Ricoh Announces New R10 Compact Camera
For those interested in compact news, today Ricoh announced a successor to the R8 point and shoot digital camera, the Ricoh R10 (only 6 months after the R8 model was introduced earlier this year). This model includes upgrades over the R8 such as a new 3.0-inch 460,000 dot HVGA monitor, an internal electronic level (like the higher end GX200 and GRDII models) and a flag function enabling quick call-up of selected images. The grip is also changed, adding a bit more area for holding onto. This is all in addition to its predecessor's already feature rich setup. For the full press release and specifications, please read further.
The new additions to the R10 are certain to help keep the R10 among the top competitors in its class. Note that it keeps the same 10mp sensor the R8 has, the Smooth Imaging Engine III processor, and the useful 7.1x 28-200mm lens with excellent macro capability.
For those that are interested here, AlphaMountWorld will be doing a snap review of the Ricoh R10, as we continue to introduce select compact camera reviews into our site. Since Ricoh is at the forefront of the compact segment race currently, we aim to continue to keep tabs on them. Right now I believe Ricoh has the most compelling compacts on the market that can help compliment your main Alpha DSLR system, if compacts are indeed your gig. Ricoh cameras have some of the most intuitive designs on the market, the interface reminds me much of the Quick Navi found on Sony DSLRs, and as a whole they offer many innovative and competitive features to the photographer. The full review of the GX200 is due anytime now for those also interested.
The full press release can be found here:
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/press/release/nr_r10_a.html
Full specifications of the camera can be found here:
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/press/release/nr_r10_b.html
Authorized dealers can also be found on this link:
http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/contact/contact_us.html
Cheers!
Carl
No optical viewfinder
What is it with P&S manufacturers that they keep omitting an optical viewfinder? Obviously, they are market driven by the masses of people who stare at the LCDs even in brilliant sunshine when they can see nothing but a vague suggestion of what they are capturing. Please, someone make a modest (under 10 megapixel) P&S with optical viewfinder (even if it's inaccurate) capable of RAW noiseless files that is pocketable.
Im a OVF fan too
But I have to say the LCD at least on the GX200 raises the bar quite a bit for bright viewing circumstances. I imagine this LCD will do the same too, if not trump it a bit. But we will have to see.
Carl
Yah OVF is nice but since compromises have to be made...
It's hard to get everything in a compact, and I think each one has its little niche. It's annoying when some manufacturers seem stuff on a token OVF with horrible coverage, just to say they have one.
I like with the Ricoh GX100, GX200 you can slap on a 100% EVF for full coverage, or if you don't want one for that day just leave it off.
OVFs Are Nice in Dark Theaters
OVFs sure come in handy in dark theaters watching live stage performances, where the last thing I want to do is wave around a bright LCD to disturb the people around me. Along with its shirt-pocket compactness, that's one of the reasons I use the Canon SD 850 IS. Yes, the OVF is not very accurate, but one quickly learns to compensate for this in framing shots.
Andy
No RAW.. Could have been
No RAW..
Could have been worth a peek on that alone..oh well, never mind!
On Raw
Although a higher end compact, it still isn't meant to compete with the fully featured compacts on the market.
So raw really isn't a consideration at this level, at least in Ricohs spectrum of price range and feature set.
Carl
On Raw
Hi all,
I agree with Carl on the lack of RAW in the R10. The R10 is aimed at the same type of market as the Panasonic TZ5, i.e. the higher end of quality point and shoot. It is aimed to give good quality results with an impressive zoom in a small, well built and easy to use package. If one wants a higher quality compact then that is provided by the GRD II and GX200 cameras (in Ricoh's line up at least), both of which offer even better build, and full manual controls along with RAW.
Lastly, on the point that Carl made about Ricoh being at the forefront of the compact camera race, I agree with this and think part of it is due to their product life cycle. Ricoh has historically replaced the cameras (digital at least) every 6 months or so, whilst this may seem excessive it allows them to better implement key new features before anyone else. A good example of this would be the electronic level that both the GX200 and R10 feature.
Andrew
Have to disagree on this
Have to disagree on this one. I think all higher end compacts should offer raw (or at the least good control over NR in camera)
Sure the R8 is a mere £150 ish now, but it was double that at launch..
You mean as an industry standard then?
Sure why not, but can't fault Ricoh for being competitive with the market I don't think.
Not many p/s cams out there with raw. Full featured compacts, sure.
Carl
RAW in P&S
Carl
I'm sure you are aware that every sensor produces a RAW file at first instance. If Ricoh (or any manufacturer) doesn't want to produce a RAW converter because of the expense, all they have to do is use Adobe's free and open DNG converter and save us all the anguish of not being able to manipulate the file as we wish. Most serious photographers can do without a lot of the fancy extras the marketing people seem to think we need. What's so hard to produce a P&S with 6-8 clean and noiseless megapixels that support RAW, an optical viewfinder, and a bright (f2.8) lens with a minimum of aberation and modest (3-4x) zoom? Each of these features have been seen before in P&S but no one wants to combine what photographers want rather than what marketers think we need.
Ken
For those interested in Ricoh compacts here
I have the R-10 in house and will be doing something on it soon.
Again, these compact reviews will be done keeping in mind that we all do have compacts and use compacts as back up cameras to our main Alpha DSLR system.
Carl
R10 review
How is the R10 review coming along? Any key points - good or bad? Will you be comparing it to any similar competition, eg Panasonic TZ5?
That's one more option for
That's one more option for me and after reading this I am convinced that this camera worth a try, specially now that I have no other camera. Now that I have all the information about this Ricoh camera there is only one thing left to do: to try it.
http://www.havern.org/my-friends-business/