GXR S10 vs. GRDIII and GXR A12 vs. Panasonic GF1 (ISO test)

[odklizec]

Great news folks! Stanley Young from GR Fan Club was able to take some comparative ISO shots with both GXR modules, GRDIII and Panasonic GF1. He kindly provided me with these shots so here are some crops (click the images to see them in full scale)...

A12 + GF1

A12_GF1.png (684.79 KiB) Viewed 10728 times

A12 + GF1

A12_GF1_2.png (648.78 KiB) Viewed 10569 times

S10 + GRDIII

s10_grd3.png (739.9 KiB) Viewed 10460 times

Above crops were taken from JPEG files. If you want to see originals (in case of A12 and S12 including DNG files), get these zips...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_test/a12.zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_test/gf1.zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_test/grd3.zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1711162/GXR_test/s10.zip

Sorry folks, there are no RAW counterparts for GRDIII and GF1 JPEGs. This is also why I did not include the RAW crops to the above sets, because it would be unfair to GF1 and GRDIII. But I may eventually add some RAW crops from A12 and S10 DNG files processed with different RAW processors?

[thelps]

The A12 at 3200 ISO is very surprising, it looks like a quite usable image IMHO. The 800 ISO is excellent on the A12

[markus.heinisch]

Thanks, Pavel!

The ISO elevator comparison is very interesting, even when the A12/GF1 photos are no comparably because of point of view and brightness. I recommend to download both ZIP files to have your own look at the photo, because the IQ of A12 IS0 1600/3200 photos is very very good (and much better than the crops. Why??). Here is my A12 IS0 3200 crop:

A12, ISO 3200 crop

A12_ISO3200_crop.JPG (80.73 KiB) Viewed 6643 times

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EXIF-Data

Image taken on: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:10 am

Focus length: 33 mm

Shutter speed: 1/36 Sec

F-number: F/5.6

ISO speed rating: 3200

Whitebalance: Auto

Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

Camera-model: GXR

Exposure program: Aperture priority

Exposure bias: 0 EV

Metering mode: Pattern

Please Ricoh, develop the next module with the A12 electronics plus a mount.

Cheers, Markus

[JRS11]

I am more interested in the apparent differences in the S10 vs GRDlll. Were NR set the same, what else was the same or different? The S10 sure looks darker and more detailed, what would the raw images show us? You keep me dangling on the fence here, not nice

[barjohn]

A few things I don't understand about these images. One is the inconsistency in exposure settings, the poor white balance in some cases and the lack of raw files for the GF1 that produces .rw2 raw files that can be converted to DNG with the Adobe converter. I thought the GRD III also produced raw files. Exposures between cameras were different and why was f5.6 used instead of f2.5 or faster for GF1?

[odklizec]

Hi barjohn and welcome on board!

This is not scientific test and it was done in extremely short period of time when Stanley got GXR sample unit for a short test. He unfortunately forgot to switch GF1 and GRDIII to RAW + JPEG mode, hence no raw files from these two cameras. And the difference is exposure and white balance is caused by each camera automatic system. Again, this is not scientific test! It's just a preview of real-world abilities of each camera. There is too many variables (different lenses, different sensors, different automatic exposure system) And don't forget that both GXR modules were pre-production units! Stanley is going to repeat this test when he get the final camera.

[odklizec]

I am more interested in the apparent differences in the S10 vs GRDlll. Were NR set the same, what else was the same or different? The S10 sure looks darker and more detailed, what would the raw images show us? You keep me dangling on the fence here, not nice

Both GRDIII and S10 should be set to NR OFF (JPEG related). There does not appear to be a vertical (GRDIII-like) banding in S10 RAW files taken at high ISO. RAW noise pattern appears to be about the same but it's hard to say without direct comparison of GRDIII and S10 RAW files taken under the same conditions.

[barjohn]

Any idea when final versions will be available to reviewers? Also release to public to buy?

[silverbullet]

In Germany the GXR is already in stock of Ricoh dealers. Yesterday in th struggle before X-Mas, Foto-Koch in Düsseldorf (a premium dealer) already dispached the first mail-order GXRs to customers.
Unfortunately the promo-lady was absent due to illness and the GXR battery was uncharged, so my SDcard is empty......
Next week another run.......

Cheers
Bernd

[JRS11]

I have been playing with both the A10 module and the GRDlll as trial cameras. I have no definitive yes or no's, sometmes (most times) the GRD image at low iso's looks just cleaner, a statement I made about the S10 a few days ago but now I have more images to go by, the S10 still looks great but being that I do not go over 28mm often if ever I am on the fence with a few days left on my trial. No an easy choice if price is not a concern. The GXR feels great in my hands, the GRDlll does as well but I prefer the feel of the GXR (never thought I would say that) but so far mostly prefer the images of the GRD...so I have to hope for good weather and more things to take pictures of. The A12 is very nice but not for me right now, but if I buy the GXR I may be tembed to buy both modules.