(Very, very busy hands with three great cameras in one go) The three inseparable friends in The Three Musketeers, a novel by Alexandre Dumas , live by a well-known motto, “One for all, all for one”. Last Saturday, I managed to arrange a meetup in my citadel for the three modern musketeers (LX3, G10 and GX200). A variant version of the motto sprang to mind, “One camera for all purpose, all great features for one camera”. Before the meetup, I had a shootout with both the LX3 and the GX200. Then I returned home and played with the G10. I had actually played with the LX3 and the G10 before. But this was the first time I could sit down, compare notes with the users and feel the differences of the three in real time. (Focused: I walked behind the lady and, noticing the captivating gaze of the little girl, turned on my GX200 to MY2 which is set to MF at less than 1m and shot) The Focus This post is not going to compare the photos and give a review. There are already enough of them. I am m...
Here is the special site where you can click to view the 360° view of the camera, gallery and more.
Comments
At the end of the day you have to ask will it take better pictures, will it be better to use, is it something I need?
I’m afraid my answer to all those is No.
The modules are always going to be expensive and it’s a fair chance the lens you like, want or need will not be with the sensor you want.
At first glance it seems to be very flexible but I don’t see it that way.
Every new model is a new camera but it isn’t it’s a new lens and sensor for what will always be near the price and size of another camera that can do the job as well or better.
When is the line reached that carrying the body and few lens sensor units is going to bulkier than carrying a small DSLR and a few lenses or a couple of good small sensor compacts?
I’m not sure, I’m a DSLR user and a GRD 1 and 2 user and I’m actually thinking I don’t really need a bigger sensor with a compact that I will only want to print up to 10 x 8 inches from. Of course IF somebody produces one that ticks my boxes I will jump at it but I’m afraid at the moment the GXR doesn’t.
As for some of the stuff in the ‘Pipeline’ I’m afraid I’m a bit old fashioned and see it almost as a joke. I want a camera to take photos with not to be a GPS, MP3 player or a make do printer.
Shame on you Ricoh.
The sensor plus lens is a newthink and big risk to take. That's Ricoh, going its own direction always.
Rob, I think there are lots of people in the photography taking the same critical view as you do. It does sound like a risky gamble to many, not to mention your valid points.
And the price factor....
But the mindset of converting to the new system is beyond the confine of carrying a pocketable camera; it will be more for replacing the bulkier stuff. For that matter, the GXR may be considered from the perspective of rivalling the MFT or DSLR systems.
For the special site, I wonder if I am foolhardy in saying that the photos in the gallery simply lack punch. Ricoh can consider giving me the camera and a ticket to the UK again. I will come back with some more good photos.
Okay, that said, I really wish for a hands-on. The APS-C sensor will deliver photos with good enough IQ; no doubt about that.
Back to work.