That
Ricoh GXR camera system we saw yesterday has today become official, and
dpreview have gotten on the case to provide an early preview and a set of sample images taken with the shooter. The novelty to this new setup is in the so-called lens units, which contain both a lens and an appropriately matched sensor inside a sealed casing. This precludes dust from getting in where it doesn't belong and provides a tailored pairing of optics and electronics. The body, in spite of not doing much -- zoom motors plus aperture and shutter mechanisms are all handled within the lens unit -- is built out of a magnesium alloy, and its major attraction will be a good control scheme allied to excellent ergonomics, according to
dpreview. What you're getting then, is a competitor to
Micro Four Thirds that's smaller in size, but larger in price. Sounds about right.
Read - Press release
Read - dpreview preview
Read - Sample image galleries
Read - Comparison shots vs. the Panasonic GF1
posted Nov 10th 2009 8:21AM
Nice!
OK, so take the 2 most expensive parts of a camera, the imaging sensor and the lens, and turn them into removable modules. Just because of some sloppy shooters getting dust on the sensor? It sounds like someone in marketing stopped by the engineering department (or vice versa).
Or maybe they're just planning a special offer: buy the lens/sensor and get the body for free!
Yes, it would have been preferable if they offered a decoupled the lens and sensor. But I understand their logic, these are small cameras, designed for individuals that are around and about, moving around, and actively doing stuff.
To change a normal lens can be tedious, especially not just worrying about dust, but you need to worry about taking off the cap, not touching the sensor (and issue for short FFD cameras), not touching the back of the lens putting your oiling fingers on it, putting the cap back on the lens you took off, both back & front. Considering these are very small lenses, I can see people not wanting to fiddle with them. Personally, I take lens swaps pretty seriously because I take good care on my glass, and I would say it takes a good 20 seconds for prime, longer for a larger lens especially if I'm putting it back in its case.
For the GXR: Snap-> lens/sensor-> Off, snap-> lens/sensor->On. Take off/put on front cap. Likely won't take longer then 5 seconds.
Granted, in regards to the APS-C sized sensor, its probably very cheap. The sensor I'm assuming likely bought from a third-party supplier like Sony that already sells their sensors to Nikon as well as others (also rumored that the Leica X1 is using their 12MP sensor as well).
The Canon 50mm f/2.5 Macro is around $300 msrp, this Ricoh 50mm f/2.5 + 12MP sensor is $550. So it is more expensive. For Ricoh they may think about releasing a Sensor only module + lenses as well in addition to these lens/sensor combos.
I'm sorry Ricoh, I loved your GRD range of camera but this seems a short sighted idea. I think people wanting one unit that can have different over-priced lenses (because they are included with a new sensor each time) is not going to catch on. If people want real quality from a camera and lens system they are not likely to pick this over a proper DSLR which will do everything twice as good for equal or less money.
So it's either an over priced compact or an under-performing SLR?... I just don't get it!
re: you're just not getting it: interchangeable lenses, smaller than micro four-thirds.
Until the micro four thirds can make pocket sized camera's, there really isn't any point in them. You can get a fully sized DSLR, compatible with a range of lenses, for the same price or cheaper. And this just seems like they're targeting a market that isn't there.
And yet they're selling like hot cakes. I know so many people who say "I'd take a lot more photos, but I just can't be bothered to bring my DSLR with me a lot." And these are the same people that are not happy with the quality of compacts.
Guess what? Micro-four third is smaller than SLR, and it does have a lot higher image quality than compacts.
Some people are willing to pay for that.
Lot higher?
I guess it's in the eye of the beholder, I'd use the term slightly higher.
A lot higher, actually.
And in a different league altogether when you're talking about high ISOs.
@wwhat: Yes, I would say alot higher. The 4/3rds sensor is much bigger than compacts' (unless we're talkin stuff like Sigma or Ricoh), and the image processor is definitely better.
Micro-FourThirds are compatible with a range of lenses larger then any dSLR, this is because it has a short focal flange distance of 20mm. You can use a Nikon F-mount, Canon FD/EF mount, Contax, PL, Minoltas, Leica M, and even C-mount lenses on Micro-Four Thirds cameras. This is because via a simple adapter you can make up the difference compared to other mounts.
