Ricoh GXR characteristics of optional modules that allow the lens and the sensor will be replaced together. The body of the device itself is not much talk about the LCD screen, a connection for an optional external viewfinder, battery and SD slot for flash memory, more memory, flash shoe, microphone and speakers, and various controls and quadrants. The meat of the camera - the image of its target, the sensor and (suspected) processor - you can find the forms. At launch, two lens / sensor modules are available for the Ricoh GXR. Offer a wide 3x optical zoom 24mm to 72 mm aperture f/2.5 equivalent variable to f/4.4 across the zoom range, while the other is a fixed focal length of 50 mm with an aperture of f / 2.5.
Each optical module has its advantages and limitations compared to alternatives. The module smallest and lightest zoom offers optical image stabilization by moving the sensor allows a sensitivity as low as ISO 100 can be as close to an inch fire, enabling a macro zoom mode, scene, and offers a range of 410 shots. On the other hand, uses a much smaller 1/1.7 "CCD image sensor with a resolution of slightly less than ten million pixels, about half the rate of burst of 1.6 frames per second in JPEG mode requires the reduction of noise at 800 ISO or higher applied, does not allow shutter speeds faster than 1 / 2000 sec, and does not offer standard and high definition movies at 24 fps Flash pace wide with this module is to 20 cm -. 4.5m with wide-angle and 15 cm - 2.7 m TV.
The 50mm equivalent lens module is now a much larger APS-C image with a small "top twelve megapixels, the rate of combustion increases up to three frames per second in JPEG mode, the shutter speed faster than can a / 3200 second allows noise suppression to be disabled at any resolution and can record HD (1280 x 720 pixels), although 30 frames per second will be replaced with 24 fps. To achieve this, compromises the mechanical image stabilization, a minimum detection limit of ISO 200, is not to focus on more than seven inches, the body weight of 98 grams and has increased the depth of 32 , 7 mm and is battery life by almost a quarter of the 320 shots. The flash range with this module is 20 inches to three feet.
What is the magnesium alloy body of the device itself is dominated on the back of an LCD "3.0 with high 920,000-dot resolution, making the region of 640 x 480 pixels, with three points for color. A six built-in flash modes including red-eye reduction, flash exposure compensation of -2.0 and provides strength, in addition to manual control in twelve steps to a full / 64th of maximum power. The images will be stored on SD or SDHC cards or in approximately 86MB of internal memory. file formats include Adobe. DNG RAW and JPEG still images and movies compatible with OpenDML AVI Motion JPEG. Connectivity includes NTSC / PAL standard definition and high definition video HDMI connector on C-Mini HDMI and USB 2.0 high speed data transmission. power from a 3.6-volt lithium-ion DB -90. is connected to the body size of 113.9 x 70.2 x 28.9 mm and modules and weighs only 160 grams without the body of a module.
The unusual form-based design is to offer several significant advantages. With the combination of the lens and the sensor in a single element, Ricoh can make sure that the sensor and lens designs are complementary to each other needs. The project also provides size and weight advantages over exchangeable lens cameras with fixed sensors - reducing the size of the image circle smaller than a sensor that will take place, while a compact fixed lens may relatvely a larger sensor the size Zoom can use the ability to better lighting. Finally, with a sealed form, the powder can be kept out of the sensor - at least for lenses with internal focusing and zoom or fixed focal length and the internal design.
For lenses with an external focus and a zoom mechanism, the project could have the opposite effect, however. The zoom effect, or (to a lesser extent), which is like a plane moving slowly (and with it, dust) inside and outside of the lens barrel - and once that it reaches the sensor, there is no way to manually clean again in a sealed module. This is the normal state of affairs for fixed lens digital compact, but offers a possible limitation of the Micro Four Thirds cameras and digital SLR cameras, in which the sensor can be cleaned easily be compared. Grouping lens and the sensor in a module means that any lens purchase should be as a sensor - usually one of the most expensive components in an APS-C camera. It also means that both parties must be replaced if they are not covered by warranty. Similarly, advances in sensor technology will grow rapidly, can not be used with all current objectives of the system, and acquire new targets needed if the appropriate forms are available. Design is also more complex electronic links - only instead of passing data to and from the lens power, so auto-focus, aperture setting, the lens correction of defects, etc. the design of this power, still images / video stream requires sight, flash control, etc. must all be passed between the module and the body. There is also an element of confusion is that the basic functions of the camera as an image and the resolution of the film is the shutter speed available, changes, etc. depending on the module is installed.
We can not be the first company to experiment with the range of interchangeable modules on the market, a pair of lenses and the sensor in a housing connected to a camera body. That honor goes to Minolta DiMAGE EX1500 offered, about 11 years - and, curiously, also made his debut with the election of a 3x Zoom-form or a form to a fixed focal length. If the camera is Minolta has not been successful enough to provoke, if you provide the company extra lens / sensor modules, and only two additional modules have never been offered for the camera - a module and a hot shoe module for 3D photography MetaFlash, Both the joint between the camera and lens module / sensor. The DiMAGE EX1500 also provided an opportunity not found in the car Ricoh - housing and the module must be connected in a different direction so that the objective that the display is connected via a short cable.
While U.S. prices have not yet been officially announced, the camera and both forms already known retail store in the United States have been published. Use road pricing is a steep $ 550 for the camera without a form. Street prices for the optical module 50mm equivalent APS-C is $ 830, and from 24 to 72 mm zoom lens in the form equivalent to 1/1.7 "sensor is another $ 440 Total cost to bring the system without optional external viewfinder for $ 1820. Ricoh with something of a challenge in which two cameras are not dissimilar to match the specifications can be purchased together for several hundred dollars less.