Uncovered by our friends at German website digitalkamera.de, the new cameras are closely related to the existing Caplio G3 (which is available in several different versions). At first glance, the design looks extremely similar to that model, but looks can be deceptive - the G4 is roughly 10% smaller than its predecessor, and about 10 grams lighter. The difference comes down mostly to the removal of the microphone - the edge of the camera to the left of the lens has been trimmed a centimeter or so in the process, and the Ricoh logo moved under the flash instead.

That pretty much summarises the changes we're aware of between the Caplio G3 and G4; the G4 Wide is another matter entirely. That camera features a different lens - still a 3x type, but now 28 - 85mm instead of 35 - 105mm equivalent. The aperture of the new lens varies from f/2.6 - f/4.3 instead of f/2.6 - f/4.7 on the original G3 / G4 lens; the G4 Wide can also focus closer at its telephoto setting... The only other noteable difference between the G4 and G4 Wide is that the "Wide" version is the different optical viewfinder, which has a noticeably smaller aperture on the front of the G4 Wide - allowing the Ricoh logo to be moved back up to a location similar to that on the Caplio G3.

Pricing for the Ricoh Caplio G4 is set at €250 (US$278), and for the Ricoh Caplio G4 Wide at €300 (US$333) - both price conversions ignoring exchange rate fluctuations, taxes and duties. Product specifications for both cameras follow:

	Ricoh Caplio G4	Ricoh Caplio G4 Wide
Recording Format	Still: JPEG (Exif 2.2) DCF "Design rule for Camera File system", DPOF support Text: TIFF (MMR system, ITU-T.6) Motion: AVI (Open DML Motion JPEG) Sound: WAV (Exif ver. 2.2)
Video Signal Method	NTSC/PAL switchable
Recording Media	Internal 8MB SD Memory card (3.3V 8 / 16 / 32 / 64 / 128 / 256 / 512MB) / MultiMediaCard
CCD	1/2.7-inch CCD with 3.34 million square pixels (effective 3.24 million pixels)
Resolution	Still: 2048x1536 / 1280x960 / 640x480 Text: 2048x1536 / 1280x960 Motion: 320x240,160x120
Recording Mode	Still / Still+Sound / Motion+Sound / Voicememo / Continuous / S-Continuous / M-Continuous / Scene (Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Text, Nightscape, High-sensitivity)
Picture Mode	Fine / Normal
Lens	F: 2.6 - 4.7	F: 2.6 - 4.3
Zoom	Optical 3x zoom f = 5.5 - 16.5mm (35 - 105mm in 35mm camera format) Digital 3.4x zoom	Optical 3x zoom f = 4.4 - 13.4mm (28 - 85mm in 35mm camera format) Digital 3.4x zoom
Shutter	Still: 8, 4, 2, 1 - 1/2000 sec. (mechanical / electronic shutter) Motion: 1/30 - 1/2000 sec. (electronic shutter)
Shooting Range	30cm(11.8in.) to infinity Macro: 1cm (0.4in.) -60cm (23.6in.) Wide, 16cm (6.3in)-60cm (23.6in) Tele	30cm(11.8in.) to infinity Macro: 1cm (0.4in.) -60cm (23.6in.) Wide, 4cm (6.3in)-60cm (23.6in) Tele
ISO Sensitivity	Auto / Selectable ISO (equivalent to 125 / 200 / 400 / 800)
Optical Viewfinder	Real-image
Monitor Display	1.6" Translucent Amorphous Silicon TFT LCD (approx. 80,000 pixels)
Built-in Flash	Auto / On / Slow Synchro / Off / Red-eye Reduction
Focus	Auto Focus / Manual Focus / Fixed Focus (snap/infinity)
Exposure Mode	Programmed AE:TTL-CCD method Photometric system: Center Weight / Spot / Multi
Exposure Adjustment	Manual Exposure Compensation (+/-2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps)
White Balance	Auto / Daylight / Overcast / Tungsten Light / Fluorescent Light / Manual (One Push)
Self-timer	Approx. 10 sec. / 2 sec. Delay
Interfaces	PC : USB* Video Out * Limited to PCs with Windows 98 / 98SE / 2000 / Me / XP pre-installed or Macintosh with Mac OS 8.6 - 9.2.2 / Mac OS X 10.1.2 - 10.2.1
Battery	AA Alkaline x 2 (NiMH possible) or Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery (option)
Dimensions (W x D x H)	113 x 36 x 58mm, 4.4 x 1.4 x 2.3inch (excluding projection)
Weight	Approx. 150g (5.3oz.) without battery, SD memory card, hand strap
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