Ricoh WG-6 Officially Announced

New rugged weather-proof compact camera

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Feb 26, 2019

Ricoh Imaging has officially announced the Ricoh WG-6, a continuation of Ricoh's top models in their line of rugged weather-proof compact cameras. The camera still has a 1/2.3" sensor, but now with 20 MP where the predecessor, the WG-5, sported 16 MP. The WG-6 is water-proof down to 20 meters (65.6 feet), where the predecessor was rated to 16 meters (52.5 feet). The WG-6 also introduces 4K movie recording into th WG series of cameras. 

The WG-6 has a mode dial on the top plate which includes two user modes and Ricoh claims that the controls are easier to operate also with gloves than was the case with the earlier models. There is also an outdoor view setting. The camera of course has a built-in compass and GPS, but apparently has lost the altitude/depth sensor of the WG-5. Also gone is sensor-based shake reduction, instead the WG-6 is furnished with pixel track (digital) shake reduction.

The camera supports transfer of images to a smart phone through Toshiba's "FlashAir" WiFi enabled SD cards. New is also that the WG-6 optionally can imprint copyright (and other) data onto the image. 

The built-in macro ring-light is powerful enough to double as lighting when recording movies.

The optics is a 5x zoom lens from 5 to 25 mm (28 mm to 140 mm in full-frame equivalent terms). The lens opens up to F3.5 at the wide end and F5.5 at the long end.

A 0.8x wide angle attachment has also been announced. With this attachment the focal length becomes approximately 20 mm in full frame equivalent.

Pre-Order the Ricoh WG-6 at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Ricoh USA

The launch price in the US is $399.95.

The WG-6 will be available in two color schemes, orange and black and should be shipping from mid March 2019.

The full specifications of the WG-6 are available in our camera database.

Ricoh also announced two sister cameras to the WG-6 called Ricoh G900 and Ricoh G900SE (see the press releases for the G900 and the G600SE). These cameras are intended for work site use and have some additional features such as a password protected lock, bar code scanning, and the ability to attach a text or audio note to a captured image.

Press Release

RICOH WG-6
A top-of-the-line digital compact camera, featuring a dependable waterproof body with 20-meter underwater shooting capability and a multi-application Ring Light unit

TOKYO, February 22, 2019 -RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. are pleased to announce the launch of the RICOH WG-6. Developed as the top-of-the-line model of the heavy-duty RICOH WG series, this digital compact camera provides a host of newly designed features, including a multi-application Ring Light unit -- convenient in close-up shooting -- and 4K-resoltion movie recording, in the most dependable waterproof body in WG-series history.

This top-of-the-line waterproof digital compact camera is designed to be waterproof to a depth of 20 meters, shockproof against a fall from heights of 2.1 meters, and cold-resistant to temperatures as low as -10°C. Equipped with a state-of-the-art back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with approximately 20 effective megapixels and a high-performance imaging engine, it delivers super-high-resolution still images and 4K-resolution movie clips. It also incorporates such outdoor-friendly features as a GPS module to record position data and travel log data onto captured images, and an electronic compass to enhance operability in the field. Positioned around the lens, a multi-application Ring Light unit featuring six bulbs provides bright, uniform illumination on the subject. Thanks to a choice of discharge patterns, these lights can also be used as a lighting device to illuminate the subject more three-dimensionally.

Main Features

1. Heavy-duty construction for underwater shooting down to 20 meters, for up to two continuous hours

The WG-6's solid, airtight body is not only waterproof to a depth of 20 meters -- the deepest in the history of the WG series -- and for up to two hours of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8), but it's also shockproof against a fall from heights of up to 2.1 meters,* dustproof (equivalent to IPX6 or JIS Class 6), cold-resistant to temperatures as low as -10°C, and crushproof against weights of up to 100kgf (kilogram force).** Thanks to this heavy-duty construction, the WG-6 performs superbly and dependably in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions.
* Measured using RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards -- from a height of 2.1 meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood -- conforming to Method 516-5-Shock of the LIK-Standard 810F.
** Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards.

