Ricoh Announces $199 Price For Theta SC 360 Camera

WEST CALDWELL, N.J., June 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp. today announced a new price of $199.95 for its Theta SC 360-degree camera. The price reduction, effective today, is designed to make the camera more accessible to a broader range of consumers and businesses that will benefit from its unique blend of advanced imaging capabilities and ease of use.

The Theta SC boasts a sleek design, which makes handheld shooting easy, and allows it to be carried in any pocket or purse. It is the ideal camera for capturing and sharing summer adventures, in full 360 degrees. Whether you are exploring in the wilderness, picnicking at a lake or enjoying a backyard barbeque, the Theta SC records images that playback on a smartphone, tablet or PC as a fully spherical view of the scene, allowing the viewer to see up, down and all around, as if they were there.

The market for 360-degree consumer cameras--which Ricoh pioneered in 2013 with its first Theta--has grown dramatically over the past year, fueled by an increasing interest in and expanding ecosystem around virtual reality (VR) content, viewed using VR headsets.

The Theta SC captures photos or videos in a single shot, and can be handheld with one-button operation or placed on a flat surface or tripod to be remotely controlled by an Android or iOS smartphone and the Theta S app. With Ricoh's Theta family of smartphone apps, the resulting images and videos can be easily uploaded, viewed, edited and shared. The Theta SC delivers the same high level of image quality provided by the Ricoh Theta S--with a high-performance image sensor and large-aperture dual lenses--in a lightweight package. It captures 14-megapixel, high-resolution stills and records high-definition (HD) video clips up to five minutes in duration.

"We have always intended for the Theta SC to be a mass-market camera, introducing consumers to the magic of 360 spherical imaging," said Kaz Eguchi, president, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp. "Now that summer is here, we expect many families will be using it to capture their summer vacations in a new and exciting way."

| Availability |

The Ricoh Theta SC is available now at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com and retail outlets nationwide.

| About Ricoh Theta |

The Ricoh Theta series camera is the brainchild of Ricoh's Visual Revolution or VR division, an organization that is focused on developing innovative consumer imaging technologies. The camera line's combination of small size, high quality imagery and incredible functionality are a result of Ricoh's many decades of experience in advanced imaging and optical technologies. The company has long been a leader in professional printers and copiers, and is known for its high-quality optics and optical components. A key achievement with the Theta series is an ultra-small twin-lens folded-optical system capable of capturing two wide-angle images and then marrying them into a single spherical image.

| About Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation |

Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions.

The company now known as Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation was originally founded in 1919, under the name Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. and launched its first SLR camera in the 1950s under the PENTAX name. Today, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation continues to produce the heritage-rich, award-winning line of PENTAX DSLR cameras, lenses and sport optics equipment as well as Ricoh's offering of stylish and compact digital cameras, known for their wide-ranging, rich set of features.

For further information, please visit www.us.ricoh-imaging.com.

© 2017 Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

For More Information, Contact:
Barbara Hagin
Breakaway Communications for Ricoh
(408) 832-7626 - mobile
bhagin@breakawaycom.com

| Main Features |

1. High-resolution, fully spherical images

    --  The Ricoh Theta SC delivers high-resolution, fully spherical images with
        an approximately 14 megapixel output, thanks to the combination of
        bright, large-aperture twin-lens folded optics (with the same f/2.0
        maximum aperture as the Theta S) and a large image sensor. Together they
        capture beautiful 360-degree images with minimal noise, even in
        low-light conditions. The completely redesigned user interface of the
        Theta app for smartphones and tablets provides intuitive operation,
        allowing users to easily make adjustments, change settings, upload
        images and much more.
    --  The Ricoh Theta SC allows the user to upload spherical images to the
        theta360.com dedicated website, and share them on social networks such
        as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. It is also possible to
        submit captured videos to 360-degree channels such as Google Maps(TM),
        Google+(TM) and YouTube(TM).

2. High-resolution, fully spherical videos

    --  The Ricoh Theta SC captures high-resolution, fully spherical videos at
        Full HD quality (1920 x 1080 recorded pixels, 30 frames per second) for
        a duration of up to five minutes (after a synthesizing process). Once
        transferred to a smartphone or tablet using the Theta app, users can
        adjust the image size, shape and composition of videos with simple
        fingertip operation. Using the dedicated THETA+ Video image-editing
        applications,* users can easily edit captured videos.
    --  Just like fully spherical still images, the edited videos (a maximum
        data capacity of 5MB) can be uploaded to the theta360.com dedicated
        website, and shared on social networks.

* THETA+ Video applications operate on iOS8.0. or later, or Android 4.4 or later. Proper operation is not guaranteed with all mobile devices.

3. 360-degree Live-view display

    --  When synchronized with a smartphone or tablet computer, the Ricoh Theta
        SC provides Live-view display (still images only) on the device's
        monitor. This allows the user to check the outcome of various setting
        changes on the Live-view screen during shooting. The camera provides a
        choice of two display modes: Full Screen and Panorama.

