The Ricoh GXR: Hands-On Report

I use the GXR with M module alongside my K5 and the combo works superbly. Manual focusing on the K5 with m42 and Leica R lenses have been easier after I put in the magnifier loupe, but Mode 2 peak focusing on the GXR beats that 10 times over. Image quality is nearly identical, although I prefer Ricoh's rich jpegs more. The K5 is compact for a DSLR, which was why I got it, but the GXR again beats that. So in the end my GXR sees more use these days than my K5. If Ricoh/Pentax ditched the K-01 concept and turned the K-02 into a GXR module, I'd probably ditch my K5 altogether.

To those who think that combination sensors and lenses are a waste of resources, well... how is that worse than throwing away a whole camera everytime you want a new sensor? The cost of a new entry level body for Canon or Nikon is about the same as buying a new lensor module. The cost of buying quality lenses for those systems are also about the same as buying a lensor module with GR lens. And Canon/Nikon don't give you AA-free sensors at that price range!

I love the GXR concept. It makes as much sense as removable backs in medium format cameras. Want a new digital film? Just attach a new lensor. Priceless.

I actually like the concept of the GXR. Those that complain of the 'lensor' concept I think are just parroting back what they have read online. Nearly every review includes some remark about how it is 'wasteful' to put the sensor and the lens together. Now let's consider another compact camera with an APS-C sensor, the Fuji X100. Universally well received and marketed extremely well, it is loved by so many. Guess what happens when you want to upgrade your sensor? That's right, you not only throw out an incredible lens but you also throw out a great camera body with the incredible OVF!! Yet in all that I have seen regarding the X100, I have never heard that from owners or would be buyers. Talk about waste. Again, both cameras are said to be compact, very well-built, wonderful to use, great optics, sensor, etc. But, the Fuji is deemed a classic and the Ricoh is deemed an epic failure. Go figure, that is all marketing. (BTW, I don't own either camera but if I could I would buy either or both. So, this is not a diss on either but an observation of the hypocrisy of the vocal few).

The GXR is not for people who frequent photography forums. It is for people who visit the camera store once every five years and buy everything they need and go use it. The benefit of having multiple sensor sizes in one body should be obvious to anyone who has debated about what the best camera designs are, however. I'm amazed at how many people miss that. Maybe it's because for me, a person who has never wanted to own more than one camera at a time, and who has been in the high-end P&S camp and the DSLR camp and the mirrorless camp at least once, the GXR just seems to best of all worlds, with one interface to grow accustomed to and happily it is the Ricoh interface, which is acknowledged to be a photographer's and enthusiast's dream. GXR makes total sense for Pentax, a brand that already attracts people who value high quality small cameras with well designed user interfaces. But as I alluded to at the beginning of this post, the GXR naturally offends those who buy their kit piece by piece over a matter of years, which probably includes most of the Pentax DSLR users, who bask in the legacy lens lineup, that naturally frequent internet forums. My two cents.

Finally Pentax Forums discovers the GXR. I own both a Pentax K-7 and a Ricoh GXR, and in day-to-day shooting circumstances, the latter gets more use. The IQ of the A12 50mm-equivalent and 28mm-equivalent modules is superb, and the camera is an ergonomical pleasure. I sorely miss a GXR prime in the 85mm-equivalent to 135mm-equivalent portrait range, but apart from that, the GXR is a beautiful tool.

... In yesterday's announcement of the Leica M, it was mentioned that the M enables contrast focus peaking with it's live view and EVF. This is possibly technology licensed from Ricoh to Leica since Leica is NOT using a Sony sensor in that camera.

The A12 GXR mount (M Mount Module) is one of two APS sensor cameras that functions well with symmetrical design wide angle rangefinder lenses (the other being the Sony Nex 5 and 5n... Not the Nex 7 which has sever problems... No reports yet on the Nex 5R or 6). With the correct adapter to Leica M mount, most SLR and rangefinder lenses can be used on the GXR (Q and Auto 110 lenses will not work due to too short flange distance and Contax G lenses need to be modified with replacement of the lens mount.

Pentax K mount lenses work superbly. DA lenses need an adapter with a manual aperture control ring. Novoflex makes such an adapter.

Today with the GXR and A12 Mount and a Novoflex adapter, any K or DA lens can be used on the GXR. The limited primes are the best choice.

