The New Ricoh GR Digital Camera

Ricoh has announced the release of their high performance GR Digital Camera. Improving on the successes of their GR DIGITAL (I-IV) series, but eliminating the numbered nomenclature, the simply named GR is a formidable point-and-shoot, conceived and designed to compete with the Nikon COOLPIX A, Canon PowerShot G1X and Fujifilm X100s, for example. With an APS-C-sized 16.2MP CMOS sensor, the GR provides high resolution and detailed images with rich colors and minimal noise, even at the camera’s higher ISO sensitivities, which extend to 25600. Its GR Engine V Image Processor brings with it fast performance speeds and enables low-noise, high-sensitivity imaging in both stills and Full HD 1080p video capture. The GR is built without an optical low-pass filter, which enhances its ability to capture extremely sharp, detailed images.

The lens on the GR is a fixed 18.3mm f/2.8 Ricoh GR lens, which provides the 35mm equivalent of a 28mm lens. This wide-angle focal length is practical for numerous shooting situations and is an ideal length for day-to-day photographing of friends and family and the life around you. Its wide f/2.8 maximum aperture enables shutter speeds fast enough for sharp imaging in low-light situations. A wide aperture also provides shallow depth of field focusing for handsome portraiture, and its nine-blade diaphragm can produce natural bokeh at the wide apertures. Two aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberrations. An available macro mode allows for detailed close-up shooting, as close as 3.9”.

A 3.0” 1,230k-dot LCD monitor provides composition and playback viewing, and with WhiteMagic technology adding white pixels to the monitor’s RGB colors, brightness and visibility are enhanced even in bright sunlight. Although it houses and APS-C sized sensor, the camera is compact and easily managed with one hand, thanks to intelligent placement of its control buttons and large hand grip. Its magnesium-alloy construction keeps the camera lightweight and durable. Optional optical view finders are available for stable, eye-level composition, if you are so inclined. Both a built-in pop-up flash and a hot shoe for mounting external flash units are available. A dual-axis electronic level is integrated into the camera’s design for vertical and horizontal image alignment.

As mentioned, the GR incorporates Full HD 1080p video recording with full-time continuous autofocus during movie recording. Three resolutions are available as well as several frame rates, including 60 fps in 720 HD.

The GR has made strides in terms of performance speeds. Start-up time has been reduced to just one second and, thanks to an optimized algorithm and fast data readout from the sensor, its 190-point hybrid autofocus system is fast (0.2 seconds) and accurate. Continuous shooting speed is rated at 4 fps at full resolution. Continuous autofocus allows you to stay sharp when following fast-moving subjects. Another DSLR-like feature is that the GR provides a preview button to check your exposure and confirm depth of field before you shoot.

Full manual exposure control is provided as well as shutter and aperture priority. The GR also offers Shutter/Aperture priority mode (TAv) which lets the camera set the optimal ISO sensitivity when you set aperture and shutter speeds. Automatic modes are also available to allow the camera to determine the best settings based on the scene it reads. Face Detection (up to 10 faces) and Target Detection will recognize what you are shooting and adjust the camera’s settings accordingly. The GR provides both RAW and JPEG capture and can convert DNG RAW files in-camera to output them as JPEGS while saving the RAW format image. In addition, because the GR has removed its optical low-pass filter, it provides a moiré correction function in playback mode.

Nine Image Effect modes are available to add an expressive touch to your images. Just press a button to add a Retro look or Miniature effect or a high-contrast black-and-white look to your creations. Also, as a special effect, 35mm Crop Mode shoots with the classic 35mm frame ratio.

Lastly, the GR is Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card compatible to enable you to automatically transfer images to your smartphone or device for instant sharing and storing. The GR is easily upgradable via scheduled function-enhancing firmware updates.

For more information about the Ricoh GR, speak to a sales professional in the B&H SuperStore in New York, over the phone at 1-800-606-6969 or online via Live Chat.