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After a pre-announcement that they were going to make an announcement, Ricoh
finally made an announcement. They released details of their GR Digital camera.
It's being marketed as a high end, fixed lens, P&S, much like the GR-1 film
camera was. The idea is to have an excellent fixed focal length lens in a small
camera with lots of user control.
Well, they've sort of done that, but the "fly in the ointment" is that the
digital sensor is the same tiny size that is used by most consumer digicams. It's
a 1/1.8" sensor which means that the actual size is about 7.2mm x 5.3mm. The
problem with this is it means that high ISO images will be noisy and it will be
impossible to get shallow DOF. The lens is a 5.9mm f2.4 (which gives the same
angle of view as a 28mm lens on a full frame 35mm camera). Another problem is
that there isn't any sort of optical viewfinder. You have to hold the camera at
arms length and use the LCD on the back! You can buy and accessory optical
viewfinder that mounts on the camera, but it's a bit like buying a car and
finding out it's extra if you want headlights! It's also not very fast, taking
1.7 seconds between shots. so let's hope things happen slowly when you're using
the GR Digital.
The lens seems to have an impressive MTF, so should produce high quality
images (on the tiny sensor of course) and there is an "add on" wide converter for
a 21mm equivalent view.
I'm not sure what the US street price is expected to be, but it's listed at
£400 in the UK and 580 Euros in Europe. That probably means a US price in
the $500 region.
Overall it's sort of an interesting camera, but I don't think it quite lives
up to being a digital version of the old GR-1. It will be interesting to see
sample images when someone finally gets a production sample to review.
Here's a copy of the Ricoh Press Release:
Tokyo, Japan - September 13 - Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO:
Masamitsu Sakurai) announced today the October 21 launch of the GR Digital, a
newly developed professional-grade high-resolution compact digital camera. In
addition to a CCD with 8,130,000 effective pixels, the new digital camera boasts
superb resolution through a newly developed high-performance lens,
image-processing algorithms, and other innovations, as well as low noise and low
chromatic aberration.
The new GR Digital inherits the superb image quality that made the award winning
GR Series (first launched in 1996) of 35mm compact film cameras so popular, as
well as the depictive performance to satisfy professional photographers,
distilled into a compact 25mm thin body.
With a high-quality feel and superb expandability, this is the perfect tool for
professional photographers and advanced amateurs.
When planning the GR Digital, Ricoh’s engineers began by identifying the
elements that provide the high picture quality demanded by discerning
photographers. After much study, Ricoh placed special emphasis on resolution,
noise level, color aberration correction, color reproduction, tone, and
distortion characteristics. In order to achieve extremely high levels in each of
these areas, Ricoh gave the GR Digital a CCD with 8,130,000 effective pixels, and
also developed two key components: (1) a F2.4 fixed focal length GR lens with f =
5.9 mm (28 mm converted to 35 mm format camera) having high resolution and
depictive power; and (2) a new GR Engine image-processing system featuring
natural composition and rich, fine gradations while further lowering noise in all
images.
These key components in turn translate into a high Modulation Transfer Function
(MTF) rating for the central area of the image as well as the edges. MTF is a
measure of contrast and resolution, and one of the most widely used standards for
evaluating image quality. The GR Digital has the descriptive power to show each
hair on a person's head, with superb reproductive capability all the way into the
corners of the picture. The GR Digital’s images also reduce noise, giving
greater continuity in dark areas, reproduces natural tones and gradations, and
reduces blurring and distortion.
MTF Curve of GR F 2.4 Lens
with f = 5.9 mm
Notes:
*
The closer the 50/mm and 150/mm curves are to
100%, the higher the contrast and resolution.
*
50 lines/mm and 150 lines/mm are equivalent
to 10 lines/mm and 30 lines/mm, respectively, when converted to a 35mm format
camera. In general, if a 10 line/mm 35mm format camera has an MTF of 80% or
higher, it is considered to have excellent image quality, and at 60% or higher is
considered to have satisfactory image quality.
*
The alignment of the R and T characteristics
is vital for blurring and other depictive characteristics.
Ten years have passed since Ricoh launched the Ricoh DC-1, the first Ricoh
digital camera, in 1995. The Ricoh DC-1 was the world's first digital camera to
support video.
During that time Ricoh have remained at the forefront of digital camera
technology. Ricoh’s leading edge technologies have seen many breakthroughs
with such outstanding features as: 1cm macro, wide-angle high quality optical
zoom lenses, ultra fast response times (start-up and shutter release lag) and
unique linking of communications and GPS support functions.
