Ricoh Caplio GX100 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Wide Angle Zoom Lens and VF1 Removable LCD Viewfinder

by Ricoh

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003N9BGXK
• Item model number: Caplio GX100 VF KIT
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,429 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The GX100's slender body accommodates a 24-72mm/f2.5(W)-4.4(T), 3x wide-angle optical zoom lens. Set to wide-angle it can be utilized for wide-perspective pan focus shooting and versatile photographic effects. At medium distances, it is effective for taking portraits or framing scenes. With the freedom to compose and wide potential for expression, the Caplio GX100 appeals to the type of photographer who seeks to enhance his expressive artistry.

24 mm wide-angle zoom and CCD with effective 10.01 million pixels

Superb optical performance, all the way to the picture's edge
Striving for compact size and outstanding imagery from its 24mm wide-angle zoom lens, the Caplio GX100 boasts a high-performance lens utilizing aspherical, special low-dispersion glass lenses with a high refractive index, in a high-quality 7-group, 11-element configuration. This design effectively suppresses distortion, color aberration and light falloff at the edges. As the MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) curve demonstrates, it achieves high definition and high contrast reproduction all the way to the edges.

Wide-angle conversion lens
Attach the DW-6* wide conversion lens (optional) and you'll get a perspective even wider than the naked eye, enabling you to take ultra-wide-angle shots with a 19mm focal length. The ability to shoot extreme déformé perspectives and wide angle shots give further vent to original shooting. The wide conversion lens requires the easily-connected HA-2** adapter, which also permits attachment of the lens hood and a variety of 43mm diameter filters (standard items).
_{* Optional
** When wide conversion lens is attached, the built-in flash cannot be used as vignetting may occur.}

Seven-blade iris aperture realizes striking blur tone
Selectable in 12 steps from fully open to the smallest setting, the odd-numbered 7-blade iris aperture enables close control over exposures. At any setting a nearly perfect circle is achieved, permitting capture of gorgeous blur tones and shafts of light.

Step zoom emulates single focal length lenses
The zoom lens' focal length can be fixed at 24/28/35/50 and 72mm. This step zoom system enables you to capture images like that of a 35mm film camera using single photo length lenses.

10.01-megapixel CCD achieves fine, detailed imagery
The GX100's CCD, boasting 10.01 megapixels with superb definition, incorporates Ricoh's original "Smooth Imagining EngineII" for natural color rendition with low noise. Combining these two strengths, the GX100 achieves fine, detailed quality images that stand up to demanding enlargements. A choice of F (Fine), N (Normal) and RAW mode settings are available, with RAW recommended for processing the image with computer software as well as for optimal picture quality.

Functions and body design created for ease of use

Removable electronic viewfinder(LCD viewfinder)
GX100 boasts a unique removable electronic viewfinder. Directly linked to the focal distance and viewfinder image, parallax is eliminated, letting you zoom and frame your subjects with the feel of a single-lens reflex camera. Naturally shooting information is displayed in the same manner as on the LCD monitor. The field of view is 100 percent. Its tilt mechanism* permits low-angle shots, for even more photographic creativity.
_{*During tilt, the built-in flash cannot be utilized.}

Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor display permits wide-angle shooting
The 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel LCD display can be clearly viewed horizontally or vertically from a 170-degree angle. Photos can be displayed as one frame, three frames or indexed contents, up to a maximum of 16 at a time. Display settings include marker displays, a histogram for visual display of light distribution, a grid guide (in the shooting mode), convenient for confirming parallel alignment and a highlight display (in the display mode) that darkens display over bright areas.

Customized settings fit to your personal style
A wealth of functions enables full versatility and ease of use. The ADJ. lever enables preprogramming of up to four frequently utilized functions, including focus, ISO sensitivity, metering system, continuous shooting and others, greatly facilitating making changes to settings. The function button also permits switching between manual and auto focus, AE lock and others, letting you make changes at a touch.

Frequently used "My Setting" options can be toggled at a touch
Two "My Setting" options allow you to preset the GX100 to match your most frequently used shooting styles and scenes. Once you've selected your preferences, just select the Mode setting and you'll be ready to shoot at a moment's notice.

Presettable functions:
* Photo mode * Picture quality/size * Focus * Focus position during manual focus * Metering method * Continuous shooting * Exposure compensation * Photos with sound * Date entry * White balance * ISO sensitivity * Camera shake correction * Zoom position * Macro * Flash mode * Self-Timer * DISP mode * Step zoom * Digital zoom switch * Shooting icon enlargement

Pleasing, high-durability body
The aluminum alloy body conveys an unmistakable sensation of quality and luxury that your hands can feel.

