Read our full specifications for the Ricoh GXR

Ricoh GXR specifications

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While the GXR is well made, technically proficient and has good overall performance, the very high price of the lens/sensor units and the disappointing image quality shown by the test unit, as well as the unreliable autofocus system mean that the GXR isn't much competition for the other compact system cameras that are available. Read full review

Overall

6/10

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By Cliff Smith
Reviewed 23 August 2010
Updated 19 May 2011

Price as reviewed

£299.95

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Ricoh GXR specifications
Quick Glance
Camera type	Digital SLR
Optical Zoom	10
Megapixels	10.6
Physical Specifications
Dimensions Width	13.9
Depth	70.2
Weight (body only)	198g including battery and memory card
Features
Camera type	Digital SLR
Optical Zoom	10
Megapixels	10.6
Image Sensor	1/2.3-inch CMOS
Optical focal length	4.9 to 52.5mm in 35mm film terms
Viewfinder	EVF optional
Shutter speed	30secs to 1/2000
Auto focus	Nine-point multi, centre spot, snap focus, infinity contrast-detection
Manual focus	Yes
Video (max res/format)	1280x730, 30fps
Max output resolution	3648x2736
Other resolutions	3264x2448, 2592x1944, 2048x1536, 1280x960, 640x480, 648x2048, 3264x1840, 3648x2432, 3264x2176, 2736x2736, 2448x2448
Focus range	1cm to infinity
Exposure control	P, A, S, M Scene Mode
Exposure metering	Multi, Spot, Centre-weighted
Exposure compensation	+/- 4EV
Image Stabilisation	N/A
ISO settings	100-3200
LCD Monitor	3-inch 920k dots
Flash range	Not stated, approx 4m
Flash modes	Auto, Red-eye, Slow sync, Off, Manual
White balance modes	Auto, multi-point auto, outdoor, cloudy, incandes, 1/2 fluores, manual, detail
Drive modes	Single, continuous, M-cont, Spd-cont
Image formats	JPEG, Raw, Motion JPEG AVI
Picture adjustments	Saturation, sharpness, contrast, colour tone
Movie length	Card capacity
Self timer	2/12 custom secs
Memory card slot	SD/SDHC
Supplied memory	86MB
Batteries supplied	1700mAh Li-ion rechargeable
Charger supplied	Yes
A/V output	PAL, NTSC
USB	Yes
HDMI	Yes
AV Out	Yes
Manual	190-page English printed manual

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7 comments

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Ed

3:59 PM on 23 August, 2010

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I actually really like the principle of this camera. The idea of having a compact camera that can switch from being a versatile super zoom with a smaller sensor for general photography to a fast 50mm (or indeed 70-100mm) for portraits/arty shots while having the total package still be very compact appeals greatly. It would certainly be an interesting alternative to carrying around an SLR with a couple of fast lenses (24-70, 70-200) or a super zoom lens and a prime. Sadly Ricoh doesn't seem to have got the balance right. Hopefully the company will have the chance to give it a second go.

Score:

joose

4:53 PM on 23 August, 2010

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@Cliff - Are all shots taken from the P10 lens?

jopey

6:05 PM on 23 August, 2010

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I'd like to see what gets a 1 or a 2 out of 10 for value.

Matt

6:16 PM on 23 August, 2010

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I suppose by changing the sensor size, they can keep the total package a compact size, whilst giving the choice of big sensor + prime or small sensor + zoom. For the money though, I'd rather get a NEX-5 or G2 - they're small enough whilst giving the benefit all the time of a large sensor. Otherwise, something like a TZ will give you all the versatility you need, in a very cheap, compact package (though I guess won'd give the dof or low-light abilities). People are used to investing in lenses, as although expensive they can be used over several generations of cameras. Whereas integrating them with fast-obsoleting electronics could seem like poor value in the long run.

Hedgeporker

12:20 AM on 24 August, 2010

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The concept is commercially crippled from the start by disallowing the interchange of the lens as well as sensor. One way of adding value would be to market a Foveon module, alhough commercially that would still be trying to make the best of a bad job. Ricoh should be getting in bed with Foveon anyway.

CliffSmith

10:55 AM on 25 August, 2010

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joose - Yes, that's the only lens unit that was supplied with my review sample. I'd like to see what sort of image quality the 12.3MP 50mm APS-C lens unit can produce, but at £500 it's still very poor value for money.

jopey - No, you really wouldn't.

Matt - Correct on all points.

Hedgeporker - An interesting idea, but Foveon is owned by Sigma now, so that's unlikely to happen.

Driver

8:39 PM on 1 September, 2010

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I used to own one of the very first film based superzoom/bridge camera in the form of a Ricoh Murai so I was expecting great things from the digital equivalent; but reading all the reviews available in the photographic press the Ricoh GXR comes out as an overly expensive rubbish system, irrespective of the sensor/lens combination.

Ricoh must have spent tens of thousands developing what should be a class leading camera system. Somewhere along the way they saw fit to hamper it with the full range of underdeveloped and incapable software, tiny noisy and inadequate sensors coupled to milk-bottle bottom lenses.

All of which produces results that are no match to Ricoh's own compact cameras. One wonders just where all the money was spent; it cannot all have gone on fitting two metal rails into a hollowed out GR body, or the sensor/lens connectors with their protective caps!.

Stir in a lens focus system which might or might not produce a sharp result...sometime, even in ideal conditions. The final system really has nothing going for it; for either entry level or creative photographer searching for a flexible lightweight alternative to their DSLR.

A quick study of the Ricoh CX3 or GR shows where this camera should be in terms of quality and ability. I so wanted the Ricoh GXR to be a step up from my Olympus 510 but the quality of pictures and cost involved mean the GXR is a photographic cul de sac. Ideally this camera should be finished in LEMON YELLOW with BLACK BANDS to warn off potential purchasers.

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