Thread: Excitement is Building for the Sony RX100. I'm Dreaming About the Ricoh GRD V.

Lots of exciting things happening in the compact camera market right now. The Sony RX100 is groundbreaking and despite a high price should find its way into a lot of hands. However, shortly after learning about the new Sony, my thoughts turned to Ricoh.

Those of us who have used the GR Digital III and/or IV know that there is little to be improved about those cameras. They are as mature as compact digital cameras can get. Just about the only substantive improvement I can think of for the GRD series is to move to a larger format, and this new Sony 1-inch sensor is pointing the way.

It has long been the case that Sony will sell their sensors to anyone who is buying. I'm pretty sure that the current GRD sensor was made by Sony, and I highly doubt that Sony would refuse to sell the new 1-inch sensor to Ricoh for a new GRD. It's just a matter of designing a new GR lens worthy of the name and fitting it all together.

I'm confident that this is going to happen, and I can't wait.

One more thing: If Ricoh has to make the GRD V body a bit larger to incorporate the larger sensor while maintaining the lens speed, it might make a lot of sense to somehow get a small but bright optical viewfinder in there.

For some reason I don't feel as much magic about the 28mm focal length as I do with 24 or 32-35mm, but other than that, a GRD with that sensor would be amazing. Love how good its UI is for one-handed shooting. I don't think a waterproof version would be feasible though...

I'm putting my fingers in my ears! All joking aside, it will be interesting to see what happens next with Ricoh's GRD. I tried the GRD4 and chose the Fuji X10 instead. So many cameras, so little money. If they made a 24mm, it would be very tempting.... However, I'm on "the wagon" when it comes to camera purchases.

When is the next big blow out season for cameras - the fall for the "pre-holiday" gift giving time?

That is about the best and perhaps only way to improve on the GRD4. Though I'd still want the same body design and size. Offering a monochrome version would be ideal too as well as a 40-50mm version. 50mm larger sensor monochrome GRD... ah yes.

I don't recall when the GRD4 was released, but they run about 18 months between updates.

Originally Posted by Andrewteee

That is about the best and perhaps only way to improve on the GRD4. Though I'd still want the same body design and size. Offering a monochrome version would be ideal too as well as a 40-50mm version. 50mm larger sensor monochrome GRD... ah yes.

I don't recall when the GRD4 was released, but they run about 18 months between updates.

a 40-50mm lens either with current sensor and better yet a 1" sensor and I would be all over it.

I have mixed feelings. One the one hand, I love the GRD3 and agree that the sensor is about the only thing worth improving. OTOH, there's already not a lot of difference between the GRD and the GXR-28 except in terms of sensor and the camera's physical size. Any increase in the sensor performance, price, and/or size of the GRD line starts to run right into the GXR line because there's not that much between them right now. And frankly, part of the appeal of the GRD line is its gritty film like look and sensor improvements are likely to reduce that.

If they could make the GRD V the same size and price as the existing 4, I'd have to give it a look, but I'm not sure I'd buy it. The GRD 3 and the GXR-28 seem to have the whole market covered pretty well as is.

I'm actually more interested in the LX-6 or 7 or whatever. The LX5 is such a wonderful little camera and that would really benefit from a better sensor. Not that the GRD might not, but I see a better sensor almost messing up what's special about that camera.

-Ray

Originally Posted by Ray

I have mixed feelings. One the one hand, I love the GRD3 and agree that the sensor is about the only thing worth improving. OTOH, there's already not a lot of difference between the GRD and the GXR-28 except in terms of sensor and the camera's physical size. Any increase in the sensor performance, price, and/or size of the GRD line starts to run right into the GXR line because there's not that much between them right now. And frankly, part of the appeal of the GRD line is its gritty film like look and sensor improvements are likely to reduce that.

My expectation is that the GXR "experiment" is at the end of the line and will be phased out*. There will always be a GRD and a larger sensor makes sense for the next iteration. However, I agree on the gritty film-like look, although that it easily replicated in PP these days. A larger sensor would give us more options - either cleaner images as-is or cleaner images on which to add layers of PP if one so chooses.

Personally, I use the GRD4 a lot more than the GXR 28mm A12; I use the 50mm A12 a lot more than the GRD4. I'm simply more interested in working a 50mm focal length these days.

* There has been no GXR news for a long time and the planned release of two new units a year appears to have come to a grinding halt. The small sensor units don't sell well and the A12s are "outdated." However, the Mount unit appears to be popular and perhaps there will be a Mount "camera" someday.

an APS-C based GRD V with image stabilization and the hybrid fast focus sounds pretty awesome to me!

Originally Posted by Amin Sabet

I'm confident that this is going to happen, and I can't wait.

One more thing: If Ricoh has to make the GRD V body a bit larger to incorporate the larger sensor while maintaining the lens speed, it might make a lot of sense to somehow get a small but bright optical viewfinder in there.

Inclined to agree, up to a point. the thing is, with Ricoh GXR, they already have larger sensor options. I'm not as convinced they will upgrade the GRD (?V) in that way. I'd probably buy, if they did, though. That would be brilliant. Especially with an OVF as well.

I do hope you are right!!

Originally Posted by Andrewteee

I don't recall when the GRD4 was released, but they run about 18 months between updates.

Are we due for one yet? I don't recall when the IV was released. I bought my III very late in the cycle.