Focus, colour and exposure are always spot on. Shadow detail is particularly good with the Ricoh, but at the other extreme highlight detail is not. There is an exposure compensation adjustment at hand but it takes time to set and the subject might well have disappeared by the time the shutter is released.

There is no optical viewfinder but the LCD screen is reasonably visible in daylight. However on a bright afternoon with the sun behind you there won’t be a lot to see in the LCD.

While the camera is is intended for the technophobe there are a few manual over-rides for ISO setting, white balance and exposure compensation. There are also “scene” selections for portraits, sports, landscape etc. Does anyone use these things?

The Ricoh Caplio R3 has something called Camera Shake Correction. It is not advertised as a feature of the camera but it seems to work, whatever it is. Hand held pictures at slow shutter speeds are always sharp.

Like this: The Ricoh Caplio R3 delivers consistently well exposed, sharp, well coloured photographs. The combination of lens and sensor produce exceptionally detailed and sharp pictures. Flash mode is good -- subjects don’t look as though they are lit by an atomic blast.

The R3 comes with an attractive leather carrying case.

Dislike that: The absence of an optical viewfinder is a disappointment.

Parting shot: The Ricoh Caplio R3 is competing with the Canon Ixus 55 which does have an optical viewfinder. Image quality from both cameras is excellent and the Ricoh has the advantage of the 28mm wide angle lens and the vibration correction. Try them both.

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