I don’t know who is manufacturing the sensors for the GXR, and you’ll have to wait for DPR’s review to find out if the blooming has been corrected.

May we see an image pointing a light to see if it produces purple verticle lines in the LCD like the GX100 and GX200 do?

The GX100 and GX200 were tought and promoted as PRO grade compacts – can you focus when your vewer looks like this…?
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/attachments/panasonic-leica/148116d1265167618-fz35-purple-lines-stream-purple-lines.jpg

or this from a GX100?

http://i45.tinypic.com/15rm902.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/2csdhs4.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/29nxkyo.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/20hwo6e.jpg

or pro cameras in the price range do not show this even pointing at a Mercury Vapor lamp 6 feet away. I know i tested them.

If this is the type veiw you get when attempting to compose an image with the GXR – it isn’t worth squat.

Let alone the mass amounts of noise as you go over the 100iso mark… making most images useless.

Ricoh produces high-end compact cameras and optics. Its cameras’ build quality are excellent. User interface of Ricoh professional line are very well designed and they really keep how photographer works in their mind.

Most of complaints I read in the internet are about price. But if you research carefully, it actually not bad considering the value you will get with the system.

Consider this:
Panasonic GF1 and Leica 45mm macro = approx: $1500
Leica X1, compact camera with fixed lens and APS-C sensor = $1999
Mid-range DSLR with a decent macro lens = around $1500

Ricoh GRX with 50mm f/2.5 macro : $1380
24-75mm module : $440

However, if you only want to use one module, you will pay premium price as you stated above. Yet, I believe many people will still getting one because they want to get the benefit or Ricoh’s user interface and build quality.

About obsolescence, everything related to technology will be out of date anyway. Every year, manufacturers update their camera body and lenses too. Looking at the current development of image sensor in general, I will say that the development to the future will be slowing down. Megapixel race has been stalled, and many cameras are able to produces very clean images in high ISO (1600).

Now, many people don’t print their photos regularly, instead they share their pics through the web, which do not demand that much of megapixel or super fine images. The funny thing is, Ricoh users usually love noise/grain and many shoots Black and White images.

By separating body and the module, we can use and keep camera body for a long time. The main benefit of that is you don’t have to learn a new interface every time you buy a new camera. In the same time, you save money.

This system is also very versatile and compact. When you need a large depth of field, you can use small sensor, and if you need shallow depth of field, you can use big sensor module. It will also have other modules like storage, wireless connector that will expand your photographic opportunity.

There are also some conveniences that many would appreciate such as the ease of changing modules, and you don’t have to worry about dust either. It has quieter shutter relative to DSLR or micro four thirds cameras too.

Traditionally, to achieve the best of both world, you will need to carry your bulky DSLR and lenses, compact camera and a laptop for backup/storage. That is not convenience.

The build quality, user interface, versatility and compactness are way ahead of other system that I can think of, and it is hard to put a price on that.

Of course Ricoh GRX won’t be reaping market share like Canon or Nikon beginner DSLR or compact cameras because they don’t intend to compete in that market, but I predict they will be a hit in photo high-end enthusiasts market.

In 20years this might be a practical concept, but today with the way the technology is still changing… it’s a very bad idea. The pricing of the body reflects no substantial savings, and the lenses of course are more. With almost zero chance of being about to buy lenses from anyone else, or adapting existing lenses there is just not enough gain for the pain.

They should work on bringing down the price of the GRDIII and getting more lenses on it.

This kind of design means that a “lens” will become obsolete as soon as the sensor is old… So much for using your old lenses (Pentax or Leica users are able to shoot with 50 year old lenses on their digital bodies).

So this is not modular at all, it is exactly the contrary. With this design you cannot invest on lenses.

From a manufacturer perspective it is interesting though: as soon as a new sensor comes out, your customers will feel the urge to upgrade all their lenses! Great deal

Paul