Originally posted by IHS Sad really...It had so much potential. Looking at the images produced by it all over this forum.. It seemed to me at least, that Ricoh just thought the GR would seamlessly replace the MX-1.
GR is a specialist niche product geeks can appreciate.
MX-1 is not. MX-1 by default offers more appeal to more people.
BUT, "problem" is Ricoh, and the Q in particular. Best small sensored offer by Ricoh is definitely the MX-1, but that type of cameras is least developed by them.
Q is very much same since 2011. Q tech is stuck in place — one can do nothing else to it because all additions will change the shape and size of it and the Q defeats its purpose. It must be kept within same size, and it must use current lenses. And that's it.
On the other hand, a standalone product like the MX-1 offers more playground for innovation. But we see nothing happening there because company is not spending any time on such products. They license OEM "solutions" with customised outer shell. And that is, frankly, boring. They
would never do such a thing with their own GR.
However, GR can never be much different is size and shape either, because it would spell a curse which would alienate their current customer base.
In essence we have two philosophies colliding, one of conservative and slow development, and one of interrupting innovations. Ricoh with its flagship products, the GR and the Pentax ILCs, can only rely on continuous and conservative path of development. Everything else
revolutionary they indeed are capable of, may in fact seriously disturb their small footprint; kill some of GR sales, Q sales, K-mount sales, etc.