- Location
- Seattle
- Name
- Andrew
Yeah, I do think there will be one. In an interview this year with DPReview, Ricoh affirmed that "research is ongoing" for the next GR model. I like the ideology expressed in the GR Special Site, GR | RICOH IMAGING which indicates something of Ricoh's pragmatic approach to the camera series. They don't update just to update, they don't add features willy-nilly, they ask of everything whether it's right for the GR. It's really nice to see a company stick so closely to a specific vision with a product.
That said, these are my little wishes for an updated model. Probably few to none of them will come to pass. But I wanted to express them, and maybe get some of your own wishes or ideas.
That said, these are my little wishes for an updated model. Probably few to none of them will come to pass. But I wanted to express them, and maybe get some of your own wishes or ideas.
- 20MP Four Thirds sensor. Yeah, you may tell me to stop polluting other camera brands with my Micro Four Thirds crusading, but I have a few reasons. For one, several people expressed some consternation at the move to APS-C for the GR cameras, which was surprising to me, as I love the sensor on the GR II. But it's true that a larger sensor isn't really fundamental to the GR ideology, it was simply the best way at the time to get better image quality than the 1/1.7" sensors in the older GRD cams. A 1" sensor would be another option, but I think M4/3 is the sweet spot. Get the same image quality as the flagship EM1 II and G9 M4/3 cameras, with better high-ISO quality than a 1" sensor, combined with a maybe slightly reworked version of the amazing lens from the GR.
- Speaking of that lens rework, a slightly smaller sensor might open up the possibility of a larger aperture without sacrificing the small size of the lens. I'd love around a f1.7 lens with the same 28mm effective focal length. I'd take a 35mm focal length instead, but I think 28mm is pretty fundamental to the GR.
- Image stabilization. We love it, Pentax uses it, there's no reason not to put it in here. It wouldn't need to add bulk or weight, especially since the IBIS modules for M4/3 sensors are quite compact. Or, put it in the lens like the LX100.
- Tilt screen. Even more than a touchscreen (which would be nice) I'd really like a tilt screen for tricky lighting situations or hip shooting. Obviously hip shots are factored into the GR ethos, since you can shoot with the screen off entirely. But I shoot more than half of my street stuff with the tilt screen on my GX85 rather than the EVF. I'd love a small EVF in the GR but it would add cost and frankly isn't necessary for the simplicity of the overall camera.