Epson unveils new/old R-D1xG digital rangefinder

Epson is back in the digital rangefinder game. Two years after discontinuing the R-D1, the company has brought the camera back, with some modifications, as the RD-1xG, it has been announced in Japan. The camera, which looks much like the Voightlander Bessa series that is produced by specialty camera maker Cosina, uses the same 6MP sensor as its predecessor and accepts Leica M-mount lenses, but also has a removable handgrip, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor (up from the previous 2-inch version), and is comatible with SDHC memory cards.

Epson also reportedly changed the feel of the shutter button, but otherwise the camera's features are the same as the R-D1. The 6MP, APS-C sensor's crop factor is 1.5x, so a 35mm lens would cover the angle of view of a 52mm lens. The camera records RAW and JPEG image files, uses lithium-ion batteries. While US pricing and availability have not been announced, the camera is expected to be available in Japan in April for around $2,000.

The Epson RD-1xG would become the only other digital rangefinder currently available besides the $6,000 Leica R8.2--unless other rangefinder cameras are announced at PMA.