February 05, 2014
RICOH IMAGING EXTENDS THE ADVENTURE WITH DEBUT OF WG-4 GPS & WG-4 RUGGED CAMERAS, COMPLETE WITH NEW MOUNTING SYSTEM
Advanced Features, Durable Construction and Versatile Mounting System Deliver the Ideal Imaging Solution for the Ultimate Explorer

DENVER, CO, February 5, 2014 – With over 20 years of experience in pioneering the design and development of adventure-ready cameras, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation (Ricoh Imaging) is pleased to introduce the Ricoh WG-4 series of rugged compact cameras and new modular mounting system. Taking usability and flexibility to the next level, the Ricoh WG-4 series of cameras and its versatile mounting accessories outfit even the most extreme adventurers with an action-ready system that is primed for the most inclement weather conditions and thrilling adventures.

Building on the outstanding ergonomics and sturdy design the WG series is known for, the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and WG-4 offer consumers a form factor ideal for the rough-and-tumble lifestyle of any explorer. When combined with the new WG mounting accessories, adventures become hands-free; extending the ability to capture action from new perspectives and vantage points ensuring that the once-in-a-lifetime shot is never missed. Consisting of a camera base which uses a flexible ball and socket system, these new mounting accessories maintain compatibility with three new mounts; an adhesive camera mount, handlebar camera mount and suction cup camera mount.

“As the 17th generation in our lineup of ruggedized compact cameras, the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and WG-4 represent the culmination of years of experience in manufacturing products that can withstand the elements,” said Jim Malcolm, Executive Vice President, Ricoh Imaging. “Using our expertise in the category, Ricoh Imaging has developed an adaptable mounting solution that continues to build our offering for the active photographer while delivering on consumer demand.”

Inside its rugged body, the Ricoh WG-4 series houses a variety of photographic tools to bring inspired adventure to life! Advanced shooting modes like HDR mode produce beautifully accurate scenery depicted true to memory, while Slow-Motion Video captures and enhances even the quickest action with details regular video can miss. Other user-friendly features include Panoramic mode and Digital Microscope mode, which uses six LED lights to focus on subjects as close as one centimeter from the lens bringing tiny worlds to life.

Much like Ricoh Imaging’s popular line of PENTAX DSLRs, the Ricoh WG-4 series now provides enhanced flexibility and creative control with the inclusion of USER and Shutter Priority modes. The newly-incorporated USER mode enables quick recall of frequently used settings while the shutter priority mode allows the photographer to obtain the desired creative effect by setting the shutter speed and allowing the camera to adjust the aperture and ISO for the optimum exposure.

Continuing the rugged heritage of the WG series of cameras, the Ricoh WG-4 and WG-4 GPS are waterproof to 45 feet, shockproof from drops of up to 6.6 feet, cold proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and crushproof, withstanding up to 220 foot-pounds of force. In addition, the Ricoh WG-4 series features a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and a thoughtfully designed folded optical 4X zoom lens, enabling its pocketability while also ensuring its optics are not exposed dust and moisture like those of a protruding lens barrel. Finally, the adventure-prone explorer need not worry about blurry images. Thanks to the WG-4’s fast F2.0 maximum aperture and dual shake reduction system, which combines an image-sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a Digital SR mode, to guarantee clear, sharp images even in shake-prone conditions.

Pricing and Availability
Updated to match the most current color trends in the outdoor industry, the new WG-4 GPS is available in a choice of blue or black for a price of $379.95. The WG-4 is available in silver or lime yellow for a price of $329.95. Both models will be available at retailers nationwide and online in March 2014.

The WG series mounting accessories are compatible will all WG-series cameras and will be available at retailers nationwide and online in February 2014 and are priced as follows:
- Camera holder - $19.99
- Adhesive mount - $44.99
- Handle bar mount - $39.99
- Suction cup mount - $42.99
Additional information including product specifications and press images are available at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com.



| About Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation|

Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions.

The company now known as Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation, was originally founded in 1919, under the name Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. and launched its first SLR camera in the 1950s under the PENTAX name. Today, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation continues to produce the heritage-rich, award-winning line of PENTAX DSLR cameras, lenses and sport optics equipment as well as Ricoh’s offering of stylish and compact digital cameras, known for their wide-ranging, rich set of features.

For further information, please visit: www.us.ricoh-imaging.com


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© 2014 Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Contact:

Amber Renard
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation
(303) 728-0255
amber.renard(at)us.ricoh-imaging.com

 
Major Features

1. Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting to 45 feet, and up to two continuous hours

Thanks to their fully watertight construction, the Ricoh WG-4 GPS and WG-4 assure outstanding waterproof performance to a depth of 45 feet, up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8). They are also designed to be shock-resistant against a fall from a height of 6.6 feet,* dustproof (equivalent to IPX6 or JIS Class 6),** cold-resistant against temperatures as low as 14°F,** and crushproof against weights up to 220 lbs (foot pounds force).** All of these features combine to make the WG-4 GPS and WG-4 a truly dependable, heavy-duty digital imaging partner in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.
* Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards (from a height of 2.0 meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood), conforming to Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL-Standard 810F.
** Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards.

2. Exceptional image quality, thanks to a large-aperture zoom lens and latest imaging technologies

The high-performance optical zoom lens offers a maximum aperture of F2.0 (at wide-angle end) to capture bright, clear images with minimal noise, even in dimly lit locations. With its four-times zoom coverage from 4.5mm to 18mm (equivalent to approx. 25mm wide angle to approx. 100mm medium telephoto in the 35mm format), this versatile zoom lens accommodates a wide range of applications, from macro shooting of flowers to wide-angle photography of sweeping landscapes. Thanks to the upgraded AF algorithm, the focusing speed in macro shooting has been greatly increased to facilitate close-up applications.

