Ricoh just announced the G600, a new point-and-shoot digital camera designed for use outdoors. Expedition-ready features include:
--waterproof: takes photos underwater to depth of 1 meter / 39 inches. Can be submerged for 30 minutes without damage. Get it dirty or muddy, and just rinse it off.
--highly shock resistant: able to withstand fall of 150 cm / 59 in onto hard surface
--dustproof: no worries about road dust or beach sand
--wide angle: 28 mm equivalent, better for landscape shots
--large buttons and controls: take photos with gloves on
--power options: rechargeable Li-Ion battery or AAA cells
A few details are known about the G600:
10 Megapixel CCD
5x wide zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent)
threads for 37mm filters
macro mode focuses to 1 cm / 1/2-inch
2.7 inch LCD display
Published dimensions show that the G600 is a little larger, and several ounces heavier, than today's pocket-size cameras:
116.5 × 68 x 32 mm, 260 g
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.25 in, 9.2 oz
The G600 sounds like a great camera to have along for conditions that would pose a hazard to your more delicate gear. Riding the Zodiac in to the beach, walking during a rain shower, taking photos in blowing snow or sand: All no problem with the G600.
Unknown at this point are image quality and low light performance, so don't put your Canon EOS-1D Mark III on eBay just yet.
Chip Haven
--waterproof: takes photos underwater to depth of 1 meter / 39 inches. Can be submerged for 30 minutes without damage. Get it dirty or muddy, and just rinse it off.
--highly shock resistant: able to withstand fall of 150 cm / 59 in onto hard surface
--dustproof: no worries about road dust or beach sand
--wide angle: 28 mm equivalent, better for landscape shots
--large buttons and controls: take photos with gloves on
--power options: rechargeable Li-Ion battery or AAA cells
A few details are known about the G600:
10 Megapixel CCD
5x wide zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent)
threads for 37mm filters
macro mode focuses to 1 cm / 1/2-inch
2.7 inch LCD display
Published dimensions show that the G600 is a little larger, and several ounces heavier, than today's pocket-size cameras:
116.5 × 68 x 32 mm, 260 g
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.25 in, 9.2 oz
The G600 sounds like a great camera to have along for conditions that would pose a hazard to your more delicate gear. Riding the Zodiac in to the beach, walking during a rain shower, taking photos in blowing snow or sand: All no problem with the G600.
Unknown at this point are image quality and low light performance, so don't put your Canon EOS-1D Mark III on eBay just yet.
Chip Haven
