GR Digital V to have APS-C sensor

[David_Manning]

My post was under the fantasy supposition that a GRDV might have a zoom but NOT change size or form factor. If not, the rest of my opinions don't change 😉

 

[jsrockit]

I have a feeling if Ricoh adds a zoom to the GRD, it'll lose everything it's fans like about it.

 

[David_Manning]

You're probably right.

I was thinking it's slim design and interface were it's selling points.

 

[jsrockit]

I was thinking it's slim design and interface were it's selling points.

True, but I guess some of us are sticklers for prime lenses (logical or not). It sure is the camera that peaks my interest the most going forward. Excited to see what they come up with. I hope it is native 2:3 as well.

 

[nightfly]

I think the story here that's being missed is the sensor size.

Most who like these cameras love the form factor, the user interface and how well they've done with such a small sensor in terms of actual look of the images. Also the 28mm fixed lens was part and parcel of the GR1 and now the GRD.

A zoom would be called something else like the RX series.

The viewfinder concerns aren't really pertinent except to a small yet vocal minority here and nothing in the rumor, which is the subject of the thread, says anything about changing this. I think speculating on that is more wishful thinking/fantasy.

The real question is can they increase the size of the sensor and retain the form factor. Not sure if the physics of this really works.

Wonder if there is any more real news on this. Other camera companies seem to be refreshing their lines now. Although Ricoh has their own time frames.

 

[Archiver]

For some months I was using the GXR + 28mm module as an aps-c GRD. The only drawbacks I found were the noisier operation and somewhat larger size, but the file quality was a big step up from the GRD III. It just can't touch aps-c richness and colour. An aps-c fixed lens Ricoh that is more in line with the GRD's size and stealth would be an absolute dream.

Failing that, a GRD with 1" sensor, like Sony or Aptina, would be the next best thing. My Dad has a RX100 and I'm very impressed with the images it produces.

 

[shadowfox]

The viewfinder concerns aren't really pertinent except to a small yet vocal minority here and nothing in the rumor, which is the subject of the thread, says anything about changing this. I think speculating on that is more wishful thinking/fantasy.

Or the "non-vocal majority" have no clue whether they prefer a viewfinder or not. 🙂

Sometimes I think that I've been brainwashed into thinking that composing using LCD is the only way to photograph. Until I use a viewfinder, then I realize again how much I missed it.

 

[jsrockit]

Rumored to be coming soon:

http://photorumors.com/2013/04/11/sony-nex-7n-panasonic-lf1-canon-eos-70d-olympus-e-pl6-rumors/

 

[rhl-oregon]

RE VF: With the end of the GXR, might Ricoh adapt the GRD V top plate to accept the GXR's EVF? It would require a hump for the double connection (electronics/hot shoe). But they already have the EVF machining/process, and possibly the inventory.

But if they want to bring GR and GRD users together, how about a GR-retro OVF + the high-rez LCD....

 

[paulfish4570]

i am about to bust a gut to see this new cam ...

 

[gerafotografija]

The X20 has an OVF and a decent LCD, surprisingly good IQ for such a small camera, plus the lens covers an essential range of focal lengths and a max aperture of f/2, it very much reproduces the essentials of a classic RF kit only with the AF-S, MF, AF-C switch instead of a rangefinder spot. Why wait for this GRD?

 

[malthusiantrap]

How about they take out the pop-up flash, and replace it with a pop-up viewfinder?
Also, I'm concerned about the size. One of the things I liked about the GRD is the size. I would be perfectly happy with a 1" or 4/3 sensor (damn these sensor sizes are confusing) if they would keep the same form factor.

 

[anttipantti]

http://photorumors.com/2013/04/12/specifications-of-the-new-ricoh-digital-gr-camera/#more-41324

• The name of the new camera is GR and not GRV.
• 16 MP sensor APS-C size. The same sensor is used in the K-5II DSLR camera.
• New 28mm f/2.8 GR lens without any type of image stabilization.
• AF speed is much faster than the Nikon Coolpix A, slightly inferior to the X100S.
• The new GR will have almost the same size as Ricoh GR1, body size has been scaled up slightly from the GR Digital IV, it is lighter than Coolpix A.
• New Fn button has been added.
• Announcement in late April, release in mid-May.
• Price around $1000.

 

[aizan]

if it has an evf, i'm interested. otherwise, what's the point?

 

[nightfly]

All good except those last two.

As I think Nikon is going to learn with the Coolpix A, a grand is a bit much for this but we'll see. Get it more like $600-800 and I think they'll have more success.

 

[Exdsc]

if it has an evf, i'm interested. otherwise, what's the point?

Shooting through the VF of a small P&S looks awkward.

 

[jsrockit]

The X20 has an OVF and a decent LCD, surprisingly good IQ for such a small camera, plus the lens covers an essential range of focal lengths and a max aperture of f/2, it very much reproduces the essentials of a classic RF kit only with the AF-S, MF, AF-C switch instead of a rangefinder spot. Why wait for this GRD?

I don't like zooms and it is larger than the GR generally is...

 

[aizan]

Shooting through the VF of a small P&S looks awkward.

lol. doesn't everyone look silly taking photos? google "tourists taking photos."

but at least you can take pics in the sun without the lcd being hard to see. that's a deal breaker for me.

 

[FrozenInTime]

but at least you can take pics in the sun without the lcd being hard to see. that's a deal breaker for me.

The GRD IV's LCD was one of the best - a Sony RGBW screen : it was surprisingly viewable even in bright sun.
However I do keep the little OVF on the camera as well.

 

[nightfly]

I think 4 pages in we're all crystal clear that many on RFF won't buy this camera, or any camera, if it doesn't have a viewfinder and that, as the 5th iteration of this camera, the previous 4 lacking viewfinders, this one probably won't have a viewfinder either.

Perhaps we can move on to other reasons people on RFF won't buy this yet to be released or even officially announced camera...