Leica X1 or Ricoh GXR

[gavinlg]

For what it's worth, the four thirds sized sensor in my e-p1 is just as good as the latest aps-c sensors from canon and sony (nikon). I wouldn't worry about sensor size anything abouve four thirds to the 1.5 aps-c/dx - they're all very similar.

 

[markpsf]

The Major Remaining Question re the X1....for me

The Major Remaining Question re the X1....for me

The last part (...for me) is critical. We each have different preferred styles.
I'm not concerned about the quality of the images based on what I've seen, although I can imagine some pros see things I don't.

I do care about the ease of manual controls. Sean Reid has identified some problems with X1 manual focus controls. He has reported these to Leica.
Whether the changes can be made and will be made remains an unknown.
For me this may be the deal maker or breaker.

And I look forward to further reports on the GXR.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying reading the entries on this thread.

Mark

 

[jsrockit]

Markpsf... why haven't you thought of a digital M? The M8 can be had for a little more than the X1 used and you can buy new voigtlander lenses under $500... or used Leica at the same price.

 

[BillBingham2]

..... However, I just cannot believe this camera's image quality is as bad as people want to believe.....

While I'm sure there are folks out there/here that do want to trash Leica for the fun of it, I have to say I am not one. From the examples that I've seen X-1 vs GXR (same size sensor option) I felt the Ricoh did a better job. As they were done by the same guy/site I think if any adjustments were made we still are comparing apples and apples.

I know Leica can make great digital cameras. The S2, the M9 and even the M8s are fine cameras. I expect to see at least as good as and quite frankly better from any red badged camera. Heck, you can even stand on your M9 (viral video a few weeks ago)!

B2 (;->

 

[jsrockit]

I agree Bill... so far the images from the Ricoh have been better.

 

[silverbullet]

Hi Mark,

two things put the X1 away from my pocket:

1. The small digital experience in design and manufacturing at Leica. Look at the quirks of the M8s....
2. The fixed lens.

Edit, sorry:

3. The missing viewfinder, not the Henry-Cartier-Bresson style peace of glass..... ;-)

The GXR looks not sooo nice, but 'Don't judge a book by it's cover...'

Bernd

 

[KaiW]

Hi Mark,

I've had the chance to test out the Ricoh GXR with the A12 unit. My initial impressions:

The good stuff:
- The images are pretty sharp with a decent Bokeh.

- ISO performance is pretty good, right up to ISO 3200. Check out the pics I took for my new employer:

- Leaf shutter is quiet. Really quiet.

The not so good things about the GXR + A12:
- The autofocus is slooooooooooow.
- When you press the shutter button halfway, the screen freezes. So if you're moving the camera, or the subject is moving, you can't see what's going on for a split second. It doesn't do this with the GF-1 and E-P1 screen.

Unfortunately, I haven't tested it with the EVF so I can't say what it's like to use it. I can say that the manual focus ring is quite nice and weighted though, which is quite nice for manual focusing. HTH.

Cheers,

 

[jsrockit]

- When you press the shutter button halfway, the screen freezes. So if you're moving the camera, or the subject is moving, you can't see what's going on for a split second. It doesn't do this with the GF-1 and E-P1 screen.

Wow, that is horrible... are you sure?

 

[BillBingham2]

KaiW,

Take a read through the manual. There is something about when you press the button quickly that it defaults to snap mode. This might have something to do with your AF results.

My guess is that Ricoh was not worried about AF speed as it's focused (pardon the pun) is on macro which is mostly slow moving stuff.

B2 (;->

 

[KaiW]

Wow, that is horrible... are you sure?

Unfortunately, that was how it was working for me on the GXR I was testing. The screen freezes momentarily when you focus...

 

[KaiW]

KaiW,

Take a read through the manual. There is something about when you press the button quickly that it defaults to snap mode. This might have something to do with your AF results.

My guess is that Ricoh was not worried about AF speed as it's focused (pardon the pun) is on macro which is mostly slow moving stuff.

B2 (;->

I was pretty sure I turned off the snap mode...

Indeed, I suppose as Ricoh have quite clearly marketed this as a Macro unit, which probably will stop me from making a huuuuge fuss about the AF. Although, it probably is not the ideal package for some street-shooting situations though.

Well, I might as well bore you with the video I did on the GXR for my employers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXlvQ24dK-o

Apologies in advance if the presentation is a bit "quirky"....

 

[hugh]

Apologies in advance if the presentation is a bit "quirky"....

I like YOUR brand of "quirky", KaiW. Your reviews are always worth watching! The GXR still is still the most compelling to me of the current trend in small digital cameras.

 

[Matus]

... thread revival ...

OK - as well more than a year after this thread was started - it could be interesting to lock back and see what has changed.

It seems that after this time there are no cameras in comparable size that would offer better IQ - both of the cameras compare very reasonably to recent APS-C SLRs. There is Sony NEX but while there is M mount adapter, the EVF is still missing and there are no fixed focal lenses in the 28 - 50 region. m4/3 cameras made further incremental improvements, but no quantum leaps in IQ that would make the X1 or GRX obsolete and forced further updates. There is X100 coming - and many potential X1 buyers may decide to go Fuji, though it is probably few weeks too soon to tell.

Soooo, what do we have here:

Leica X1:
- there were some firmware updates, but no advances
- X2 not on the horizon yet (there are even no decent rumors)

Rich GXR:
- there are 2 APS-C modules (28 & 50) available
- EVF
- APS-C M mount module coming in the autumn
- firmware updates too

So - how would the comparison look today? What are the user experiences? Did the AF speed improve after the firmwares?

TO those of you who bought either X1 or GXR in the past - would you buy them again, or would you choose differently?

(if you get the impression that I am interested in X1 and GXR, than you are correct 😉)

 

[leicashot]

Having owned both, the GXR is a much more superior camera in all respects, and much more user friendly, and thus much more fun to use.

 

[jsrockit]

I've owned both as well and kept the X1. The Ricoh is superior only in lens construction (not image quality from lens) and AF speed IMO. More user friendly leicashot? How so?

 

[Matus]

I have read that after the firmware updates the GRX (both with 28 and 50 modules) improved the AF significantly. How is Leica X1 doing in this regard? Were there any substantial improvements?

 

[jsrockit]

How is Leica X1 doing in this regard? Were there any substantial improvements?

They still haven't released anything.

 

[Matus]

They still haven't released anything.

Indeed. I have googled a bit more and the X1 firmware updates is a long expected indeed. So let's see whether it will come out in the near future.

Are there any rumors for another fixed focal modules for the GRX?

I am just wishfully thinking, but once Ricoh announced the M-module for the GXR series I am wondering whether they will in the future also separate the lens and the sensor into two modules, what would be worth the wait in my opinion. Actually - if there was a 35/2.5 (or thereabouts) module for the GXR I would probably get it right away.

 

[jsrockit]

Yeah, a 35mm module for the GXR is a weird omission. I haven't heard anything but the M-module. I stopped caring once I sold the GXR though. Did you check the ricoh forums?

 

[leicashot]

I've owned both as well and kept the X1. The Ricoh is superior only in lens construction (not image quality from lens) and AF speed IMO. More user friendly leicashot? How so?

The Ricoh is the most customizable compact camera ever designed. The X100 is following but having all the options assigned to buttons makes switching modes very fast, even faster than using an M. The X1, while having the superior lens is sluggish, but lets see what the new 2.0 firmware does...I love both cameras, but have always appreciated Ricoh's understanding of a photographer's needs in the field and their ability to adapt their cameras to those needs.