Ricoh GXR – Versatile compact camera system

Ricoh GXR supposedly announced one or two days from now, but already leaked in major rumor websites: Photo rumors, 43 rumors and Youtube. The GXR is an unique compact camera system. It has interchangeable lens + sensor. So you can change the lens and sensor package.

Ricoh GRX : interchangeable compact camera system

According to the rumor, GXR will comes with 1 camera body plus two lens + sensor package:

1. Ricoh GXR body Price $349

2. Ricoh A12 12.3MP CMOS sensor & 50mm Macro Lens (HD Video) Price £600 $830

50mm equivalent macro lens f/2.5
Red ring at front and GR lens logo on top of the barrel
High-class barrel and lens hood of allumunium alloy
Easy to use focus ring
On outside the ring, there is rubber material fit to the fingertip

3. Ricoh S10 10MP CCD sensor & 24-72mm Zoom Lens f/2.5-4.4 (5fps RAW, VGA video) Price £300 $400

High quality functional feels, match the body.
New enhanced self retaining lens cap
Wave-cut shape narrows space of cap portion
Smaller hinge gives more streamlined feels

4. Ricoh P10 10MP CMOS Backlit sensor 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC Price $300

High quality backlit sensor suppress noise in high ISO sensitivities
Versatile wide to telephoto zoom lens
Small in size and low in price
120 frame/second high speed shooting

5. Ricoh A12 28mm f/2.5 wide angle lens module with 12 MP resolution APS-C sensor

High quality wide angle prime lens
4 frames per second continuous shooting speed
16:9, 4:3, 3:2, and 1:1 options. [Aspect ratio setting]

6. Ricoh Live Viewfinder features

Shape gives a feeling of oneness with body
Round eye cup design easy to fit the eye
Eye cup uses a flexible elastomer for a good fit
Diopter adjustment dial has a “click feel” for easy use
Non-slip material to prevent dropping the viewfinder

This will be the first compact camera with interchangeable lens and sensor in the world.

ricoh-gxr-system

In my opinion, this system is very versatile. It could be a regular compact camera if you plug in the 24-72mm and compact sensor, but it could be 50mm crop sensor camera (quality as good as DSLR camera). I believe there will be more lens+sensor cartridges in the future.

But unfortunately, because of the price, this camera system will not be for everyone.