Ricoh's slim 2007 travel zoom — 7MP, stabilised 28-200mm 7.1x lens, 2.7in screen, face detection
The Ricoh Caplio R6 was launched in March 2007 as the successor to the Caplio R5, arriving in the UK at a recommended price of about 230 pounds in silver, black and red. It squeezed the R series' signature stabilised 28-200mm-equivalent zoom into a body only 20.6mm at its thinnest point, which Ricoh claimed as the slimmest in its class.
It uses a 7.24-megapixel CCD behind the 7.1x optical zoom covering a 28-200mm equivalent range, with Ricoh's CCD-shift vibration correction countering camera shake. New over the R5 were a larger 2.7-inch LCD and face-detection technology that automatically sets focus, exposure and white balance for detected faces. Around 54MB of internal memory supplements SD card storage, and power comes from a DB-70 rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Like the rest of the R line, the R6 is a travel photographer's pocket tool: real wide-angle for interiors, long telephoto for detail, and quick unfussy handling. It is happiest at low ISO in good light, where the lens range does the work; in dim conditions the small sensor and slow tele end show their limits despite the stabiliser.
The double-retracting lens mechanism is the first thing to test on any used R-series Ricoh — it should extend, zoom and park without stalling or error messages. The DB-70 battery is shared with the R7, R8, R10, CX1 and CX2, so spares and chargers are easy to find, but confirm one is included. Check the 2.7-inch screen, the sole finder, for scratches, and that SD cards mount reliably.