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Ricoh's Theta Z1 shoots 360-degree RAW images for $999
Ricoh has unveiled the Theta Z1, a 360-degree camera that offers near-professional features for a price. It's got a pair of backside-illuminated 1-inch sensors and variable apertures that let you shoot 23-megapixel images at f/2.1, f/3.5 and f/5.6. On top of that you can shoot RAW photos and 360-degree, 4K video. That makes it potentiallly very interesting for professional or semi-pro projects, especially as a "B" or secondary camera.
Ricoh's $899 large-sensor GR III compact will go on sale in March
Compact cameras with sensors larger than one inch or so are a rare breed, but Ricoh is about to give you another option. It announced that the GR III, first unveiled last year, will go on sale in March for $899. It's a big improvement over the GR II, with a higher resolution 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, 3-axis in-body stabilization, a rear touchscreen and a fixed 28mm equivalent F/2.8 lens that can focus as close as 2.4-inches. All of that will make it perfect for its intended market, street and tourist photography.
Ricoh adds a new lens and sensor to its lightweight GR III
Richoh's GR series is notable for combining its small, lightweight frame with a large APS-C sensor that the company claims makes it "the ultimate street photography camera." However, after a GR II refresh in 2015 to add WiFi and NFC, some of its features have lagged behind the latest camera technology available. Today at the Photokina event we're meeting the GR III which adds a "newly designed lens, image sensor and imaging engine" to the mix that should keep it as a competitive option at sub-$1,000 prices. We only have a single picture to judge by, but the design doesn't appear to have changed from its previous model The sensor has been upgraded from 16 MP to 24.2 MP, it has a USB-C connection and there's a new software interface to make it easier to use. It will be available in early 2019, but so far there's no word on exactly how much it will cost.
Ricoh's next camera can stream live broadcasts in 360
Ricoh makes one of the best, simple 360-degree cameras out there. It's gradually added better picture quality, more video skills (and cheaper models) to its Theta series, but the company's taking its tech in a different direction with a spherical video camera capable of live streaming 2K at 30fps. The stitching takes place in real-time and the product is unmistakably for creators and media types. This is the Ricoh R Developer kit, and you can preorder one now.
Engadget Live heads to Austin on Friday!
This Friday, October 16th at 7PM, we're heading back to Austin, TX, for our second-to-last Engadget Live event of the year! We're taking over the Austin Music Hall to bring together gadget lovers (like you!) for a night you won't want to miss. Tickets are free!
Engadget Live is coming to Austin next Friday!
We're excited to be returning to Austin, TX, one of our favorite cities, on October 16th at 7PM for our third Engadget Live event of the year! We'll take over Austin Music Hall and bring together gadget lovers and tech companies for a night you don't want to miss. Tickets are free, but if you'd like to get in an hour earlier (at 6PM), you can purchase an early-access pass.
Ricoh's upgraded its Theta spherical camera in all the important ways
Ricoh's Theta camera was a novel, but pricey experiment: a stick-shaped camera that took completely spherical stills (and later, video.) There was also the unfortunate problem of spreading a typical point-and-shoot camera resolution over an understandably bigger 360-degree digital canvas, which resulted in noisy images low on detail. Ricoh's Theta S camera, which launches globally next month, looks like it'll improve on its predecessor in those areas and more. The new camera roughly doubles the resolution of images it can take over the last Theta camera, and an upgraded f2.0 lens (like the optics found on high-end smartphones) ensures more light and less noise and blur. (The results of the last model were often lacking when there wasn't a strong light source.)
Ricoh's big-sensor compact gets more social with NFC and WiFi
Ricoh is launching a new version of its GR compact camera. And, if you take a close look at the spec sheet, you'll see it's largely unchanged; why mess with a good thing? The GR II still has the same big 16.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, a fast f/2.8 28mm (35mm equivalent) fixed lens, built-in flash, 1080p video and 0.2 second autofocus speeds, all squeezed into a compact retro body. While that makes it an ideal grab-and-go street shooter, the last model unfortunately lacked any wireless functions to let you share those images. Luckily, Ricoh has finally rectified that.
Ricoh invents super-efficient power-producing rubber
No, this is not an image of a delicious Fruit Roll-Up, it's actually a unique new flexible material from Ricoh that can create electricity from pressure and vibration. Dubbed "Energy-Generating Rubber," this piezoelectric mat combines the best features of existing ceramic and polymeric materials; high energy output and flexibility, respectively. In fact, this new rubber produces just as much power as ceramic does while surpassing the flexibility of polymeric materials, according to Ricoh. What's more, it is more easily produced than either existing form of piezoelectric.
