Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 vs Samsung GX-20

Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 vs Samsung GX-20: An In-Depth Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Selecting a camera that suits specific photographic aspirations requires more than a superficial glance at specifications. It demands a thorough understanding of each system's design philosophy, feature implementation, and practical usability across genres. Here, we perform a detailed comparative evaluation of the Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 (hereafter GXR) and the Samsung GX-20, two advanced APS-C format cameras from an earlier era yet still relevant to enthusiasts pursuing distinctive image-making approaches.

Design and Handling: Ergonomics that Shape the Shooting Experience

Ricoh GXR: The GXR embodies a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless design characterized by a minimalist and modular construction. Its fixed 28mm F2.5 lens module integrates the sensor and lens, resulting in an extraordinarily compact footprint at 113 × 70 × 56 mm and a light weight of just 140 grams. The fixed lens simplifies operation, promoting street-style stealth, yet restricts optical versatility unless additional modules are purchased. The body sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD, with no touchscreen, no built-in viewfinder (optional EVF available separately), and lacks a top info display. Manual focus is emphasized, with limited autofocus sophistication. Despite its diminutive size, button layout is somewhat sparse, and absence of illuminated controls could pose challenges in low-light conditions.

Samsung GX-20: Markedly larger and heavier, the GX-20 is a mid-size DSLR with dimensions approximately 142 × 101 × 72 mm and weighing 800 grams - over five times the GXR’s mass. Its setup incorporates a traditional pentaprism optical viewfinder providing 95% coverage and 0.64x magnification, favored by optical enthusiasts valuing real-time TTL framing. The body features a more comprehensive control array, including a top info display panel uncommon in its generation. It has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with relatively low resolution (230k pixels). Ergonomically, it favors photographers accustomed to SLR-type grips and handling, with robust build quality and environmental sealing affording greater durability in demanding conditions.

Between these two, ergonomics favor discretion and portability for the GXR, ideal for street and travel photographers, whereas the GX-20 offers traditional DSLR solidity and control density better suited to professionals desiring durability and handling precision.

Imaging Components: Sensor Technology and Resultant Image Quality

Central to camera performance is sensor technology, as it underpins resolution, dynamic range, noise characteristics, and color fidelity.

Sensor Overview:

The GX-20 holds a resolution advantage with 15 megapixels, allowing more cropping flexibility and larger print sizes, a benefit in landscape and studio work where detail retention is paramount. The GXR’s 12 MP count is moderate but sufficient for high-quality output, especially given the highly optimized 28mm lens module designed for optical clarity.

Ricoh’s sensor, coupled with the GR Engine III processor, delivers commendable color reproduction and moderate noise suppression at higher ISOs, yet its base ISO of 200 limits its ultimate low-light performance. The absence of ISO 100 restricts dynamic range capture under bright conditions compared to the GX-20’s wider ISO spread.

Samsung’s sensor benefits from a native ISO starting at 100, facilitating better highlight management and enhanced dynamic range. DxOMark benchmarks rate the GX-20 with an overall score of 68, color depth of 23.1 bits, dynamic range of 11.2 EV, and low-light ISO performance at 714 equivalent. The Ricoh has not been formally reviewed by DxOMark but, based on practical evaluations, it trails the GX-20 in dynamic range and noise handling.

Both cameras employ anti-aliasing filters to mitigate moiré, slightly tempering maximum sharpness but ensuring image fidelity in complex textures.

Autofocus and Focusing Experience: Precision Meets Speed

Focusing capabilities profoundly influence photographic success, especially in dynamic or critical-focusing scenarios.

Ricoh GXR:

• Features contrast-detection autofocus only.
• Provides AF single, AF continuous (limited), and selective AF area options.
• Implements face detection but lacks phase-detection AF and eye/animal AF refinements.
• Continuous shooting up to 5 fps assists in capturing fleeting moments but without advanced AF tracking.
• Manual focus is enabled; no focus bracketing or stacking.

Given the contrast-detection system and fixed lens, the GXR’s autofocus is best suited for composed scenes rather than sports or wildlife. AF speed is moderate, with notable lag in low contrast or low light scenarios due to the absence of faster phase detection.

Samsung GX-20:

• Employs an 11-point autofocus system with phase-detection sensors.
• Supports AF single and continuous modes.
• No face or eye detection capability, typical of cameras from its era.
• Continuous shooting rate is capped at 3 fps, slower than GXR but coupled with DSLR AF speed advantages.
• Manual focus possible; no focus bracketing or stacking.

The GX-20’s PDAF system is faster and more reliable for moving subjects, highly advantageous in wildlife, sports, and street scenarios requiring rapid focus acquisition and better low-light performance.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Durability and environmental resistance are often critical, especially for outdoor genres.

• Ricoh GXR: The camera offers no environmental sealing or weatherproofing, reflecting compromises made to maintain its compactness. The fixed lens and modular design present limits in ruggedness. Its lightweight plastic and metal composite construction supports ease of transport but sacrifices toughness.

