Features
The P10 module does not feature a true 28-300mm optic, but rather a 4.9-52.2mm lens. As the sensor of the P10 is a small, 1/2.3in, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, the lens is the equivalent of a 28-300mm optic on a 35mm model. This sensor is the same size as that used on many compact cameras and is just a fraction of the size of those sensors used on DSLR cameras.
As a result, you would expect the image quality of the P10 to be comparable with that from a compact or bridge camera.
Following the approach adopted by Canon with its PowerShot G11, Ricoh has opted against using an extremely high-resolution sensor. Instead, the P10’s sensor is restricted to ten million pixels, aiming for better image quality over higher resolution.
The ten-million-pixel CMOS sensor used on the P10 is also back illuminated. This has nothing to do with the sensor being illuminated in the same way as an LCD screen, but instead refers to the fact that the sensor is wired at its rear, which makes more efficient use of the light hitting the sensor surface. In turn, this should allow the camera to perform well in low light, compared to a standard CMOS sensor design.
Given that Ricoh has stated that the lens design of the P10 is the same as that in the Ricoh CX3, it is likely that the ten-million-pixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensors used in both cameras are also the same.
One feature of the P10 that isn’t found in the other two GXR camera units, or the CX3, is the Ultra High Speed Continuous Shooting mode. This allows an impressive burst frame rate of 120fps. However, this does have its limitations, as the burst is restricted to 1sec and the resolution is reduced to only 640×480-pixel VGA resolution.
Although the GXR P10 looks rather minimalistic, below its surface are a number of features that on paper should make it stand head and shoulders above most top-end digital compact cameras. With the price of the GXR body and P10 camera unit kit having an RRP of £499.99, it is an interesting prospect, not just for existing GXR-system users, but also for those looking for a high-end compact camera.
