The Ricoh GXR is a compact digital camera unlike conventional cameras which either have a fixed lens and sensor or interchangeable lens and a fixed sensor, the GXR takes interchangeable units, each housing a lens, sensor and image processing engine. This allows each unit to have these features optimised to one another and a specific task, whereas with conventional interchangeable lens cameras, each different lens must use the same sensor and engine. The sealed units also prevent dust from reaching the sensor, which can be a problem with other cameras where the sensor is exposed whilst a lens is being changed. A significant disadvantage of this system is the extra cost involved in having to buy a whole new sensor with every new lens.

The body holds a built-in pop-up flash as well as a hot shoe on top for an external flash unit. Alternatively, Ricoh’s ‘VF-2’, an external electronic viewfinder, can be attached to the hot shoe which, offers 920,000 pixels and 100% field of view.The separate units slide onto the body via a stainless steel rail and lock into place. They can then be released by a lever on the camera’s body. Both the body and lens unit use magnesium alloy exterior.^]Each lens unit has its own unique specifications relating to its sensor and optics, meaning that different lens units will change the features, behavior and performance of the camera body to varying degrees when attached.