Camera
Ricoh announces Pentax WG-90, a take-anywhere rugged compact camera
Ricoh has announced the WG-90, an update to its WG series of rugged compact cameras. The big change is the WG-90 sees a badging switch back to Pentax. The switch in branding, according to Ricoh was to capitalize on Pentax’s reputation for, “developing dustproof, waterproof and weather-resistant products.”
The WG-90 is designed to be rugged and waterproof with a 28mm to 140mm equivalent 5x optical zoom lens with integrated ring light. It’s built around a 16MP Type 1/2.3 (6.17 x 4.55mm) BSI CMOS sensor. It has stated water resistance down to a depth of 14m (46′), shockproof against a fall from a height of 1.6m (5′) and freeze-proof against temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F).
The WG-90 is available in two new colors: blue and “Classic” black.
The WG series of waterproofs was begun by Pentax in 2011, the same year Ricoh bought the company, and was marked as such for the next three generations. The series was moved under the Ricoh name in 2014, with the Pentax name solely used for interchangeable lens cameras, but the launch of the WG-90 sees it revert to its original branding.
Ricoh has yet to share pricing but did say this model would replace the WG-80 in early 2024. The WG-90 will be offered in either blue or black body finishes.
Ricoh announces PENTAX WG-90 waterproof digital compact camera
WG series to be marketed under PENTAX brand, joining other dustproof, waterproof and weather-resistant products
PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, November 14, 2023 — Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the PENTAX WG-90 digital camera. The WG series all-weather adventure cameras – known for their rugged chassis, plus waterproof and shock-resistant features – will now be offered under the PENTAX brand which is regarded industry-wide for developing dustproof, waterproof and weather-resistant products. The PENTAX WG-90—available in early 2024—effectively replaces the current-model RICOH WG-80 camera, which will continue to be available through the holidays and into the new year.
The PENTAX WG-90 is a compact, waterproof digital compact camera with a lightweight body that features a high-performance, five-times optical zoom lens with a focal-length coverage from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent to approx. 28mm to 140mm in the 35mm format). Its back-illuminated, 16-megapixel CMOS image sensor and high-performance imaging engine deliver a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and produce super-high-resolution images.
Offered in either an attractive blue or classic black body finish, the PENTAX WG-90 assures outstanding reliability and operability even under harsh conditions where ordinary compact cameras and smartphones may be unusable. Its outdoor-friendly monitor swiftly optimizes the image brightness level to improve the visibility of a scene in bright outdoor locations. It also features a built-in ring light with adjustable illumination levels that powers the PENTAX-original Digital Microscope mode, allowing the user to capture clear, vivid images of a microscopic world normally undetectable to the naked eye. The PENTAX WG-90 can be used for a wide range of scenes and subjects, ranging from casual snapshots to outdoor and underwater photography, and even in specialized worksite applications.
The PENTAX WG-90 is designed to be waterproof down to a depth of 46 feet (14 meters), shockproof against a fall from a height of five feet (1.6 meters), and freeze-proof against temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C).
|Main Features of the new PENTAX WG-90|
1. Heavy-duty construction assuring underwater shooting down to 46 feet (14 meters), for up to two hours of continuous operation
The WG-90’s solid, airtight body is not only waterproof down to a depth of (46 feet) 14 meters for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX 8 or JIS Class 8), but is also shockproof against a fall from a height of five feet (1.6 meters),* and dustproof (equivalent to IPX 6 or JIS Class 6), freeze-proof to temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C), and crushproof against weights up to 100kgf (kilogram force).** Thanks to this heavy-duty construction, the WG-90 performs superbly and dependably even in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.
2. Exceptional image quality
The WG-90 is equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which assures excellent high-sensitivity and low-noise characteristics and high-speed readout of image data signals. Coupled with a high-performance imaging engine, this image sensor delivers a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and super-high-resolution images with approximately 16.0 effective megapixels. It also provides advanced image processing functions, made possible by super-resolution technology, to deliver sharper, clearer, higher-resolution images. It even offers such innovative shooting features as Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically produces a single, blur- free composite image using several images of the same nighttime scene.
3. Six Macro Lights to assist close-up photography
Ideally positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel for macro shooting, six LED Macro Lights provide bright, uniform illumination on a subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected to magnify a given subject on the LCD monitor, closely observe the microscopic world undetectable with the naked eye and capture the subject in a high- resolution macro image. In the Macro Lighting mode,*** the camera even allows the user to adjust the illumination intensity in five levels, and optimize the close-range flash photography based on the subject or the photographer’s creative intention.
