Ricoh's 10 megapixel R8 and R50 are ready to dance

Meet Ricoh's latest compact shooters. The aluminum R8 -- Ricoh's R7 followup -- drops the Caplio moniker while bumping the specs with a 10 megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CCD covered with a 7.1x optical zoom lens. Around back you'll find a 2.7-inch LCD with CCD-shift image stabilization and Smooth Imaging Engine III processing on the inside. Expected to roll in Japan for ¥50,000 or about $460 in backs of green. The ¥30,000 (about $280) R50 maintains that 10 megapixel sensor, processing engine, and stabilization but rolls back the zoom to 5x. Both should pop in March. Oodles of R8 pics in the gallery.

Ricoh's 10 megapixel R8 and R50 are ready to dance

Read -- R50
Read -- R8

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 5:03AM]

I've been waiting for a classic looking camera to fit my uber retro style.
R8, YOU WILL BE MINE

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 5:44AM]

fail

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 5:46AM]

Err, this was supposed to be a reply to mat

I like those cameras, it's been a while since someone releases a CCD... I like how CCDs perform in dark situations

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 6:38PM]

your fail hath failed.

CCD's indeed usually do work better in low light. its very rare cameras even advertise what technology the sensor is, its something i'd like to see reported on engadget much more often.

i seem to remember some absolutely horendous gotchas for old Ricoh cameras. i hope i'm trying to remember what they are, as any reason I can find to _not_ plunk down $450 would be awsome.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 6:40AM]

I'm just wondering what on Earth is 1/2.3-inches? Is that a half of an inch plus another .3 of an inch (so .8), or a half of an inch plus .3 of half an inch (or .65 of an inch), or is it one 2.3rd (is that even a measurement?) which I guess would be .43 of an inch? Wouldn't it just be easier to say 20.3mm, 16.5mm or 11mm respectively?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 7:06AM]

I'd love to know where you're getting your exchange rate, because by my current conversion calculations here in Yokosuka Japan, that's closer to a $480 to $490 camera. And with the falling dollar, it could be higher than that on a daily basis.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 8:29AM]

don't care about more megapixels...but WHY did they make it bigger and heavier than the last model? design is really nice but they are going to lose the edge they had over the Lumix Z series by making it larger. if i want something i can't fit in my pocket, i might as well have the Lumix with a 10x zoom vs. this one at 7x.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 11:51AM]

The R8 seems to be the camera I have been waiting for; pity it looks like a**

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2008 6:47PM]

That R8 looks cool,sophisticated a and sleek. Nice and pro.