Main Features of the GR Digital
Newly Developed GR Lens Provides High Resolution and resolving power
A retro-focus lens using a concave lens toward the subject and a convex lens
toward the CCD, widely used in wide-angle SLRs and the like, is used. In addition
to this two glass-molded aspheric lenses and one special low dispersion lens are
used. These are optimally laid out in a configuration that fully corrects and
reduces distortion, frame aberration, color aberration, using fewer lens element.
It also improves the light transmissivity of the lens, producing clear
images.
A retracting lens system is employed, allowing part of the lens groupings
(rear group) to be stowed inside the camera body.
This shortens the distance between the second and third lenses when stowed.
This not only helps to improve the image quality it also helps to reduce the
camera size.
A dedicated system can adjust the optical axis of the outer lens group and
CCD-side lens group at the micron level. This enables uniform image quality from
edge to edge.
Equipped with a generous seven- blade aperture and neutral density (ND)
filter.
These features enable high resolution, high image quality from edge to edge,
low noise in dark areas, natural tone and gradations, and good background
blurring upon aperture release. The ND filter uniformly absorbs each base color:
R, G, and B, allowing larger apertures to be utilized.
Boasting 8,130,000 effective pixels, the camera delivers the high image
quality that professionals demand.
Image Processing via GR Engine Maximizes Lens Performance
Supplemental processing on adjacent pixels creates smooth, natural
curves.
Noise is reduced even further by including top-of-the-line components with
superb characteristics in the analog circuit. During long-term exposures, heat
and light sources – which can cause noise – are kept down to a
minimum, enabling long 3minute exposure times for great pictures of the night sky
and similar subjects.
Through image-pattern analysis, variations in auto exposure (AE) and auto
white balance (AWB) are suppressed. As a result, Whites look White and Blacks
look Black.
Improved AF precision in macro mode.
Images are simultaneously stored in uncompressed RAW and JPEG formats.
Thin, Compact Design
The thin, compact design – 107.0 x 25.0 x 58.0 mm (WxDxH) achieves both
portability and ease of use as a photographic tool. Now you can enjoy the
high-quality photography of the GR Digital any time, anywhere.
Functionally Aesthetic Design Delivers High Quality and Easy
Operability
The lens is placed near the center of the camera, in a design that provides
the photographer maximum balance for greater stability.
The camera uses a magnesium-alloy case combining a stylish design with
durability for maximum strength.
Offers the first twin dial in a compact digital camera. You adjust the
aperture in the front, and the shutter in the back. This allows a high degree of
operability and flexibility when shooting in manual mode.
The built-in strobe uses a pop-up system, preventing vignetting (gradual
fading of the image at the edges)
The Camera Itself is Simple, And Highly Expandable to Meet a Wide Range of
Needs.
We (Ricoh) intentionally did not make an optical viewfinder standard,
offering a high-performance externally attached optional viewfinder instead. It
fits on a hot shoe almost directly above the lens to help achieve more accurate
framing.
The wide converter optional lens features an ultra wide-angle 21 mm (when
converted to 35 mm format camera).
An optional external strobe, cable release, hood and filters are also
available.
Short Photo Interval of 1.7 Seconds
Even with 8,130,000 effective pixels, the shooting interval is just 1.7
seconds. When shooting continuously, you can shoot at this interval until the
memory is full.
Built-in Large, High Resolution LCD with 100% View
The camera is equipped with a bright, high-definition, large 2.5-inch/210,000
pixel LCD. The field of view is 100%, enabling accurate framing.
Multiple Image Formats
Images can be captured in various combinations of resolution and compression.
RAW compression and RAW with JPEG can be selected for ultimate quality.
35mm Aspect Ratio
An aspect ratio of 3:2 can be selected, the same aspect ratio as 35mm and
most digital SLR’s that allows images to be printed in standard sizes
without cropping.
Multiple Shooting Modes
Manual, Program, Program shift AE and Aperture Priority modes allow for
greater flexibility and freedom of expression.
Multiple Metering Modes
Three metering modes are available: 256 multipoint, spot metering and centre
weighted average metering giving the photographer the freedom to compose shots as
they please under various lighting conditions.
Sophisticated AF
A sophisticated 9-point AF system assures fast and accurate focus from just
30cm and 1.5cm in Macro.