Engadget Daily: 'The Imitation Game,' Ricoh's upgraded 360-degree camera, and more!
Alan Turing has long been regarded as the father of modern computing. Why? We're glad you asked. Today, we dive into the history of the Turing machine, go hands-on with Ricoh's new Theta camera, and take a look at Corning's new Gorilla Glass 4. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
Ricoh's new Theta camera delivers (relatively) simple 360-degree video
Ricoh's original Theta camera did a curious thing: it took instant 360-degree stills, courtesy of two hemispherical lens positioned either side of stick camera. We weren't completely sold on the initial model, which was also hampered by a $399 price tag that screamed niche photography enthusiast. The good news is that Ricoh has listened to said enthusiasts and, well, anyone else that stumped the money for the debut model. The upgrade has brought several improvements: firstly, the WiFi transfer speed from camera to smartphone has now doubled, (another issue with the first camera) while there's now a companion Android app -- something not there at the launch of the original. It also comes in five different poppy shades. But, most crucially, it can pretty effortlessly, capture photo sphere-style video (up to three minutes long) with a button press. It's still not quite perfect, but we've got more impressions and some samples after the break.
Ricoh's new action cam isn't a toy, even if it looks like one
When you're in the market for an action camera, we'd imagine GoPro or Contour would be the first names that sprang to mind. Ricoh is hoping to crowbar itself onto your psychological roster, however, with the WG-M1, its latest ruggedized action camera. Looking more like the sort of spy compass you'd get for free on the front of a magazine, the hockey puck-style device offers a 14-megapixel CMOS sensor and a six-element lens with an f/2.8 aperture. That'll be good enough for 1080p video of you on your longboard hurtling through traffic at 30 miles an hour.
Ricoh's rugged WG-4 and WG-20 are its first cameras to drop the Pentax badge
Ricoh acquired the Pentax brand more than two years ago, but you almost wouldn't know it when the badging has largely remained the same. However, that's changing today -- Ricoh's new WG-4, WG-4 GPS and WG-20 compact cameras are its first to ditch the Pentax name. From now on, you'll only find the label on interchangeable lens cameras and their accessories. These rugged point-and-shoots haven't seen dramatic changes beyond the corporate logo, mind you. The WG-4 and its GPS-equipped variant add user-programmable and shutter priority modes to the WG-3's basic formula, which includes a 16-megapixel sensor, a 4x lens and a body that's waterproof to 45 feet. The WG-20 (shown below) is very similar to the WG-10, sharing its 14-megapixel sensor, 5x lens and 33-foot waterproofing. All the new models ship in March; the WG-20 will be available for $200, while the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS will respectively cost you $330 and $380.
Ricoh Theta enables 360-degree photo uploads to Google+ and Maps
Folks who shelled out $400 for Ricoh's quirky Theta camera can now show off their 360-degree masterpieces to a larger audience. Circle-loving shutterbugs just got the option to upload their images to Google+ and Google Maps via the camera's companion apps for Android, iOS, Windows 7/8 and Mac. While users have been able to upload to Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook for quite some time, it's only now that the firm has made the apps compatible with Photo Sphere. As a nice plus, dedicated sphere photographers can string multiple 360-degree pictures together to create Street Views, though they'd probably look too trippy to help out a lost tourist.
Ricoh Theta WiFi camera shoots 360-degree photos for $399 (hands-on)
It's a big week for LCD-less WiFi point-and-shoots, but today's offering is a bit more unusual than Sony's lens-camera duo. What would you pay for a 360-degree camera that's compact, easy to use and compatible with an iOS app? $100? Maybe a buck fifty? Ricoh's betting big on a figure far higher -- a "consumer-friendly" $399. And we're not sold. Sure, the Theta is a unique device, but 360-degree images have limited appeal, and the fact that you (and your friends) will need to download a dedicated app just to view them without distortion doesn't help to seal the deal. Still, we're always up for trying out something new, and we're guessing you might be a bit curious, too. Click past the break as we go full circle with Theta. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Ricoh unveils $800 GR compact with 16-megapixel APS-C sensor, continuous autofocus
Though it's a bit late to the large-sensor compact game, Ricoh just jumped into the fray with a model that might tempt the high-end grab and go set: the GR. Following a trail blazed by the likes of Sony and Nikon with its Coolipix A, Ricoh's new advanced compact packs very similar specs to the latter: a 16-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor, fixed 18.3 mm f/2.8 lens, ISO 25,600 capability, pop-up flash, Eye-Fi card compatibility, 1080 / 30p AF video and 4 fps shooting with continuous autofocus for "fast-moving subjects." The similarities end with the price, however, since Pentax's owner is offering the GR for $800 compared to $1,100 for the Nikon, and has eschewed the optical low-pass filter to increase sharpness and further tempt high-end shooters. You'll be able to grab one stateside next month -- check the PR after the break for more.