2. High-quality, high-resolution images
Combining 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) with a high-performance imaging engine, the WG-6 delivers a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and super-high-resolution images with approximately 20.0 effective megapixels. It also provides advanced image processing functions, made possible by the latest super-resolution technology, to assure sharp, clear, high-resolution images. It even provides such innovative features as Handheld Night Snap mode, which automatically captures several images of the same nighttime scene and produces a single blur-free composite image from them.

3. 4K-resolution movie recording for extended shooting of high-quality movies
The WG-6 provides 4K-resolution movie recording in the H.264 format, allowing the user to capture high-quality, extended movie clips (3840 x 2160 pixels, 30 frame rate). In addition to the conventional Movie SR (Shake Reduction) mode,* it also features a new Movie SR+ mode,* which generates a shake-reduction effect similar to the one created by a gimbal unit to assure high-quality movie shooting with more active, fast-action outdoor activities.
* When one of these modes is activated, the angle of view becomes narrower. The Movie SR+ mode can be used at a recorded pixel size smaller than the Full HD format (1920 x 1080 pixels).

4. Five-times optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage
Thanks to its five-times optical zoom lens with an angle-of-view coverage from 5mm to 25mm (equivalent to approximately 28mm to 140mm in the 35mm format) and a minimum focusing distance of a mere one centimeter, the WG-6 covers a wide range of applications, from eye-catching close-ups to sweeping landscapes. Its Intelligent Zoom function extends the zoom range by approximately 40.5 times without compromising image quality, while its Interval Shooting mode makes fixed-point photography simple and effortless.

5. Six multi-application Marco Lights to assist close-up shooting
Positioned around the circumference of the lens barrel, the WG-6's six LED Macro Lights let the user select a faster shutter speed to minimize camera shake and subject shake in macro and close-up photography. The discharge level can be increased to as much as ten times that of conventional units. It also allows selective lighting, in which the user can activate only the horizontally or vertically aligned lights to illuminate the subject more three-dimensionally and emphasize the subject's delicate contours.

6. 3.0-inch, wide-frame LCD monitor for wide-angle viewing
The WG-6 comes equipped with a large, high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD monitor with 3:2 proportions and approximately 1,040,000 dots. Its AR (Anti-Reflection) coating minimizes annoying glare and reflections to assure a sharp, clear on-screen image even in the harsh sunshine often encountered in outdoor shooting. It also features an Outdoor View Setting, which allows for easy adjustment of monitor brightness according to changes in ambient lighting conditions, to optimize the visibility of the on-screen image.

7. Enhanced GPS functions for easier data recording
The WG-6 has a built-in GPS module, which automatically records position data and travel log data onto captured images and adjusts the built-in clock to local time. This module can be activated with a single action, and can receive signals from Japan's quasi-zenith satellite system Michibiki and Russia's GLONASS (global navigation satellite system), in addition to U.S. GPS satellites. By linking it with the SBAS (satellite-based augmentation system), the user can even record more accurate position data at various locations and times. When shooting indoors, the GPS Lock function allows the user to record GPS data onto captured images by using previously acquired position data.

8. Other features
・Two remote control receivers (one in front and another on the back) to widen signal coverage
・Electronic Level to check the camera's horizontal/vertical inclination
・18 Scene modes to select the finishing touch best suited to the subject, including a new Depth-of-field Composite mode
・12 digital filters
・User position on the mode dial to program and recall user-selected camera settings
・DW-5 (optional) to broaden the angle-of-view coverage to approximately 22mm (in the 35mm format) at wide-angle end
・Compatibility with FlashAir™ SD memory cards for wireless LAN communications
・Three strap lug receptacles for versatile strap arrangements, such as vertical and two-point suspensions


Optional Accessories

RICOH O-CC173 Protector Jacket

  • This silicon protector jacket not only protects the camera from dirt and scratches, but also improves grip on the camera and enhances holding comfort.

RICOH SC-900 Camera Case

  • This holder-type camera case comes with a belt loop on the back, and allows for quick removal of the camera during snapshot photography.

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