Where to buy
The following vendors support photo.net when purchases are made via these
links:
I really like this design despite its limitations with the sensor. It's a pocket version of the Digilux 2 in my honest opinion. I can't wait to get this. Of course, temporarily a Minolta G600 will do the trick.
I think that we tend to judge the camera too much before it comes out. I really like the control wheel for shutter speed and aperture via manual on this point and shoot. Most of the time I really hate button mashing (even on my beloved Sony V3) just to change the stuff in manual mode.
I read reviews about this camera and I don't understand something. Why is it so important. I have seen examples and read everything about its features? I am not a troll and want to learn something more about it, but I dont get it???
28 mm allready seen on Olympus 5060 and if I remember corectly 5050.
fixed lens OK it is unique.
high quality finish, a lot of cameras have it together with magnesium body.
which manual ring for aperture and exposure are we talking about?
Quality of the lens and of the pics, for this price, and pseudo prime characteristics it should have the quality for me to step into it.
I forgot it doesn't have viewfinder of any kind.
I think a lot of people were hoping for more from this camera. The film GR series was top of the line. Bob's "fly in the ointment" comment is right on. How about a 4/3" (or larger) sensor and a decent burst mode and will this camera even be available in the U.S.? I think I'll be holding on to my Minilux for the time being.
I think that camera is not a pocket camera. It is as big as the Leica Digilux 1.
The new Ricoh has dissapointed me. The problem is the sensor.
The only reason for using super small sensors in compact cameras is the zoom range. But this camera has a single focal lens, so why is the sensor so small?
I think it is not so difficult to use a 4/3 or APS sensor in a (so big) compact camera.
Besides, the price is too high, for the image quality you can get.
The design of the camera is fine, but the Leica CM is better for me.
So it doesn't have a Leica lens. So what. Who cares.
The point isn't whether it has the world's best lens, the only important thing about the lens is that it should match the sensor in terms of image quality.
The more important point is that even with the world's best, diffraction limited from edge-to-edge lens, it still has a 5x7mm sensor. That's the weak point, not the lens.
I would LOVE a camera of this type with a larger sensor, 2 fps for 6 shots or so, and a slightly faster lens. Maybe the new Sony will push this part of the market in that direction...
I agree with Bob A on this. The Ricoh lense is not as good as a Leica lense... but its all about the best lens for the sensor.
I have a Ricoh GR21. As I understood it, the lenses on the Ricoh GR film cameras were never as good as Leica lenses. I dont think Ricoh ever claimed to have *the* highest resolution lenses. Everyone knows Leicas are the sharpest. (i know this to be fact, having scanned the negs at home from both a Leica CM and Ricoh GR21.) Dispite this, I still purchased a Ricoh GR21 because their lenses are very sharp and fast, the camera allows control over aperature, and it has long exposure capabilites... all in a very compact size. Easy access to these control was *the* selling point for me. The new GR-d shares these features as well as shutter speed control. Wow! When those controls are buried inside menus as they are on 99% of all other compact digitals, those features are never used by me, which is why i still have yet to own a digital camara. (I did breifly use a Leica D1, but i thought it was too big, so that now gone.)
At the same time, if easy access to those features is not critical, then this camera may do nothing more for you than other cameras out the now.
I believe this new GR Digital might fit the bill on all of the critical features, dispite having a small sensor. I looked at those sample photos taken with the GR-d that were posted on-line. I think they look good. Noise is not good in a few, but other are WOW! DOF may be lacking, but i might be good with that. What i think is pretty cool is the ability to add a 21mm converter to the camera. I like that. This feature makes this camrea fairly unique in a compact.
Some mentioned that the GR-d is large in size, but i doubt that given its shape is exactly (just about) as the film GR cameras.
Also, what stands out is the 8mp size. Even if using the 3:2 ratio feature that the GR-d has on-board, those images are over 7mp. That more than the Epson RD-1. Cool!
Gotta get that cool viewfinder that u put on top as well as the shutter release for nighttime photography. This has also been a major sticking point for me. I dont know of any compact digital that has 180 second exposure (3 minutes!) as the GR-d features on-board!
Lastly, I like that you can use AAA batteries in this camrea as well. This is great if the rechargable battery is running low and you need a quick battery replacement! Just go to the store and buy some AAAs!
