As I have posted before, the GX100 is very attractive to me on the basis of its wide angle capability, RAW mode, and step zoom. However, Flickr samples seem to show that at ISO 80 the Ricoh GX100 produces far noisier default JPEG results than my Canon G7, despite the latter preserving at least as much detail. The GX100 also seems to produce less vibrant color, and I have seen some nasty CA in some of the samples. However, with proper RAW processing, I am hopeful that the GX100 will approach the image quality of the G7. With that in mind, I have ordered the GX100 (without EVF) from Adorama and am looking forward to it shipping on Tuesday morning.
I will be doing a detailed head-to-head comparison of the GX100 and G7 and will post my results here. If you have any specific recommendations or requests for things you would like me to test or compare, please leave a comment to let me know.
Addendum: I also plan to borrow my dad's Leica D-LUX 2 (same as Panasonic LX1) so I can compared the GX100 processed RAWs to the Leicasonic output. In my mind, the GRD/GX100, G7, and LX1/2 are high on the list of compact cameras which offer flexible photographic control.
Coming soon: Ricoh Caplio GX100 versus Canon Powershot G7 Head-to-Head Comparison
Friday, May 25, 2007
Posted by Amin
Labels:
Canon,
Caplio,
comparison,
G7,
GX100,
Powershot,
review,
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Hi there
After a lot of thought I bought a GX100 today. The alternative camera on my shopping list was a G7 but I decided on the GX100 for the same kind of reasons you have mentioned (wide angle/ raw + a viewfinder that actually shows you what you're photographing)
I haven't used it seriously yet but it is looking like it will be the most frustrating camera I have ever bought.
Frustrating because the control layout is brilliant - it clearly was designed by someone who likes making photographs but...
...the noise!
Even at low ISOs
Given that you are comparing image quality of the GX100 and G7 directly it would be great to know if the GX100 images can be brought up to the quality of the G7 files with a little post-processing or if the G7 sensor is, simply, better
Hi Amin:
While awaiting delivery of my GX100, aside of general IQ comparison and noise comparison specifically, I'd be interested in a comparison of focus speed and accuracy. Also, on the IQ and noise comparison it would be interesting to hear how you feel they compare in the "out of camera" department as well as the "processed" department. In my case processing is acceptable if it somhow can be done after downloading in an automated way (batch processing) with canned settings. If good results are only achievable with sticking real individual post processing time into each image, I would have ordered the wrong camera for me...
Ralf
Stef and Ralf, thanks for your comments. I'll definitely see what I can do with batch processing; and if I come up with some good routines, I will certainly share them. In general, noise reduction smearing bothers me much more than noise itself, but the G7 does a really good job balancing the two IMO. I will have the GX100 on Thursday, and I'll start the comparison right away.
Hi Amin
Another aspect you might want to look at is the effectiveness of the IS
I was kind of hoping that it would partly compensate for image noise (for static subjects anyway) by enabling me to hand hold at a stop or two slower than normal
To be honest, I am having real trouble noticing any real benefit of the IS on my GX100 - if there is any it is in the order of less than a stop
This noise thing is getting close to be a deal-breaker for me. And that is in spite of the fact that I picked up a GX100 prepared to accept noise as an issue
Just too many MP in too small a unit. The crazy thing being that Ricoh has manufactured (and priced) a digicam for 'serious' users and then spoiled it by shoving in a 10mp sensor so that it can marketed to less 'serious' users who can be impressed by a high MP number.
Stef, that's a good idea. I will try to compare the IS as well. I find that the G7 IS works pretty well.
Sorry to hear that the noise is such an issue. I am trying to prepare myself too as I await delivery. I agree with you that it is unfortunate that they stuffed in so many pixels when they seemed to get everything else right. On the other hand, the G7 maintains detail without a ton of noise at low ISO, so unless the G7 sensor is better to begin with, maybe we can make the most of GX100 RAWs.
