Tokyo, August 22, 2002 - Ricoh has announced the release of the Caplio RR30 digital camera.

This revolutionary new model eliminates the key banes of digital photography. Users can quickly capture action opportunities because the shutter response is the world's fastest in this camera's class* - at just 0.22 second. The Caplio RR30 is also a perfect travel companion, with an optionally available lithium ion battery that allows hundreds of shots between charges. The Caplio RR30 is one of a handful of digital cameras that can additionally operate with two AA alkaline or nickel metal hydride batteries, and also comes with an optional AC adapter.

* As of July 20, 2002, for compact digital cameras with resolutions of four megapixels or less. Speed measured as time between depressing shutter release button and starting exposure in auto focus mode without using focus lock.

The new model's CCD delivers an effective 3.24 megapixels of high resolution, complemented by 10.2x zooming from a 3x optical zoom lens, combined with 3.4x digital zooming. For those seeking up-close detail, the Caplio RR30 allows 1cm macros.

Apart from a regular continuous shooting mode, two new continuous shooting modes record the first or last 16 frames of a subject to one file in around two seconds. This is perfect for those seeking to analyze everything from a golfer's swing to a sprinter's gait.

The Caplio RR30's high-sensitivity mode provides incomparably better illumination of subjects in the dark to aid framing and shooting. Another key advantage of the Caplio RR30 is that it can plug in to USB cable-equipped personal computers with the provided imaging software installed, for instant image transfers.

Katsunori Nakata, general manager of the Marketing Office at Ricoh's Personal Multimedia Products Company, says of the new model that: "We listened closely to existing digital camera users before developing this new model. And we responded with innovation.

The Caplio RR30 makes digital photography a reliably complete and user-friendly experience, such as through the long battery life and ultrafast shutter response. On top of that, the Caplio RR30's 3.24-megapixel resolution, 10.2x zoom, and a host of other handy features make it equally suitable for the consumer market and business users, such as web writers, columnists, magazine editors, and public relations officers. The Caplio RR30 has everything you need to truly enjoy digital photography."

Main Features

Ultrafast Shutter Response
People who have used digital cameras before have likely suffered the frustrations of action shooting. All too often, the subject has almost disappeared before a shot is captured. This is because shutter responses on such cameras are so slow. But the Caplio RR30 eliminates this problem. The release time lag is just 0.22 second.

The Caplio RR30 achieves such speed with its hybrid autofocusing system, comprising both external and through-the-lens focusing. The shutter speed ranges from an amazing 1/2,000th of a second to a full eight seconds. All these capabilities allow users to comfortably handle everything from portrait to action photography.

Diverse Power Sources
When on road, users can always switch to two AA alkaline or nickel metal hydride batteries in the unlikely event that the optional lithium ion battery runs out. Few other digital cameras offer such dual battery capabilities. With the lithium ion battery, up to 3,500 shots* are possible between recharges. An optional AC adapter is available for those wishing to take advantage of a nearby power source.

"* A maximum 3,500 shots under continuous counting mode (flash off, without zooming, LCD off, with VGA); up to 350 shots under normal usage conditions (with 50% flash and zoom usage, LCD on, 30 seconds between shots, reviews of all photos).

1cm Macro Photography
The Caplio RR30 builds on the Ricoh tradition of offering crisp macros as close as 1cm from a subject, so it can, for example, capture the full richness of settings in an engagement ring. The camera also offers macros across the zoom range up to 16cm away, while the built-in flash can be used for shots as close as 16cm.

Multi-Shot Shooting
One of the key attractions of the Caplio RR30 is that it is a perfect tool for people wanting to analyze action. Golfers, for example, might want to analyze their swings. The Caplio RR30 has two handy streaming shot modes for such people. In S- continuous Mode, it can take a stream of 16 shots in one file at 0.13-second intervals-for two seconds of footage-with just one press of the shutter button.

In M-continuous Mode, with the shutter button held down the camera memorizes the last 16 shots in one file, taken at 0.13 second intervals. This is very convenient if users are unsure exactly when a particular action may start or finish.

High-Sensitivity Display
The Caplio RR30 does away with another familiar drawback of digital cameras: poor display visibility in nightclubs and other dim environments. Its high-sensitivity mode provides incomparably better illumination of subjects in the dark to aid framing and shooting.

Simple Image Transfers
The Caplio RR30 makes child's play of image transfers. Just turn the camera off. Link via a USB cable to a Windows PC or Mac OS computer preinstalled with RICOH GATE L software installed. The computer will then instantly start importing at 3 megabytes per second. Mac OSX users can import images with iPhoto. Windows XP users can take advantage of the Windows Image Acquisition driver interface.

Hybrid Autofocusing
The Caplio RR30 incorporates a hybrid autofocusing system, comprising both external and through-the-lens focusing. The external system operates constantly, thus advancing shutter speeds and enhancing shooting in dark environments. The through-the-lens setup is handy for ensuring crispness in closeups and macro photography.

Handy Exposure Options
A 256-point light sensor scans the subject area to average and determine optimal exposure settings. The camera also offers center-weighted and spot metering and incorporates auto bracketing.

Synchro Monitor Mode
In this mode, the camera conserves power by keeping the monitor off before shooting. The monitor goes on when the shutter button is depressed to preview a shot or operate the zoom, and remains on for several seconds after a picture is taken.

Compatible with Secure Digital Memory Cards
The Caplio RR30 has an internal 8M memory and can also use optional Secure Digital memory cards. These ultracompact solid-state devices do not need a power source to store information and permit fast and simple downloads of images. The camera is also compatible with Multimedia cards.
Shutter speeds from 1/2000 to eight seconds

The shutter range is from an amazing 1/2,000th of a second to a full eight seconds. All these capabilities allow users to comfortably handle everything from portrait to action photography.

Diverse Scene Modes and Video Captures
To remove the fuss from photography, the Caplio RR30 offers six preset scene modes. These are the portrait, sports, landscape, night scene, text, and high-sensitivity modes. Another handy feature of the Caplio RR30 is that it can capture silent video.

Quick Reviews at the Press of a Button
Most cameras require users to switch modes if they want to review results. With the Caplio RR30, however, users can take advantage of the Recview capability when in any shooting mode, simply depressing a button to instantly replay the most recent image.