Ricoh's modular GXR camera getting new 16 megapixel APS-C unit with 24-85mm lens
A new lens for your DSLR or Micro Four Thirds camera may make you feel like you have a whole new camera, but that's really the case with the interchangeable units for the Ricoh GXR. The latest addition to the modular camera's bag of tricks a new 16 megapixel unit with an APS-C sensor, which comes paired with a 24-85mm zoom lens (f3.5-5.5 aperture). Unfortunately, Ricoh isn't getting specific with a price a specific release date (saying only early 2012), but photographer Cristian Sorega reports on his blog that Ricoh will make an official announcement at CES in January, with a release set for January 20th.
Ricoh GXR Leica M-mount module gets a September ship date, lets you swap lenses with one sensor
Sure, you've seen cameras with interchangeable lenses -- you might even own one or two -- but a cam that lets you swap out the sensor with the lens? Now that's pretty unique. Ricoh's GXR has been around since 2009 and does exactly that, with four lens / sensor combos, including two zooms and a pair of fixed lenses. Now, the company has confirmed that its new Leica M-mount module will ship on September 9th, letting you use your existing Leica lenses with the GXR. The module includes a 12.3 megapixel APS-C sensor and has a 27.8mm Leica M bayonet mount, with support for RAW image capture and 720p video. It also has an "open" price, which means it's still anyone's guess as to how much you'll be shelling over. But if you own a collection of Leica glass and are interested in experimenting with such a unique sensor-swapping camera system, you're probably somewhat open to open pricing.
Official: Ricoh set to acquire Pentax camera brand and business, get serious about digital imaging
Reuters is reporting a bit of board room activity in Japan this morning, which could, by the end of today, result in Ricoh purchasing the Pentax brand and camera business from current owner and proprietor Hoya Corporation. The global news agency points out that Hoya's initial acquisition of Pentax, back in 2007, was primarily motivated by its eagerness to acquire Pentax's medical technology, and although the company's had a slew of strong products since then, it probably makes sense for Hoya to pass the digicam work on to someone who might feel more invested in it. For its part, Ricoh also has a well respected line of digital compacts, but lacks the DSLR lineage and experience that Pentax brings. Provided this deal goes through as rumored, and Reuters has three sources who say it's imminent, the only question we've got to ponder is whether the Pentax naming will take over for Ricoh's slightly less recognizable branding or vice versa. Update: That was quick! Hoya has confirmed the sale. Thanks, Ben! It is as reported earlier: Hoya will hang on to the rights to manufacture and develop products for the medical field, while Ricoh is gobbling up the Pentax Imaging Systems products with a view to expanding its presence in the consumer digital camera market.
Ricoh unveils waterproof, dirt-resistant PX camera for outdoorsy photographers
Just a few months after releasing its outdoorsy, G700 point and shoot, Ricoh has taken the wraps off yet another rugged digital camera -- the waterproof, shockproof and dust-resistant PX. This small warrior packs a 16-megapixel CCD sensor along with a 5x optical wide zoom lens and is capable of booting up in just 1.4 seconds. The device also supports subject-tracking and face-priority auto-focus features, in addition to a host of shooting modes, including toy camera, soft-focus and high-contrast black and white, among others. Most alluring, however, is its resilience. According to Ricoh, the PX can survive drops from an altitude of up to five feet, remains waterproof at depths of about ten feet, and is impermeable to dust, sand and dirt. There's also a 2.7-inch, scratch-resistant LCD on its backside, meaning you won't have to worry about casually tossing it in your backpack as you make your way along the trail. More flamboyant hikers, meanwhile, can add their own personal touch to the PX by wrapping it in a protective silicon sleeve, available in five, vibrant colors. If you're interested, you can grab a PX of your own when it hits stores later this month, for $300 AUD (about $317). You can check out some sample images from Digital Photography Review by hitting the link below, or flip through some pics of the PX in the gallery below. There's also a full PR waiting for you, after the break. %Gallery-125925%