Panasonic Lumix G100 vs. Ricoh GXR S10 24-72mm: A Deep Dive Into Two Mirrorless Contenders

Choosing the right mirrorless camera often involves balancing sensor technology, system versatility, ergonomics, and the kind of images you want to create. Today, I’ll take you through a comprehensive comparison between two distinctly different but interesting cameras: the Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 (simply the Panasonic G100) and the Ricoh GXR S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC. Having spent years testing various cameras for all photography disciplines, I'll unpack how these two fare across technical specs, real-world use, and value - helping you identify which suits your shooting style best.

Before we jump in, here’s a quick overview: The Panasonic G100 is a recent (2020) entry-level mirrorless camera built around the Micro Four Thirds system. It’s designed to balance photo and video demands, with user-friendly ergonomics and handy vlogging features.

The Ricoh GXR S10 24-72mm, in contrast, is a 2010 advanced mirrorless camera with an integrated zoom lens, featuring a 1/1.7” sensor and rugged rangefinder-style design. It’s technically older but has a loyal following for its compact size and solid image stabilization.

Let's unpack their differences and similarities, one characteristic at a time.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Design, Size, and Usability

One of the first things you notice picking the G100 and the GXR S10 up side by side is their distinct body designs and ergonomics.

The Panasonic G100 opts for an SLR-style mirrorless body that feels familiar and comfortable for photographers used to DSLR ergonomics. Measuring about 116x83x54 mm and weighing 352 grams, it’s relatively compact yet substantial enough to handle comfortably for longer shoots. The well-designed grip and well-spaced buttons lend an accessible feel, especially for those stepping up from smartphone or compact cameras.

By contrast, the Ricoh GXR S10 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a fixed zoom lens - physically smaller and more rectangular (114x70x44 mm), and weighing 355 grams. It fits snugly in one hand and is ultra-portable, but the slimmer grip and limited controls, alongside a fixed lens, might feel restrictive for more advanced users or those who prefer DSLR-style handling.

Looking further, the top plate of each tells more about their intended users.

The G100 impresses with a thoughtfully arranged control wheel, dedicated exposure compensation dial, and a mode dial offering quick access to program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual modes, and a fully articulated screen. It invites experimentation from pros and beginners alike.

The GXR S10’s top deck is more minimalist, with straightforward dials and buttons but fewer manual controls, emphasizing simplicity over full manual operation.

If you value a supportive ergonomic experience and well-laid-out controls, the Panasonic G100 wins hands down.

Snapshots of Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor characteristics define the very core of image quality. Here’s a visual to put their sensor sizes in perspective.

The Panasonic G100 uses a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13mm, yielding a sensor area of approximately 225mm² with a 20-megapixel resolution. The Four Thirds sensor size is smaller than APS-C or full frame but benefits from a mature Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem and decent image quality particularly well optimized for video and decent low light.

The Ricoh GXR S10 is built around a comparatively tiny 1/1.7” CCD sensor, measuring just 7.44x5.58mm (42mm² sensor area) and outputting 10 megapixels. Despite the older CCD technology and limited size, it was designed for high image quality in a compact package at the time.

How does this translate practically?

The larger sensor of the G100 offers better dynamic range, greater detail resolution, and improved high ISO capability. In real-world shooting, you’ll find the G100 produces cleaner images in low-light and better color depth due to modern sensor technology and processing.

The GXR S10, though compact and stabilized, struggles in dim settings and dynamic range-heavy scenes. Additionally, CCD sensors are prone to noise artifacts at elevated ISOs compared to modern CMOS.

So, if image quality with flexibility and more robust ISO performance matters, the G100 clearly takes the lead here.

Viewing Your Masterpieces: Screen and Viewfinder

Being able to see your image clearly during capture and playback is critical. The Panasonic G100 excels with a high-res, fully articulating touchscreen LCD and an electronic viewfinder (EVF):

The 3-inch LCD screen on the G100 packs 1,840k dots and swivels 180 degrees - perfect for vloggers or shooting from creative angles. The touchscreen boosts intuitive focusing and menu navigation.

Its built-in EVF boasts 3,680k-dot resolution and nearly 100% coverage, ensuring a bright, detailed framing experience even in bright sunlight.