This camera extends the ever increasing trend of digicam manufacturers of making cameras without optical viewfinders. I think it shows that these cameras are being designed by engineers without input from photographers. Without an optical viewfinder you are forced to hold the camera out in front of you (if you are middle aged, way in front of you) so you lose the advantages of discreteness and the steadying provided by holding the camera firmly against your eye. I deplore this trend. I bought a Sony T1 as a pocket camera and gave up on it because of the lack of an optical finder. I had high hopes that someone would eventually make the equivalent of a digital Olympus Stylus Epic: compact body, optical viewfinder, and sharp fast fixed focal length lens matched to an appropriate sized sensor. No such luck here.
One thing I can't understand being advertised as a "feature" is ...Even with 8,130,000 effective pixels, the shooting interval is just 1.7 seconds.... 1.7 seconds between shots? That's a feature?
I know it's 8MP but the EOS 20D does it in 0.2 seconds and even the Digital Rebel XT does it in 0.33 seconds. 1.7 seconds between shots seems like a bit much.
BTW I don't know if or when a US release is planned. The Press Release I have was issued by Japan. I know Ricoh UK also issued a release stating the camera would be available in Europe. Ricoh-US has a website, but they don't list any cameras or photographic products at all and I think Ricoh pulled out of the US camera market. I suppose US photographers who REALLY want a GR digital can order one from Europe, assuming they don't mind paying through the nose for the camera, plus shipping and US import duty. £400 would translate (after 17% VAT has been subtracted) to about $600.
Interesting, but the lack of an optical viewfinder, small sensor and being a bit pricey makes it fairly uninteresting to me. Also, I suspect that dynamic range will still be lacking. In this segment, the camera should have a optical viewfinder and be fast. I'll stick with film for my super-compact street/event shooting needs.
Ricoh is ALWAYS too late to the party, having shifted away from cameras to office copiers. Ricoh's Caplio series digital cameras have yet to generate any positive reviews. I love my GR-1 film camera, but when purchased new in the U.S, it arrived with many defects. They were repaired under warranty. Add a similar experience with a Ricoh R1, and I'd have to suspect the quality of a Ricoh digital ... assuming you could ever find one from a U.S. retailer.
I too find that add-on viewfinder a lame attempt to extract extra dollars (yen?) from enthusiasts. If this rock ever shows up in the U.S., I'll use the add-on shoe viewfinder that came with my Yashica Electro GTN's accessory lenses.
I don't know that any digital will ever "match" a film camera, not because film is inherently superior, but because digital cameras are inherently different. Look at the photo above this post, the one showing the back of the GR digital with a 2.5" preview screen and live histogram. Or how about depth of field from 4 feet to infinity at aperture f/2.4? It's a new tool and, hopefully, one that will be fun to use. And as for 1.7 seconds between shots, doesn't anyone remember manual film advance?
Hap
I am looking for a pocketable(trousers) digital camera fast enough (AF+lag) to capture 'decisive moments' (street photography) and allow me to get decent A3 prints during daylight. Manual controls (A, S, M), good ergonomics and unobtrusive look are welcome...
Right. The ";)" was to say that it was not really a question, but a note to emphasize the fact that this Ricoh GR-D looks like the best attempt so far to meet that kind of needs.
There are a lot of comments on this camera like "it should have (a bigger sensor, a brighter lens....)" or "a Sony R1/a DSLR will be better"(are we really comparing the same things?), etc...
But at the end, the problem is to pick a camera that is available and meet one's need... not an imaginary camera. And the GR-D may prove an interesting solution...
I am one who do not find the small sensor or lack of Optical VF anything undesirable. With the original GR-1, I have always sees it as a 28mm Lens with the camera attached and ready for shoot, and likely this is what the GR-Digital suppose to do and it looks like Ricoh do get it right.
With the reduced sized sensor used in DSLR , if I need the speed, I would be looking at a Pentax *ist-Ds or similar one with a fix focals anyway. and I think the GR-digital made a good complementary carry around.
This camera honestly looks lame. Expensive, uses a small sensor with a fixed lens that is not THAT fast, and has a lame add on optical finder. Slow shot to shot time and probably slow AF will render this camera obsolete before it even hits the shelf. Put a 1.6x sensor in it and make the shot to shot time a little faster, and combine that with a good fixed lens and tolerable optical viewfinder and then this camera would have been interesting (albeit more expensive, then again I do not even consider this camera an OPTION at such an outrageous price).
Lets hope this will inspire another manufacturer to come up with something similar, but with 35mm equivalent lens, optical viewfinder and maybe a slightly bigger sensor. 5MP will be more than enough, though.
A "digital Olympus XA" would be most excelent; if it were of good optical and build quality I'd seriously consider spending those GBP400 on it.
