Compact Camera News

Ricoh is the creator of the original Theta camera, a fully 360-degree, spherical imaging device that allows users to capture everything around them at the push of a button. The company just introduced a new version of the odd-shaped camera that features video capability and four fun new colors: pink, blue, yellow and white.

Your photographic journey may lead you from snow-covered mountaintops to lonely forests and the dark depths of the ocean. No matter where you find yourself, the RICOH WG-M1 was designed to be the ideal companion for any rugged outdoor adventure. This lightweight digital camera is easy to use (featuring large control buttons) and was built to function in a variety of extreme environments. 

Ricoh Imaging has just unveiled the new rugged and waterproof WG-30W compact camera. The latest addition to the well-known WG series of tough cameras – which used to carry the Pentax brand that’s now owned by Ricoh – the 16-megapixel WG-30W features built-in WiFi connectivity and a snazzy, rough-and-tumble build.

Ruggedized, submergible digicams are popular among travel and adventure photographers that want a compact camera they can use underwater or in wet, dusty conditions. The Ricoh WG-50 is a versatile new model that’s great for all your summer adventures from the mountains and desert to the sea.

Nikon COOLPIX L830
The COOLPIX L830 is an ergonomically designed high-ratio zoom camera with a 3” high-resolution tilt LCD monitor. It features a 34x optical zoom range plus a 68x Dynamic Fine Zoom (an enhanced type of digital zoom) range and a 16MP backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. It records Full HD (1080p) video, even in low light, and reduces the danger of camera shake with the aid of the Lens-shift Vibration Reduction (VR) system. The L830 model’s intelligent features include Easy Auto mode and Smart Portrait System as well as 18 Scene modes and a selection of special effects. The model is available in black and red and has a retail price of $299.95.

SeaLife, the creator of the first digital underwater camera and a leader in underwater photography equipment, has unveiled the new Micro HD camera, a permanently sealed underwater compact camera. SeaLife’s Perma-Seal technology makes the Micro HD waterproof and virtually maintenance-free. This is the first of a series of SeaLife cameras that will utilize the Perma-Seal technology for a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced photographers and divers.

Unless you're shooting with a full-frame camera, crop factor is an important issue in a variety of ways. And to complicate matters, there are a variety of crop factors to consider, whether you're using an APS-C model, a high-end compact, a superzoom camera, or a pocket camera of various types.