The Ricoh CX4 features the same ten megapixel, backside illuminated CMOS image sensor and 10.7x folding optical zoom lens as its predecessor. The CX4 also retains that camera's sensor shift image stabilization, 3.0-inch high-res LCD panel, SD / SDHC storage, and custom lithium ion battery pack.

Changes since the CX3 are to be found in a few key areas. The Ricoh CX4 has an updated sensor shift image stabilization system, said to be good for a 3.7 stop correction. It also has tweaked noise processing algorithms, although the ISO 100 setting has been dropped from the camera at the same time. The Ricoh CX4's autofocus system now offers subject tracking capability. There's also a new multi-shot night landscape mode that merges four separate images in-camera to create one exposure with reduced blur from camera shake, and three new special effects modes -- Soft Focus, Cross Process, and Toy Camera. Battery life has been improved by some 20 shots to CIPA standards, and available flash memory decreased by 2MB to 86MB total -- likely to accommodate some of the new firmware features. The software bundle has also been changed, and support for older operating systems such as Windows 2000 and Mac OS 9.x ceased.

The Ricoh CX4 goes on sale in Japan from September 3, 2010, with monthly production of 50,000 units. Pricing has not been disclosed, and nor has the company indicated any plans for sale in overseas markets, such as the USA. More details can be found in our Ricoh CX4 preview.

Ricoh CX4
General
Manufacturer	Ricoh
Model Number	North America: CX4
Dimensions	4.0 x 2.3 x 1.2 in. (102 x 59 x 29 mm)
Weight	7.2 oz (205 g)
Image Capture
Sensor Type	CMOS 1/2.3" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal) 10.60 megapixels (total) 10.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio	4:3, 3:2
Image Dimensions	3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels) 3648 x 2432 (8.9 megapixels) 2736 x 2736 (7.5 megapixels) 3648 x 2048 (7.5 megapixels) 2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels) 2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels) 1728 x 1296 (2.2 megapixels) 1280 x 960 (1.2 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Capture Speed	Standard: 3.0 frames per second Continuous: 5.0 frames per second for 12 frames
Image Quality	2 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	No
LCD	3.0 in. diagonal 920,000 dots (approx. 307,000 pixels)
Playback Zoom	16.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Ricoh Zoom; 10 elements in 7 groups (4 asph. elements, 5 asph. surfaces) 10.7x optical zoom
Image Stabilization	Yes
Focal Length	4.9 - 52.5mm (actual) 28 - 300mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - ???
Focusing System	Multi / spot contrast detection with face priority and tracking Has AF assist lamp Manual focus possible
Focusing Range	Normal: 12" - infinity (30 cm - infinity) Macro: 0.4" - 4,082" (1 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Shutter Speed	8 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes	Program
Metering Modes	256-segment multi, center-weighted, spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Image Sensor - Auto, Multi-Pattern Auto, Outdoors, Cloudy, Incandescent 1, Incandescent 2, Fluorescent, Manual
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto Flash, Red-eye Flash, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Range: Approx. 20 cm - 4.0 m (Wide), approx. 28 cm - 3.0 m (Telephoto) (ISO Auto to 1600 max.)
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes	Portrait, Discreet Mode, Night. Port., Night Landscape Multi-shot, Sports, Landscape, Zoom Macro, Pets, Skew Correct Mode, High Sens, Text Mode
Digital Zoom	Up to 4.8x
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse	Yes
Movie Format	AVI (OpenDML Motion JPEG) with audio
Storage
Recording Medium	SD/MMC including SDHC, Built-in
File System	FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	JPEG (EXIF v2.3)
Connectivity
Video	Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer	USB 2.0 High Speed
Power
Battery Type	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	Proprietary DB-100
Product Bundle
Software	MediaBrowser and DL-10 software for PC, VM-1 software for Mac
Flash Memory	86.0MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
Internal Microphone	Yes
Internal Speaker	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Remote Control	No
Notes	CMOS image sensor is backside illuminated type. Class 6 or greater SD card recommended for 720p movie shooting. When LCD Dim is set to On, battery life increases to 330 shots using CIPA standard. Has electronic level function. Multi-Picture recording uses CIPA DC-007-2009 Multi-Picture Format.