Ricoh GXR vs Leica X1 Preview Samples

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GXR:

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/ricohgxr_A12_preview/

X1:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0911/09110503leicax1gallery.asp

Premature, but a fun comparison...

The GXR Beta samples seem to compare favorably to the X1 samples. I was especially interested in the ISO 1600 shots and the 'bokeh'. The soft out of focus of the Ricoh seems to trump the in your face rendering of the X1. I'm not so sure which camera wins the more important rendering of the subject. Many of you have much better eyes than myself, so I'm curious as to what differences you note between these sample images.

The camera's concept is all positive from my point of view. I hate cleaning sensors and I love the idea of a sensor/lens designed for each other. It rethinks what a camera should be and has me questioning my interest in the X1. We shall see if the optics and ergonomics are up to the challenge.
 
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GXR w/50mm beats the X1 in almost every category we just look at the samples on DPR. for me, there is no comparison. the Ricoh is spot on!

if you really want to have some fun, take a sample from either and mess about with it in Photoshop (i was curious about b/w conversion). again, Ricoh trumps the Leica.

and this is from someone who own cameras from both manufacturers.
 
I'm not usually impressed by ISO 800 or 1600 images of these compact offerings, but the images shot using the Ricoh 33mm/50 equivalent module looked fantastic for such a small point and shoot camera.

Kudos to Ricoh for moving the ball closer to the next goal post. I look forward to see reviews of the final production version.
 
I think we are going to be seeing a lot of interesting new digital cameras more aimed at "us" the RFF type of crowd and its about *&%$ing time too. I am a strong supporter of Ricoh and thought I am not won over by their new camera concept (I would slap my money down for the X1) I hope they will expand it with more new interesting options and continue to surprise us. The real surprise im waiting for is a GR1V-D, complete with the optical viewfinder that we compact Ricoh users know and love.
 
The Ricoh images may be more technically impressive, but they have a much more sterile look to them. I like the warmer tones of the X1, which would be my pick if not for its obvious lens distortion.
 
The possibility of using different chips is intriguing. What about a Foveon module? What about a chip whose "native" speed was high? I always thought that the "noise" that high-ISO images showed was a result of interpolating data from a chip whose native resolution was low -- kind of like turning up the gain on a radio -- it's louder but the signal to noise ratio is worse. Do you think it would be possible to produce a chip whose best resolution was at 800? or at 1600? I don't particularly want this version of the camera, but it is nice to see innovation in this field. What if you could de-couple the lens and chip in this modular system and have a m-4/3 adpater? Could I finally get the equivalent of my "drop in" chip and use existing lenses on a sensor of my choice? Interesting times.

Ben Marks
 
Benjamin Marks said:
The possibility of using different chips is intriguing. What about a Foveon module? What about a chip whose "native" speed was high? I always thought that the "noise" that high-ISO images showed was a result of interpolating data from a chip whose native resolution was low -- kind of like turning up the gain on a radio -- it's louder but the signal to noise ratio is worse. Do you think it would be possible to produce a chip whose best resolution was at 800? or at 1600? I don't particularly want this version of the camera, but it is nice to see innovation in this field. What if you could de-couple the lens and chip in this modular system and have a m-4/3 adpater? Could I finally get the equivalent of my "drop in" chip and use existing lenses on a sensor of my choice? Interesting times.

Ben Marks
Click to expand...

But... we already had that, it's called film, they really came in different "native speed"

:rolleyes: :angel:
 
I would like to see if Ricoh will expand the units with wider faster angle with APS-C sensor. 50mm is a bit too long to my taste, although I like its macro capability.

Hiromu
 
"I think we are going to be seeing a lot of interesting new digital cameras more aimed at "us" the RFF type of crowd"

Do you really think the Ricoh is aimed at the RFF crowd? It looks more to me like it's aimed at tech obsessed 20 somethings with money to burn.
 
Speaking as someone who's just about hanging on to his 20s and a rff member I can safely say the two aren't mutually exclusive.

I guess for someone like me, I use rfs because I want a small, high quality camera. It's been possible to buy a big, high quality digital camera for a while now, but it seems to be only now that small yet half way decent digitals are coming out.
 
Pickett Wilson said:
"I think we are going to be seeing a lot of interesting new digital cameras more aimed at "us" the RFF type of crowd"

Do you really think the Ricoh is aimed at the RFF crowd? It looks more to me like it's aimed at tech obsessed 20 somethings with money to burn.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if they aim for range finders exactly but they have always made camera for people who like to shoot street or discreetly with light, compact and non-intrusive cameras.
 
As someone in about to start his 50s (one more day) I'm excited as they have found an approach that would allow them to create niche modules without having to come out with an entire new camera. Easier for them to justify build a few thousand modules to management than a few thousand cameras (less potential for losses). There are plenty of folks well enough off that might buy a two different lenses mount modules say for a Nikon AI, "C" Mount (the old 16mm glass), M Mount and perhaps even an LTM mount. Just to use their existing glass or play around with new fun stuff.

The samples are dpreview had me calling the GXR a winner but they did some some post processing on them. I think they should be closer in size and they were not. I saw some stuff on the X1 pictures in one beard that was not there in a simular shot on the GXR. For it to be soooooo close is a wonderful thing for us, not so much for Leica-Camera.

Fingers, toes, eyes and ears remained crossed for the next wave from Ricoh.....

B2 (;->
 
BearCatCow said:
I'm not sure if they aim for range finders exactly but they have always made camera for people who like to shoot street or discreetly with light, compact and non-intrusive cameras.
Click to expand...
agree completely.

i am looking at the GXR with the 50mm lens precisely because it is many things my rangefinders are not. AF, live view, good high ISO, etc.

this will not be used to replace my RF but, rather, to complement it.

Ricoh does know how to make cameras for photographers!
 
Well, B2, I admit that being able to use old lenses on new digital cameras is not something that interests me, so perhaps there is more interest there than I think. I look at the photos, but I can't really tell that photos shot even very expensive Leica lenses look much different on a Pany than the kit lens. Perhaps there is a market for such modules, though.
 
According to one early review, Ricoh let slip that new modules are on their way Q2 2010. We don't know if you will like what they come out with, but this is a rather expensive camera system, so it doesn't make sense to make modules for the casual shooter.

Slow contrast based autofocus may still be a problem with this camera, as with the Leica. I spent lots of money going from a Canon D60 to a 20D and then 1DMKIII because I wanted fast, accurate focus and little shutter lag. I also want good ISO 1600 images. Early reviews make the X1 questionable on the basis of autofocus speed. I hope that the Ricoh does a better job and stays close to the X1's reportedly great image quality. The high ISO images that I've seen seem to better the X1.

Also, don't forget that the modular approach allows Ricoh to produce different camera bodies. Perhaps, they might duplicate more the feel of the X1, or include a different view option... ie one that doesn't require an external viewer.
 
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