Ricoh RDC-5300

Reviewed by Theresa A. Husarik

Dateline: April 2000

Key Features:

 

·                    2.3 mega-pixel resolution

·                    Built-in Lcd cover and lens cover

·                    8MG internal memory, takes Smart Media cards up to 64MB

·                    External Flash connection available

·                    1.8-in full-color LCD

·                    3x Continuous Optical Zoom

·                    2.5X Digital Zoom

·                    Super Macro feature for focusing up to 1.5 inches

·                    Auto bracketing

·                    Multiple images at 1 frame per second

·                    Effects include black-and-white, sepia, soft focus, and text

·                    USB interface

 

Specifications:

Lens:	Equivalent to 38‑114mm for 35mm
Focus:	Auto / Manual
Image Size:	2.3 megapixel CCD; 1792x1200
Viewfinder:	Optical
LCD:	1.8 inch
Exposure:	Programmed AE
Exp Compensation:	+- 2.0 EV
Shutter Speeds:	1‑1/500sec.
F-Stops:	F3.2‑3.8
White Balance:	Auto / Daylight / Fluorescent Light / Tungsten Light / Overcast
Storage Media:	8 MB on board, up to 64MB Smart Media
Flash:	Auto / On / Slow Synch / Off / Red‑eye reduction / External Synch
Self Timer:	Yes
Power:	AA Alkaline x 4 (NiCd / NiMH / Lithium possible)
Dimensions:	131.1 x 68.8 x 54 mm (5.2 x 2.7 x 2.1 in.)( Wx HxD )
Weight:	Approx.350g(12oz)
List Price:	$699

           

User Report:

 

This little camera is small enough to carry around in your pocket, and fun to take everywhere. Take it to the zoo, take it in your backyard, and start taking digital pictures that you can immediately print out and share with family and friends.

 

It is not as difficult to use  as the two manuals that come with it might suggest. After a brief skimming over the users manual, I was ready to roll. There is an entire manual devoted to the software because there is a lot of fun software that comes with it - making it easy to edit, print and organize your digital images.

 

Although you would probably want to add a Smart Media card in order to capture more images before having to download, the camera comes with 8MB of on-board memory - allowing you to take up to 9 full-quality images without the need for an add-on card.

 

It operates in fully automatic mode, so you don’t have to fumble with a lot of buttons and dials , just point and shoot. One negative thing here, though, is that in low light, you can’t choose a larger aperture in order to get a faster shutter speed, so you may see some loss of sharpness because of camera movement.

 

The zoom lens (equivalent to a 35-114mm lens on a 35mm camera) gives a nice range to make composing a snap.

 

There is a built-in LCD cover that slides open when the camera is turned on. This is a very nice feature, and will help to considerably prolong the life of the LCD panel.

 

Insuring proper exposure is facilitated by either adjusting the white balance or exposure compensation, or by using a feature unique to this camera - auto bracketing. The camera will take three shots at different settings - the first shot is at the meter reading, the next two are .5EV above and below that reading. Using these tools, I was able to get a properly exposed image of a snow scene, a polar bear, and a white puppy.

 

One of my favorite subjects are very tiny subjects, so I tried the super macro feature. But I discovered that I  really needed  a tripod to get good results, because at great  magnification, camera movement is exaggerated. (Remember, I was traveling light and did not have the tripod that I usually carry). But, it did, indeed focus very close, and I was able to compose a shot of tiny pine cones so that they filled the frame.

 

One negative point is that this camera seemed to go through batteries pretty quickly, but it does have the option of shutting off the LCD to increase battery life.