I am finding that as I age and more issues with presbyopia, autofocus is becoming more important. I am prepared to sell my legacy Leica Mount lenses and purchase the DA limited lenses once I can use them with a compact camera body with an EVF.

The GXR K mount module needs to be AF (otherwise it is no improvement over the GXR with M Mount module and Novoflex adapter).

The replacement for the K-01 needs to have an EVF. An all in one body (a digital spotmatic/ME) would be perfect.

I think you gave the GXR a very fair evaluation. Unlike almost every other evaluation, you compared it to another camera and you gave it a very positive report (compared to the k-01.

I had Panasonic G1 and GF1 and Olympus Pen cameras. Last year I got a Q. Of these, I found focus of manual lenses to be difficult even with the screen enlargement (zoom/focus assist). The Q was nearly unusable outdoors due to the glare on the LCD. The G1 with it's EVF was very usable, but I found the sequence to activate the focus zoom to been uncomfortable. The GF1 and the Olympus Pens were only usable with the add on EVFs.

I found a GXR used and obtained it's superb Leica M mount module. With it's EVF and the contrast focus peaking function enable, it is a pleasure to use manual focus lenses. In low light conditions it was the best way to focus compared to various kit lenses.

My experience is that an EVF is essential for using any camera outdoors. That confirms your comparison to the K-01.

My disappointment with the Q, K-01, and the new Q-10 is that there is no option for an EVF. I think this cripples the camera outdoors.

With manual focus legacy lenses, the eye level position with the EVF allows one to manually focus. The "at arms length" position defeats the ability to manually focus accurately.

Cameras without an EVF will function very well on a tripod.

Ricoh has been creating quality cameras for decades. The GXR is built out of magnesium and is very strong.

Ricoh has been reported to have been the engineering and manufacturing supplier for the Konica Hexar RF. Ricoh has developed the M Mount module for the GXR and it is possibly the best platform for using any manual focus lens. Ricoh is rumored to be participating with the design and fabrication of an unreleased Leica Mirrorless M body. The M Mount module being the basis for such a Leica. In yesterday's announcement of the Leica M, it was mentioned that the M enables contrast focus peaking with it's live view and EVF. Thi

Hi Biro, If the concept flies then I am all for it. If dual sensors really help then, maybe it's time for someone to design and patent a dual sensor DSLR if someone hasn't done so already?

I'm with LaurenOE. The value proposition is weak. It does nothing for me. Just another photographic toy.

Traderdrew... don't be too upset. You can't blame Ricoh for trying to make Pentaxians (and everyone else) aware of the GXR. But buyers will decide if it continues to fly or not. The market seems split between people who "get" the GXR and others who can't make sense of the lens-sensor module concept. Meanwhile, Adam, are you going to create a queue for the GXR under Pentax Mirrorless camera section of the Forums? Or perhaps a Ricoh section somewhere else? It might make sense to find a way to welcome Ricoh owners to this site.

The future is about who has the right paradigms. Is this the future of is an inexpensive FF in the future?

I'm all for sharing good technology but with a commment like "Is Ricoh forcing it upon us?" A comment like that makes me feel a bit awkward. The market should determine what should be offered in the marketplace.

I had a chance to handle this camera for the first time at a Pentax event in New York about a month ago. I absolutely fell in love with it. Just holding it in my hands was pure joy. Alas, I can't justify yet another camera system alongside my Pentax APS-C kit, my micro four-thirds kit and my Pentax Q. But here's a suggestion for Ricoh: Create a program whereby GXR module owners can update the sensors in their modules without having to buy a new lens as well. Perhaps they could send in their modules for sensor replacements or perhaps current module owners could enjoy a special trade-in program. But there's no doubt that if I could add another system right now the GXR would be it. Final important point: As others have said, if Ricoh introduced an APS-C sensor module with a K-mount, I'd be there in a second.

The GXR has the best menu/button system on the market for digital cameras so far. I would love to see it incorporated into the next Pentax SLR. Also Ricoh is the only company that continues to support and extend their cameras after release. New feature are release on average twice a year via firmware updates which is unheard of in the camera market.

Personally I would be very happy if they release a FF M mount module but given the space required by the mount it will be difficult.

I could see me owning this as a secondary camera if they did develop a k-mount for it (w/aps-c), and released a full frame slr. It would be nice to have a secondary body available that weighs hardly anything and takes up little space in the camera pack. When I was in Alaska, I definitely learned the value of having two camera bodies vs switching lenses back and forth and missing the shot.

