Ricoh Caplio GX100 Review

The specification of Ricoh Caplio GX100 reads like a dream wishlist for the discerning photographer. Wide-angle 24-72mm zoom lens? Check. Adobe DNG RAW format? Check. 10 megapixels, removable electronic viewfinder, optical anti-shake, full manual controls? Check, check, check and check! So the Ricoh GX100 certainly has a lot to offer on paper, but can this compact digital camera live up to its billing? Find out now by reading our in-depth Ricoh GX100 review.

Website: Ricoh Caplio GX100 Review

Published: Saturday, June 23, 2007

Reader Comments

1. Well done for getting a formal review of the GX100 done and not sidelining it at the expense of yet another 'me too' model from one of the bigger brands
   
   I've had a GX100 for a couple of weeks now and believe your review to be fair. If you can live with the price and the noise of a 10mp sensor and higher ISOs this is a wonderful little camera.

   Stef at 12:53pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2007

2. Thanks for the interesting review, Mark.
   
   I noticed that you gave the GX100 4.5 for image quality, but gave the Canon G7 5.0. This is a bit surprising, as the pictures I've seen show the opposite (at least the ones shot in apertures that don't suffer from diffraction .
   
   To demonstrate the differences in IQ, here's a test by Amin Sabet that shows the GX100 (in the middle) vs. the G7 (on the right) vs. the D-LUX 2:
   
   Purple fringing test (the GX100 is the one *without* PF):
   http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1064/544459713_5c29c27f00_o.jpg
   
   Corner sharpness test (the GX100 is the with sharp corners):
   http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1361/544363212_35a8e858f9_o.jpg
   
   Full test:
   http://aminphoto.blogspot.com/2007/06/gx100-vs-g7-vs-d-lux-2-shootout-pt-2_13.html
   
   With all do respect to the differences in noise between the G7 and the GX100, Ricoh's choice to leave more details is the right choice. One can always apply noise-reduction to get rid of the noise, but there's no going back from a NR applied in the camera. Details that are lost, are lost for good.
   
   A few months ago Imaging Resource criticized the excessive noise reduction of the G7 compared to Canon's A640, a camera that shares the same 10MP sensor. The A640 is noisier, but contains more details - just like the GX100.
   
   http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/G7/G7A.HTM
   (search the page for "Peeping")
   
   Prog.

   Prognathous at 05:50pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2007

3. Got myself a GX-100 a month ago and so far have been very very happy with the results. There is more image noise than my EOS 400D, but then I'd expect that - this is my "go everywhere" camera, so a little loss in quality is fine for convenience and being there.
   
   The daftest part I would criticise is how far the lens protrudes and lack of easy filter option. I fine myself cleaning fingerprints off all the time.

   RobW at 08:06am on Thursday, June 21, 2007

4. One of the most unique and important feature of this Caplio has been left out: the ''interval'' or time-lapse feature. The Ricohs are the only ones on the market that can use short intervals (down to 5 seconds) to create beautiful time-lapse images like these:
   http://tinyurl.com/2m97nb

   Toylover at 12:02pm on Thursday, June 21, 2007

5. a comprehensive review - but i need info on how to charge batteries - is there a cradle for instance ? kb

   ken baker at 04:01pm on Thursday, June 21, 2007

6. Ken, there's a dedicated recharger included.

   Mark Goldstein at 04:06pm on Thursday, June 21, 2007

7. thanks mark - that is good news - it looked as though a mains charger was an option !

   ken baker at 05:22pm on Thursday, June 21, 2007

8. Hi Mark, what an informative review this was. I cannot remember any
   other review on this site with more information in your Page 1 section
   "Introduction / Ease of Use". While enjoying this review, one definitely
   senses your appreciation for the camera's advanced features, as well
   as your delight in using them. Thank you for your enthusiasm.
   
   P.S. Ricoh would like to know when you will be returning their camera.

   Gary's Parries at 02:44pm on Friday, June 22, 2007

9. What a fantastic looking camera! I love the idea of something that goes wider than your average 35-37 mm and upwards equivalent on many digital compacts. Thanks for the insight. :D

   Squid at 05:07pm on Friday, June 22, 2007

10. Oh yes - and I'm glad it has an anti shake - I was afraid it didn't at first.
    
    http://www.squidoo.com/HowToTakeGoodDigitalPictures/

    Squid at 05:09pm on Friday, June 22, 2007

11. Very interesting & informative review. I have a Ricoh GR Digital with the optical finder and 21mm lens which I find I am using in preference to my SLR. The control setup is similar to the GR Digital.
    Thanks again for an excellent review.

    J W at 06:12pm on Friday, June 22, 2007

12. Thank you for this excellent review, and thanks to Prog for referencing my blog above =).
    
    After using the GX100 for a couple weeks, I gave away my G7 (also a great enthuasiast compact digital camera IMO), and my other cameras are beginning to feel neglected as well. The GX100 is an extremely versatile tool.

    amin at 02:13am on Saturday, June 23, 2007

13. Excellent review in clear language helped me to make my mind up.

    paul gallagher at 10:33am on Saturday, June 30, 2007

14. This is one of the best reviews I have ever read, much better than those of Dpreview, inexistent in this case.
    It gives a lot of useful information, it covers every aspect of the camera, also the negative flaws, and it goes to the details which in the end are what we need in order to take decisions about buying a camera.
    Thank you so much.

    Luisa at 10:43am on Friday, July 13, 2007

15. Thanks Luisa, that's exactly what we try to achieve in all of our reviews

    Mark Goldstein at 10:49am on Friday, July 13, 2007

16. Thank you, Mark, for just about the sort of comprehensive review I'd been looking for - to help me make up my mind about acquiring the camera.

    hans at 10:57pm on Saturday, August 11, 2007