Digital Camera News: Ricoh Caplio R3 Announced, Sanyo Xacti E6 with 3 Inch LCD

Ricoh Caplio R3 Digital Camera Announced

Ricoh has announced the Caplio R3.  This 5.13 megapixel pocket size camera showcases a ton of great features.  To start with, the 7.1x optical zoom starts at a 35mm equivalant focal length of 28mm and zooms up to 200mm.  The camera also includes Vibration Correction that is handled by a CCD (sensor) shift mechanism.  The macro function can take shots of subjects as close as 1 cm.

The camera doesn't have a viewfinder, but does have a 2.5 inch LCD and Ricoh claims that the battery for this camera can provide 310 shots.

Also, to combat the missed timing of previous generations of digital cameras, the R3 has a 0.007 sec shutter lag from when the camera has focused until the image is captured.

The Ricoh Caplio R3 will be available in September.  For more, see Ricoh's web site.

Sanyo Drops the 3 Inch LCD with the Sanyo Xacti E6

Sanyo has somehow managed to take up even more of the back of a camera with the introduction of the Sanyo Xacti E6.  The 3 inch LCD is the largest "in its class".  The camera has an MSRP of $399.99 and will be available in the U.S. in September 2005.  The camera captures images at 6 megapixels, has a 3x optical zoom and features the first "Touch Sensor Shutter Button".  By just touching the shutter button, the camera starts its autofocus process.  Then, the image is captured when the button is depressed.  This avoids the "halfway press" that is needed in other cameras to start the autofocus and exposure bracketing process.

For more, see Sanyo's product page

Sanyo announced the Xacti S6 at the same time.  The S6 is a 6 megapixel camera, with the Touch Sensor Button, 3x optical zoom and 2 inch LCD.  The S6 has an MSRP of $299.99 and will be available in the U.S. in October 2005.