I think it is a bit presumptuous to call the gxr a toy, and assume the general public agrees with you. After all, from what I have seen the general public like toys. The Ricoh cameras have always been a niche market anyway, similar to the Leica’s of today. I think the whole sensor + lens idea is great. Certain sensors do good in certain situations, as do lenses. As someone as mentioned, their zoom has an AA-less sensor which is great for some situations but not all. If you get the k-5 II without the AA sensor, that is what you are stuck with.

I own a Ricoh gx-100. I have to say, it’s menus and options are the best I have seen on any camera. Extremely customizable and what you want is always one button away. I think Ricoh has a lot to bring to the table.

As someone mentioned, a FF Ricoh would be quite unique, if it offered a k-mount. It would definitely trump Sony’s fixed lens compact FF.

I'm glad we're going to have a section of the forums for Ricoh cameras. They have some really neat technologies and design elements that could be brought over to Pentax cameras (and vice-versa). Also, their strength in compact cameras complements Pentax's strength in DSLRs. Some interesting facts about the GXR:
1. It feels responsive because it has a processor just for the body and another in the module that take care of different functions, so in effect every combination is a dual-processor camera.
2. The 24-90 APS-C zoom unit is the only camera on the market that already uses the 16mp Sony sensor without an AA filter, so it's performance may hint at what the K-5 IIs is capable of.
3. Everybody seems to treat the system as a joke until they pick it up. It's built like a tank with all the controls where you'd want them. Evidently the PF team had the same feeling.

Since you folks are at Photokina, just pass my comments on to the powers that be, that all Pentax needs to do, is get their noses to the grindstone and do the simple and easy - read boring - stuff of getting the "toolset" in order. Stop wasting time and resources on toys and give us refinements that make for better photographs. In me, they have a Pentaxian who spends year-over-year on thousands of dollars worth of gear. Just how much of a ROI does Pentax think they are getting trying to "lure" people from the Canikony or Leicablad crowd? It's very simple. Give me a camera, FF or whatever, that I can take to the Moon or Antarctica that is WR/AW and can give me real-world tank-like quality at a great price. Stop producing toys, take that money, and get down to business. Give me lenses and accessories to support a camera like I ask for. It's so simple. Ugh,the GXR makes me so crazy.

If I ever bought a GXR, it would eventually be one of those cameras that will sit in my gadget drawer along side my Sony MD, Sony PSP, Palm V and various other electronic "toys" that ended up being too different to survive long term. The concept is wasteful. The concept of pairing a sensor with a lens is lunacy. Why? You either get a great lens or a great sensor. You don't get both for the price. Along side the offerings from Pentax, I can't see any reason to own a GXR. It holds ZERO interest to me and actually makes me frustrated it is part of the Pentax structure. It takes money and resources away from what is innovative and can work long term. While I don't "like" the Q or K-01, they at least have a forward looking "compatibility" that the GXR lacks. Sorry, I just can't swallow the GXR pill or be held hostage or placate the Ricoh brass into "accepting" it.

K mount will make the module too big for the GXR. There is always wasted space between the back of the lens and the sensor. If Pentax/Ricoh is serious about mirrorless, develop a new mount or a new line of lenses. A FF mirrorless would be more interesting considering the crowded APS-C and 4/3 mirrorless market.

Give it the looks of the Pentax K1000, keep the module switching, add a build in EVF and bring out a full frame module with K-mount! This should get Pentax Ricoh to share the cake with Fujifilm noting that Pentax has superior prime lenses and a bigger lens line up.

The futur FF pentax will be a Ricoh EVF K mount ! :D

As someone who never uses Live View, always preferring the viewfinder on my K-5, the K-01 is simply out of the question for me. Not only does focussing on a screen in bright light present major difficulties, I need to put on my reading glasses to see it. This is just too awkward. So a mirrorless with good EVF is an absolute necessity. I just cannot understand why Pentax did not provide this option with the K-01. The GXR with K-mount is a far more appealing prospect.

Seem to be a no-brainer them adding K-mount compatibility since they make money on both Ricoh and Pentax items.

Is nonsense that K-mount module is not here already.

Maybe its a FF K Mount GXR module coming?!

(Stating the obvious) A K-mount module with ability to control DA lenses would be huge. I actually like the K-01 but honestly Pentax/Ricoh would probably do better if they continued to develop this camera (updated camera body & new modules) instead of continuing with the K-01 concept.