Ricoh yesterday announced its latest digital camera in the Caplio lineup, the R8. The new model boasts a generous focal range and a 10 megapixel CCD, all of these in a slim body.

Praises should go to Ricoh for using a lens that gives users true wide angle capabilities. As the product's specifications mention, the picture angle is equivalent to a 28-200mm zoom lens on a 35mm full-frame camera. There aren't many compact cameras on the market going all the way down to 28mm, so this is quite an achievement.

On the other hand, the maximum apertures are not so jolly. At the wide end, users get a maximum of f/3.3, while at the long end, there's only f/5.2. Not quite a stellar performance, but it's a compromise to make the camera smaller.

The 10-megapixel CCD is accompanied by Ricoh's mechanical vibration correction which compensates for camera shake when it is detected and the Smooth Imaging Engine III, which also enables face recognition.

Just like with the Caplio GX100 and GR DIGITALII, the new R8 has a shooting function for an aspect ratio of 1:1, which is seen on medium format cameras and an excellent choice for landscape and other photography genres.

Image composing and reviewing is done with the help of the 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel HVGA LCD whose high resolution gives it an advantage over older models.

The press release also mentions the AF/AE target shift functions, previously only available for macro photography. While shooting, it is possible to shift the target for AF or AE or both without moving the camera. Another improvement is the zoom lever, which can be set to work at two speeds.

As with most Ricoh cameras, the R8 is able to go as close as 1cm for wide macro shots and at 25cm for telemacro.

Available in silver, black and two tone, the Caplio R8 will hit the shelves starting March 2008 for £249,99 including VAT.

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