Pentax-Ricoh has released details of the new Ricoh GR, the latest in the GR series of advanced compact digicams.
Front and rear views of the new Ricoh GR. (Source: Pentax-Ricoh.)
Building on the heritage of the GR Digital series, the new camera has a 16-megapixel APS-C size sensor and one of the smallest bodies in its class. Its casing is made of a magnesium alloy that is both light and highly rigid. All control buttons are positioned for easy access with the right hand. The 3-inch 1.23 million dot LCD monitor features Sony WhiteMagic technology, which adds white pixels to the standard RGB colours to improve image brightness, contrast and legibility in bright lighting.
There’s no anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor and the new GR ENGINE V imaging engine ensures high resolution, colour-rich images and low noise at high sensitivity settings (up to ISO 25600 supported). A chromatic moirø© compensation function is provided to suppress unwanted pattern aberrations and distortion in images and movies.
The lens is a fixed, wide angle 18.3mm f/2.8 GR lens with an effective focal length equivalent to 28mm in 35mm format. It has a nine-bladed diaphragm and is the highest performing lens ever created by Ricoh for a compact camera. A dual-axis electronic level can be displayed to assist shot composition. It shows both side-to-side and forward to backward tilt on the monitor screen.
The control interface supports DSLR-like handling and functionality. The AF button is accessible with the thumb on the back panel and a lever is used to select focusing modes. A preview button has been added to the camera’s side panel for quick confirmation of the depth of field before shooting.
The GR features the PENTAX-original Shutter speed/Aperture Priority (TAv) exposure mode as well as the standard P, A, S and M modes. Raw files are recorded in the open-standard DNG RAW format. Movie clips can be recorded with full HD 1080p resolution (1920×1080) using the efficient, high quality h.264 compression at 30 frames per second. The autofocus system remains active and Image Effects such as Retro and Bleach Bypass are available during movie recording. The camera also provides a specialized crop mode for setting a 35mm angle of view.
The new Ricoh GR will retail for AU$849 and be available from specialty camera stores and online resellers around late May 2013.No US release date has been provided but the Ricoh GR is listed for pre-ordering on the PentaxWebstore at US$799.95. Details can be found at http://www.pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/RICOH_GR/.
