Last Updated on January 13, 2019
Features
- 8MP Photos in Bursts up to 8 fps
- UHD 4K Video at 30 fps (100 Mbps)
- Ultra-wide-angle lens with 204° Wide and 151° Narrow angle of views
- 1/2.3 inch CMOS Image Sensor
- Waterproof up to 20 meters for up to two hours (no housing required)
- Shock-resistant up to 2 meters
- Cold-proof down to 14° Fahrenheit
- 7 selectable video effect modes
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Introducing the Ricoh WG-M2
WG-M2 Overview
Ricoh has come up with a new model for its WG series, the WG-M2 4K action camera. Still as rugged as its predecessor, WG-M1, this addition to the line goes a notch higher with 4K Ultra HD recording. Despite the previous action cameras the manufacturer offered its consumers, Ricoh has yet to market a model that will satisfy most action camera users. This latest camera might just be the one.
Sporting a rugged look and still maintains its being water-proof of up to 20 meters deep, this robust action camera is appealing to divers. Moreover, it is also shock proof and said to withstand a fall from 2 meters. The WG-M2 is equipped with an ultra-wide angle lens and an LCD to support composing shots. Selling for $299, action camera enthusiasts can get hold of this powerful and lightweight cam in April.
Design and Features
The Ricoh WG-M2 4K still has the rugged look and color of its predecessor, a robust and sporty looking body. It is designed to be shock proof and water proof but is lighter in weight than the previous products in the WG line. It also boasts of its capability to shoot 4K videos of 1080p at 60 frames per second and at 30 frames per second. When a video is at 720p, frames per second are 120, with a bitrate of 100 mbps for both modes. Conversely, for stills, the camera shoots on 8MP. Video Effects mode is also added that has 8 choices as well as video editing functions. Also, the camera sports a 204-degree ultra-wide lens. All these features are in a smaller body, at least 40% lesser than other WG models.
Aside from being capable to operate even in extreme weather conditions and temperatures as low as -10 degrees, the WG-M2 4K has an additional feature, video orientation. This makes it possible for the user to take pictures and videos from different angles, sideways or upside down and still have results of images and videos shown upright. It also uses an app to control the device remotely using a smart device and WiFi connection.
The size of LCD is 1.5” and for ease-of-use, it has bigger control buttons. Moreover, it also vibrates when recording is started and stopped to alert the user. For its Time-Lapse Movie mode, it has 30x, 60x and 150x speed movies. For play backs in slow motion, however, a 4-minute recording limit can do so in slow motion at 30 fps. As for mounting options, there are also accessories available.
Pros and Cons
This latest addition to the WG action camera series offers new features that appeal to potential owners, the best being its 4K video shooting feature. It is lighter than previous models without jeopardizing sturdiness and durability. The larger control buttons and its connectivity to smart devices add to the convenience of using it.
Its price is around $100 more than its predecessor, if this is to be considered a setback. Also, its feature of Extended Movie Recording allows for endless recording but when the memory is full, the old file is deleted.
Final Thoughts
The Ricoh WG-M2 4K is perhaps the best model of the WG series and is one product users will enjoy. Its features, design and handling make up for its price. Overall, this action cam holds much promise.
| Lens | Focal Length: 1.6mm 35mm Equivalent Approx. 9.0mm Max Angle of View: Still: Wide: Approx. 202° Narrow: Approx. 150°Movie: Wide: Approx. 204° Narrow: Approx. 151°Brightness: F2.0 Focus Range: 0.2m-infinity/0.66ft – infinity |
| Motion Blue Reduction | Electronic image stabilization (Movie SR) |
| File Format | Still: JPEG (conforms to Exif 2.3), conforms to DCF2, PRINT Image Matching III
Movie: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV) Audio: PCM system, Stereo sound |
| Number of Recorded Pixels | Still: (4:3) 8M: 3264x2448, 5M: 2592x1944 (16:9) 6M: 3264x1840, 4M: 2592x1464 (1:1) 6M: 2448x2448 Movie: 4K: 3840x2160 30fps, Full HD: 1920x1080 60fps/30fps, HD: 1280x720 120fps/60fps/30fps |
| Quality | Still: Fixed (fine) Movie: Super Fine/ Fine |
| Number of effective pixels | Approx. 8 Megapixels |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.3 inch CMOS |
| Sensitivity | Still:ISO AUTO /AUTO-Hi /200 /400 /800 /1600 /3200 /6400
Movie: ISO AUTO /AUTO-Hi |
| White Balance | Auto, Auto (Outdoor), Manual |
| Display | 1.5 inch LCD, approx 115k dots |
| Exposure Control | Program AE |
| Metering System | Multi-segment, Spot metering |
| EV Compensation | ±2EV (1/2EV steps) |
| Shooting Modes | Still Image: Still Image, Underwater Still Image, Burst Shooting Movie: Underwater Movie, Time-Lapse Movie, Extended Movie Recording, High Speed Movie |
| Photo Effect Modes | Bright, Natural, Monochrome, |
| Movie Effect Modes | Bright, Natural, Monochrome, Shading, Bleach Bypass, Bold Monochrome, High Contrast |
| Edit function | Save as Still Image, Divide Movies, Image Copy |
| Shutter Speed | 1/24000 – ¼ sec. |
| Storage Media | Built-in memory (Approx. 68MB), microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC |
| Power Source | Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI68 Battery Life Still: Approx 450 pictures Battery Life Movie: Approx 80 minutes (4K, fine setting) Playback : Approx 160 minutes |
| Interfaces | USB 2.0 (micro B), HDMI output terminal (Type D) |
| Wireless Interface | Standard 802.11b/g/n, Frequency 2.4GHz band, Security WPA2 |
| Waterproof/Dustproof | Equivalent to IPX8, JIS Class 8 waterproof / IP6X, JIS Class 6 dustproof capabilities |
| Dimensions | Approx. 57.4(W)×34.1(H)×77.8(D)mm / 2.3(W) x 1.3(H) x 3.1(D) inches (excluding operating or protruding parts) |
| Weight | Approx. 136g / 4.8 oz. (including battery, microSD memory card, and lens protector O-LP1631) |
| Accessories | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, power adapter, USB cable, lens protector, underwater lens |
| High Speed Cont. Shooting | Approx. 8 fps, up to approx. 10 frames, |
| Charging Time | Approx. 130 min. |
| Max. Recording Time | The maximum length is 4 minutes for High Speed Movie (720p 120fps). The maximum length is 25 minutes for Movie. |
| Start-up Time | Approx. 1.4 sec. (Include 0.5 seconds time for press of the button) |
| Release Time Lag | 0.002 sec. |
| Water Proof | 20m (For 2 hours) |
| Shock Proof | 2.0m |
| Freeze Proof | -10 Celsius |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Thai, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) |
| Colors | Orange or Silver |
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