• Samsung GX-20: A known strength is its weather sealing, making the body splash-resistant and dust-protected, well suited for harsh conditions encountered in landscape, wildlife, and travel photography. The DSLR's solid, heavier chassis delivers enhanced structural integrity over extended usage.

A photographer prioritizing all-weather reliability and sturdiness would naturally lean toward the GX-20.

Displays, Viewfinders, and Interface

Visual monitoring interfaces strongly affect usability.

Ricoh GXR:

• A fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 920k dots offers sharp and clear live view image feedback, beneficial for critical composition and manual focusing.
• No live view autofocus enhancement or touch input.
• No built-in EVF; must be purchased and mounted separately.
• Lacks a top LCD panel.

Samsung GX-20:

• Though live view is mentioned, it is not implemented; the camera lacks real-time LCD display during framing.
• Incorporates an optical pentaprism viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.64x magnification, preferred by traditionalists.
• A dim 2.7-inch LCD with 230k pixels serves for image playback and menu navigation but with limited clarity.
• Features a top LCD info panel for exposure and settings confirmation.

The GXR’s comparatively large, high-resolution screen aids in modern compositional methods, tethering well with manual focus demands. The GX-20’s optical viewfinder remains trusted for responsive framing, although the lower-resolution rear displays hamper post-capture review.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens adaptability often determines creative scope and investment potential.

• Ricoh GXR: The innovative modular design integrates lens and sensor pairs, with the 28mm F2.5 lens as one such module. This fixation limits expansion flexibility; users must purchase additional lens-sensor blocks (if available) to extend focal lengths, a costly and uncommon proposition. The fixed nature also means users cannot interchange lenses independently.

• Samsung GX-20: Employs the Pentax KAF2 mount, with support for 151 native lenses documented, covering primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics. This extensive ecosystem presents users with enormous creative latitude without requiring additional sensor purchases. Legacy manual focus lenses can typically be used, enhancing versatility.

The GX-20 wins decisively on lens ecosystem depth and accessibility; professionals or enthusiasts seeking variety will find the fixed-lens GXR restrictive.

Continuous Shooting, Shutter and Exposure Controls

Shot speed and exposure flexibility impact genres requiring rapid response.

• GXR: Offers 5 fps continuous shooting, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/180 to 1/3200 seconds, and lacks electronic and silent shutter options. Exposure controls include shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes, with exposure compensation and bracketing support. Live view assists exposure preview but no advanced bracketing like focus or flash bracketing beyond AEB.

• GX-20: Supports 3 fps burst mode and an extended shutter range of 30 to 1/4000 seconds. It is equipped with shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure, plus exposure compensation. Flash synchronization tops at 1/180 sec. Lacks silent shutter mode but compensates with optical shutter sound cues important for timing. Bracketing for auto exposure and white balance is absent.

The GXR’s slightly faster burst rate is notable, but its more limited shutter speed range could be restrictive for high-speed capture or creative motion effects.

Image Stabilization, Flash, and Connectivity Features

• GXR: No in-body image stabilization exists; instead, image stabilization depends on the optical characteristics of the integrated lens module. Built-in flash with multiple modes and external flash support enhance lighting flexibility. HDMI and USB 2.0 ports enable basic connectivity. No wireless or Bluetooth capabilities restrict immediate sharing options.

• GX-20: Incorporates sensor-based image stabilization - a notable advantage for handheld shooting in lower light and macro contexts. It includes a built-in flash with an effective range of 13 meters at ISO 100 and wireless control modes for external strobes. No HDMI output; USB 2.0 provided. Equally lacks wireless features.

The GX-20’s sensor-shift stabilization gives it the upper hand in stability and macro work, while the GXR’s flash modes are comprehensive but less sophisticated in functionality.

Battery Endurance and Storage

• GXR: Employs the DB-90 battery pack, rated for approximately 320 shots per charge, modest by today’s standards but sufficient for street or travel use with frequent recharge opportunities. Storage is via single SD/SDHC card slot augmented by limited internal memory.

• GX-20: Battery life data is not explicitly specified but DSLR designs of its class typically yield longer shooting spans per charge due to optical viewfinder usage over LCD reliance. Storage supports SD, MMC, and SDHC cards via a single slot.

Users anticipating extended shoot durations with minimal power management should consider the traditional DSLR’s endurance but note the GXR’s lighter weight may translate to easier spares transport.

Video Capabilities

• GXR: Offers limited video recording functionality: 720p HD at 24 fps, with additional lower-resolution options. While not designed primarily as a video camera, it provides basic motion capture with MPEG-4 compression, but no advanced focus aids or external microphone input.

• GX-20: Abstains from video capture capabilities entirely, consistent with DSLR designs predating widespread video integration.

Photographers requiring even entry-level video should select the GXR; otherwise, the GX-20 remains a stills-focused instrument.

Comprehensive Image Quality and Genre-Specific Performance

Below we assess practical performance across diverse photographic disciplines, informed by real-world testing and image analysis.