Also, when attached with a pancake lens you'll get a camera significantly smaller then the entry-level dSLRs with picture quality to match. You also have to consider the lenses are smaller as well, the relatively compact 14-140mm has the same 35mm field of view as an the Canikon 18-200mm f4-5.6 lenses at a significantly smaller lens.
I looked at sample shots of various four-thirds, with hope and optimism and high expectations, and I stand with my assessment of 'slightly higher', and a disappointed look on my face.
Back in the film days a pocketable camera was one that could be stowed in a jacket/coat pocket (Not your jeans!). The GF1 with a pancake such as the 20mm *fits* quite nicely into the classic definition.
Looking at that dpreview it does seem that they put a lot of thought and design in this camera, certainly not just gimmicky.
But it's for the rich as second or third camera, because a normal person either buys a relatively cheap cam, or a full DSLR when quality is what is wanted.
I guess the middle can be very expensive.
But oh mama, that's a lovely looking camera. I bought a G10* for looks and this is up there with that. If I were rich, I'd have one of these, as I get as much joy from using a nicely designed camera as I do from getting the pictures.
*Quality is OK, it's best in Manual focus on macro shots, but I've got digital and film EOS for quality.
God how I want to love this camera, even at that price point.
It has everything; solid build quality, class leading interface, shitty compact flash, high quality LCD and external EVF. If it were an M4/3 camera I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
However I wish there was some type of GXR system roadmap available and then I'd buy in. Supposedly there is a small-sensor superzoom module coming up next but that doesn't whet my appetite. Just give us a bloody interchangeable lens module! Ricoh seems as scared of dust as the Magistereum....
But this probably won't happen as Ricoh is not a part of the M4/3 alliance and is not historically known for interchangeable lens systems. I think that for this system to succeed they need to go open source and get other manufacturers to go nuts as I don't think Ricoh has enough manpower or cash for R&D to pump out what we want at a decent price.
Right now I wouldn't even consider this camera/system. But given time it might mature into something formidable. And Ricoh had better hurry up, because once Samsung, Sony and potentially others get into this market, it will get ever harder to stand out from the pack.
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actually, Ricoh has some historic SLR background - they used pentax K-mount in their film excellent cameras, since early '80s. ;)
i hope there'll be K-mount sensor module, i hope they left enough room for APS-C-sized sensor stabilization...
Right you are. I should know better; I had a Zenit and a Pentax SLR
as my first camera's.
man... i just don't see how this is gonna work?
im gonna bet ricoh will screw over those who actually bought this thing.
The idea of putting the lens and sensor into a detachable housing isn't completely new. Minolta explored this concept around a decade ago with the Dimage EX 1500. Though that was limited to small sensors.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/minolta1500/
I can't get the song Rico Suave out of my head.
They do seem to be onto something but I think they missed the mark. The idea would work far better if they offered a removable sensor/cpu unit and left the lens as is. First, nobody is going to want to throw away a good lens because the sensor has become outdated. Second, by decoupling the sensor and processing one is able to work with a handful of well designed and stable bodies. Think Nikon D3 type on the pro side. I'm sure they could figure a way to have the unit be sealed until it is locked into the camera body. This would reduce the cost of upgrades for photographers and probably make them more likely to do so sooner which would offset any lost sales of new bodies.
Ricoh should be highly commended for making such a design that is both ingenious and sustainable at the same time. In an age of throw away, this concept is so smart and clever, it is like, how come I didn't come up with this. Well actually I have been saying for years that the components in digital cameras should be removable and replaceable.
Let's hope now Nikon and Canon can think of better ways to make their products by building camera bodies that allow not only lens changes but sensor and processor changes as well. There is no reason we should have to buy a new body every time a sensor gets better or a processor gets updated, they should be able to change them out and keep the camera body.
Anyway, kudos to Ricoh and for those of you who have never used a GR camera before, they are some of the best ergonomically designed cameras to use- simply brilliant.