Ricoh WG-M2: A waterproof 4K action camera
Announced in 2016, Ricoh’s WG-M2 combined 4K video and an ultra-wide lens with a waterproof body that needed no separate underwater housing.
Announced in February 2016, the Ricoh WG-M2 aimed to challenge other action cameras with a body built for demanding use straight out of the box, without buying extras such as an underwater housing.
It recorded 4K video at 30p with a 204-degree angle of view, capturing an exceptionally wide scene. Ricoh rated it waterproof to 20 meters without a separate housing, equivalent to IPX8/JIS protection, resistant to drops from two meters and usable in temperatures down to −10°C.
New features included vibration feedback when recording started or stopped, in-camera image rotation for sideways or upside-down mounting, and automatic white balance for underwater filming.
Built-in Wi-Fi worked with the Image Sync app. Users could control camera functions and view a live feed when recording in Full HD at 1920 × 1080 pixels or HD at 1280 × 720 pixels. Photos and video could also be transferred to a mobile device for playback, editing and sharing on social media.
Ricoh offered a wide selection of accessories, while a standard tripod thread allowed the use of existing camera accessories.
Other features
- 1.5-inch LCD with 115,000 dots.
- Eight-megapixel still photos with a 202-degree ultra-wide angle.
- Continuous shooting at eight frames per second.
- ISO settings from 200 to 6400.
- 68 MB of internal memory, expandable with microSD.
Shipping was scheduled to begin in early April 2016 at SEK 3,499, including a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, charger, USB cable, lens protector and underwater lens protector.