Portrait Photography:

• Ricoh GXR: The 28mm focal length (equivalent to ~42mm 35mm full frame) offers a wider-than-typical portrait perspective, requiring close subject distance for headshots, which may cause slight perspective distortion. Skin tone rendition is neutral and well-balanced, with an F2.5 aperture providing moderate background separation, though bokeh is not as creamy or smooth as faster lenses. Face detection AF aids accurate focus, but the lack of eye detection can occasionally reduce focus precision on critical point sharpness.

• Samsung GX-20: Being a DSLR with interchangeable lenses, a dedicated portrait prime (e.g., 50mm F1.4) is needed to achieve optimal background blur and focal length. The camera’s higher resolution captures finer skin detail, and the phase detection AF system ensures swift, accurate focus acquisition.

Landscape Photography:

• GX-20 distinctly excels due to higher resolution, better dynamic range, and weather sealing to withstand outdoor challenges. Pentax lens options include ultra-wide and tilt-shift, expanding creative abilities.

• GXR’s fixed 28mm F2.5 lens performs acceptably for landscapes but lacks ultra-wide angles. Limited dynamic range and ISO floor constrain highlight retention and shadow detail in high contrast scenes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography:

• GX-20’s phase detection AF and larger lens selection, including telephoto zooms and fast primes, make it the better choice for rapid subject tracking, although 3 fps burst limits extreme action capture.

• GXR’s slower contrast AF and fixed wide lens prevent effective telephoto reach and tracking speed, limiting utility for wildlife and sports.

Street Photography:

• GXR shines due to small size, light weight, quiet operation, and competent manual focusing. Its discreet form encourages candid shooting.

• GX-20, by contrast, is bulkier, louder, and less maneuverable, which may intimidate street subjects and reduce shooting spontaneity.

Macro Photography:

• Both cameras lack dedicated macro lenses out-of-the-box in this comparison, but the GX-20’s lens mount supports numerous macro lenses with close focusing and magnification options. The GXR’s fixed lens lacks macro capability and no image stabilization to assist handheld close-ups.

Night and Astrophotography:

• The GX-20’s lower base ISO and superior dynamic range favor long exposures and cleaner high-ISO images, critical for star fields and night landscapes.

• The GXR’s 12 MP sensor with limited ISO range and absence of sensor-based stabilization hinder astrophotography, though its compactness assists in quick transport.

Video Production:

• The GXR’s limited 720p video suffices for casual clips but lacks pro-level codecs, manual audio controls, or stabilization.

• The GX-20 offers no video functionality.

Travel Photography:

• The GXR’s light, compact body and competent battery life recommend it for travelers prioritizing portability.

• The GX-20’s robust build, versatility with lenses, and weather sealing make it ideal for extended, unpredictable trips where durability prevails over weight.

Professional Workflows:

• Both cameras provide RAW capture for post-processing flexibility.

• The GX-20's larger sensor resolution and Pentax lens ecosystem integrate well with studio and field professional workflows.

• The GXR’s modular system and lack of lens interchangeability restrict studio adoption.

Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 screen back Samsung GX 20 front Samsung GX 20 screen back

Price, Value, and Market Positioning

At time of analysis, the GXR is priced at approximately $566, and the GX-20 near $850.

• The GXR represents an intelligent choice for those valuing compactness, simplicity, and moderate image quality at entry-advanced levels.

• The GX-20 offers greater flexibility, superior imaging, and robustness, justifying a higher price for users seeking longevity and performance in varied conditions.

Genre-Specific Performance Metrics – Summary Ratings

Final Recommendations

Choose the Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 if:

• You prioritize a compact, lightweight system specifically targeting street, travel, and casual photography.
• You require moderate image quality with manual focus control and basic video capabilities.
• Portability and discretion outweigh the need for lens interchangeability and ruggedness.
• You are comfortable working with a fixed lens and a more minimalist interface.
• Budget constraints encourage purchasing a capable but less versatile camera.

Opt for the Samsung GX-20 if:

• Superior image quality, resolution, and dynamic range for landscapes, portraits, and studio work are essential.
• You desire extensive lens versatility with professional-grade Pentax KAF2 options.
• Environmental sealing and robust build quality are non-negotiable for your shooting environments.
• You engage more frequently in wildlife, sports, or macro photography requiring faster autofocus systems and telephoto support.
• You prefer an optical viewfinder and traditional DSLR ergonomics despite larger size and weight.
• Video capability is less relevant than ultimate still image quality and performance breadth.

In conclusion, these two cameras, though sharing APS-C sensors and advanced classifications, cater to markedly different photographic philosophies. The Ricoh GXR’s modular, compact approach delivers unique advantages for select genres emphasizing portability and discretion. Conversely, the Samsung GX-20 embraces traditional DSLR strengths of versatility, robustness, and image quality that withstand the demands of professional and enthusiast photographers alike. Choosing between them entails a careful assessment of personal shooting priorities balanced against operational trade-offs.

This comprehensive review intends to illuminate those trade-offs clearly, enabling confident decisions derived from hands-on knowledge and technical analysis.