Ricoh GX100 v Sigma DP1
Posted on May 14, 2007 by Mark
After my disapointment yesterday with the price of the Sigma DP1, I decided to look more closely at the Ricoh GX100.
The GX100 from Ricoh (on paper) looks like a fantastic bit of kit. For me, the most notable feature is the super-wide angle lens, stretching out to 24mm (in 35mm film terms). This is quite an achievement, and on its own sets the camera in a unique class of its own.
Other highlights include the f/2.5 lens (at the wide end), RAW capabaility, the ability to use normal AAA batteries, and the vibration correction system (which shifts the sensor to counteract camera shake).
So I’ve been hunting around for reviews, and other than lots of copies of the press release, it’s been hard to track down any real hands-on reviews. I’m going to see if I can get my hands on one myself, but in the meantime I’ll leave you with a comparison with the Sigma DP1. Although these are two fairly different compact digital cameras, they should both appeal to serious amateur photographers. The Ricoh has a great sounding lens, and the Sigma has the huge (in physical terms) sensor, which should lead to supper-smooth noise-free images.
Here is a quick comparison of the two camera’s main features:
| Feature | Ricoh GX100 | Sigma DP1 |
|---|---|---|
| Lens |
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| Sensor |
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| ISO Speeds |
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| File formats |
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| Weight | 220g (7.8oz) exc. batteries | 270 g (9.5 oz) inc. batteries |
| Dimensions | 112 x 58 x 25 mm (4.4 x 2.3 x1.0 in) | 109 x 60 x 31 mm (4.3 x 2.4 x 1.2 in) |
| Price | £399.99 | £600.00?? |
So which is best? Well, that’s a very good question, and really depends on your needs. I suspect the price differential will be the biggest factor controlling which camera most people opt for, but then we don’t actually know what the Sigma DP1 will sell for yet, so perhaps this remark is a bit premature….
To really decide you need to have a play with both cameras, and I’m very much looking forward to getting my hands on the DP1!
Comments
19 Responses to “Ricoh GX100 v Sigma DP1”
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Like you I’m eagerly awaiting the DP1, although the Ricoh GX100’s lens spec is very interesting, I think the Ricoh’s sensor will ulimately be a let down. So for me at the moment it’s the DP1 - wouldn’t it be nice if Sigma announced a change in spec. and launched the camera with a fixed lens similar to the Leica Tri-elmar, but with FOV’s of 28mm, 56mm and 75mm with matching frame lines in the OVF. Just a thought?
Mmmm, that would be nice. Perhaps a brighter aperture too - f/1.8 would be nice. The f/4 limit at the moment seems a bit of a let down IMO. I know the sensor should have much less noise at higher ISOs, but it would be nice to have that super low-light capability. Maybe that will be a feature of the Sigma DP2?!
I’m looking forward to the GX100 but like many cameras in this price range will be cautious before buying. Quality is so important to me and if the sensor in the GX does not deliver, I will stay away. Lets hope the 10mp sensor produces clean and relatively noise free images. The lens range sounds great but if the images need constant noise reducing then it’s back to the dSLR for me.
I’m pretty much the same as you Alex. If the image is noisy and soft around the edges then I won’t touch it with a barge pole. I just don’t understand why there is such a push for megapixels when for most people’s needs 6 megapixels will do the job fine.
Hi,
You can get a good idea of the GX100’s capabilities by using Flickr’s tagged photo’s search:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/gx100/
What I find disappointing is that the GX100 doesn’t seem to be able to get a nice blurred background for portraits. Take a look at this:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_exif.gne?id=526029605
Aperture set at 2.8 and yet entire content of the frame is in focus.
Like a lot of people, I’m eagerly awaiting the Sigma DP1. I really hope that it can be used to take nice portraits. Otherwise I guess the only other option is the Leica M8… and that ain’t cheap
Good suggestion about the flickr tags Andy. I’d looked in the flickr camera finder database a while back, but it doesn’t seem to be listed yet.
That portrait you linked too looks to have been taken at a fairly wide angle of view, and this would increase the apparent depth of field. It would be interesting to see a similar shot but at the long end of the lens.
I don’t think the Sigma DP1 will be great for portraits because (a) the lens is fixed at 28mm (equiv.), which won’t produce very flattering images, and (b) the widest aperture is f/4.0.
Still, it’s going to be good to finally see it!
GX100 looks nice on paper and the sensor doesn’t seem that bad (for a compact-size sensor) based on flickr posts. But it’s still not a match for an SLR-type sensor; I’m hoping the DP1 will manage to put some SLR features (low-noise sensor with usable fast ISO, possibility of having a shallow DoF, hopefully also TTL hotshoe, non-retracting lens (I hate the delay when turning on a digi-compact) and fast autofocus/shot-to-shot (obviously phase detection AF isn’t an option, but maybe they’ll give the system enough processing power to be faster than the average compact)) into a pocketable-ish size.
The f4 lens is somewhat unfortunate (I would’ve preferred something like 35mm at a larger aperture), but if the quality is good, I don’t think it’s fatal; I like my FD 17/4 lens and 75/3.5 Minolta Autocord even if they’re a bit slow
Hi,
I’m new to the digital camera market and have survived without a digital camera, of any quality that is, till now. But the tech’ of the Sigma has grabbed my attention. I work with Photoshop and grabbing raw true 3 layers RGB or sRGB, as much as you can, to play with later, to me makes a lot of sense and makes me want to go out and buy a Sigma. I have been surfing the web and camera mags for reports. I have found, in general, comments regarding the picture quality from comparison camera, are much better. But as a Photo manipulator with Photoshop is this relevant to me? When you do get hold of the Sigma DP1 or the Sigma 14 digital camera, could you please test and let me know: Are there any advantages of having high def RAW (X3F) Sigma images compared to others high def recorded images, say from a Canon systems for instance. Also some clarification on actual recorded pixel size?!? dif might help. All would be much appreciate. Regards Ravenseed.
