Ricoh Caplio R3: A five megapixel ultracompact with 7.1x optical zoom
By Peter Rojas 
posted September 7th 2005 10:40AM
posted September 7th 2005 10:40AM
Normally yet another ultracompact five megapixel shooter wouldn't do much to move the needle here at Engadget HQ, but hot damn, Ricoh's new Caplio R3 actually has something on its competitors: a 7.1x optical zoom lens. Ricoh claims the R3 is the world's smallest digital camera with more than a 5x optical zoom lens, and given how few ultracompacts have been willing/able to even break the 3x optical zoom barrier, we're more or less inclined to believe them. The R3 also has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, but no optical viewfinder.
Price?
Very expensive.
Very expensive.
Aw... they got rid of the AA-compatibility the R2 had. Bummer. For a pocket camera, I like the ones that still support AA.
Ah, well, everything else sounds lovely.
Haven't the recent Caplios suffered from poor image quality?
the r1v is great (i have one) really great all-rounder and cheap too
Am pleased with their R2 - can't wait to get my hands on the R3. Hopefully the price will be within the range of newer P&S(usually 7Mpixel)DSC.
I just received my R3 and was extremely disappointed with the viewing screen resolution and the awful picture quality. I am not very impressed. My usual camera is the Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom and is very bulky and slow, but takes incredible pictures. The R3 cannot compare in quality, but is super fast. Too bad, for me quality over speed wins and I will be returning this beauty. I am quite sad as I really looked forward to a compact camera with a great wide angle lens. No such luck yet.