Ricoh GXR A12

Overview

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 34 expert reviews

Excellent:

5
Good:

18
Average:

4
Bad:

7

Pros:

Compact; stunningly sharp results, particularly with 50mm portrait lens and 12-megapixel sensor combo; component parts feel solid, well made, and attach and detach easily.
Very good detail and sharpness at base ISO, Good dynamic range with smooth highlight roll-off, Very good performance in low light, low noise levels and good retention of detail at the same time, Excellent build quality and handling, Compact dimensions (fo
Small and lightweight; manual and custom settings for advanced users; S10 is good for wide-angle shots; A12 shoots great close-ups.

Cons:

Auto white balance performance variable; busy menu screens and small typeface make function searches fiddly.
Contrast detect AF slow, hunting and occasionally unreliable in anything but good light, No image stabilization, Battery life not great, Comparatively low-spec video mode (720p but no manual controls, no focus, no external mic), Fastest shutter speeds not

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Last revision on October 13, 2011

Reviewers Liked

Compact; stunningly sharp results, particularly with 50mm portrait lens and 12-megapixel sensor combo; component parts feel solid, well made, and attach and detach easily
Very good detail and sharpness at base ISO, Good dynamic range with smooth highlight roll-off, Very good performance in low light, low noise levels and good retention of detail at the same time, Excellent build quality and handling, Compact dimensions (fo
Small and lightweight; manual and custom settings for advanced users; S10 is good for wide-angle shots; A12 shoots great close-ups
Camera body 50mm camera unit 24-72mm camera unit, Compact size APS-C sensor Great dynamic range, Easy-to-use Excellent noise control Good colour, Very well built Nice colour rendition Thin construction
Changeable units increase the number of shooting possibilities. Stunning image quality and macros with 50mm unit. Clickwheels make manual control simple
Larger sensor than conventional compacts; good image quality; sensor sealed in lens module prevents dust from getting onto it; modular system highly expandable; solid build

Reviewers Didn't Like

Auto white balance performance variable; busy menu screens and small typeface make function searches fiddly
Contrast detect AF slow, hunting and occasionally unreliable in anything but good light, No image stabilization, Battery life not great, Comparatively low-spec video mode (720p but no manual controls, no focus, no external mic), Fastest shutter speeds not
Poor video quality; S10 has poor ISO performance; A12 struggles in low light conditions; expensive
Camera body 50mm camera unit 24-72mm camera unit, Screen is too sharp Slow focusing Slow focusing, Lack of white-balance Trouble with white-balance Trouble with white-balance, Expensive Suffered noise early, Expensive
Inconsistent image quality between lens units. Slow autofocus
Slow focusing; expensive; no image stabilizer

Expert reviews and ratings

The Ricoh GXR was the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens compact when it appeared in early 2010, subsequently succeeded by Sony’s NEX-5 in June. The GXR system is unique among our candidates as it’s modular, meaning...

By Macworld UK on April 18, 2011

The Ricoh GXR is certainly an original camera. The A12 50 mm module takes great-quality pictures that are comparable to an SLR macro lens. It just depends whether you like the modular, interchangeable sensor and lens design or...

By DigitalVersus on March 15, 2011

The Ricoh produces some great images and is pleasant to use, however the price lets it down. If you can justify the cost, though, you won’t be disappointedOverall Our provides the latest photography news, reviews, previews, features and...

By Digital Camera Buyer on February 24, 2011

In between compact and DSLR.A Different Story If you're just tuning in, I covered the Canon G10, Nikon P6000, and Panasonic LX-3 in a previous comparison article, the Canon G12, Nikon P7000, and Panasonic LX-5 in another article....

By Thom Hogan's Nikon Field Guide on January 01, 2011

The new A12 28mm camera unit should widen the appeal of the GXR system, offering a great combination of an APS-C sensor and a fast 28mm lens, but the sky-high price-tag may prove too much for most potential buyers.This is the first GXR module to both...

By PhotographyBLOG on December 17, 2010

Whether you call them “interchangeable lens cameras”, “mirrorless system cameras”, or my current favourite “compact system cameras”, a new type of camera was born with the launch of the in 2008. Olympus joined in...

By Trusted Reviews on August 23, 2010

It’s an original concept but one that doesn’t really solve any problems, while the price is only a little short of absurd...

By PC Authority on May 13, 2010

The Ricoh GXR camera system shouldn't work, but it does. Because every lens unit also includes a sensor, the system is pricey, and the variation in sensor sizes means you won't necessarily get dSLR photo quality all the time. Yet, as a tool for...

By CNET UK on April 13, 2010

While cameras such as the Olympus EPL-1 and Panasonic Lumix GF manage to combine interchangeable lenses with compact dimensions by utilising the fourth-thirds format (which eliminates the SLR-like mirror from the design), Ricoh has taken a...

By Gadget Guy Australia on March 19, 2010

The Ricoh GXR A12 50mm F/2.5 macro can take brilliant photos, but its auto-focus system is unreliable and painfully slow and it's far too expensive....

By Expert Reviews on March 09, 2010

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