Compete with APS-C SLR Ricoh GXR and A12 module review

The release of the Ricoh GXR in the IT168 review brings us a brand new camera concept, in which the number of pixels, image sensor size and focal length, aperture, and these parameters are no longer related to the ? body? items, as the GXR's imaging system (lens and image sensor) is available as an optional module. The GXR body reviewed in this article and the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module combine to deliver the imaging quality of an APS-C format DSLR with standard lenses, in a much smaller body that is non-DSLR in terms of portability. And compared to the popular MICRO 4/3 system models (such as the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1), the GXR and A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO modules have a somewhat larger sensor size. Here's how the Ricoh GXR plays out:

Ricoh GXR body

Above that's the body of the Ricoh GXR, which doesn't have a lens or even an image sensor of its own; it just includes the camera's shooting control interface, the display, as well as the memory card and battery. You can't take photos with the GXR body alone, only view them.

Data ports on the Ricoh GXR body

Ricoh GXR with S10 and A12 modules

Ricoh has now released two imaging system modules: the S10 24-70mm F2.5-4.4 VC and the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO, and this article looks at the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module which includes APS-C format 12-megapixel sensor and 50mm-equivalent F2.5 fixed-focus lens.

The A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module contains a 12-megapixel sensor in APS-C format and a 50mm F2.5 equivalent Ricoh GR lens. This module has a maximum sensitivity of ISO 3200, no optical stabilization, and a closest focus distance of 7cm.

Ricoh GXR fitted with the A12A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module

Ricoh A12 module contains a 12-megapixel sensor in the APS-C format and a 50mm-equivalent lens

Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module features a manual focus ring and built-in hood

Ricoh GXR mounts the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module

As a macro lens, the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO features a manual focus ring on the lens, though it's not directly mechanically driven, so the feel of operation isn't as good as the APS DSLR lenses operate with less direct feedback. In addition, the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module has a built-in retractable, inner flocked hood. Here are the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module's detailed technical specifications:

"Lens type

Fixed-focus macro lens

"Lens construction

8 elements in 9 groups (including 1 aspherical lens)

"Maximum aperture

2.5

"Minimum aperture

22

"Focal Length Range

33mm

"Equivalent Focal Length

50mm

"Closest Focus Distance

7cm

"Maximum Image Magnification

1/2

"Filter Size

40.5mm

"Focusing Mode

Multi-point AF (vs. AF method)

Single-point AF (vs. AF method)

Multi-target AF/Manual Focus/Fixed Focus (Snapshot)

Infinity (AF Assist Lamp)

"Shutter Speed

Still Images 180-1/3200 sec. /p>

Short film 1/230-1/2000 sec

"Exposure metering modes

Multiple (256 zones), center focus metering, single spot

"Manually adjustable exposure compensation

+/-4.0EV (1/3EV, 1/2EV per step)

"Auto bracketing function

( +/-2EV, 1/3EV, 1/2EV)

"ISO Sensitivity

Auto, Auto High, ISO200/ISO400/ISO800/ISO1600/ISO3200

"White Balance Mode

Auto/Multi-mode Auto/Outdoor/Cloudy/Incandescent Light/Incandescent Light 2/Light Pipe/ Manual Setting, White Balance Bracketing Function

"Flash Range

20cm to 3.0m (ISO

"Shooting Modes

Auto, P, A, S, M, Scene Mode, My Settings Mode, Movie Mode

"Continuous Shooting Speed

4 frames/sec

"M Continuous Shooting

HI(1280x854):30 pcs (24 pcs/sec)

LO(4288x2848):15 pcs (3 pcs/sec)

"Picture Size

[16:9]4288?2416, [4:3]3776?2832, [3:2]4288?2848, [1:1] 2848?2848

"Short Film

1280?720 (24fps)

"Form Factor

68.7?57.9?71.3mm

"Product Weight

263g

The body design of the GXR inherits many of the Ricoh GX and GR series' The GXR's body design inherits many of the mature elements of Ricoh's GX and GR series and incorporates a more complete control interface, making the GXR a more professional and efficient control experience. The GXR's body is small, so the buttons and dials are on the small side, and the 3-inch, 920,000-dot display is visually appealing. The A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module's autofocus response is slow, though.

Back of the Ricoh GXR

Top of the Ricoh GXR

The GXR uses the parameter dial at the top of the body in conjunction with the directional buttons on the back to control exposure parameter settings, and achieves a similar level of efficiency in controlling the main parameters to that of a professional DSLR. For more convenient control of shooting parameters, the GXR retains Ricoh's signature ADJ. buttons and menus, custom shooting modes, and more. The GXR also adds a direct-display mode, which allows you to control the main shooting parameters on the display with the arrow keys, without having to go into the menu settings.

Ricoh GXR's ADJ. button

Ricoh GXR's Direct Display Mode

Ricoh GXR's Mode Dial and Parameter Wheel

In terms of functionality, the GXR also retains some of Ricoh's traditional strengths, such as the electronic level, which can help users gain more precise compositional control in particular shooting subjects.

Ricoh GXR's electronic level

Digital zoom function helps the GXR zoom in on the frame for manual focus monitoring

To better suit the habits of different users, the Ricoh GXR offers two Fn buttons that can be customized with functions, and the ADJ. menu is also customizable with customizable items. In addition, these settings and image control parameters can be retained in custom shooting modes so that different user habits can be well-corresponded to.

