Ricoh’s G900 II and G900SE II Cameras Promise Heavy-Duty Durability

Aug 07, 2024

A black and white digital camera partially covered in light brown dirt or soil. The camera, labeled "Ricoh G900 II," is designed for rugged use, appearing sturdy and durable, and is set on a background of loose, granular earth.

Ricoh today announced the G900 II and G900SE II, two new heavy-duty “industrial” cameras equipped with 20-megapixel BSI sensors that are highly resistant to water, dust, shock, and chemicals.

Designed to be used at “demanding” jobsites such as construction, manufacturing, disaster relief, and healthcare, the two cameras are meant to provide dependable performance even in extreme and harsh conditions. Both cameras are equipped with a backside-illuminated (BSI), 20-megapixel CMOS image sensor that Ricoh says “delivers sharp, clear, high-resolution images, even at a super-high sensitivity of ISO 25600.”

The G900 II and G900SE II are waterproof down to 65.5 feet (20 meters) for up to two hours of continuous operation. Ricoh also says they are highly resistant to chemicals, although it didn’t elaborate on which chemicals and what that resistance entails, but the cameras incorporate a protective reinforced glass element to the front surface of the lens and several protectors at crucial parts of the body. They are also dustproof, shockproof against falls of 6.8 feet (2.1 meters), cold-resistant to temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celcius), and crushproof against weights of up to 220 pound-force (100 kilogram-force).

A black and white Ricoh G900 II digital camera is shown. The camera has a rugged design with a prominent lens, several control buttons, and a flash on the front. The text "RICOH G900 II" is printed on the front of the camera. — G900 II

Rear view of a digital camera showing a large screen. There are various buttons next to the screen, including a zoom control, OK button, menu button, and other function buttons labeled ADJ/MENU, DISP, GPS, and Fn. The camera boasts 4K and 20 megapixels. — G900 II

The main difference between the two cameras is connectivity: The SE also supports Bluetooth and wireless LAN connections and also has compatibility with NFC cards. Ricoh says that these additions help it assure wireless, high-speed data transmission of captured images with a broader choice of devices and support “security-enhanced Enterprise WiFi systems.” However, both include a GPS module that attaches GPS data to captured images.

Both cameras are equipped with a password-protected camera lock function, allowing them to be deployed in high-security workplaces. As an aside, it’s nice to see that such a feature could be added to a camera and would go a long way towards making them a lot less enticing to steal if this feature were rolled out to the masses. The G900SE II has what Ricoh bills as enhanced security features, including system data management functions in connection with intranet systems, which it says are ideal for use at infrastructure and utility facilities, road maintenance, and public institutions including local governments, police, and fire stations.

A black and white Ricoh G900SE II digital camera with a rugged design. The camera features a large lens, flash, and multiple buttons for navigation. It has a sturdy build, suggesting it's designed for outdoor or tough environments. — G900SE II

The back view of a digital camera featuring a large screen in the center, various buttons on the right, including zoom controls, a menu button, and a function button. The top of the camera shows text indicating "4K - 20 Megapixels" and "GPS". — G900SE II

Both cameras have a Memo function that lets users attach a text or audio file to an image and lets them browse compatible reference images like building blueprints on the camera’s rear LCD.

“When used in combination with Barcode Scanning mode, barcode information can be attached to the camera memo data. The camera’s EX2 application software can be used to integrate image categorizations and file names into the camera memo data, reducing the post-shooting workload. All data can then be exported as an XML file for easy integration into databases,” Ricoh adds.

Two rugged digital cameras, Ricoh models G900SE II and G900 II, are shown against a plain white background. The cameras have a durable outer casing with a black and grey color scheme, large lenses in the center, and multiple buttons and features for enhanced functionality.

The G900 II and G900SE II can be used as webcams when attached to a computer and the six LED rings around the front element allow them to illuminate detailed views of small objects.

The Ricoh G900 II will be available in late August for $799.95. The G900SE II will be available in September for $899.95.

Image credits: Ricoh