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Ricoh RDC-6000 Ricoh's inexpensive 2 megapixel digicam doubles as a USB webcam. (With optional software.) Select a topic Reference: Datasheet RDC-6000 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on RDC-6000 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 1/9/2001

Optics
The RDC-6000's built-in 8.24mm, aspherical glass lens is equivalent to a 40mm lens on a 35mm camera. (A moderate wide-angle lens.) Lens aperture can be manually controlled through the camera's Aperture Priority exposure mode if the user so chooses, with available settings from f/2.8 to f/13. Focus ranges from 11.8 inches (0.3m) to infinity in normal mode, and from 5.11 to 11.8 inches (0.13 to 0.3m) in Macro mode. The RDC-6000 offers six focus settings (Auto, Macro, Area, 2.5m, Infinity, and Manual), each is accessed through the Record menu. The Auto and Macro settings are relatively self-explanatory, setting the focus to auto-focus at normal or close-up range. Area focus allows you to establish a specific area of the image as the focal point of the picture. The focus area is represented by a green outline square, which is moved around within the image frame via the right and left arrow buttons at the bottom of the LCD monitor (the Cancel and Enter buttons). The 2.5m and Infinity focus modes simply fix the focus at specific distances, which can save time when you need to shoot quickly, by cutting out the delay of the autofocus function. Finally, the Manual focus mode allows you to adjust the focus (within the same range: 11.8 inches or 0.3 meters to infinity), by pressing the left and right arrow buttons. While the RDC-6000 doesn't feature an autofocus lock function, you can manually lock the focus by simply framing the desired area of the subject in the center of the frame, halfway pressing the shutter button, and then reframing the subject while keeping the shutter button halfway depressed. The focus remains locked until the shutter button is released or fully pressed.

Though the RDC-6000 doesn't offer an optical zoom, it does offer digital telephoto up to 4x. The up and down arrow buttons on the right side of the LCD monitor control the amount of digital zoom, with enlargement options of 2x, 3x, and 4x. Keep in mind that digital zoom is not a true replacement for optical zoom, as digital telephoto simply enlarges the center of the CCD image, thereby decreasing image resolution, increasing the noise level, and reducing the quality of the image.