Ricoh today announced the RICOH WG-80, a durable, lightweight, and waterproof compact digital camera that produces super- high-resolution photos and high-definition video and is optimized for use in rugged conditions. Equipped with a 5x optical zoom lens providing coverage from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent to approximately 28mm to 140mm in the 35mm format) and a large, outdoor-friendly wide-frame LCD monitor, the new camera makes it easy to capture photos and video of adventures on land, under the sea or in the challenging environment of an industrial job site.

The RICOH WG-80 features its own built-in ring light with adjustable illumination levels. Six LED macro lights are positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel to provide twice the illumination intensity of its predecessor, the WG-70, making the camera ideal for low-light and macro photography, enabling extreme close-ups of coral while snorkeling as well as detailed shots of small parts and components on job sites. The ring light can also be activated for taking selfies with the help of a self-portrait assist mode.

For underwater photos and videos, the RICOH WG-80’s enhanced underwater modes deliver sharp, true-to-life imagery by enhancing shades of red which are typically lost in underwater photography, while effectively compensating for the loss of contrast caused by the diffusion of light in water. The camera is waterproof to a depth of 14 meters for up to two hours of continuous operation.

The RICOH WG-80 is equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with approximately 16 effective megapixels and a high-performance imaging engine, delivering super-high-resolution still images and HD video clips. It features triple anti-shake protection to prevent blurred images and videos in all applications.

The rugged construction of the RICOH WG-80 makes it ideal for capturing images and video in challenging conditions of all kinds. It is shockproof against a fall from a height of 1.6 meters and freeze-proof in temperatures as low as -10°C. It also comes equipped with an outdoor-friendly LCD monitor with a brightness level that can be instantly adjusted to the lighting level of a shooting situation.

Here are some sample pictures: