The Ricoh GXR is an entirely new concept camera with interchangeable all-in-one lens-and-sensor units. What Digital Camera reviews the 50mm f/2.5 macro lens unit...

Product Overview

Overall rating:

79%

Ricoh GXR 50mm f/2.5 macro

Overall score:79%
Features:80%
Value:75%
Performance:70%
Image Quality:95%
Design:75%

Pros:

  • Image clarity and quality, high ISO settings, very easy changeover between lenses

Cons:

  • Cost implication, poor autofocus, undersensitive manual focus

Product:

Ricoh GXR 50mm f/2.5 macro Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£600.00

Verdict

Ricoh GXR review 50mm f/2.5 macro standaloneThe modular camera concept isn’t new. All forms of cameras have optioned different lenses, film backs and so forth for many years, so Ricoh’s GXR system is perhaps not as unusual as it may initially seem. Although having a sensor optimised for the lens is useful, having a great lens means it isn’t a huge real-world problem in the first place. People just want to take decent-quality pictures – but the getting there is just as important as the end result. Fundamentally the performance (not quality) of the two individual lenses here undermines the foundations of the concept. Not forgetting the significant financial implication and, realistically, risk of investing. New, varied and ultra-high-quality lens units need to arrive sooner rather than later to tempt prospective buyers. To really win, Ricoh needs to put in a lot of time to improve overall performance, and then this could be a winner. But for now, it’s not.

Details

Colour Temp Control:Yes
White Balance Bracket:Yes
Built-in Flash:Pop-up
Exposure Comp:Manual (+4.0 to -4.0 EV in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV), auto brackeing (+2 to -2 in 1/3EV or 1/2EV)
Focusing Modes:Contrast AF-based multi and spot AF; MF; Snap; infinity (focus lock and AF-assist)
Other:Max Aperture: 2.5Min focus distance: 7cmFocus ring: YesOptical Construction: 9 elements in 8 groups
Built-in Image Stabilisation:No
Dust Reduction:N/A, sealed unit
Weight:263g
Movie Mode:Yes, 720p
Power:Rechargeable li-ion
Dimensions:68.7 x 57.9 x 71.3mm
Memory Card:SD / SDHC
Live Mode:Yes
Viewfinder Type:N/A
White Balance:Auto / Multi-P AUTO / Outdoors / Cloudy / Incandescent Lamp / Fluorescent Lamp / Manual Settings / Detail; Bracketing
ISO:ISO 100-3200
Shutter Speeds:180 – 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes:Program AE, aperture priority AE, manual exposure, shutter priority AE, move target function
Metering System:TTL-CCD metering in multi (256-segment), center-weighted, and spot modes with autoexposure lock
File Format:JPEG, RAW
Lens Mount:Ricoh GXR
LCD:3in, 920K-dot
Focal Length Mag:Macro magnification: 1/2xLens focal length mag: 1.5x
Output Size:4288 x 2416
Sensor:12.3MP APS-C sized (23.6 mm x 15.7 mm)
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. 50mm f/2.5 macro lens unit
  3. 3. Verdict
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