The Rollei dr5 redefines the concept of the "go-everywhere camera". With 25 mm, it is not only ultra-flat and will therefore fit any shirt pocket without a bulge, but its neat metal body also makes it a pleasure to look at. However, the digital camera has more to offer than a mere good look: Instant readiness and minimal shutter lag makes it an ideal candid camera.

The camera with its wealth of practical features and sophisticated technology is available from March 2005 for Euro 299. While the Rollei dr5 is thrifty when it comes to size, its technical features are impressive: It comes with a high-performance D-VarioApogon HFT zoom lens with focal lengths from 4.6 to 22.2 mm (equivalent to 28-135mm in 35mm photography). The Rollei dr5 has a powerful 5-megapixel CCD. Its 4.8x optical and 3.6x digital zoom will capture even far-away subjects in impressive size. An optical viewfinder allows rapid framing. Alternatively, a brilliant 1.8" LCD monitor may be used for both framing and displaying subjects.

The camera is very flexible above all in the close-up range, allowing photographers to take fascinating close-ups from as near as 1 cm to 13 cm from the lens. Focusing may be either manual or automatic, with the additional option of varying the focus zone.

But close-ups are only one of the strong points of the Rollei dr5. Thanks to its instant readiness, the camera is ideal for spontaneous candid shooting and capturing elusive subjects: It is ready to shoot in a mere 0.8 second. And its shutter lag is no more than 0.10 second. In addition to single frames, it also allows continuous shooting to capture complex motion sequences. A self-timer mode with either 2s or 10s delay gives additional creative freedom.

As for manual control options, the Rollei dr5 leaves nothing to be desired. Exposure can be controlled either by programmed AE or compensated manually over +/- 2.0 EV in 1/3 increments. The camera offers evaluative 256-zone metering plus center-weighted average and spot metering. In addition to automatic white balance, there are manual presets for sunlight, cloudy, tungsten and fluorescent. The built-in flash will automatically compensate output at close range and has red-eye-reduction auto and fill-flash modes as well as slow sync, leaving photographers ample choice when the light is low.

But the Rollei dr5 will also record brief video clips, complete with sound. Video clips in QuickTime Motion format can be recorded with two different quality levels: with 480 pixels or 320 x 240 pixels. Video and photos are stored either in the internal 12MB memory or on an SD or MultiMedia card. Since the camera also supports PictBridge, pictures can be directly printed on a suitable printer. And if you just wish to view your pictures or edit them at a later date, simply connect the camera via its USB or video port (NTSC, PAL) to a computer or TV set.

The power supply of the Rollei dr5 also is very flexible. The camera will operate on either two NiMH or nicad batteries (size AA, 1.2V), two alkaline batteries (size AA, 1.5V) or a lithium-ion block (3.7V/1,800 Ah).

Specifications - Rollei dr5

• Sensor: 1/2.5" CCD, 5 megapixels
• Image resolution: 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 pixels (dr5)
• Video clips: QuickTime Motion, JPG; 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels (30 fps)
• Storage media: SD or MM cards
• Internal memory: 12 MB
• Recording formats: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), TIFF, DPOF, AVI
• Loudspeaker and microphone built in
• Lens: D-VarioApogon 4.6-22mm f/3.3-4.8 HFT(equivalent to approx. 28 – 135 mm in 35mm photography)
• Zoom ranges: 4.8x optical, 3.6x digital
• Focusing: Autofocus or manually
• Focusing range: Autofocus, 30 cm to infinity
• Macrofocusing: 1 cm to 13 cm
• Shutter: Controlled mechanically and electronically;
• 8 s to 1/2000 s, auto 1/30 s to 1/2000 s (video)
• ISO sensitivity: Automatic or manual control; equivalent to ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800
• Exposure metering: Evaluative, center-weighted average and spot metering
• Exposure control: Programmed AE
• Exposure compensation: Manual; max. +/- 2.0 EV in 1/3 increments
• Shooting modes: Single frames and continuous
• White balance: Auto, manual; sun, cloudy, tungsten, fluoresecent
• Flash: Auto, off, red-eye-reduction autoflash, red-eye-reduction fill flash, slow sync
• Flash range: 0.20 m – 2.70 m (W), 0.13 m – 2.10 m (T)
• Viewfinders: Optical viewfinder and LCD monitor
• LC monitor: 1.8" TFT LCD monitor (110,000 pixels)
• Self-timer: 2s or 10s delay
• Interfaces: USB, video (NTSC, PAL), audio, AC
• PictBridge compatible
• Power supply: 2x size AA alkaline batteries (1.5V), 2x size AA NiMH or nicad batteries (1.2V), 1x lithium-ion battery, AC adapter (optional)
• Tripod socket: 1/4"
• Dimensions (mm/wxhxd) 100 x 55 x 25
• Weight: approx. 150 g (without batteries and SD card)
• Camera kit: Rollei dr5, USB and video cables, standard batteries, wrist strap, driver CD, operating instructions, brief instructions

System requirements PC: Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP, USB interface, CD-ROM drive Apple Macintosh: OS 9.0 or higher, USB interface, CD-ROM drive

Subject to change without notice.

Available March 2005