New Ricoh GXR P10 (CX3-based module with RAW) available!

[odklizec]

Ricoh Japan unveiled their third GXR module - GXR P10.

P10 is a 28-300mm module based on CX3 technology. The major difference between CX3 and P10 is RAW writing support and of course, all other GXR related goodies (like more detailed Image settings).

This is the first time CX-like camera got RAW support and I believe it's a very good thing. RAW should allow P10 users to extract much more details than available in noise reduced JPEGs. However, it have to be said that P10 sample photos posted at Ricoh web does not look that bad! Of course, there are posted only ISO100 examples

See the available P10 sample photos here:
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/gxr/sampleimage.html

And here you can compare P10 vs. CX3 level of details:

CX3 300mm 1/189 f5.6
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/cx/cx3/img/sample_02.jpg

P10 300mm 1/90 f5.6
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/gxr/img/sample_08.jpg

It's evident that Ricoh dramatically reduced the amount of luminance noise reduction and thus visible destruction of images. The photos may now appear a bit noisier, but definitely much more detailed, especially in fine details like hairs. It would be interesting to see the effect of noise reduction at ISO400. I guess we will soon be some more real-world samples.

[waloszek]

Interesting - this week my contact at Ricoh Germany could not tell me anything about this module...
Best regards, Gerd
PS: I will buy it, because I need a tele lens for my GXR...
BTW: Video seems to be 720p (1280*720) - OK, I realized that the CX3 has it, too... (but neither the CX1 or CX2)

[waloszek]

English:
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/gxr/ and http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/gxr/unit3.html
Edit: Und nun sogar auf Deutsch: http://ricoh.com/r_dc/de/gxr/ und http://ricoh.com/r_dc/de/gxr/unit3.html
Best regards, Gerd

[socket]

You may all laugh at me, but I'm seriously considering this module as my first GXR module.

I too would like a tele lens and I am wondering if I would like a bigger camera than my GX100, which is great, but I can't help but feel is a little too small for me.

As much as I'd like the A12, there seems to be just too much wrong with it.

[waloszek]

If I understand the new PDF brochure for the GXR right, then there might be a body-P10 bundle (GXR-P10-Kit), which makes a lot of sense to me (but I have already a body...).
Best regards, Gerd

[kanzlr]

I wonder why such a microscopic sensor is interesting at all? the CX3 results are very...well...not my cup of tea really.

[odklizec]

kanzlr, I'm too skeptic about the quality of photos provided by tiny CX3/P10 sensor. But I fully understand why Ricoh invested some time to design and manufacture this module.

At first, it's relative easy way to bring users small and relative "long" tele lens. It would be much harder to do the same with larger sensors. Even the 1/1.7" used in S10 is too big for 300mm lens. The resulting lens with such sensor would be big too big.

In addition, it's very reasonable and understandable to recycle the existing technology (like CX3 or GX200) to GXR modules. It's much easier than to design whole new modules. And it should give Ricoh some extra time to design and produce some more advanced modules.

And finally, CX3/P10 has some unique features, not available in larger sensors (like super high speed continuous sequence or HDR). So despite my initial doubts about this module, I can see why it can be attractive for many GXR users. The initial P10 samples looks visibly better than CX3 samples so there was done some extra effort to extract maximum quality out of the tiny sensor. And RAW is major advantage as well. It's not meant to be a main GXR module, but rather an accompanying module for existing GXR users who want something with longer lens, but don't want to mess with yet another camera (CX3). And also for users who cannot live without RAW

[kanzlr]

mhm, see.

I see the GXR more as a small, "cheap" leica alternative
Altough I think about selling my D700 gear and going for a used M8...but my GXR would be way angry at me

somehow those small sensor modules make no sense to me. Maybe a sensor somewhere in between 1/1.7 and 4/3rds and a 200mm equiv attached, or even a real 200mm lens for a fast, compact 400mm equiv...or more with a smaller sensor. That coupled with close focussing ability could replace the Nikon 300/4 AFS for me.

but that CX3 thingy? never been a fan of these compact stuff anyways.

[Remko]

I do see potential for this P10 unit. Can be à real value add when travelling light.

I see benefits in having a standard set of controls over the different units and the same add-ons (EVF) and same battery. Then I can leave my EOS, GX100 and R5 at home.

However i want to wait for the 28mm A unit.

[socket]

It's now available at Popflash.com

http://www.popflash.com/index.php?p=product&id=4812

Very tempting at $499