Ricoh Combines Ultra-Compact Design with Advanced Functionality in Affordable 35mm Camera.

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 1998--

Palm-sized FZ-70 Features Zoom Lens, Dual Power Sources, Remote

Control and Retractable Flash

Ricoh Consumer Products Group, a pioneer and innovator in cameras and digital imaging products, today announced availability of its palm-sized FZ-70 35mm camera.

The FZ-70 has a 35-70mm zoom lens and retractable flash. It offers a choice of dual power sources, remote control operation, auto film load, and an optional dateback imprint. Aggressively priced at $299, this next generation camera combines resolution and flexibility of a traditional 35mm single lens reflex camera with the ease of point-and-shoot electronic operation.

The FZ-70 allows the user to load, capture and reload in rapid cycles, and offers automatic focus, flash, and backlight compensation to dynamically help customers capture a wider-range of photographs.

The camera has several easily selected capture settings, including focus lock, infinity and TV modes. These settings enable subjects to be locked into focus while the shot is recomposed, to fix distance settings, and to control exposure of TV or computer screen shots for flicker-free images.

At only 8.5 ounces, the small form factor, full-featured FZ-70 can be used in field applications without requiring additional accessory equipment. With the ability to choose between a 3V lithium battery or two commonly-available AA batteries, customers are guaranteed convenience and availability to ensure that no valuable photo opportunities will be missed.

"The FZ-70 is the latest evidence of Ricoh's continuing passion for photography and photographers," said Joseph Bollentini, senior vice president of Ricoh Consumer Products Group. "Ricoh strives to offer increased functionality in smaller, more affordable designs. With a wide-range of special options integrated into the base camera, the FZ-70 enables users to instantly capture a greater variety of memorable moments without switching cameras or accessories. It has the power and portability to make it any photographer's primary camera."

FZ-70 Will Get the Shot

The camera allows instant focal-length adjustment by incorporating a continuous 35mm - 70mm wide angle to telephoto zoom lens. Close-up or distant photos can be optimally composed with the touch of a button. Embedded macro capabilities allow photographers to capture the detail of smaller objects or focus on subjects as close as two feet (60 centimeters).

Enhanced Flash Functionality

The latest in flash technology enables the FZ-70 to provide a refined variance in automatic and manual settings. It features a flash off mode, allowing use of more subtle lighting; red-eye reduction mode; autoflash; super night mode, an evening setting that takes double exposures; daylight synchro that automatically fills shadows, highlights details and adjusts for light balance; and auto backlight control, which fires a fill-in flash to compensate for strong light.

The flash also features a five second recycle time to record a more rapid succession of shots. To ensure continued operation against elements such as dirt and dust, the ergonomically designed camera includes a retractable flash that self-triggers in dim light and back light scenarios.

Ricoh Provides a Complete Kit

The FZ-70 features a .45x viewfinder that magnifies the exact frame for improved picture composition. It includes an option to use a remote control to trigger the shutter from up to 10 meters away, and a dateback option to imprint time/date information directly on the negative. The camera includes a built-in self-timer that offers up to 10 seconds in pre-shot preparations, allowing customers to get the shot the way they want it.

Pricing and Availability

The Ricoh FZ-70 will be available in spring 1998 for $299 through a nationwide network of Ricoh certified resellers. The Ricoh FZ-70 kit will include a sturdy carrying case, shoulder strap, 3v lithium battery and two AA batteries.

Customer Care

Customers can receive live support Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, by calling Ricoh Customer Support at 702/352-1694. Customer support is also available through a toll-free 800/442-8796 Faxback telephone number or website support at www.ricohcpg.com.

About Ricoh Consumer Products Group

Ricoh Consumer Products Group, a division of Ricoh Corporation and headquartered in Sparks, Nev., is a worldwide market leader in the development, manufacture, distribution and OEM licensing of imaging, digital imaging and multimedia products.

The company's award-winning pioneering efforts in electronics and optics offer business and enthusiast users a comprehensive product portfolio of multimedia digital cameras, single-lens 35mm cameras, printers, CD-R/CD-RW disc drives, and specialty media and supplies. The innovative imaging solutions are a perfect match for a wide variety of professional and consumer applications for markets such as multimedia production, digital information archiving, electronic printing and web publishing, CD-ROM development and digital photo albums.

Ricoh was one of the first to manufactures to design and market a consumer-targeted digital camera with the RDC-1. The company is also one of the original consortium members who developed the CD-RW (rewritable) industry specifications, and the first manufacturer to market a CD rewritable disc drive. Ricoh holds many worldwide patents, including one for CD-RW media. It is actively involved in many global standards committees striving to bring cost-effective, mass-appeal business and consumer technology and products to market.

Information about Ricoh's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.ricohcpg.com. Customer product inquiries and information requests can be directed to Ricoh Consumer Products Group at 702/352-1600.

About Ricoh Corporation

Ricoh Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 60-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment with 1997 sales in excess of $10 billion. -0-

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Brian Solis, 408/559-6090

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Ricoh Consumer Products Group

Jeff Lengyel, 702/352-1600

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