Functional, ergonomic body design
The natural lines and ergonomic controls make shooting with the GX100 smooth and effortless. The large, easy to handle grip section, covered with pliable resin material, provides a secure and comfortable grip for added stability during shooting. The control layout and positive click sensation of the buttons enhances its ease of use.

Approx. 340 shots per battery charge, plus AAA compatibility
The GX100 utilizes three power sources: rechargeable battery, AAA-type dry cells and an AC adapter. The large-capacity rechargeable battery permits approximately 340 shots. Alkaline batteries, available anywhere, can take up to 30 shots. Oxyride dry battery and NiMH batteries can also be used.

A camera architecture designed to stimulate creativity

Focus system lets you match up subject and shooting style
Use of multi AF with 17 separate auto focus points within the auto focus area prevents out-of-focus shots of two people, for example, even if you don't lock the focus. Center spot auto focusing is also available, as well as manual spot focusing, which is displayed by the monitor's focus bar. The easy-to-confirm focus indicator is a great convenience.

Three types of light metering adapt to virtually every situation
The multi metering mode splits the monitor into 256 segments and determines the ideal overall exposure. In addition, center weighted average metering and spot metering are included. This not only enables GX100 to be used in a variety of lighting situations, but also permits the user to give free range to his own "light-seeing eye."

Choice of versatile exposure modes
In addition to the Camera mode that entrusts settings to the camera, the GX100 boasts scene modes tailored to a variety of subjects and shooting situations. Three modes: "A" (aperture priority mode), "M" (manual exposure mode) and "P" (program shift mode) support your creative efforts. By according you full control over the subject's depth of field and emotions, the GX100 is an ideal camera for enjoying photographic expression.

Flexible shooting functions to match the subject
In addition to a 4:3 aspect ratio, GX100 can also be set to the same 3:2 ratio as a 35mm camera, as well as a 1:1 ratio. When used in combination with the LCD viewfinder's tilt function, you can enjoy the same "feel" as a medium-format camera. Picture settings include monochrome and sepia for touch of nostalgia.

Extensive functions for taking the best picture in diverse photo situations

Vibration correction and high-sensitivity auto setting, for capturing images with sharpness
A CCD shift-type vibration correction function has been adopted, to enable sharply defined hand-held shots even in low-light situations or where use of flash is prohibited. Vibration correction is also effective for capturing atmospheric shots that harness the light and shadow as-is. By setting the GX100 to the AUTO-HI position, the camera's ISO sensitivity is automatically boosted. As shutter speed is raised, this prevents blurring of the subject. Combines with the vibration correction it makes for distinctive, sparkling pictures.

1cm macro for ultra-precise close-ups
GX100 permits macro shots as close as 1cm away from the subject at the wide angle setting, and 4cm in the telephoto setting. This gives you the option of using the wide angle for emphasizing proximity, or the telephoto when you want to obscure images in the background. Other powerful features include a "Zoom Macro" setting to boost the size of macro images and auto focus targeting that can be moved without changing the picture composition.

Scene modes give best exposure
A choice of eight still picture modes are provided: Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Nightscape, Skew Correction, Text, Zoom

Versatile flash operation
The pop-up flash can be set to Flash-off, Auto, Red-eye reduction, Flash-on, Soft Flash, and Slow Synchro, to provide the ideal lighting for each type of scene. The GX100 also incorporates a hotshoe for connection of an external flash unit.

Flash Soft setting for close-up work
For macro or close-up wide angle shots, the flash intensity can be reduced. For macro photography or close-ups in the wide angle setting, this avoids overexposure of the subject, as well as preventing the background from appearing underexposed, affording extra control for more natural results.

Slow Synchro mode ideal for night scene portraits
After the flash captures the subject at the ideal exposure level, the Slow Shutter continues exposure as-is, ensuring that even night scenes achieve the right balance.

Movie mode
The GX100 shoots moving images of up to 640 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second with sound. Image size from 640 x 480 pixels at 30 or 15 frames per second are selectable.

SDHC memory card for high-capacity recording of high-definition images
The GX100 can accommodate SDHC memory cards of up to 4GB capacity. This enables it to record a large volume of high-quality image data and thereby further extending its shooting capabilities.

