Ricoh Caplio R4 Review

Review Date: July 13th 2006

Leave a comment about this Review

Page 1
Introduction / Features
Page 2
Ease of Use
Page 3
Image Quality
Page 4
Sample Images
Page 5
Design
Page 6
Specifications
Page 7
Conclusion

Conclusion


Ratings (out of 5)
Design
4
Features
4
Ease-of-Use
4.5
Image Quality
3.5
Value for Money
4

The Ricoh Caplio R4 is a marginal improvement on its predecessor, the Ricoh R3. There are very few changes in specification - just a slightly higher resolution LCD screen, simplified vibration reduction mode (only one mode in the R4) and the addition of one extra megapixel. Surprisingly, the increase in megapixels seems to have actually improved the image quality a little, with noise now starting to appear at ISO 200, rather than ISO 100 as on the R3. Unfortunately the R4 still suffers from obvious chromatic aberrations and poor night shots, although once again the the amazing macro mode and the anti-shake system are definitely worth having. The main attractions of the R4 remain the same. A point and shoot camera that can easily fit in your pocket, yet has a massive 7x wide-angle optical zoom lens. A camera that is easy-to-use, well-built and stylish in an understated kind of way, with a genuinely useful anti-shake system. The Ricoh Caplio R4's image quality is still not great, but it does represent a small step forward, making this a more complete package than the R3. The R4 isn't worth upgrading to from the R3, but it's definitely worth a look if you want a camera that offers something a little different to the norm.

Page 1
Introduction / Features
Page 2
Ease of Use
Page 3
Image Quality
Page 4
Sample Images
Page 5
Design
Page 6
Specifications
Page 7
Conclusion

DIWAPhotographyBLOG is a member of the DIWA organisation. Our test results for the Ricoh Caplio R4 have been submitted to DIWA for comparison with test results for different samples of the same camera model supplied by other DIWA member sites.