The GXR's controls support many customizable items

Ricoh GXR's customizable function key settings

Ricoh GXR's M-mode dial settings

The Ricoh GXR's ADJ. menu can be customized with customizable control items

Ricoh GXR's level setup

The Ricoh GXR supports fast fixed distance Focusing

The Ricoh GXR supports a pre-autofocus function that keeps the frame in real-time focus

In addition, the Ricoh GXR supports video shooting with a maximum resolution of up to 1280X720 pixels, but there is no continuous autofocusing during the shooting process, nor can you manually control the exposure, so the video shooting function is considered very basic. And? Skew Correction? shooting mode and? Recover Files? (to recover deleted photos) are two of Ricoh's special features.

Ricoh GXR offers Skew Correction shooting mode

Ricoh GXR can recover deleted files

In terms of expandability, the Ricoh GXR has all the features of a professional small camera: support for external flash and external electronic viewfinder, and a number of additional extended lenses are available.

The A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module also offers a 40.5mm filter port. The A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module also offers a 40.5mm filter port.

Ricoh GXR with A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module installed

In addition to offering a complete range of focus and metering modes, the Ricoh GXR with A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module also supports flexible settings in terms of image effect performance, and offers several preset image styles.

Ricoh GXR image effect settings

Standard Mode

Vivid Mode

Black & White Mode

Natural Mode

We tested the color of the GXR with the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module using Imatest and Colorchecker SG, and the results show that In standard color mode, the Ricoh GXR's imaging is saturated with blue and cyan colors, which are still slightly warm, but much more accurate than the previous Ricoh R and GX series. In auto white balance mode, the GXR's combination is slightly warmer in standard 5000K lighting.

Image color deviation of Ricoh GXR with A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module

Image color temperature error of Ricoh GXR with A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module in auto white balance

The sensitivity range of the Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module is from ISO 200 to ISO 3200. The A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module also supports the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module, which has no significant advantage over the current mainstream APS-C format DSLRs. Noise Reduction? function, and you can set the starting sensitivity at which the effect is applied, as well as the intensity of the noise reduction effect. Here's a slice of the largest, best-quality image taken by the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module at various sensitivities:

From the images above, it seems that the Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module's image quality is quite good, with the image remaining relatively detailed even at the high ISO 3200 sensitivity, and with the noise controlled to a very low level. . The results compare favorably with current APS-C format DSLRs of the same pixel count, and the level of detail and expression of the scene is significantly better than that of small-format consumer-grade models such as the Canon G11 and Panasonic LX3. When turned on? Noise Reduction? function, the image becomes more detailed and smoother, though the sharpness of details is further reduced.

Noise control settings on the Ricoh GXR with the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module

Image effect when noise reduction is turned off

Image effect when noise reduction is turned on

The Ricoh GXR's lens module is designed to be more compact than that of a DSLR camera, with the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module's fixed-focal-length GR lens imaging quality showed very good optical quality in our tests.

Imaging Horizontal Resolution of the Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO Module

Imaging Vertical Resolution of the Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO Module

The Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO Module achieves optimal resolution at approximately f/6.3 aperture, though from the maximum aperture to the minimum aperture Across the entire range, the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO images don't float much in resolution in the center portion of the frame, and imaging at full aperture is still relatively sharp. As a fixed-focus lens with a small aperture, the Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module images shape distortion and dark corners well.

Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO Module full open aperture imaging dark corners are not noticeable

Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO Module imaging shape distortion is not noticeable

Aside from the slower AF speed, we are very satisfied with the shooting experience and performance of the Ricoh GXR with the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO Module. experience and performance. By default, it produces images with more natural colors than previous Ricoh cameras, and the out-of-focus images from the fixed-focus lens are especially soft, resulting in a comfortable display of layers and space in the image. The APS-C format sensor delivers extremely low-noise images with a wide dynamic range that ensures vivid images, and the impressive optical quality of the GR lenses not only ensures balanced quality across the entire frame of the photo, but also sharp and detailed images in focus. Below are some test samples taken with the Ricoh GXR with the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO, with the highest image quality and largest size.

IT168 Review Center Opinion: In fact, originally we didn't have a very positive attitude towards the Ricoh GXR, and the key issue was our concern about its purchase cost and future development. However, after a few days of use, I have gradually developed a favorable impression of it, again because of the GXR's professional and efficient control efficiency in a small body, as well as the excellent image quality that makes people fall in love with it. If the cost of purchasing the GXR comes down in the future, and there are more lens modules available, the future of the Ricoh GXR looks promising - after all, this compact yet professional concept is the direction we'll be pursuing in the future. Ideally, if this modular structure and standard of the GXR can attract more manufacturers, it will be an important milestone in the history of digital camera development. In terms of the A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module alone, it's good enough except for the irritating autofocus speed.

Ricoh A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module with manual focus ring and built-in hood

Ricoh GXR fitted with A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module

Disclaimer: This review is based on samples supplied by Ricoh's product public relations company (GXR body serial no. 15100308; A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO module). F2.5 MACRO module serial number: 05100465), our conclusions are only responsible for the individual samples sent for testing, and we do not guarantee that the individual can represent the overall level of commercially available products.