Ricoh GX200 Review

The GX200 features an extra-wide angle 24mm - 72mm (35mm) equivalent optical zoom lens. The lens consists of 11 elements in 7 groups. The aperture range is F2.5 (Wide) to F4.4 (telephoto). When powered down the lens retracts into the camera and comes with a detachable lens cap or an optional cap that allows the lens to protrude though it so you don't have to remove it..

The removable lens ring allows for the camera to accept an adapter for the addition of a telephoto or wide-angle conversion lens (shown below). This is also how the auto lens cap attatches.

The GX 200 features two optional conversion lenses to choose from, the 1.88x Tele Conversion lens TC-1 and the 0.79x Wide conversion lens DW-1. To use these lenses, the Hood and Lens Adapter HA-2 is required.

The built in flash offers Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction and Slow Synchro modes along with manual and external settings as well. Flash range is 7.9 in. to 16.5 ft. (20cm to 5.0m) at ISO 400. Using the optional conversion lenses with change the effective flash coverage. You can also see the flash release on the side.

The GX 200 offers an EVF that attaches to the flash hot shoe and also plugs into the back of the camera. This EVF is an available option when you buy the camera. This is great to use when wanting to conserve precious battery life, or when shooting in bright or direct light. It also features 100% coverage, zooms with the camera and displays all of the information that is provided on the LCD screen.

On top of the camera you will find several of the camera's controls. On the right are the Power and shutter release buttons, mode dial and options dial. On the left you will find the switch to open the pop-up flash and the Fn1 button.

In the upper right is the zoom control which also functions as the Index / Magnify controls in play mode. Over to the left is the ADJust button/rocker switch, which gives you quick access to exposure compensation, white balance, ISO speeds, image size and AF/AE controls. To the left is the control for switching back and forth between the EVF and the LCD. The Green Play button enters review or playback mode. Next we have the 4-way controller. It lets you navigate menus and select images during playback. In record mode you press "Right" to change flash mode, and press "Down" to enable Macro focus mode. The Fn2 or "Left" button can be set the AE lock. The MENU/Ok button calls up and dismisses the menus, and accepts menu selections. Next is the Self-timer button (10 or 2 seconds), which also acts as the Delete button in playback mode. Lastly we have the DISPlay button, it controls the amount of overlay information on the LCD as well as activates the live histogram and grid lines.

The I/O ports are on the side: The Audio-Video Out lets you connect to a TV set with the supplied cable. The video signal is selectable for NTSC or PAL standard. The USB 2.0 (high-speed) port connects the camera to a computer to download the images and movies.

The GR Digital II is equipped with 54MB of internal memory and also features a SD/MMC card slot. Ricoh does not specify the maximum card size allowed, we had no problems using this OCZ (Class 6) 4GB SDHC card and it will work with any card up to 16GB size.

The GR Digital II can be powered by either the included DB-60 3.7V 1150 mAh rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack or two standard AAA-type batteries (alkaline, Nickel-Hydrogen cells). Ricoh claims approx. 350 shots using the included Li-ion battery pack and up to 30 shots using the optional AAA cells.