Our Rating ****~ (4/5)

The Ricoh CX-1 features a high speed CMOS sensor and Smooth Imaging Engine IV teamed with a 7.1x Wide Angle Zoom Lens (28-200mm equiv.). With its CMOS sensor it is possible for the CX-1 to achieve 4 frames per second high- speed shooting at full 9 megapixel resolution and as high as 120 frames per second at reduced resolution.

As well as this the Ricoh CX-1 has a unique double-shot function that takes high-speed consecutive shots of two still images and combines them to effectively deliver a dynamic range equivalent to 12 EV – great for achieving correct exposure of high-contrast scenes.
Ricoh’s original (Double Retracting Lens System) has made it possible to fit a 7.1x optical wide-angle zoom lens in a compact body that is both easy to carry and easy to operate. The lens can handle a wide range of shooting situations, including powerful telephoto shots as well as wide-angle shooting of both expansive landscapes and interior scenes with limited distance between Ricoh CX1 9MP camera and subject.

Shooting at 28 mm wide-angle enables you to emphasize image breadth and depth. Telephoto shooting at 200 mm will bring far-away subjects up close and prominent while blurring the background. The 28-200 mm 7.1x optical zoom handles a wide variety of shooting situations. The intuitive operability of the camera 9MP is further enhanced by the ability to vary zoom speed with the zoom lever.

The step zoom function enables you to fix the optical zoom focal length at seven steps (28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm, 135 mm, and 200 mm equivalent). For a zoom range beyond the 7.1x optical zoom (200 mm), the auto resize zoom takes you to a maximum of 38.6x (1,080 mm equivalent) in five steps (recorded image resized to 7M, 5M, 3M, 1M, VGA). From the wide zoom range available, you can easily select the zoom position best for the shot you want to take.
TrustedReviews writes:
“The Ricoh CX1 is a very accomplished camera from one of the veteran names in the industry. It combines excellent build quality, a versatile specification, class-leading performance and superb image quality with a range of innovative features and easy-to-use handling, all for a very reasonable price, and even includes a two-year warranty. It’s impossible not to be impressed. “
Rating:

AMW writes:
“using the ISO 100(and lower)-400 standard, the CX1 does a good job overall. Image noise is visible even at ISO 80, but in prints it is hardly recognizable. In fact, in my printed output, image noise didn’t really become visible until ISO 400, so my recommendation is to limit your print sizes to 5×7 to 8×10 max at that ISO. ISO 800 prints look ok at 4×6 but ISO 1600 are about completely useless in my opinion for display.”
Rating: N/A

DCRP writes:
“Unfortunately, they aren’t spending enough time on the most important feature a camera can have: good photo quality. If the CX1 had a decent noise reduction system, then it would be a really compelling product. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, so we’ll have to hope they do better next time. The bottom line here is that you’re better off spending your hard-earned cash on something else.”
Rating: N/A

RicohDiary writes:
“Overall this camera is extremely well built, great to use and has a fantastic screen, it is a good improvement over the R10 in some areas and not such an improvement in other areas.”
Rating: N/A

GoodGearGuide writes:
“Ricoh may not come to mind when contemplating a compact camera, but the CX1 is definitely worthy of some attention. It produces superb images, feels good to use and has plenty of useful features to play with..”
Rating:

ITReviews writes:
“The quality of the images is sharp and the colours authentic and vibrant, although it would have been good to have more Scene mode varieties…”
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Steve’sDigicams writes:
“The CX1 was a pleasure to use, in fact there were Very few things that I could find “wrong” with this camera. It offers image quality that is not matched by most of it’s competition, not to mention blazing fast shooting performance.”
Rating: N/A

What’s in the box?

Digital Camera + 88mb internal memory
Hand Strap
USB cable
Audio Video Cable
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery DB-70
Battery Charger BJ-7
Software Suite CD-ROM
Instruction Manual
12 Months Warranty from Tasco Australia

ePhotozine writes:
“I really like this camera with its boxy design and matt black finish. The screen is lovely to use and the features are many. It’s a shame that the image performance still isn’t up to scratch. I like to see smooth images when shooting up to ISO200 but I can’t get a result I’m happy with from a Ricoh.”
Rating:

Pocket-Lint writes:
“Ricoh’s new CX1 features some unique new kit that combine to help create a rather special little digital compact. Image quality is excellent at lower ISOs and the high-resolution screen helps compensate for the lack of an optical viewfinder: a cracking little camera that’s worth every penny”
Rating:

BuyNShoot writes:
“In terms of design, the camera has an unpretentious interface that is unlikely to overwhelm users and the minimalist approach adopted by Ricoh makes for a sleek, contemporary overall design that leaves no confusion as to what button or dial controls which function.”
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Features :

- Large, high-definition 3.0-inch 920,000-dot VGA LCD monitor
- The 81-image display function
- Shooting Information Display Frame
- The “Today’s Shots” display function
- Histogram and Detailed Information Display
- Make quick, sure shooting mode changes.

