Originally posted by Art Vandelay II I gotta disagree; this Ricoh is a $600 pocket camera that has no better image quality than $250 Pentax Optio A40. The only thing it has going for it is a ultra tough metal body, with full manual controls, dual control wheels, hot shoe, etc...in other words, features that only hardcore enthusiast care about...
Unfortunately for Ricoh they just don't seem to get it. They make a camera that is obviously aimed at serious enthusiast, yet fall prey to the same small sensor P&S megapixel race you see all over the shelves at Best Buy. All they would have had to do to make their target audience jump for joy is put a simple 6 megapixel APS-C sensor in it and redesign the lens to fit. The people buying this camera will understand a 6-8 megapixel APS-C sensor will blow away the 1/1.7 12 megapixel piece of crap they're currently using. Even if using such a sensor added $100 to the price I would be willing to bet they'd still sell more.
You ignore the two biggest (for me at least) things that the Ricoh has going for it, and at least one isn't a niche feature at all... that would be the 24-72 equiv. lens. THAT is the lens (or focal length rather) that I want pon whatever pocket camera I eventually buy. The other, also a must for me, is RAW acquisition.
I don't think they needed a 6mp APS sensor, they just needed a 6mp sensor. I want a small camera, and for that, the compromise I'm willing to make is a tiny sensor. Depth of field be damned. The compromise I'm not willing to make is noise and image quality, and cramming 12MP on such a small sensor asks for exactly that compromise.
I've said for two years now: 6MP is all I need from a compact, because 6MP makes for great 4x6s and that's all I'd want from a compact. So meet that minimum with good image quality, RAW acquisition, and a lens that begins at 24mm and you'll sell me, and I wager many, many more.
-W
PS: My other favorite feature of the GX cams, and this is just a "dumb niche" feature, is that you can disable the zoom and use it as a "variable prime" that stops only at 24, 35, 50, and 72. So close to the classic 24/35/50/85 kit I used to love. Ergonomics like that are a nice touch.