Product Description

The Caplio GX100 compact digital camera with 24 to 72 mm equivalent wide zoom lens is a first in the digital camera category with a removable electronic viewfinder. The Caplio GX100 is a superior model that achieves high picture quality thanks to the high-speed F2.5 aperture and high-performance 24 to 72 mm wide zoom lens (35mm film equivalent), 10.01 megapixel CCD, and "Smooth Imaging Engine II" crammed into a compact body just 25mm thick - a first in the digital camera category. The Caplio GX100 is the successor to the popular Caplio GX8. Caplio GX8 was a highly practical superior model featuring comprehensive manual shooting functions and the expandability to allow system upgrades to meet various applications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digital Compact for Actual Photographers, December 15, 2007

By 

Charles E. Love (Essex Junction, VT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Digital compacts can be frustrating--endless menus, difficult access to manual control, screens that fade out in bright sun, no wide-angle, no RAW.... Not the Ricoh GX100! The control system is logical and allows customizing buttons to bring up features you use most often. There are two control dials, so you can, e.g., set aperture and shutter speeds quickly. It has an accessory electronic viewfinder (VF1 in the "kit"), so you can press the camera against your face for extra stability and see the image in bright sunlight. The lens goes from 24-70 (35 mm. equivalent), and there's an accessory lens to convert the wide end to 19 mm. For street shooting, "snap focus" sets the lens to hyperfocal distance, so the shutter release is nearly instantaneous. For Photoshop mavens, it shoots RAW along with JPEGs. Unlike some shiny little cameras, it has a great grip. It's fun to use and is built like a little tank. I've used it a lot and love it!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seriously well designed, February 21, 2008

By 

A. Butterfield (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I love my Canon digital SLR, but I rarely take it anywhere because it's so big and heavy.
The GX100 isn't exactly shirt pocket sized, but it is tiny compared to my SLR, so I don't mind taking it along pretty much anywhere.
I reckon it's SLR users who will get the most out of this camera, because it needs a bit of effort to get good results out of it, and SLR users are used to that.
The GX100 actually goes one better than my SLR by having two command wheels. For me this is the perfect layout and actually encourages you to take manual control of aperture and shutter.
The controls are essentially what you get on an SLR, and you can customise them in various useful ways.
Despite having a useful range of apertures to choose from, the GX100 won't really let you control depth of field like an SLR, but it's useful to have control over the aperture, especially for macro shots. The Ricoh is very good at macro shots: unlike most compacts, you can use macro and zoom at the same time. At full zoom, you will get some nice background blur in macro mode and you can get as close as 4cm at full zoom or 1cm at wide angle. Somewhere in between seems to give the best combination of sharpness and background blur.
There are plenty of different quality and aspect ratios to choose from. I like the 1:1 mode for square photos.
But mostly I shoot in RAW because jpeg quality isn't particularly special. I'm used to this now with my SLR and use Adobe Camera Raw. There is basic software for PC only with the camera.
The lens is surprisingly sharp, though you will almost certainly want to aply unsharp mask to make your images look really crisp. Edge to edge sharpness is excellent. There is distortion at 24mm, but you'll only need to correct for it on images with lots of straight lines. The lens isn't quite as sharp at 72mm as it is at wider angles. Resolution is very good too. Processed properly, you should be able to make some very high quality large prints.
Quality-wise the Ricoh is better than most compacts you'll see, though I don't particularly care for the loud noises the lens makes,though I don't suppose it matters much. The body is mostly metal, with sticky rubber pads front and back that make this particularly easy to use with one hand. The camera feels as expensive as it is. Attention to detail is excellent (there's a tether for the lens cap for instance) and there are many nice touches, like a battery compartment that takes two AAA cells as well as the supplied lithium-ion battery. So if your main battery runs out of juice, you can buy some alkalines; just remember that they will only give you about 30 shots.
Stacked up against mainstream rivals, the GX100 might not seem like the obvious choice. It's quite expensive, and you need to be an enthusiast in RAW and perhaps Photoshop to get the best results.
This should probably put a lot of people off. But if you appreciate good design, enjoy being creative, like a challenge and want to be different, the GX100 could be for you.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mini-SLR "like" for Enthusiasts, May 7, 2008

By 

Dylan (Tokyo) - See all my reviews

The reviews above have described this camera to a "T". Let me piggy back and add what I enjoy about this camera. 1. Wide angle! 24mm is great on a little compact like this. 2. You can store your favorite settings in one of two memory positions. You could set one for slow shutter at night, and maybe the other for recording audio with your photos (Great for taking photos at a party when you need to recall people's names). 3. You can store your most 5 used menu items for quick access (4 on the adjustment wheel, one on the function button). 4. The Macro mode really lets you get up close and if you use the digital zoom you really get larger than life-size images. 5. The flash will not pop up when you don't want it...you tell the camera you need the flash. 6. You can select the size (320 or 640) and fps (15 fps or 30 fps) of the video.

This camera is not for a casual shooter. If you want to control the camera, if you get frustrated at compacts that are fully automated, if you want to travel light, but wish you had your digital SLR...this is the camera for you!