Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation have announced the launch of the RICOH WG-M1 digital action camera. From the creators of the original adventure camera, the newest addition to the waterproof, cold proof, and shock resistant WG series is equipped to capture life’s moving adventures.

The RICOH WG-M1 is WiFi enabled, waterproof to an impressive depth of 32 feet without requiring a  protective housing, shock-resistant against a fall from 6 feet, and cold-resistant to temperatures as low as -10°C. With its ultra-wide-angle lens, this extraordinary camera captures dynamic Full HD movies with a realistic sense of depth. The WG-M1 provides a host of advantageous features including multitasking that allows the user to check real-time images during both still and movie recording, and a 1.5-inch color LCD monitor.

Approximately 14.0 effective megapixels captures vibrant, high-resolution still images, while its high-speed, continuous shooting capability records subjects at a speed of roughly 10 images per second. In keeping with the rugged theme of the WG series, its lightweight body features an unparalleled outdoor-oriented design and large control buttons that make operating the camera a breeze in any condition.  Combining the WG-M1 with an array of newly introduced camera-mount accessories opens many options and creative solutions in capturing adventure-packed images and movies.

“With the WG-M1 we’re building on the foundation of the adventure-proof, WG World,” said Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation’s Executive Vice President, Jim Malcolm. “By combining WiFi connectivity and dynamic image quality the WG-M1 captures life’s adventures in motion, from the top of a mountain to your own backyard.”

The WG-M1 comes complete with a carabiner-equipped strap for easy carrying, and a WG adhesive mount to attach the camera to different surfaces using a powerful adhesive tape. In addition, there are numerous optional accessories available including a wrist strap mount, a helmet mount, and a magnet mount. Create and capture your own adventures with the Ricoh WG-M1.

Pricing and Availability

The WG-M1 will be available at US retailers nationwide and at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com in October 2014 for a suggested retail price of $299.95.

Main Features

1. Underwater shooting without a housing

By simply mounting the included underwater lens protector on the airtight body, the WG-M1 assures outstanding waterproof performance to a depth of 10 meters, and for up to one hour of continuous operation (equivalent to IPX8 or JIS Class 8). It is also designed to be shock-resistant against a fall from a height of two meters,* dustproof (equivalent to JIS Class 6), and cold-resistant against temperatures as low as －10°C. All these features make the WG-M1 a truly dependable, heavy-duty action camera in harsh, demanding outdoor conditions. Since it doesn’t require a cumbersome housing to protect the body, the user can not only enjoy underwater movies and images more freely, but also record sounds more clearly without muffling.**

* Measured under RICOH IMAGING-original testing standards (from a height of two meters, onto a surface of 5cm-thick plywood), conforming to Method 516.5-Shock of the MIL-Standard 810F.
** When the image size of 848 x 480 pixels (at 120fps) is selected, sound cannot be recorded.

2. Full HD movie recording with a selection of creative tools

The WG-M1 provides Full HD movie recording in the H.264 recording format, capturing high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 proportions) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second.* Thanks to its digital shake reduction mode, the user is assured of flawless, blur-free movies, with a choice of four angle-of-view settings — Wide (approximately 137 degrees),** Medium,*** Narrow*** and Underwater. It also provides a host of creative tools to simplify complex movie-recording techniques, including “Motion detection,” which automatically starts recording a movie when the camera detects a moving object within the image field; “Loop recording,” which keeps recording movies while creating new files at five- or ten-minute intervals; “High-speed Movie,”**** which records movies specifically for slow-motion playbacks; and “Time Lapse Movie,” which produces time-compressed movies using a time-lapse recording technique. In addition, a micro-HDMI terminal (type D) is provided on the camera body for the simultaneous output of movie clips and sound to external audio-visual devices.

* The maximum length of a single movie clip is 25 minutes.
** The angle of view may vary depending on the selected image size. The maximum angle of view in underwater movie recording is approximately 90 degrees.
*** The medium and narrow settings are selectable only when the image size of 1920 x 1080 pixels (at 30fps) is selected.
**** The image size is fixed at 848 x 480 pixels (at 120fps), while the recording duration is fixed at 60 seconds.

3. High-resolution still images captured by an ultra-wide-angle, 160-degree lens and approximately 14.0 effective megapixels

The WG-M1 delivers true-to-life, high-resolution still images, thanks to the combination of approximately 14.0 effective megapixels and a CMOS image sensor with outstanding high-sensitivity and low-noise characteristics and high-speed data readout.  During still-image shooting, it offers a choice of four angle-of-view settings: Wide (160 degrees),* Medium,** Narrow** and Underwater. It also provides a high-speed continuous shooting mode to record a series of still images at a speed of approximately 10 images per second.

* The angle of view may vary depending on the selected image size. The maximum angle of view in underwater still-image recording is approximately 97 degrees.
** The medium and narrow settings are selectable only when image size of 10M or 14M is selected.

4. Functional, outdoor-oriented design

Inheriting the design theme of the waterproof WG series, the WG-M1 offers a functional, heavy-duty design perfect for active outdoor shooting. It comes equipped with a 1.5-inch color LCD monitor for easy confirmation of the image composition during shooting and quick review of recorded images and movies during playback. Its large control buttons facilitate camera operations — including instant switching between still-image and movie modes — even when the user is wearing gloves. It also features a tripod socket on the bottom for the direct attachment of various accessories. The WG-M1 offers a choice of two body colors: black and orange.

5. Wireless LAN connection to support remote operation using smartphones

By installing a WG-M1-dedicated application in a smartphone or tablet computer, the user can perform various camera functions from a distance: confirm the status of a subject or scene, release the WG-M1’s shutter, and even check movie recordings in real time. The user can also browse and download images and movies recorded by the WG-M1 onto a smartphone or tablet computer for effortless editing using the tools provided by the application, then upload them to social networking and other websites to share them with friends.

6. Other features

• Face Detection AF & AE function, to automatically optimize focus and set exposure on the subject’s face
• WG adhesive mount, to attach the camera body to different surfaces using a powerful adhesive tape
• Carabiner-equipped strap, to suspend the camera on a backpack or other object for easy carrying
• Compatible with micro SD and micro SDHC memory cards

Optional Accessories

O-MA1531 WG Grip Adapter

This accessory provides a solid grip of the WG-M1 to facilitate one-handed shooting.

O-MA1532 WG Angle Adapter

With a combination of three parts, this accessory lets the user set the camera at the desired angle.

O-CM1532 WG Adhesive Mount 2

Designed to attach the camera to different surfaces using a powerful adhesive tape, this accessory provides a broader adhesive area than the standard WG adhesive mount included in the camera package. It also comes with a hook to attach a leash cord to prevent the accidental loss of the camera during the shooting of active sports.

O-CM1533 WG Wrist Strap Mount

Designed to attach the camera to the arm or tubular objects, this accessory is convenient for the shooting of active sports.

O-CM1534 WG Peg Mount

Designed to fix the camera on the ground.

O-CM1535 WG Magnet Mount

Designed to attach the camera to metal objects with a powerful magnet, this accessory makes it easy to install and remove the camera.

O-CM1536 WG Helmet Strap Mount

Designed to attach the camera to a helmet using a strap.

Ricoh WG-M1 specifications

For more information, visit www.us.ricoh-imaging.com.