The Ricoh GXR’s fixed 3-inch LCD screen sports 920k dots but lacks touchscreen capabilities and articulation. It also omits a built-in EVF, relying on an optional external viewfinder (which I recommend, but adds size and cost). This can be limiting in bright conditions or when needing eye-level composition.

If you often shoot video, selfies, or at challenging angles, the G100’s superior screen and EVF combo significantly enhance usability. Meanwhile, the GXR S10 feels more dated here, suited mainly for street-style shooting with the LCD or with additional accessories.

Autofocus, Speed, and Stabilization: The Mechanics Behind the Shots

Speedy, precise autofocus and image stabilization are vital especially in wildlife, sports, macro, and video work.

Panasonic G100’s Advanced Autofocus System:

• 49 contrast-detection AF points
• Face Detection and tracking (though no animal eye AF)
• Continuous autofocus with touch focus options

Ricoh GXR S10’s Autofocus:

• Contrast-detection autofocus without face detection
• Fewer AF areas, lacks continuous tracking

The G100’s autofocus is noticeably more responsive and accurate in varied lighting and for moving subjects, thanks to more AF points, face tracking, and sophisticated algorithms. The Ricoh camera’s AF is slower and can hunt noticeably, especially in low light or on moving subjects.

On continuous shooting speed, the Panasonic G100 captures up to 10 fps, easily chasing action like street scenes or casual sports. The GXR S10 only manages 2 fps, which limits burst-style capture significantly.

Stabilization-wise, the GXR S10 offers built-in sensor-shift image stabilization, an advantage over the G100 which lacks in-body stabilization (except through lens stabilization on compatible Micro Four Thirds glass). This stabilization helps sharpen handheld shots, particularly at slower shutter speeds.

Given these factors, the G100 caters better to dynamic shooting styles needing fast AF and higher frame rates, while the GXR’s stabilization is a nice perk for static or low-light handheld shooting.

Lens Mounts and Optical Flexibility

Optics often determine how versatile a camera system really is.

The Panasonic G100 embraces the Micro Four Thirds mount with access to over 100 lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, primes, zooms, and specialty glass. This lens abundance gives you the creative freedom to tackle every photography genre - portrait, macro, wildlife, travel, and beyond.

Meanwhile, Ricoh GXR S10’s lens is fixed: a 24-72mm (equivalent to 115-345mm) zoom lens with max apertures from f/2.5 to f/4.4 - making it quite versatile for travel and street shooting - but offering no option to change or upgrade lenses.

Panasonic G100 front Panasonic G100 screen back Ricoh GXR S10 24 72mm F2.5 4.4 VC front Ricoh GXR S10 24 72mm F2.5 4.4 VC screen back

So, if you desire optical flexibility and want to expand your system over time, the G100’s Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem is a clear advantage. However, the GXR S10’s integrated high-quality zoom lens paired with built-in stabilization remains capable for everyday walk-around use.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Face Detection

Portrait photographers care deeply about natural skin tone reproduction, subject isolation, and reliable face and eye detection. Here’s how they stack:

Panasonic G100:

• Face detection AF keeps subjects sharp
• Decent bokeh with fast Micro Four Thirds lenses
• Twenty megapixels offer good detail for portrait prints
• Fully articulating screen aids creative framing

Ricoh GXR S10:

• No face or eye AF
• Moderate bokeh due to sensor size and lens aperture range
• Lower-resolution images with less tonal nuance
• Fixed screen and older AF limit flexibility

Testing the G100 for portraits, I found skin tones rendered with pleasing warmth and subtle gradation, especially in RAW. Its efficient subject detection ensures eyes stay tack sharp - critical for compelling portraits.

The GXR S10 delivers decent portraits in good light but lacks the subject tracking finesse and shallow depth-of-field effectiveness photographers desire for standout hues and backgrounds.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

Landscape shooters prize wide dynamic range, rich resolution, and ruggedness for outdoor conditions.

