Ricoh GXR: Pro and Cons

Ricoh GXR has been creating buzzes in internet these days. It is a breakthrough or innovative new camera system. It is not an interchangeable lens camera system like digital SLR camera or micro four third system, but it is interchangeable module system which camera body and sensor are now separated, and the sensor and lens are now fixed.

There are many discussion about this system in the net, after reading and thinking about it all night, this is my thought:

Ricoh GRX Pros:

Able to change sensor / format
Imagine that you can change your camera to be a slim compact camera style with collapsible zoom lens, or you can change the camera to be APS-C sensor (DSLR like quality), by sliding in the appropiate module. Many wishes that Ricoh will also release M mount, K-mount or other mount modules so that photographers who use other lenses could also use Ricoh camera.

Able to keep the same camera body, interface, and image processing.
By keeping the same camera body, you don’t have to learn new camera interface and feature every time you upgrade your camera + sensor. Ricoh GRX system camera body will controls some features such as LCD screen, custom JPG processing, live view control, camera menu and interface. Speaking about camera body, Ricoh has excellent interface and construction quality. Ricoh GRX’s built quality is equal to advanced digital SLR camera minus the size and weight.

Relatively compact size
If you slide in the APS-C camera module with 50mm f/2.5 macro lens, this setup will be smaller than DSLR camera setup, and it is a bit smaller than micro four third system camera setup with its macro lens. However, when you slide in a small sensor camera module to Ricoh GRX, it is slightly bigger than equivalent compact camera such as Ricoh GX200 or Panasonic LX3.

Better lens-sensor optimization
Because lens and sensor are fixed, it is easy for manufacturers to optimized this combination to produce the optimal image quality. In addition, you don’t have to worry about dust in the sensor surface because the lens is sealed with the sensor.

Future possibilities
Like I have mentioned above, Ricoh could possibly build lens-mount module, so many different lens owner can use Ricoh camera body with their lenses.

From these photo gallery, we know that the possibilities are not limited only for taking photos, but it could expands to become a multi-function tool such as storage, projector and printer.

Ricoh GRX Cons:

Auto Focus performance
Currently the system has slower auto focus speed compared to digital SLR system, but comparable to compact cameras.

Relatively expensive
The price of Ricoh GRX body and small sensor zoom lens is $949. With this amount of money, you can get two advanced compact cameras. However, the price of GRX with 50mm f/2.5 APS-C sensor is about the same as other digital camera system. Selling at $1380, it is approximately equal to Panasonic GF1 with Panasonic-Leica 45mm f/2.8 Macro lens, or mid-range DSLR camera with their proprietary 60mm macro lens.

High risk
In traditional digital SLR system, people can safely collect lenses because lens price stays the same and the optic will  still relevant for a long time. Generally, lenses stay relevant for 20-30 years or even longer, while digital SLR camera body and sensor is under rapid change and improvement every year.

By combining image sensor and lens in one fixed module with a relatively high price tag, buyers will risk their investment because in one or two years later, there might be  a better quality sensor developed with the same or cheaper price tag. If you like to upgrade the image sensor, you need to buy a new module, and your old module price will drop in the market.

In Conclusion

Most complaints I heard from people is about price, but if we do research deeper, we will find that this system is not as expensive as it perceived by many people. It is because Ricoh makes a very high quality camera and lenses. This system also has great potential in the future as the modules and accessories grow. But being a new system, it also has risk of failure. We don’t know about how committed Ricoh on this system.

Nevertheless, this is a great innovative system that could become very versatile tools for photographers, either professionals or enthusiasts.

Tagged as: Ricoh, ricoh grx