The sensor size is a key to achieve background blur as well as the max. aperture size.
I wouldn’t expect magic from the tiny sensor of the Ricoh. The ISO noise should be much worse than Sigma.
Here is my estimates of DOF equivelent to 35mm:
f2.5 on Ricoh => f8.3 on 35 mm film
f4.0 on Sigma => f6.8 on 35 mm film
Although Sigma has a slower lens, it still has better DOF than Rico. But none of them is great.
I would love to see a camera like DP1, but with 35mm lens, f2.0. With the sensor half size of 35mm, why can’t they make the lens faster? I don’t care the pixel count if it’s over 6M. It’s going to be perfect street lens. 28mm is too wide.
Thanks for your comment David. I have to agree with you on the pixel front; don’t manufacturers listen to consumers any more? We’re not interested in pixels now - it’s quality that we’re after!
I guess they’ve gone for 28mm as you can crop the image if you’re after a 35mm effect, and the 28mm gives you a lot more creative options than 35mm… Just my opinion!
I think the slow lens on the DP-1 is the only let-down for me, as well. At least 2.8 would have been nice. Otherwise, I actually like that it is a prime. I would have liked it a /little/ bit wider.
I can see why they didn’t go wider, however, since it is clearly aimed at the higher-end point-and-shoot crowd. I think anything wider than 28mm runs the risk of people complaining about distortion, especially at the edges. I’m thinking here of group shots and the like, where the folks at the ends end up being blown up funny.
I am not sure how you do a comparison of a camera that is not even yet in existance yet. If the so called Dp1 really does have the size sensor they are claiming to have, it should basically blow any point and shoot cam away - nothing out there today would compete. But based on what Sigma is doing or not doing in the actual release of this camera makes one wonder if it can even really be done.
I asked Sigma USA to give an update on the cam and their only response was, it will be posted on their website when it is available. As of this time, this camera is only a figment of our imaginations and may not even make it to market - or if Ricoh were smart they would trump them with building a larger sensor and faster processor and update their GRD because I think the GRD lens is amazing, that actually would be the best of both worlds.
The strange thing is that Sigma first released this last year in Germany as a prototype but with a normal size aps sensor, that never came out then in Vegas they show us the new DP1 with the SD14 sensor, yet it is still not out. It would be too bad if there is really trouble with the production of this cam and it never makes it, but maybe it will push the other guys to update their ways of making new ones, ie Ricoh. The GR layout for a camera is awesome.
Does the DP1 exisit as yet? Seems like vaporware as its taken way too long from when it was first mentioned. Ridiculously so.
I don’t know - I’ve not heard anything about it in ages
The DP-1 is basically hampered by the bizarre thinking at Sigma that they call it a “point and shoot” camera -a bit odd for the high price they expect to sell it at - and even worse is their self-imposed restriction of making a “pocket” camera - that’s why they are stuck with the slow f4 lens. They could easily make a f2.8 or f2 if they just gave up the idea this is a cheapo snap shot digicam. I expect the camera to have a decet speed lens and a decent sized body so I can actually use the controls - and let’s face it - your Aunt Mary isn’t going to buy a DP-1 - it will be a serious photographer who expects to be able to use dedicated buttons easily to make their settings. And please build in the viewfinder - for goodness sake, its a *prime* lens - how much cheaper and easier does it get to make an OVF than that? Cheaper than an external hot shoe finder I would bet!
Something is amiss with my maths. If 16.6mm is 28mm in 35mm terms, how can 5.1 be 24 and 15.3 be 72mm in the same terms?
John
I have had the pleasure of using a GX100 for approx. 4-months now and I have been blown away by it’s quality. I appreciate there is noise at 400 and above but what do you expect, it is a compromise, if you want noise free images use a dig slr. It is not meant as a replacement to a dig slr, merely a complimentary addition. It is easy to carry, eminently pocketable and will deliver saleable images when called upon to do so, in fact pictures you would otherwise miss are there to be grabbed, as it’s never a chore to take it with you . I usually shoot at 80-100 asa both raw and fine jpeg and the results I have achieved have been stunning. It is beautifully put together and handles like a dream. The custom functions are simple to set and so easy to use, it has been designed for photographers with know how, to extract the best from this gem does require knowledge. That has always been the mantra that this company work with, they do not develop and then produce these for the point and shoot brigade. Ricoh are to be applauded loudly for bringing this and the revised GRD to the market place. Such is the pull of this delightful camera I find myself leaving the E1 at home when venturing forth for stock and blog shots, don’t take my word for it beg or borrow one for a day or two you will not want to give it back…..
What about the Leica D3? Any comments in that direction?
In answer to John’s query of 9th February: There’s nothing wrong with your maths but you said “in the same terms” when the terms are in fact very different. The effective focal length of a lens equivalent to that of a 35 mm camera is based in the frame size of 35mm film which is 24 x 36 mm. Because the frame size of the Sigma, while large for a compact digital, is much smaller than this the actual focal length has to be multiplied by a factor of about 1.7 to give its 35mm format equivalent. In the Ricoh the frame size is much smaller still and the factor by which it has to be multiplied is 4.7.
This is the whole point of the advantage Sigma are trying to market: the bigger the sensor the better the picture but at the price of a physically big camera body and lens. At that price of £650 ish I think I’d rather suffer the bulk and buy the flexibility of a DSLR (Canon EOS 400) which confers all the benefits of the Sigma with none of its limitations. Alternatively for less than half the price the Canon G9 seems to be a top quality compact, feature-packed and with the ability to add lens converters, seperate flash, etc.