Ricoh GXR

The latest development of this quirky camera system is both interesting and disturbing. A little cut and paste description first

1.	Camera unit RICOH LENS P10 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC* (name tentative)
	•	With an original Ricoh noise reduction function and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, this camera unit expands the photographer's range of expression by making it possible to shoot high-quality images in scenes ranging from low light to bright light.
	•	Featuring a high-magnification 10.7x (28-300 mm) optical wide-angle zoom, this unit has 120 frame/second high-speed continuous shooting ability plus a wide range of other functional capabilities such as RAW image recording, image settings adjustable to nine levels, multi-target AF, and much more.
	•	Start of sales planned for the summer of 2010.
	*	The "VC" designation indicates that this unit has the vibration correction function developed independently by Ricoh.
2.	Camera unit GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 (name tentative)
	•	Featuring a newly developed 28 mm fixed-focal-length GR LENS, this camera unit achieves high resolution and high imaging power.
	•	A 23.6 mm x 15.7 mm (APS-C size) CMOS sensor is used. The combination of this sensor with the GR ENGINE III image processing engine enables the camera unit to shoot high-quality images with smooth tone gradations as well as high definition and low noise.
	•	There is a manual focus ring that can be used for precise focus adjustments.
	•	Start of sales planned for the winter of 2010.

The APS-C sensor coupled with a 28mm equivalent lens is really not surprising, considering Ricoh was one of the earliest to have 28 mm wide compacts. Most disturbing is the release date, a tentative Winter 2010.

What could be holding up the final product? Problem with developing a 28 mm lens? Unable to pair it with the sensor optically? Difficulty with software algorithm?  It would make development of more large sensor modules doubtful.

The P10 module seems to be basically a souped up CX3 with RAW capability, which is a good thing, and presumably also with PASM modes. Disturbing is it looks like they are cobbling current small sensor technology into a supposedly high end high priced compact system. I hope it is not an act of desperation to make up for non-existent modules.