4. Stylish and functional body design

    --  The Ricoh Theta SC is equipped with an LED indicator on its front panel
        for at-a-glance confirmation of the current mode, and a
        still-image/video switching button on the side panel. These controls let
        users operate the camera smoothly and unerringly even when it is
        disconnected from a smartphone or tablet computer.

5. Other features

    --  A large internal memory (approx. 8GB) for storage of approximately 1,600
        still images (at L image size)
    --  Minimum start-up time lag of 1.5 seconds
    --  Self-timer function, with a delay time selectable from the Theta,
        smartphone or tablet
    --  Interval shooting function, convenient for creating time-lapse videos
    --  The THETA+ application can be used to edit still images and export
        images for printing

Optional Accessories

TH-2 Hard Case

    --  A weather resistant (IPX7), solid case designed to house the Ricoh Theta
        SC.
    --  This case provides a tripod socket for attachment of various camera
        accessories.

Note:
This case is not designed for underwater shooting. When the camera is housed in the case, shooting can be performed only through remote operation via a smartphone or tablet computer.

Body color (base section): Black
Compatible models: Ricoh Theta SC, Theta S, Theta m15, Theta

    --  Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
    --  Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.
    --  Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc.
    --  Tumblr is a registered trademark of Tumblr, Inc.
    --  Instagram is a trademark of Instagram LLC.
    --  Android, Google maps, Google+ and YouTube are registered trademark of
        Google Inc.
    --  iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and
        other countries and is used under license.
    --  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
    --  Designs and specifications are subjects to change without notice.

| Specifications |


    Object distance           Approx. 10cm to infinity  (from front of lens)
    ---------------           ---------------------------------------------

    Shooting mode             Still image: Auto, shutter priority, ISO priority, Manual *1,

                              Video: Auto
    ---                       -----------

    Exposure control          Program AE, ISO Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
                              Exposure
    ---                       --------

    Exposure compensation     Still image: Manual compensation (-2.0 to +2.0EV, 1/3EV step) *1
    ---------------------     ----------------------------------------------------------------

    ISO sensitivity           Still image: ISO 100 to 1600,

     (standard output         Video: ISO 100 to 1600
         sensitivity)
         -----------

    White balance             Still image: Auto, outdoor, shade, cloudy, incandescent lamp 1,
                              incandescent lamp 2, daylight color fluorescent lamp, natural
                              white fluorescent lamp, white fluorescent lamp, light bulb color
                              fluorescent lamp*1

                              Video: Auto
    ---                       -----------

    Shutter speed             Still image: 1/8000 sec. to 1/8 sec.

                              Still image(Manual): 1/8000 sec. to 60 sec.

                              Video(L): 1/8000 -1/30 sec.

                              Video(M): 1/8000 - 1/15 sec.
    ---                       ----------------------------

    Recording medium          Internal memory: Approx. 8GB
    ----------------          ----------------------------

    Number of photos that can Still image: Approx. 1600(L), Approx. 9000(M)
    be recorded, time *2
                              Video (time per recording): Max. 5 minutes *3

                              Video (total recording time): Approx. 63 minutes(L),

                              Approx. 171 minutes(M)
    ---                       ---------------------

    Power source              Lithium-ion battery (built-in)*4
    ------------              --------------------------------

    Battery life              Approx. 260 photos*5
    ------------              --------------------

    Image file format         Still image: JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.3), DCF2.0 compliant, Video:MP4
                              (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC)
    ---                       -------------------------------------

    External interface        micro USB: USB2.0
    ------------------        -----------------

    Remote Shutter            Cable Switch CA-3(Optional Accessory)
    --------------            ------------------------------------

    Exterior/external         45.2mm (W) x 130.6mm (H) x 22.9mm (17.9 mm *6) (D)
    dimensions
    ----------

    Weight                    Approx. 102g
    ------                    ------------

    Lens construction         7 elements in 6 groups
    -----------------         ----------------------

    Lens F number             F2.0
    -------------             ----

    Image sensor size         1/2.3 (x2)
    -----------------         ----------

    Image sensor effective    12MP(x2), pixel count equivalent to Approx. 14M
    pixels
    ------

    File size (still images)  L: 5376x2688

                              M: 2048x1024
    ---                       ------------

    File size (videos)        L: 1920x1080/30fps/16Mbps

                              M: 1280x720/15fps/6Mbps
    ---                       -----------------------

    Communications protocol   HTTP
    -----------------------   ----


    *1. A smartphone is required to change modes or configure manual settings.

    *2. The number of photos and time are guides only. The actual number differs according to the
        photography conditions.

    *3. Automatic shut down if the internal temperature increases.

    *4. Charge the battery by connecting it to a PC using the supplied USB cable.

    *5. The number of photos that can be taken is a guide based on Ricoh's measurement method
        (wireless on, one photo taken every 30 seconds and transferred to smartphone). The actual
        number differs according to usage conditions.

    *6. Excluding lens section.

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SOURCE Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp.