Ricoh GR news roundup (And Ken Rockwell doesn’t like the GR).

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It’s time to catch up with some interesting Ricoh GR news (preorders at Bhphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). Let’s start with one hell of negative comment written by Guru Ken Rockwell: “Personally, I don’t see any reason for this camera, but that’s just me. Hobbyists love to throw all sorts of money at gadgets like this, so don’t let me stop you.“. He really likes to be direct ;)

Anyway, I don’t agree with Ken. The camera is the cheapest and smallest APS-C fixed lens compact. And that alone makes it worth to be considered. And what about the image quality? Just see these links:
Threeguyswithcameras (Cool name for a website!) posted a nice Ricoh GR review: “I think photographers all over realised too – the level of interest, intrigue for this camera, and even ignorant criticism far surpasses that of the Nikon Coolpix A (which is no slouch itself, to be honest).“
Extended GR comparison at Dpreview.
First ISO test at Techbang.
Image samples at Coolhunting.
Nouveau Ricoh GR: prise en main (Lepidi).

What do you think?

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Preorder links: Bhphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).

 

Kodak shows a new mirrorless camera. The PixPro!

Kodak displayed a new Mirrorless camera at the P&E show in China. This appears to be a fixed lens model with 28-112mm f/1.7-2.4 lens. I doubt this has a Four Thirds sensor (and FT mount) like their previously announced “Kodak S1″. The “Kodak S1” will be released in Q3 of this year and will feature a Sony CMOS MFT sensor and built-in WiFi.

There is no other info yet about the specs and release of the PixPro model. The only link between that camera and the Kodak S1 is that both have been announced quietly in China only. So it’s clear that this is also a JK Imaging realized camera with a Kodak logo on it. JK Imaging acquired the brand rights from Kodak.

Source: Zol (via PhotoRumors).

 

Fuji X entry level camera has APS-C sensor. 2/3 sensor inch is for the XS2.

We were a little bit confused because rumors about a 2/3 inch sensor X mount camera could be announced in July. But according to our sources the rumor has been mixed. Apparently there will be two new Fuji cameras:
1) There will be an entry level X-mount camera with APS-C sensor
2) There will be a new XS2 fixed lens camera with 2/3 inch sensor.

Now, that makes much more sense!!!

Fuji entry level X camera with 2/3 inch sensor for $550?

Sensor size comparison via cameraimagesensor.

I don’t know how much sense it makes but according to Digicaminfo the entry level X system camera has a 2/3 inch sensor. UPDATE: We dont know yet if it uses an X-mount or a new mount.

Don’t know how much sense it makes to use a tiny sensor fitted within a much larger X-mount. A 2/3 inch sensor should be used to make a very small sized camera and therefore a new smaller mount should be designed for this. of course Digicaminfo rumor is just that…a rumor and it may be wrong.

Our own sources confirmed that an entry level X camera is due for this summer. And an anonymous sources sent me and Photorumors the same info about the price. The camera should costs $550.

I still hope the entry level X camera features a “classic” ASP-C sensor. And it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t have a built-in EVF as long as I can buy an option external EVF!

Surprise: New Fuji X entry level camera coming in July!

The Fuji X interchangeable lens system is growing! According to Digicaminfo a new entry level X camera is going to be announced in July. I suspect the camera will have no viewfinder, be small and obviously less expensive than the current X-E1. The price is rumored to be around 70.000 Yen which is 540 Euro or 700 Dollars. The camera will ship in autumn.

Editor’s note: Two birds told me the rumor is 100% correct :)

P.S.: The pancake 27mm lens will be announced in June-July too.

Comparison:Ricoh GR versus the rest of the high end compact world!

Ricoh launched a nice camera with the new GR! It’s the most compact and cheap APS-C cameras. And you can already preorder it at Bhphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). But the most important question is….how good is the image quality?

Click ont he images posted here to see a larger sized version. On top of this post you can find a comaprison against the Fuj X PRO 1, Sony RX100, Canon G1x and the Canon G15. And below a comparison against the Nikon Coolpix A. More Ricoh GR full size samples can be found at http://www.pentax.jp/english/products/gr/ex/index.html.

Let me know if you are impressed by those images! Keep in mind that the Ricoh costs a lot less than the Nikon Coolpix A ($1,100 here at Amazon) while the Ricoh GR is priced at $799 at Bhphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).