Ricoh's 12 megapixel GX200 for the undecided

So long GX100, hello GX200 and your new 1/1.7-inch 12 megapixel CCD sensor. Ricoh's bridge between point-and-shoot cameras and DSLRs also features new Smooth Image Engine III processing to better control noise, a larger 2.7-inch LCD, and a 5fps continuous RAW shooting mode. The 24 to 72-mm (35mm equiv) wide-angle lens, SDHC slot, RAW image support, thin 25-mm chassis, and removable tilting electronic view?nder all carry over from the predecessor. Available next month for £350 (about $689) or £400 (about $788) if you find that viewfinder a must.

[Wodheila @ Jun 24th 2008 6:31AM]

Depending on the image size this can be done at, "5fps continuous RAW shooting mode" is excellent for a non DSLR . This type of camera certainly has it's place. I've got a Canon G9 and the ability to put it in a pocket rather than lugging it is really nice.

[Tomheivers @ Jun 24th 2008 6:38AM]

Make everything ready to dive captain!
*Submarine sounds*

Because that's what it looks like

[Tom Robertson @ Jun 24th 2008 6:50AM]

Thats some pretty good specs for a decent price. Shame about the design of the camera. What is up with that huge bulge at the top!?

[Leoedin @ Jun 24th 2008 7:17AM]

That "Huge bulge" is the removable viewfinder mentioned in the blog post and the article.

[Haikibutsu @ Jun 24th 2008 6:55AM]

MY NAME IS RICO

[Jayden @ Jun 24th 2008 7:05AM]

damn ugly camera, it looks cheap and flimsy

[IK47 @ Jun 24th 2008 12:40PM]

where can you buy this from in Canada?

any gray-market importers?

[androo @ Jun 24th 2008 7:26AM]

I have, and love, the GX100 and although it looks nothing in photos, it's a very nice thing to hold and built very well from metal and all things good quality. It makes your typical little Canon look like a child's toy when you see them together in the flesh.

[Dan @ Jun 24th 2008 8:07AM]

I don't understand why you would make a camera that is obviously supposed to be a second camera for dslr owners and then make it completely unapealing to them by jamming 12 megapoxels into it.

[Rick @ Jun 24th 2008 8:45AM]

Megapixels sell cameras. If they didn't, we'd all buy Sigma DP-1's. Stupid, but there it is.

[Mojo_Yugen @ Jun 24th 2008 9:40AM]

Exactly. I own a GX100 (10mp) and my main gripe with it is I wish it had about 2mp less. My second biggest gripe about it is that it only shoots 1 RAW frame every 3-4 seconds so the GX200 really tears at me. Better RAW performance - check! (yea!) but more MP (and crappier noise as a result) (boo!).

[Dan @ Jun 24th 2008 11:19AM]

Megapixels do sell cameras to the average consumer. But I can't imagine the average consumer spending $700 on a P&S camera. This camera seems like its made first and formost for photographers who want a small second camera that still gives them all the exposure controls and raw. I would think 12mp would be a turn-off to them, because they tend to be informed. Its a dealbreaker for me and thats a shame because this is the exact camera i'm looking for.

[Pradster @ Jun 24th 2008 9:18AM]

How lovely, its got a periscope...perfect for my underwater bikini hunting excursions!

BALLS!

:P

[LloydChiro @ Jun 24th 2008 12:39PM]

The important thing about the new, larger LCD screen is that it also has double the resolution of most other cameras. 460K vs 230K.

For comparison, the Panasonic Lumix TZ5 has the high-resolution screen, and it is stunning when compared to a regular camera.

Even better, though, is the 3" 900K pixel screen on the Nikon D300 and Sony a700.

[zeke.2.k @ Jun 24th 2008 12:46PM]

Gee, just add a full frame sensor and $1000 to the price tag and we're in business.

http://www.nicephotomag.com

Nice!

[George @ Jun 24th 2008 3:29PM]

I too have the GX100 and it is an incredibly good camera. However the RAW performance is very slow, to jump from 5seconds per frame to 5frames per second is a hell of a leap...

The 24mm wide is fantastic and macro is ridiculously good. Having the ability to customise the controls and alter things like aperture and shutterspeed WITHOUT going into menus is so nice. I have never bothered using the electronic view finder and without it the camera is (just about) comfortably pocketable... A bigger sensor with less mega pixels would be nice though...

[NZ~Miles @ Jun 24th 2008 4:45PM]

That has to be the most ugly SLR I have ever seen, they even did better than that back in the 80s. Cool specs and price (and awesome thin-ness) but wow, that's one mingin' camera

[Pete @ Jun 24th 2008 5:50PM]

My D200 shoots 5FPS, and that's at 10 mega pixels. Unfortunately, my guess would be that this camera probably uses around ~1 MP images in its 5fps mode, although its general RAW performance is probably improved over its predecessor.

[Pete @ Jun 24th 2008 5:51PM]

@NZ-Miles: That isn't an SLR buddy...

[Mark Goldstein @ Jun 26th 2008 11:24AM]

We've now published our full review of the GX200.

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_ricoh_gx200.php