The Panasonic G100 provides:

• Larger sensor size and better dynamic range (thanks to CMOS tech)
• 20 MP resolution for fine detail
• No weather sealing (a bummer for harsh conditions)

The Ricoh GXR S10 has:

• Smaller 1/1.7” sensor with limited dynamic range
• 10 MP resolution, adequate for web and prints
• No weatherproofing

Neither camera is robustly weather-sealed, so careful handling is advised outdoors. The G100's larger sensor harvests more details from shadows and recovers highlights better, an asset for sunlit or windblown landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

Wildlife and sports demand quick AF and fast shooting to freeze motion.

Panasonic G100 shines here with 10 fps continuous shooting and face detection AF for tracking people or animals. But the lack of animal eye detection and no in-body stabilization are drawbacks for telephoto action.

Ricoh GXR S10’s 2 fps burst and slower contrast AF severely limit action photography usability.

So for catching fast-moving subjects, the Panasonic G100 is the stronger tool.

Street and Travel: Portability and Discreetness

Compact size and ergonomics make for a better street or travel partner.

Both cameras are lightweight (~350g), but the Ricoh GXR S10’s smaller footprint and fixed lens give it an edge in pocketability and street discretion.

G100’s fully articulating screen and touchscreen enhance travel video and selfie shooting.

Battery life favors the GXR S10 with around 410 shots per charge vs. G100’s rated 270 shots. Though you can carry spares with either.

Macro and Night Photography

The G100’s access to specialty Micro Four Thirds macro lenses and post-focus features provide macro enthusiasts flexibility. The Ricoh’s close focusing at 1cm is appealing in fixed zoom form but less versatile.

At night, G100’s modern sensor and boosted ISO (up to 25,600) outperform the GXR in low light noise and dynamic range. Ricoh’s ISO maxes at 3200 and the CCD sensor adds noise in shadows and highlights.

Video Capabilities

Video shooters will find the G100 much better equipped:

• 4K up to 30p with 100 Mbps bitrates
• Full HD 1080p at 120fps, allowing slow motion
• Microphone input port for external audio
• Fully articulating, touch-enabled screen
• 4K Photo mode for extracting stills from video frames

The Ricoh GXR S10 offers only VGA 640x480 video at 30 fps - obsolete by today’s standards and with no mic input or stabilization.

So if video matters, G100 is the clear winner.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Handling in Real Life

Both bodies lack environmental sealing, but the G100 feels more robust and ergonomic for longer handholding. Its backlit buttons and touchscreen make night shooting easier, whereas the GXR S10 is more minimalist.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery

G100 supports built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, facilitating wireless file transfers and remote control - features Ricoh does not offer.

Both cameras rely on single SD card slots (G100 supports UHS-I). G100 uses USB 2.0, as does the Ricoh.

Price-to-Performance: What You Get per Dollar

At launch, the Panasonic G100 sits around $700 new, and the Ricoh GXR S10 is about $350 secondhand or used, reflecting their design eras.

Given the considerable performance, image quality, video, and usability advantages, the G100 justifies the price for most users.

Summing Up: Who Should Get Which Camera?

To wrap up:

Final Thoughts from a Camera Tester’s Perspective

Having spent weeks with both cameras, I appreciate the unique niche each occupies. The Panasonic G100 embraces modern expectations for hybrid photo and video shooters with solid stills quality, a great interface, and a huge lens selection. For creators wanting to leverage 4K and smooth AF, it’s a reliable choice.

The Ricoh GXR S10 feels like a camera from a different era - compact, purposeful, with a very focused approach. It may appeal to street photographers who want a discreet, fixed zoom with good stabilization, or enthusiasts intrigued by its peculiar modular design.

If you prefer a one-camera system for day-to-day shooting with video demands, I’d confidently steer you toward the Panasonic G100. If you’re on a tight budget or want a compact, specialized setup, the Ricoh GXR S10 remains a compelling classic - but watch for its limitations.

In summary, scrutinizing sensor tech, AF, lens ecosystems, and usability tells the story: the Panasonic G100 is the more versatile and future-proof tool, while the Ricoh GXR S10 serves as a nimble, compact, and budget-friendly option for street and casual shooting. Hopefully, this comprehensive analysis gives you the clarity you need on your next mirrorless camera journey. Happy shooting!