to use.

Other features include vibration correction for camera shake and face recognition mode.

The RICOH R7 will be available in silver, black and orange in September for £229.99.