This discussion about noisy GX100 images is reminiscent of the discussions at the time the Panasonic LX1 was introduced. Panasonic responded by a much heavier handed (but unfortunately not too sophisticated) approach to noise reduction in its LX2. I wonder if there are really any differences at all between any of these 10MP 1/1.8" sensors, and if differences in image quality are entirely a result of in-camera processing.
Björn
Björn, I would agree with you except that the G7 seems to have very little of the smearing seen with the LX2 and very little of the noise seen with the LX1 (and, based on others' reports, the GX100).
@amin
I spent the weekend taking a few shots with the GX100 and it is winning me over. The lens and the handling are pretty good. Good enough to put you in a forgiving frame of mind and make working around any potential sensor issues worthwhile. It's a case of liking the camera for what it is and accepting that it is not as versatile as it could be.
Focus speed/ accuracy and most other characteristics seem to me to be at least better than average or excellent.
Now all I have to do is figure out how to fit the sensor from my little Fuji F10 into the GX100 and I'd be a very happy man indeed ;)
Stef, I'm glad to hear that the GX100 is growing on you, and I'd love to see some of your photos from the weekend. Quite often I hear others express a desire to have their Fuji sensor in another camera. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have the F30 sensor in my Leica D2.
Really looking forward to getting the GX. The salesperson at Adorama told me I was getting the last one they currently had in stock and that it would ship today. I hope they don't change that story!
I wish you luck
I didn't take any pictures worth sharing this weekend. The camera is going to take some mastering ;)
One potential challenge that potential buyers should think about relates to that point about low dynamic range in high mp cameras you made earlier. With such a relatively wide lens you can include an awful of real estate, which means the potential for over or under exposure in part of the frame is high - use of exposure compensation/ manual exposure/ RAW is often compulsory. This is not a camera for casual shooters...
Stef, that's a good point. The GX100 definitely doesn't strike me as a camera for the "point and shoot" crowd. I just got off the phone with Adorama. I was disappointed to find out that the salesperson who assured me he was reserving me one did not follow through after he got my commission. Therefore, they sold out and did not reserve me one. Rather than waiting for a new shipment, I upgraded to the kit (with EVF), which they have plenty of in stock. With a little luck, it should still get here on Thursday.
Really looking forward to getting the GX. The salesperson at Adorama told me I was getting the last one they currently had in stock and that it would ship today. I hope they don't change that story!
ouch! I hope that works out as it supposed to - Adorama can be a bit flakey at times...
the GR-D always surprises me with its quality at low ISOs up to 200, 400 is still ok - 800 is good for b/w only and at 1600 (also bw only) you'll really have to like massive grain (as in ISO 3200 or so w/ film)
The EVF will be useful on bright days. If it doesn't break the budget it's worth getting IMHO
I'm happy to report that Adorama has shipped my GX100 kit and it is on schedule for delivery tomorrow. I really do prefer composing with a viewfinder held at eye level. The reason I was going to skip the EVF is that this is to be my camera for going compact, and I was thinking that with the EVF attached it will be harder to find a suitable case.
Markus, I'm not holding out much hope for ISO 1600+. I'll be happy if I can get some nice b/w images at ISO 400, and maybe ISO 800 in a pinch.
With the EVF fitted the GX100 can hardly be described as case-friendly. However, the EVF comes its own dinky little case and it's not that big.
Several people on DPReview have expressed their disappointment with the EVF. Maybe they haven't tried using their GX100's in bright sunlight yet. Even though it does make the GX100 a little clunky it is worth having around
It's here! One day early. First impressions - smaller and lighter than I thought it would be. There are scratches on the battery, one very fine scratch on the bottom of the camera, and a fingerprint on the LCD right out of the box - likely signs that this one has been returned by someone else, though I can't rule out that it came from the factory this way. At any rate, I don't really care if someone else returned it, as long as it functions properly. Much more to follow...
Hi Amin,
My GX100 just arrived. However the focus and aperture changes (when light conditions change the aperture seems to close and open itself for a second => light measurements?) make a lot of noise (in comparison to my 20D).
Do you notice any sound or noise when focusing? or when you are focusing and the light conditions change => the aperture issue.
Kind regards and thanks for the nice reviews on this camera,
Koen