PRESS RELEASE: Ricoh GXR Awarded the “iF Product Design Award 2011” Gold Award

The RICOH Compact Digital Camera GXR has been awarded the international “iF product design award 2011” Gold Award

TOKYO, March 2, 2011—The compact digital camera GXR produced by RICOH (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) has been awarded the specially selected “Gold Award” in the “iF product design award 2011” competition which recognizes international design excellence.

The iF design award is an internationally acclaimed award managed by the German iF International Forum Design GmbH. Not limited to Germany, entries are received from all over the world. Winning products are selected for their international acclaim and design excellence. This year, there were 1,121 applications from 43 countries for the “iF product design award 2011”, and of the 2,756 products judged, only 993 were given awards. The Gold Award is the distinction given only to the top 50 products selected from the 993 award finalists.

This is the second time RICOH has received the iF gold award. The GX100 digital camera was awarded the same prize in 2008.

Design Site Homepage: http://www.ricoh.com/about/company/design/

Award history: http://www.ricoh.com/about/company/design/award/index.html

GXR

The GXR is a revolutionary camera system in which lenses are changed by using a slide-in mount system to attach camera units to the highly rigid magnesium body. The lens, image sensor, and image processing engine are integrated into the camera units so the body itself does not contain an image sensor. The photographer can match the optimum camera unit to the scene being photographed, the result being easy lens changes and an amazing level of flexibility and image quality. Concealing infinite possibilities in its small body, the GXR has had a very strong reception as it pioneers a new realm of photography.

9 Comments

  1. I am delighted that the Ricoh GXR has won this award. I love my GXR for it’s nimble character, discreet appearance and the lens IQ on both the 28 and 50mm A12 camera units – and not forgetting the excellent build of the camera in general.
    The only fly in the ointment is the rather mediocre EVF (VF2), but hopefully they will improve the finder resolution in the future.
    Well done Ricoh!

  2. I was delighted to read about the award. The GXR is a camera that does not get the credit it deserves. I own a D700 and a M9, and in my search for a compact “carry everywhere” camera, I have tried DP1, DP2, EP1, EP2, GF1, NEX3, NEX5, X1 plus many of the small sensor cameras. While all of the cameras were acceptable, the GXR is the one that wins when all features are considered. It’s build quality is outstanding and fits my hand just like a glove without an add on handgrip. The GXR can be customized in a way that puts all the others in the shade. The autofocus speed after the latest firmware is almost as fast as the GF1. I have both the 28mm and 50mm equivalent modules which give excellent results. Most of the medium sensor cameras do not offer a 50mm equivalent lens. I feel that we should accept these cameras for what they are and not try to make them into an M9, which they are not and never will be. Forget the Leica lens, optical viewfinder, add on handgrip, etc. No matter how much is added, the camera will not become an M9 but become ugly with clunky manual focus. If you are a serious photographer, you owe it to yourself to give this camera a try. If you are a point and shoot guy, the features of the camera might not matter to you. Join the rest of us iconoclasts.

  3. Awaiting delivery of my first Ricoh – a GRD3, thanks to Steve’s review! Looking forward to having that little guy with me 24/7. I hope the GXR takes off with an award like this. The introduction of the M-mount certainly helps and puts it high on the list for my wheelhouse in the coming months.

    • I could not agree more!
      I just recieved my GXR and it is simply vantastic!
      I have also tried many cameras for my quest of the absolute best quality/price camera avaialble. My GXR is a GOLD winner in every aspect!

  4. Woot! I just got a like-new GXR, and I loved it! the micro on that thing is very cool, it lets me to take some of the pictures I would’ve never be able to take on my M3, however the AF is often hit or miss and it is quite slow. Also I am not sure Steve had mentioned it in his reviews, but there is a hidden hood on the 50mm lens!

    • Did you update the firmware on the camera and the module too? AF became much faster after the update in last November. The two step focus limiter can also help.

      • I did update to 1.31 when I received the camera. Normal AF is indeed fast, but at micro mode there is a noticeable lag. But perhaps it is just the nature of micro lens. However, I will like to know more about the two step focus limiter, can you let me know more?

        • Sorry for the late reply. Yes it’s the nature of all macro lenses. There’s an option in the Setup Menu, page 4 called Macro AF Distance Limit. If you turn it on it divides the macro AF range to two: 12-30 cm and 7-14cm. It greatly reduces hunting if you can predict which range is correct for the current subject. I just love the GXR’s amaizing customizability.

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