3. A comprehensive selection of shooting modes

Including the Shutter Priority and USER modes, which are newly included in the WG series, the WG-4 GPS and WG-4 provide a total of 29 shooting modes. In the Shutter Priority mode, the camera automatically sets the aperture and ISO sensitivity for a user-selected shutter speed to assure optimum exposure. In the USER mode, the photographer can instantly recall preprogrammed settings for more personalized camera operation. In addition, the Auto Picture mode automatically selects one of 16 different scene modes for a given scene or subject. With a wide choice of shooting modes, the user can always find the ideal mode for every subject and occasion.

4. High-performance, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor

The Ricoh WG-4 GPS and WG-4 come equipped with a state-of-the-art, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which excels in high-sensitivity and low-noise characteristics, and assures high-speed readout of image data signals. Coupled with a high-performance imaging engine, this image sensor delivers a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and super-high-resolution images with 16.0 effective megapixels. These models also provide advanced image processing functions made possible by the latest super-resolution technology to assure sharp, clear, high-resolution images. They even offer such innovative features as a Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures multiple images of the same nighttime scene and produces a single blur-free, composite image from them.

5. Dual anti-shake protection for sharp, blur-free images

The WG-4 GPS and WG-4’s dual shake reduction system combines an image-sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a Digital SR mode to more effectively compensate for the adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake in shake-prone conditions, such as when photographing a poorly lit subject using ambient light only, or when shooting sunset scenes.

6. Six Macro Lights to assist close-up shooting

With six LED macro lights positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel for, the WG-4 GPS and WG-4 provide brighter, more uniform illumination on the subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected.*** With the macro lights illuminated, the user can clearly see a magnified view of a microscopic world often unseen by the naked eye on the camera’s LCD monitor and effortlessly capture eye-catching images. In order to minimize camera shake and subject shake, the instant illumination function allows for the use of a higher shutter speed by automatically raising the illumination level of the macro lights at the moment of shutter release. In addition, the macro lights can provide other user-friendly features, such as a Self-Portrait Assist mode to check if the subject’s face is safely captured within the picture frame using the blink of an LED lamp, and an LED Lighting mode that uses the macro lights as a flashlight in the dark.

*** When the Digital Microscope mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 2.0 megapixels (at 16:9 proportions).

7. Full HD movie recording for extended shooting of high-quality movies

The Ricoh WG-4 GPS and WG-4 provide Full HD movie recording employing the H.264 recording format, allowing the user to capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. They also feature a high-speed camera function**** for slow-motion playback of captured movie clips and a fast-forward movie function***** to simplify creative movie techniques. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided for simultaneous output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external audio-visual devices.

**** When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 1280 x 720 pixels.
*****When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 640 x 360 pixels.

8. Extra-large, high-resolution, wide-frame 3.0-inch LCD monitor

These WG-series models incorporate an extra-large, high-resolution 3.0-inch color LCD monitor with horizontally extended 16:9 proportions and approximately 460,000 dots of resolution. The AR (Anti-Reflection) coating minimizes annoying glare and reflections to assure a sharp, clear on-screen image, even under harsh sunshine often found in outdoor shooting. The wide-view design offers a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, making it possible to check an image from different angles.

9. Built-in GPS functions and pressure/altitude/depth gauge to facilitate outdoor shooting (WG-4 GPS only)

The WG-4 GPS comes equipped with a sophisticated GPS module, which automatically records position data and travel log data onto captured images and adjusts the built-in clock to local time. Its pressure sensor and digital compass also allow the user to check the pressure, altitude/underwater depth and direction of a shooting location on the camera’s LCD monitor.

10. Other features

• Sub-display on the front panel to indicate time and GPS data (WG-4 GPS only)
• Two remote control receptors (one in front and another on the back) to widen signal coverage
• Digital level to check the camera’s horizontal/vertical inclination
• O-CC135 Camera Case with belt loop (optional accessory)
• O-CC1352 Protector Jacket (optional accessory) to protect the camera from scratches and dirt
• O-LA135 Lens Adapter (optional accessory) to broaden the wide-angle coverage to 22mm in the 35mm format using the DW-5 RICOH Wide Conversion Lens (optional accessory; now available)
• O-ST1352 Float Strap (optional accessory) to prevent the loss of the camera in the water
• Carabiner strap (included) for hooking the camera to a backpack or other outdoor gear
• 12 digital filters
• Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards

Optional Accessories

• O-CM1471 WG Adhesive Mount - A camera mount with a powerful adhesive tape to fix the camera body to an intended object, such as a canoe, helmet and bicycle.
• O-CM1472 WG Handlebar Mount - A pinch-type camera mount to fix the camera body to a pipe of a bicycle or hang glider.
• O-CM1473 WG Suction Cup Mount - A camera mount with a suction cup, easily removable for repeated use, to fix the camera body to an intended object, such as a canoe or bicycle. Also usable as a handy substitute for a tripod.
• O-CH1470 WG Holder - A camera holder usable on all WG-series models.****** By mounting this holder on the camera body, the user can attach another optional accessory******* to the camera body.
****** Mountable camera body: WG-1, WG-2, WG-3/WG-3 GPS, WG-10, WG-4/WG-4 GPS, WG-20
******* Usable accessory: O-CM1471, O-CM1472, O-CM1473
• O-CM1474 WG Repair Parts 1 - A double-sided adhesive tape for use with O-CM1471.
• O-CM1475 WG Repair Parts 2 - A spare nut for use with O-CM1471, O-CM1472 and O-CM1473.
• O-CM1476 WG Repair Parts 3 - A spare rubber band for use with O-CH1470.