I think the idea of a fixed focal length, high quality digital camera is great. But to set it apart from the zooms, it really needs a bigger sensor, both to reduce noise and to allow the photographer to reduce DOF. And it really should have a built-in viewfinder.
This camera with an APC sensor would be great. As it is, it's not all that interesting to me.
There seems to be a slight misrepresentation on many sites about the ricoh gr and shooting speed. Many people have commented about the lackluster touting of a 1.7 seconds between frames. All I can think of here is that we've lost something in translation. I believe that Lets Go Digital has got it right when they cite the GR digital as having 1.7 frames per second. I think it makes a lot more sense and I would imagine that most would agree. Translating from Japanese to english can cause words to be placed out of order and can completely de-rail the meaning of a sentence. Do you think that you would promote 1.7 seconds per frame or 1.7 frames per second. Ricoh has been around for long enough to know that one is a promotion and the other is a death sentence. Consider how reasonable something sounds when you read it and don't forget that the information you are reading has been written by someone else. Rely on your instincts- if it sounds like something is amiss, it probably is.
-Garrison
I think this camera could be interesting.
The idea of the bubble is a nice touch, and gives it a real viewfinder.
So many of these little digitals lack a view finder and keep me from buying one.
Wide angle is the only way to go, in a camera like this, as the zooms are a waste of time. You can snap a few shots in the time it takes to zoom.
Regarding the 1.7 time frame shoot rate! A bit slow yes.
But if you really think about what this camera is about it should not be a real turn off for most.
You snap a shot, think for second compose the next, and two seconds has just gone by.
It is as close to a rangefinder out there for the moment, and it is getting closer to a camera that a pro guy might just want as a low tech street toy happy snapper.
Panasonic & Leica were close but the electronic viewfinder was a real let down for me and stopped me dead from buying one.
Manual Manual please camera builders, or at least the ability to do so.
I want to take pictures not have a camera tell me what to do!
I just hate this about the tiny cameras all so automated.
And someone mentioned middle age eye sight. A very good point for sure.
Buy a camera with no viewfinder, turn 40ish and you will be paper weighting it pretty quick.
So Ricoh GR digital! It will be interesting to see what this is like when it hits the stores here in Canada and i can put one in my hand.
I bought this camera few weeks ago and love it. RAW is slow, sensor is small, DOF is large, blah blah blah... All those things are given based on the specs of this camera.
There is no batter pocket camera, Period. And don't give me all that Leica Digilux-2, Oly C-7070, Nicon D50, etc talk... they all great but not pocketable. This camera is true "street stealth" camera for enthusiasts. (or can be as a small back up for your SLR) (I also own GR-1)
Here is the example: http://public.fotki.com/vadusha/inda_hood/r0010777bw.html
Hello, for those who are interested in get information about the GR Digital I have created a web links page here: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/castroweb/grdlinks.htm
Good review and amusing comments. I have the GR1s and I really liked its lens contrast and portability before I went digital. As for the GR Digital, I think that it does not live up to its analog brother because it's not a rangefinder.
The reason I bought the GR1s is because of its semi-rangefinder function. I also bought it as a wideangle to complement my real rangefinder, the Leica M2 with a 50mm lens. I liked the GR1s' viewfinder, which gave me the ability to see outside of the actual image taken in order to anticipate that "decisive moment". I don't think that this is available on the GR Digital since it doesn't even have an optical viewfinder and its LCD viewfinder has the typical 100% coverage.
How hard would it be if Ricoh, or any other company, could make a 110% coverage viewfinder? I know that there's always cropping, but it just doesn't cut it when you're then and there.
This is the most versatile high quality digital pocketable point-and-shoot camera on the market at the moment. It is the Mercedes Benz of digital cameras - it seems to be short on features on first acquaintance, but with use it grows on you and its virtues far exceed its vices.
To those that complain about the accessory optical
viewfinder ... look at the size of optics on the finder.
Think about how poor the 'optical' finder works in
most cameras. Tiny image ... poor in low light ...
.... no eye relief ...
not really useful in any light.
Typical finders don't even show more than about 80% of the image.
This finder looks like it might actually HELP WITH COMPOSITION.
As for me ... give me eye relief
... give me true field of view
... give me light
.... especially on a camera with 180 second exposure limit
Video is only 320x240 ... nuts. Video is important!
(Does have 30 fps and audio).
well i read somewhere that it takes 1.7 seconds to tkae a shot if the camera is completley set autopmaticly if you play with the manual settings you'll be able to get it a little faster