In order to minimize the effects of camera shake and subject movement, the Instant Illumination Enhance function lets the photographer use a higher shutter speed by automatically raising the discharge level of the Macro Lights at the moment of shutter release. The Self-Portrait Assist mode uses the blink of an LED lamp to check if the subject’s face has been safely captured within the picture frame, while the LED Lighting mode makes the Macro Lights function as a lighting device in the dark.
4. 2.7-inch LCD monitor with Outdoor View Setting mode
The WG-90 comes equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD monitor with horizontally expanded 16:9 proportions and approximately 230,000 dots. Thanks to the AR (Anti-Reflection) coating applied to its surface, the monitor minimizes annoying glare and reflections to assure a sharp, clear on-screen image, even in the harsh sunshine often encountered during outdoor shooting. It also provides the Outdoor View Setting mode, which automatically optimizes the monitor’s brightness level for a given lighting condition to improve the visibility of the on- screen image.
5. Underwater-exclusive shooting modes
Based on the data of images captured underwater, the Underwater and Underwater Movie shooting modes are programmed to effectively compensate for the loss of contrast caused by the diffusion of light in the water, while enhancing the reddish hues which fade away in the water. These underwater-exclusive modes capture sharp, clear images of underwater scenes.
In the Underwater mode, the Flash Off + Flash On option allows the user to consecutively capture two images with a single shutter release — one without flash and another with flash.
6. 5X optical zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle coverage
The WG-90 features a high-performance, five-times optical zoom lens with focal-length coverage from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent to approx. 28mm to 140mm in the 35mm format) to accommodate a wide range of scenes and subjects, including sweeping landscapes. It also provides other user-friendly shooting functions such as: the Intelligent Zoom function that extends the zoom range by approximately 36 times**** (equivalent to 1008mm in the 35mm format) for super-high-magnification telephotography without compromising image quality; and an interval shooting mode that comes in handy for fixed point photography.
7. Triple anti-shake protection to prevent blurred images in all applications
(1) Pixel Track SR mechanism:
When recording still images, this advanced shake-reduction mechanism effectively compensates for camera shake by digitally processing affected images.
(2) Digital SR mode:
When the camera detects low-light conditions in still-image shooting, this mode automatically raises the sensitivity to as high as ISO 6400, making it possible to use a higher shutter speed and effectively minimize the adverse effect of camera shake and subject shake in poor lighting conditions.
(3) Movie SR mode:
During movie recording, this mode effectively compensates for the misalignment of images caused by camera shake through the use of exclusive software to produce beautiful, blur-free movie clips.
8. Full HD Movie recording for extended shooting of high-quality movies
The WG-90 provides Full HD movie recording using the H.264 recording format, letting the user capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 X 1080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. To add some creative touches to movie recording, it also features a high-speed camera function***** for slow-motion playback of captured movie clips, and an interval movie function. A micro-HDMI terminal (type D) is also provided on the camera body for simultaneous output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external audio-visual devices.
9. Other features:
(1) Macro stand (included) to maintain a minimum focusing distance of one centimeter to the subject during extended observation and shooting of macro images
(2) Auto Picture mode to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode from 16 different scene modes
(3) High-speed Face Detection function to capture as many as 32 faces in focus in approximately 0.03 seconds (minimum); Smile Capture function to automatically release the shutter when the subject’s smile is detected
(4) Outdoor-friendly Style Watch function to display the current time on the LCD monitor, using an extended push of the OK button when the camera’s power is turned off
(5) Delay-free, pushbutton start of the playback mode, using an extended push of the playback button while the camera’s power is turned off
(6) Compatibility with the optional O-RC1 Remote Control unit****** to facilitate wireless, remote shooting
(7) Compatibility with the optional O-CC1252 Protector Jacket to protect the camera from stains and scratches
* Measured using RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards — from a height of 1.6 meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood — conforming to Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL- Standard 810F.
** Measured using RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards.
*** The Macro Lights can be used in Program, Movie and Report modes.
**** This function is available when the recorded size of 640 is selected.
***** When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 1280 X 720 pixels.
****** This accessory cannot be used in the water.
Camera
Pentax K-1 and K-1 II firmware updates include astrophotography features (depending on where you live)
Yesterday, Ricoh quietly released firmware 2.50 for its Pentax K-1 and K-1 II DSLRs. However, the features you can expect to gain from this update may depend on your geography.
Ricoh’s English-language firmware pages for the K-1 and K-1 II state that firmware 2.50 delivers “Improved stability for general performance.”
However, astute Pentax users noted that Ricoh’s Japanese-language firmware pages (translation) indicate that the update also includes a limited feature called “Astronomical Photo Assist,” a collection of three new features designed for astrophotography: Star AF, remote control focus fine adjustment, and astronomical image processing.
