Top-of-the-line waterproof digital compact cameras, capable of underwater shooting to a depth of 14 meters

1. Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting to 14 meters deep, and up to two continuous hours

Thanks to their fully watertight construction, the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS assure outstanding waterproof performance to a depth of 14 meters, and for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8). They are also designed to be shock-resistant against a fall from a height of two meters,^* dustproof (equivalent to IPX6 or JIS Class 6),^** cold-resistant against temperatures as low as -10°C,^** and crushproof against weights up to 100kgf (kilogram force).** All these features make them truly dependable, heavy-duty digital imaging partners in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.

* Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards (from a height of 2.0 meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood), conforming to Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL-Standard 810F.
** Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards.

2. Exceptional image description, thanks to a large-aperture zoom lens and latest imaging technologies

The high-performance optical zoom lens offers a maximum aperture of F2.0 (at wide-angle end) to capture bright, clear images with minimal noise, even in dimly lit locations. With its four-times zoom coverage from 4.5mm to 18mm (equivalent to approx. 25mm wide angle to approx. 100mm medium telephoto in the 35mm format), this versatile zoom lens accommodates a wide range of applications, from macro shooting of flowers to wide-angle photography of sweeping landscapes. Thanks to the upgraded AF algorithm, the focusing speed in macro shooting has been greatly increased to facilitate close-up applications.
In the Underwater and Underwater Movie modes, the color rendition and contrast of a captured image are automatically optimized based on the original image data: Red tints and shades, which tend to be lost in underwater photography, are enhanced for true-to-life color rendition, while the loss of contrast caused by the diffusion of light in the water is effectively compensated for sharper, clearer images.

3. A comprehensive selection of shooting modes

Including the Shutter Priority and USER modes, which are installed for the first time in the WG series, the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS provide a total of 29 shooting modes. In the Shutter Priority mode, the camera automatically sets the aperture and ISO sensitivity for a user-selected shutter speed to assure optimum exposure. In the USER mode, the photographer can instantly recall preprogrammed settings for more personalized camera operation. In addition, the Auto Picture mode automatically selects one of 16 different scene modes for a given scene or subject. With a wide choice of shooting modes, the user can always find the ideal mode for every subject and occasion.

4. High-performance, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor

The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS come equipped with a state-of-the-art, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which excels in high-sensitivity and low-noise characteristics, and assures 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 16.0 effective megapixels. These models also provide advanced image processing functions made possible by the latest super-resolution technology to assure sharp, clear, high-resolution images. They even offer such innovative features as a Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures multiple images of the same nighttime scene and produces a single blur-free, composite image from them.

5. Dual anti-shake protection for sharp, blur-free images

The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS's dual shake reduction system combines an image-sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a Digital SR mode to more effectively compensate for the adverse effects of camera shake and subject shake in shake-prone conditions, such as when photographing a poorly lit subject using ambient light only, or when shooting sunset scenes.

6. Six Macro Lights to assist close-up shooting

With six LED Macro Lights positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel for macro shooting, the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS provide brighter, more uniform illumination on the subject when the Digital Microscope mode is selected.^*** With the Macro Lights, the user can clearly see a magnified view of a microscopic world often unseen by the naked eye on the camera's LCD monitor and effortlessly capture eye-catching images. In order to minimize camera shake and subject shake, the instant illumination enhance function allows for the use of a higher shutter speed by automatically raising the illumination level of the Macro Lights at the moment of shutter release. In addition, the Macro Lights can provide other user-friendly features, such as a Self-Portrait Assist mode to check if the subject's face is safely captured within the picture frame using the blink of an LED lamp, and an LED Lighting mode that uses the Macro Lights as a lighting device in the dark.

*** When the Digital Microscope mode is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 2.0 megapixels (at 16:9 proportions).

7. Full HD movie recording for extended shooting of high-quality movies

The WG-4 and WG-4 GPS provide Full HD movie recording employing the H.264 recording format, allowing the user to capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. They also feature a high-speed camera function^**** for slow-motion playback of captured movie clips and a fast-forward movie function^***** to simplify creative movie techniques. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided on their camera body for simultaneous output of Full HD movie clips and sound to external audio-visual devices.

**** When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 1280 x 720 pixels.
*****When this function is selected, the recorded size is fixed at 640 x 360 pixels.

8. Extra-large, high-resolution, wide-frame 3.0-inch LCD monitor

These WG-series models incorporate an extra-large, high-resolution 3.0-inch color LCD monitor with horizontally extended 16:9 proportions and approximately 460,000 dots. The AR (Anti-Reflection) coating minimizes annoying glare and reflections to assure a sharp, clear on-screen image, even under the harsh sunshine often found in outdoor shooting. The wide-view design offers a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, making it possible to check an image from different angles.

9. Built-in GPS functions and pressure/altitude/depth gauge to facilitate outdoor shooting (WG-4 GPS only)

The WG-4 GPS comes equipped with a sophisticated GPS module, which automatically records position data and travel log data onto captured images and adjusts the built-in clock to local time. Its pressure sensor and digital compass also allow the user to check the pressure, altitude/underwater depth and direction of a shooting location on the camera's LCD monitor.

10. Other features

• ・Sub-display on the front panel to indicate time and GPS data (WG-4 GPS only)
• ・Two remote control receptors (one in front and another on the back) to widen signal coverage
• ・Digital level to check the camera's horizontal/vertical inclination
• ・O-CC135 Camera Case with belt loop (optional accessory)
• ・O-CC1352 Protector Jacket (optional accessory) to protect the camera from scratches and dirt
• ・O-LA135 Lens Adapter (optional accessory) to broaden the wide-angle coverage to 22mm in the 35mm format using the DW-5 RICOH Wide Conversion Lens (optional accessory; now available)
• ・O-ST1352 Float Strap (optional accessory) to prevent the loss of the camera in the water
• ・Carabiner strap (included) for hooking the camera to a backpack or other outdoor gear
• ・12 digital filters
• ・Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards

O-CM1471 WG Adhesive Mount

A camera mount with a powerful adhesive tape to fix the camera body to an intended object, such as a canoe, helmet and bicycle.

O-CM1472 WG Handlebar Mount

A pinch-type camera mount to fix the camera body to a pipe of a bicycle or hang glider.

O-CM1473 WG Suction Cup Mount

A camera mount with a suction cup, easily removable for repeated use, to fix the camera body to an intended object, such as a canoe or bicycle. Also usable as a handy substitute for a tripod.

O-CH1470 WG Holder

A camera holder usable on all WG-series models.^****** By mounting this holder on the camera body, the user can attach another optional accessory^******* to the camera body.

****** Mountable camera body: WG-1, WG-2, WG-3/WG-3 GPS, WG-10, WG-4/WG-4 GPS, WG-20
******* Usable accessory: O-CM1471, O-CM1472, O-CM1473

RICOH WG-4/WG-4 GPS Specifications

WG-4 GPS / WG-4 Number of recorded images and recording time (approximate)

System Requirements for RICOH WG-4/WG-4 GPS