Ricoh GRX Preview: The Interchangeable Unit Camera System

Ricoh has released their response to the micro four thirds camera systems by unveiling the Ricoh GRX, a compact size camera that Ricoh dubs the “the Interchangeable Unit Camera System”. Discussing exactly what it can do, down to how many megapixels are on boards will be tricky, because the system consists of a sensor-less camera body with a slide attachment for connecting a “camera unit”. The camera unit consists of lens, an image sensor, and processing unit. The interesting aspect to this is that each camera unit could have a different sensor resolution and even different sensor dimensions. Indeed of the two announced camera units, the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO and the S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC, both are using entirely different sensor units. The S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC is using a 10 megapixel 1/1.7 CCD sensor, while the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO uses a larger 12.3 megapixel 23.6 mm × 15.7 mm CMOS sensor unit. While it’s easy to see the inherent beauty of such a system, it also presents a rather obvious flaw, that being the cost of the camera units, in addition to the cost of the camera body. The GXR camera body is priced at $549, and obviously requires a camera unit. The S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC sets you back $440, while the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO removes a much larger $830 from your wallet. That’s easily the cost of an entry level DSLR camera and lens (and a 50mm prime as well).

Still there remains a lot of appeal in the Ricoh GRX. The camera body alone is a robust affair. It features a magnesium alloy exterior (as do the camera units) and sports a 3 inch, 920k LCD display, a rather notable improvement over what’s found in the Olympus E-P1/E-P2, or Panasonic GF-1. In addition the camera body offers a surprising amount of buttons on the back, an internal flash, an external flash hot shoe, and plenty of customization options as well, so you can set up the camera in any type of way you want.

Of the camera units, right now (for my tastes) the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO is the one to get. It is very expensive, but the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO has an aperture range of f/2.5-22, provides the larger sensor size, shoots full size images at 3fps, and yes it even dabbles in HD video, handling 720p at 24fps. Minimum shooting distance is 7cm and with a 1/2x magnification, macro is in the realm of possibilities. Early sample images provided by Ricoh look pretty impressive.

There’s still many unknowns though, one of which is the risk inherent in buying into yet another camera system. Will there be further prime lens/APS-C sensor units? How will the AF hold up? Will any other parties get into the game (Ricoh says they’re willing)? We can’t really answer any of that yet, but one things for sure, this is coolest camera product introduction since the E-P1. Maybe cooler.

Availability

Amazon is now taking pre-orders on the Ricoh GRX camera body and camera units.

• Ricoh GXR Interchangeable Unit Digital Camera System with 3-Inch High-Resolution LCD: $549
• Ricoh A12 50mm f/2.5 Macro GR LENS with APS-C 12.3MP CMOS Sensor: $830
• Ricoh S10 24-72mm f/2.5-4.4 VC Ricoh LENS with 10MP CCD Sensor: $440

Media

Click each thumbnail for a larger view.

Ricoh GRX with S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC attached	Ricoh GRX with S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC attached and extended
Top view of the Ricoh GRX	Ricoh GRX with the optional external viewfinder VF-2 attached. Note the VF-2 has a 100% field of view @ 920k dots of resolution.
Ricoh GRX with A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO attached.	The Ricoh GRX minus any camera unit.

Press Release

Ricoh announces the GXR interchangeable unit camera system

Lens, image sensor, and image processing engine integrated into a single interchangeable unit. World’s smallest and lightest *.
Tokyo, Japan, November 10, 2009—Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the development and release of the GXR interchangeable unit camera system featuring the world’s smallest and lightest* digital camera with the ability to change lenses.

The new GXR is an interchangeable unit camera system in which lenses are changed by using a slide-in mount system to attach camera units to the body. The lens, image sensor, and image processing engine are integrated into the camera units so the body itself does not contain an image sensor.

With world-leading small size and low weight* enabling easy carrying, the GXR interchangeable unit camera system features a highly rigid magnesium alloy body and multiple camera units that can be changed to best fit the scene to be photographed. You can enjoy easy lens changes as well as amazing image quality and shooting flexibility. Concealing infinite possibilities in its small body, the GXR is a revolutionary camera system that pioneers a new realm of photography.

Distinctive characteristics

• Lens, image sensor, and image processing engine comprise an integrated unit which can be changed to match the scene being photographed.
• World’s smallest and lightest* digital camera with interchangeable lenses
• System potential expanded through use of interchangeable units

Main features of the new GXR

Ideal form for an interchangeable lens camera: The interchangeable unit camera system

• By integrating lens, image sensor, and image processing engine into a single optimized unit, we were able to created a compact camera with interchangeable lenses.
• The adoption of this new system has made it possible to achieve both “pocket size for go-anywhere portability” and “the highest image quality for every photographic situation and subject.”
• Since the image sensor is not exposed when lenses are changed, the camera’s structure makes it inherently difficult for dirt and dust to get inside.
• Putting image processing engines in both the body and the camera units, our focus was on achieving the highest image quality.

