Ricoh details modular GXR camera for US
updated 07:45 am EST, Tue November 10, 2009
Ricoh GXR to come to US
Ricoh in confirming the full details of its GXR camera system also made the rare move of bringing its cameras to the US. As promised, the approach goes one step further than most interchangeable lens cameras by relying on modular units that contain the lens, image sensor and processor in a single package. Taking this step theoretically gives users the best possible performance for the task at hand: a CMOS sensor accompanies a prime lens to let in as much light as possible, while a CCD can accompany a typical zoom lens.
The sealed link between the lens and sensor also means dust is a virtual non-factor, according to Ricoh.
Regardless of the unit, the camera has unique software features such as a pre-autofocus mode that speeds up the AF system for faster-moving subjects and a macro mode that invokes automatically. An accelerometer gives the camera a tilt sensor much like the Canon EOS 7D.
The body itself will sell for $550 and has just the main controls, an internal flash, a hot shoe and a 3-inch color accurate, articulating LCD. Creating the least expensive complete camera requires the S10, a $440 module that combines a 24-72mm (film equivalent), f2.5-4.4 lens with a 10-megapixel CCD sensor. Alternately, the A12 unit at $550 gives users a 50mm f2.5 macro lens along with a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor. An external flash and an electronic viewfinder aren't immediate options in the US.
All three of the US-bound parts are due to ship in December.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 1999
Neat System
That's a pretty neat system, but I'm not entirely sure who it's targeted at -- most professionals will have way too much invested in lenses to want to pick one up, and most regular consumers won't understand why they have to keep paying $500/lens+sensor for what looks like a point and shoot... will they even care that they can change out bits and pieces?
The specs on the lenses are pretty impressive, so I suppose it's supposed to be an alternate for a DSLR getup? But given that you have to carry around lens/sensor combos that doesn't exactly seem like a 'drop and go' backup...