Rugged Ricoh G600 point-and-shoot resists dust, water

In case it's not glaringly apparent just by eying the image above, Ricoh's 600 (the proper successor to the Caplio 500G) is built to withstand most any element you'll encounter during a weekend jaunt through the wilderness. The 10-megapixel compact features a 2.7-inch LCD, 28-140mm wide-zoom lens, 5x optical zoom, USB connectivity, ISO 3200 capability and a shock-resistant chassis that also turns a cold shoulder to dust and water. Those in a pinch can swap in a set of AAA cells should the rechargeable Li-ion run out of juice, and though we can't imagine it getting much use, there's even an accessory shoe included for an external flash. Apparently all that toughness doesn't come cheap, as Ricoh's set to demand £349.99 ($693) for this thing when it lands in May.

[g3n3tix @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:32AM]

Big meh : the olympus stylus SW models are much smaller and compact. Waterproof up to 3/10m, compared to this one which is 1m.
And cheaper, too !

[Leo @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:57AM]

I bet this thing is a GREAT camera - it's like they always say - if you're getting a digital camera, make it a Nikon, Canon or Ricoh

[Leo @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:58AM]

/sarcasm


(for anybody STUPID enough to not realise... **sigh**)

[Jose @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:38AM]

Having purchased a Ricoh Gr Digital a year and a bit ago, i must say the build quality and the image quality is phenomenal. It accompanies my 40D quite nicely. Ricoh lenses are pretty darn sharp.

that being said, Ricoh cameras are a different taste from what most people are used to.

Ill wait and see how it performs under high noise settings and image quality then compare it to others.

[RA Murphy @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:13PM]

How about the cold, can it handle the cold?

[RA Murphy @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:15PM]

Actually I see the specs that it operates to -10 C which is not very cold as it goes in the great outdoors....

[Gus @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:35PM]

I miss disposable cameras. *smirk*

[F3 @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:30PM]

Why list the 35mm focal length equivalents and then state the zoom factor? Have people gotten that stupid?

[aoi tsuki @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:52PM]

Because not everyone realizes how zoom ranges work? These are the same people who buy a 10 megapixel camera to print 4x6s, and will buy a camera that lists "HD quality" over one that doesn't, even if both were the same price and had the same megapixel count.

[Tim Lord @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:43PM]

AAA cells? That's too bad. AAs hold a lot more juice, are more widely available, and I bet that's true even on your average mountaintop, oil rig, etc.

[Wolfticket @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:59PM]

The camera is meh-ish, however:

"The large-capacity lithium ion battery provided with the camera gives long battery life for approximately 360 shots (CIPA standard). If the battery runs out, readily available AAA size batteries can be used instead."

I want this on all cameras and phones right now. Seriously, I really hope this catches on.

[eslmatt @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:27PM]

It says it is shock/water/dust resistant, if I forget to take it out of my pocket when I do the wash will it come out clean and fully functional like my Olympus?

[Jonathan @ May 4th 2008 7:36PM]

This camera has a 37mm filter thread - essential for any serious P&S - circular polariser is no problem. Nikon and Canon are pretty terrible in this regard. The camera is designed to be operated with gloves on too... if the lens (esp at the 28mm end) and jpeg engine are any good then this is probably a great outdoor camera and easily worth the $. I hope its as good as the old GR1, Ti28 and GR21 film cameras I have.