Elegant design

• For the exterior, we utilized die cast magnesium, which has a strong track record in the GR series, and we covered the surface with a corrosion-resistant “pear-skin” coating. The end result is a body with superior levels of durability, light weight, and feel in hand.
• Building on the operation control designs of the GR series and GX series, the GXR has several types of customizable buttons as well as the new DIRECT button, which the photographer can use to see many current settings at a glance. Sophisticated shooting settings can now be made faster than ever before.
• The directional pad, the three My Settings, the ADJ.lever, and the function buttons all contribute to the even greater operability achieved by the GXR.
• The grip form allows the GXR to be firmly held despite its small size, and the suitably yielding rubber material on the grip surface enables the camera to feel like an integral part of the hand.

Even greater power of expression

• The automatic exposure modes include program shift mode, shutter priority mode, and aperture priority mode.
• Picture settings can be customized with nine setting levels for easy creation of a diverse range of images.
• ISO3200 facilitates shooting in low light conditions.

Enhanced rapid shooting capabilities help capture fleeting shutter chances

• The Pre-AF function accelerates focusing speed by adjusting the focus to match subject movement.
• The full press snap function shoots at a preset distance for a one-push full-press of the shutter-release button.
• When shooting subjects up close, the camera automatically switches to macro mode so macro photography can now be enjoyed without having to worry about switching modes.(Auto macro setting)

High-definition 3.0-inch 920,000-dot VGA LCD picture display

• The high-resolution LCD picture display provides a wide viewing angle and high contrast.
• The screen has a fluorine coat to prevent soiling, a hard coat to prevent scratches, and an anti-reflection coat to give excellent visibility even outdoors in bright sunshine.
• With 100% sRGB coverage for color reproduction, the picture display vividly reproduces image colors.

Wide range of functions

• Tilt indicator utilizing an acceleration sensor.
• Three grid guides useful for framing images while shooting.
• Image flag function to enable the quick display of specific images from among those in the camera. Up to 20 images can be flagged.
• The new DIRECT screen enabling current settings to be displayed and changed.

Features of the GR LENS A12 50 mm** F2.5 MACRO camera unit

• This camera unit uses a 23.6 mm×15.7 mm (APS-C size) CMOS sensor with approximately 12.30 megapixels. In combination with image processing engine GR ENGINE III, it achieves high-image-quality photography with high definition, low noise, and smooth tonal gradations.
• A newly developed GR LENS with an 8-group, 9-element configuration (aspherical lens: 1 element, two surfaces) is featured. Representing a further advancement in the GR tradition of high image quality, the lens thoroughly corrects for various types of aberrations. Despite the compact size, it is also a full-fledged macro lens with a floating lens structure. At shooting distances from infinity down to the 1/2x maximum magnification macro range, it achieves strong imaging power all the way to the edge of the frame. In addition, the low level of vignetting means that the photographer can enjoy rich and genuine bokeh effects.
• The manual focus ring is perfect for use in macro photography as it makes highly precise focusing possible. It can also be used to make fine manual adjustments to the focus after autofocus is done.

Features of the RICOH LENS S10 24-72 mm** F2.5-4.4 VC camera unit

• This camera unit uses a 10.00 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor boasting high-sensitivity capabilities enhanced through the adoption of an new process. In combination with advanced image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine IV, it achieves high-image-quality photography with high definition and low noise.
• The lens is a 24 mm to 72 mm high-performance 3x wide-angle zoom with superior usability. Utilizing a 7-group, 11-element configuration (aspherical lens: 4 elements, 4 surfaces) that includes special low-dispersion lenses, this lens achieves high dimensions of both compactness and imaging power.
• A camera shake correction function (image-sensor-shift type) is used to reduce hand- motion blur.
• The self-retaining lens cap has been a popular GX series option, and a GXR version is available as option LC-2.
• New options enhance series expandability
• Two soft cases, one for each camera unit.
• The GXR can use the GR DIGITAL III external flash (GF-1), which can do TTL flash using auxiliary flash.
• Convenient for shooting in bright outdoor situations, the newly developed 920,000-dot- equivalent high-definition LCD viewfinder is removable and can be tilted up to 90 degrees.
• With a 100% field of view, it displays information in the same way as the picture display, thus enabling the photographer to shoot in a film camera style.

Functions expanded using firmware

• Function-enhancing firmware releases for the GR DIGITAL series have proved very popular, and this practice will be continued for the GXR. By updating their firmware, GXR owners will be able to use the latest functions.

*Internal flash, interchangeable lens digital cameras with lens attached.
As of November 10, 2009, Ricoh research.
**All of the focal lengths in this release are converted to the equivalent values for a 35 mm film camera.

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