Star AF is intended to automate focusing on stars when using autofocus lenses. Rather than manually focusing on a bright star and changing your composition, it promises to let you compose your shot and let the camera focus.
Remote control fine adjustment allows users to adjust focus without touching the lens and requires Pentax’s optional O-RC1 remote. Astronomical image processing will enable users to make in-camera adjustments to astrophotography images, including shading correction, fogging correction, background darkness, star brightness, celestial clarity, and fringe correction.
 |
| Astronomical image processing on the K-1 and K-1 II will enable users to make in-camera adjustments to astrophotography images, including shading correction, fogging correction, background darkness, star brightness, celestial clarity, and fringe correction. |
According to Ricoh, Astronomical Photo Assist is a premium feature that must be purchased and costs ￥11,000 for an activation key (about $70 at current exchange rates).
Although these astrophotography features appear to be Japan-only for now, a Ricoh representative tells us, “Ricoh Imaging Americas confirmed that the premium firmware features for the PENTAX K-1 and PENTAX K-1 Mark II will eventually be available to US customers.”
Firmware update 2.50 for both the K-1 and K-1 II is available for download from Ricoh’s website.
As part of our twenty fifth anniversary, we’re looking back at some of the most significant cameras launched and reviewed during that period. Today’s pick was launched seven years ago today* and yet we’re only quite recently stepping out of its shadow.
The Nikon D850 is likely to be remembered as the high watermark of DSLR technology. We may yet still see impressive developments from Ricoh in the future (we’d love to see a significantly upgraded Pentax K-1 III), but the D850 was perhaps the green flash as the sun set on the DSLR as the dominant technology in the market.
Click here to read our Nikon D850 review
Why do we think it was such a big deal? Because it got just about everything right. Its 45MP sensor brought dual conversion gain to high pixel count sensors, meaning excellent dynamic range at base ISO and lower noise at high ISOs. Its autofocus system was one of the best we’ve ever seen on a DSLR: easy to use and highly dependable, with a good level of coverage. And then there was a body and user interface honed by years of iterative refinement, that made it easy to get the most out of the camera.
None of this is meant as a slight towards the other late-period DSLRs but the likes of Canon’s EOS 5DS and 5DSR didn’t present quite such a complete package of AF tracking, daylight DR and low-light quality as the Nikon did. With its ability to shoot at up to 9fps (if you used the optional battery grip), the D850 started to chip away at the idea that high megapixel cameras were specialized landscape and studio tools that would struggle with movement or less-than-perfect lighting. And that’s without even considering its 4K video capabilities.
In the seven years since the D850 was launched, mirrorless cameras have eclipsed most areas in which DSLRs once held the advantage. For example, the Z8 can shoot faster, autofocus more with more accuracy and precision, across a wider area of the frame and do so while shooting at much faster rates.
But, even though it outshines the D850 in most regards, the Z8 is still based around what we believe is a (significant) evolution of the same sensor, and its reputation still looms large enough for Nikon to explicitly market the Z8 as its “true successor.”
Nikon D850 sample gallery
*Actually seven years ago yesterday: we had to delay this article for a day to focus on the publishing the Z6III studio scene: the latest cameras taking precedence over our anniversary content.
| Photo: Richard Butler |
We’ve just received a production Nikon Z6III and took it into our studio immediately to get a sense for how the sensor really performs.
Dynamic range tests have already been conducted, but these only give a limited insight into the image quality as a whole. As expected, our Exposure Latitude test – which mimics the effect of reducing exposure to capture a bright sunrise or sunset, then making use of the deep shadows – shows a difference if you use the very deepest shadows, just as the numerical DR tests imply.
Likewise, our ISO Invariance test shows there’s more of a benefit to be had from applying more amplification by raising the ISO setting to overcome the read noise, than there was in the Z6 II. This means there’s a bigger improvement when you move up to the higher gain step of the dual conversion gain sensor but, as with the Z6 II, little more to be gained beyond that.
These are pushing at the extreme of the sensor’s performance though. For most everyday photography, you don’t use the deepest shadows of the Raw files, so differences in read noise between sensors don’t play much of a role. In most of the tones of an image, sensor size plays a huge role, along with any (pretty rare) differences in light capturing efficiency.
As expected, the standard exposures look identical to those of the Z6 II. There are similar (or better) levels of detail at low ISO, in both JPEG and Raw. At higher ISO, the Z6III still looks essentially the same as the Z6II. Its fractionally higher level of read noise finally comes back to have an impact at very, very high ISO settings.
Overall, then, there is a read noise price to be paid for the camera’s faster sensor, in a way that slightly blunts the ultimate flexibility of the Raw files at low ISO and that results in fractionally more noise at ultra-high ISOs. But we suspect most people will more than happily pay this small price in return for a big boost in performance.
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