Ricoh GXR S10 (GX300)
Test Shots
These are test shots with the Ricoh GXR S10 unit AKA the GX300. It shares heritage with the GX200 and GX100 series through its 24-72mm lens and the magical CCD 1/1.7” sensor. Ricoh did something strange for its 3rd iteration of the GX#00 line of cameras. It downgraded the already miniscule 12mp sensor count to an anemic 10mp sensor count. That would be seen as a blasphemous act in today’s world of digital mirrorless “pixel wars”. However, at the time of its release the decision made sense.
The GX200 was inarguably superior to the GX100 in every way except for one, ISO noise. The hypothesized theory behind the increase ISO noise was that the high megapixel sensor of the X200 gave it worst lowlight performance. We must understand that although the MP count from the X100 to the X200 was only 2 MP, we're still dealing with a 1/1.7” sensor here. It's akin to a lowlight comparison of a Lumix S1 vs Lumix S1R, or a SONY A72 vs A7R2.
So, in comes the GX300 (GXR S10) with an updated UI with more features, a better detachable viewfinder (smashes the desk). THE VIEWFINDER
Side note: Ricoh if you are reading this for the love of everything holy, Bring. Back. the detachable viewfinder and integrate it into whatever body you have cooking up for the GR IV. and please develop a GX400 with how far you've come in the compact digital mirrorless APSC, a zoomable GX style body would be sure to be a success just as the GR series is.
Okay so what were the drawbacks of the GX300 in my opinion. Well first and foremost the size. There is no way you are dropping this in the pocket of anything but a jacket or JNCOs. Second, slow focus acquisition, but this can be remedied with snap focus or patience. Last, it's a nitpick specific to the GXR and Zoom lenses but I don't like how some focal lengths will not allow me to choose above certain shutter speeds. It's an annoyance that I've learned to live with though.
The good: UI is great, the menu is straight forward, and everything is easy enough to get to. Although, I do wish that the menu remembered the last thing you were using prior to exiting out of it. The “MySettings” ability to finetune all your custom settings and have different profiles for whatever occasion you find yourself with the GXR/GR/GX series of cameras is one thing. But to take it a step further and save it in the internal memory or to a car is something special. It' give you the ability to have a ridiculous amount of user profiles at your disposal. The lens is sharp for what it is and there isn't too much flaring. The B&Ws render amazingly on the little 1/1.7” sensor and the dynamic range is surprisingly elastic when recovering blown out highlights but not as much the other way when trying to recover from overbearing shadows. The flash is great too (smashes the desk) THE FLASH
Ricoh for the love of everything holy, PLEASE Bring. Back. the flash. we already know that it wouldn't really interfere with size of the camera.
Anyways those are some quick thoughts especially for you on the Ricoh GXR S10 A.K.A. GX300.
Thank you and enjoy.