CNET.uk writes:
“The camera is smart, elegant, clever and quirky, but the high-dynamic-range mode is imperfect, and, while you might swoon over many of its cleverer gadgets in the shop, you may later find you never use them — for example, the seven-shot focus bracketing. On a professional-level SLR, this stuff might make sense, but not on a pocket-sized snapper with a titchy sensor “
Rating:

PhotoReview.au writes:
“Low-light performance was variable. Long exposures (6-8 seconds) at ISO settings of 400 or lower were relatively noise-free but a long way from colour-accurate. Noise became evident in shots taken with slow shutter speeds by ISO 800 and image shar0pness began to decline at ISO 1600. “
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PhotographyBlog writes:
“if image quality is of prime importance, then the Ricoh CX1 is well worth a look. It produces very good out-of-the-camera JPEG images, with excellent dynamic range as promised in the DR mode and improved noise performance”
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Specification :

No. of Effective Pixels (Camera) : Approximately 9.29 million pixels
Image Sensor : 1/2.3-inch CMOS (total pixels: approx. 10.29 million pixels)
Focal length : f=4.95-35.4 mm (equivalent to 28-200 mm for 35 mm film cameras. With Step Zoom set, option of seven fixed lengths: 28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm, 135 mm, and 200 mm)
F-aperture : F3.3 (Wide) – F5.2 (Telephoto)
Distance : Normal shooting: Approx. 30 cm – infinity (Wide), approx. 1.0 m – infinity (Telephoto) (from the front of the lens)
Macro: Approx. 1 cm – infinity (Wide), approx. 25 cm – infinity (Telephoto), approx. 1 cm – infinity (Zoom Macro) (from the front of the lens)
Lens Construction : 10 elements in 7 groups (aspheric lens: 4 elements and 5 surfaces)
Zoom Magnification : Optical: 7.1x zoom (equivalent to 28-200 mm focal length for 35 mm cameras)
Digital: 4.8x up to 34.1x (equivalent to 960 mm) when used with optical zoom
Auto Resize: 5.4x*1 up to 38.6x*1 (equivalent to 1080 mm) when used with optical zoom
Focus Mode : Multi AF (contrast AF method) / Spot AF (contrast AF method) / Multi-Target AF / Manual Focus / Fixed Focus (Snap) / Infinity (AF auxiliary light)
Motion Blur Reduction Image sensor shift method image stabilizer
Still image : 8, 4, 2, 1 – 1/2000 sec.
Movie 1/30 – 1/2000 sec.
Exposure Metering Mode : Multi (256 segments), Center Weighted Light Metering, Spot Metering
Exposure Metering Exposure Mode : Program AE
Exposure Compensation : Manual Exposure Compensation +/-2.0EV (1/3EV Steps), Auto Bracket Function (-0.5EV, ±0, +0.5EV)
ISO Sensitivity (Standard Output Sensitivity) : AUTO, AUTO-HI, ISO80 / ISO100 / ISO200 / ISO400 / ISO800 / ISO1600
White Balance Mode : AUTO / Multi-Pattern AUTO / Outdoors / Cloudy / Incandescent / Incandescent 2 / Fluorescent / Manual, White Balance Bracket Function
Built-in flash mode : Auto (during low light and when the subject is backlit), Red-eye-Reduction, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Built-in flash range : Approx. 20 cm – 3.0 m (Wide), approx. 25 cm – 2.0 m (Telephoto) (ISO Auto/ISO 400, from the front of the lens)
Flash compensation : +/-2.0EV (1/3EV Steps)
Monitor : 3.0-inch Transparent LCD (approx. 920,000 dots)

This series will help you to choose a camera for you and your family. All tips are given by retail store managers with immense knowledge on cameras. So we start with these questions:

“My wife is 20 to 50 years old. She loves photographs, but photography is not her hobby. I should appreciate it if you will write me what camera I should buy as a gift. And why?”

Manager of Gibbs Camera House recommends: “The Canon Powershot S90 would be an excellent choice because of its compact size and functionality. Being a compact camera it’s small enough to take everywhere and record the days events, and when the fancy takes you it also gives the control required to get creative and make that masterpiece for the living room wall!”
Our review of the Canon Powershot S90

“My husband is 20 to 50 years old. He loves photographs, but photography is not his hobby. I should appreciate it if you will write me what camera I should buy as a gift. And why?”

Manager of Gibbs Camera House recommends: “The Olympus MJU-8000 is a popular choice for guys because of it’s robust Chassis and waterproof ability. Being Snow proof, waterproof to 10 meters and crush proof to 100kg it is safe to take along to almost any outdoor event or past time.

Our review of the Olympus MJU-8000

A second choice you might like to consider is the Ricoh CX-1. Having an SLR camera equivalent zoom of 28-200mm this camera sports a 9.1 megapixel high dynamic range sensor which turns even the most difficult of lighting conditions in to photographs you’ll be proud to show off to your mates.”

Our review of the Ricoh CX-1