GXR is a new camera system that consists of a body and camera
units. Each camera unit contains a lens (focal lengths differ between units), an
image sensor of optimum type and size for the unit, and an image processing
engine. By changing units, the photographer can handle a diverse range of scenes
in a way that satisfies sophisticated requirements for photo expression. The
slide mechanism adopted for attaching and removing camera units enables changes
to be made quickly and securely.
It is the lens that gives life to the photograph. In interchangeable lens camera
systems up to now, the distance from the mount and the back of the lens to the
sensor image plane was subject to requirements for flange back distance and back
focal length. This made it difficult to a Show More
GXR is a new camera system that consists of a body and camera
units. Each camera unit contains a lens (focal lengths differ between units), an
image sensor of optimum type and size for the unit, and an image processing
engine. By changing units, the photographer can handle a diverse range of scenes
in a way that satisfies sophisticated requirements for photo expression. The
slide mechanism adopted for attaching and removing camera units enables changes
to be made quickly and securely.
It is the lens that gives life to the photograph. In interchangeable lens camera
systems up to now, the distance from the mount and the back of the lens to the
sensor image plane was subject to requirements for flange back distance and back
focal length. This made it difficult to achieve both compactness and high
optical performance. Eliminating the lens mount, however, means that the back
focal length can be freely defined for the GXR, enabling the new system to use
the most optically efficient lens designs and giving it excellent potential for
future expansion. This practical concept has given birth to camera units that
achieve compact size without compromising image quality.
In order to make the best use of the inherent power of the lens and the image
sensor, the ideal solution is to combine both in a single unit. Consider, for
example, the low-pass filter covering the surface of the image sensor. The
dilemma faced is that while the filter helps prevent color noise and color
moir¨¦, increasing this benefit results in an ever greater sacrifice in lens
resolution. Traditional interchangeable lens systems use a single low-pass
filter for all lenses so they are unable to avoid situations where the filter
effect is excessive or inadequate. With the GXR, on the other hand, Ricoh
designed a filter optimized for the resolution of the specific lens. In this
way, Ricoh has succeeded in effectively preventing color noise while suppressing
filter influence on lens resolution.
The ease with which dust can adhere to image sensors has been a system problem
for interchangeable lens digital cameras up to now. In the case of GXR camera
units, however, the lens and the image sensor are integrated into a single unit.
This structure makes it difficult for dust to get in since it is not necessary
to expose the inside of the camera when changing lenses. In addition, the inside
of the units are highly airtight with light-shielded walls. Even in highly dusty
shooting environments, camera units can be changed without hesitation.
In a relationship similar to that of an SLR and its lens mount, the guide rail
is a defining characteristic of the GXR system. In order to create a highly
reliable slide mechanism, stainless steel with superior strength and corrosion
resistance was adopted for the rails. Surface hardness and wear resistance were
further enhanced with a soft-nitriding process, the end result being a
high-precision slide that enables secure attachment and removal. The combination
of the slide, the resin components, and the pressure-welded springs give an
appropriate sliding feel and quietness. In the development, high-stress
attachment/removal testing was done to verify the reliability of both mechanical
and electrical connections.
Both the body and the camera units utilize a magnesium alloy exterior. Light,
strong, and exhibiting superior precision-molding, heat-dissipation, and
magnetic-shielding characteristics, magnesium alloy is an ideal material for
digital cameras. With a non-slip "pear-skin" baked finish for both corrosion
resistance and a high-class feel, the GXR exterior achieves durability,
reliability, and high-class impression.
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