The new Pentax/Ricoh GR Camera is ready to stomp on the Coolpix A

129 Comments

1. II’m opting out.
   Y’know, I want one of these. But, it’s another day… another camera I want to own. How many is that in the last six months? So, I’m gonna stick, be happy with what I got, keep taking photos.

2. Steve wrote: “If a camera does not have snappy AF these days I do not want to own it as it doesn’t excite me one bit.” I guess the exception to that rule must be the Sony RX1, which is one of Steve’s current favorites. I own one and love it to death, but I would not describe the AF as “snappy.”

3. Can someone explain “snap focus” to me, I see lots of Ricoh fans are die hard about this feature. I have an x100, is it similar to using MF and setting a focus distance so that you can zone focus? Does it stay at that focus distance until you turn it off manually?

   • Essentially, you set your distance (1.5 meters, 3, 5, etc.) and press the shutter. the focus is pre-determined without lag. you can quickly adjust the distance using the rocker switch (adj./iso switch) on the back.

   • Basically all depends on the aperture selected as to what will/won’t be in focus of course. But after years of GRD/GX use I will say it is a superb method for street photography and is far superior to zone focusing on a manual camera. Why only Ricoh use this system Lord knows!?!?!

     • DPreview has compared the two.
       The visible corner softness of the Nik A is astonishing

       http://www.dpreview.com/previews/ricoh-gr/9

4. Had a play with this recently. First impressions;

   – It’s VERY light

   – It’s fast; no noticeable shutter lag and quick to auto-focus

   – The image quality looks very promising

   – There’s a dedicated ‘Effects’ button

   – Start-up time is fast

   – The 21mm adaptor doesn’t add much bulk to the camera

   Hope to review this as a street photography/ discreet documentary camera soon. Excited if the image quality is up to scratch.

5. Let’s see how the GR lens performs in terms of corner definition where the X100/s is weak. The smaller aperture of f2.8 may help, but both cams aren’t easy to compare because the UI is totally different. GRD 1 – 4 users know this already.
   The possibility to have three different angles with 21, 28 and 35mm eq. is super sweet……

   • Hmm I remember the GRD 2 when put with its 40mm convertor to be very soft at the edges. Hope its not the case now

6. I think image Qaulity will be on Par with the Fuji x100s and better than the Sony RX100.
   I have the rx100 and I find Greens to be Poor so I hope that the new Ricoh will be better.
   had a Ricoh GR1v before and just Loved it so looking forward and I would love to see Canon come out with a Pocket Sized Compact that has a Canon L Lens , Manual Pop up Flash , Large Sensor Like Sony RX100 and 16mp are I asking too much as pana use Leica , Sony use Zeiss and canon only use Canon and not a L Lens.

   • Sony colors are definitely off-putting for me as well. My NEX-7’s BW files when printed with a pretty good Epson photo printer seem to have a magenta cast:/

7. Good to see that Ricoh is continuing the legacy of GR cameras taking these great black boxes to another level.
   Those who criticize GR/GRD/GXR bodies without owning one should keep on using their Iphone and post their photos on Instagram.

   These camera are made for photographers, not for GAS-suffering-pixelpeepers.
   The handling is perfect, the OOC black & white photos have lots of character, the lens is top notch for an advanced compact camera, they are highly customisable ( (even the on/off button light can be turned off).

   I love my GDR3, always in my jacket pocket, silent, fast and almost transparent in the crowd.
   A GRD camera IS the perfect street-shooter.

   I’m really looking forward to read Steve’s APS-C match GR vs A…

   Those who can’t live without a viewfinder should have a look at Daido Moriyama’s work.
   Anyways, an optical VF is available for a few euros.

   • A few Euros????????

     • It’s around 153€ here in France.
       Not such a big deal.

   • Well, Daido Moriyama can probably see better up close than I can. I really LUST after this camera, but just had to give my current camera away due to eye-sight no longer good enough for no VF. Every person is different. A great camera for one person is not necessarily great for the rest of us.

     My $0.02

8. No VF = No interest.
   If I have to take a picture with a camera held out at arms length, for me, it ain’t a camera. Never will be.

   • Agree entirely don’t modern photographers, I’m over eighty, use viewfinders. No wonder I find all their street photography so pointless. A street photograph is not one you take in a street. It should tell a story, make us think, so that every time we revisit we see something different. Without a viewfinder most don’t even know what they have photographed.

   • Exactly.

   • I use my rolleiflex at arms length, it’s a camera.

     • Loved my Rollei but it had a bloody big viewfinder. Unfortunately age eighty too difficult to focus.. Also loved black and white, not the modern digital form of grey/green and white.

   • Yup. If I add a flash to my GRD 3 then I cannot use a viewfinder. Now with modern technology going forward so quickly and the new GR being almost the same size as the film GR’s, there is no excuse to not include a small VF!

     Size comparison pictures I found:
     http://lepidi-photo.blogspot.fr/2013/04/nouveau-ricoh-gr-prise-en-main.html

9. Steve, I think that you are jumping the gun a bit with this:THIS IS A NIKON COOLPIX A KILLER!
   Fat chance, me thinks, Ricoh has 12-bit Raw vs 14-bit uncompressed Raw for the Nikon.
   Also, the usability factors that Ricohs are so famous for are just personal preferences. I used to own Ricoh GXR, I actually purchased it after reading your review; I didn’t find the set up to be so much better that any other camera I have owned, and the built quality felt somewhat cheap and the dials flimsy. Great IQ though.

   Btw, I do own the Coolpix A and all I can say is that the Raw files are stunning!

   Best,

10. I think the Ricoh GR is going to be a tremendous camera, from what has been shown so far. They have a long track record of designing very good compact cameras, and now fitting an APC-S sensor into a body not much bigger than the GRD 1V, at a very reasonable price, sounds just about right to me.

    My GRD 1V has always been one of my favourite cameras, so looking forward to reading Steve’s thoughts, and other reviews on the GR – but I will most likely be purchasing anyway.

    • Correction: should have said APS-C sensor.

11. looking forward to your review very much. looks very promising.

12. Ordered!! Compact camera problem solved!

    Now….. to try to somehow figure out a changeable lens system….. down to the OM-D, Pentax K-5IIs, and the X-PRO1.

    • I would choose the Pentax. Although I am not an owner (NEX-7 for me), my very limited (friend’s lending) portraiture and architecture experience with the original K-5 left me with a wide, wide grin. I think that a wide + tele setup is the way to go these days.

      The Pentax-Ricoh umbrella of cameras is the underground choice these days. Not as widely adopted as say, OM-D, but lenses are brilliant and IQ is superb. OM-D is (obviously) great and the grip thing is a must. X-Pro1 is great as well but IMO not as great with portraiture than OM-D + 45.

      BUT: please DON’T let me influence you, you MUST try out these cameras yourself.

13. Ming Thein just today said the Coolpix A has better IQ than the M9 with a 28/2 Cron…GRRRR.

    I sure hope the GR STOMPS the A!!!

    • I doubt it that GR will have a better IQ. The Nikon has 14-bit RAW recording vs 12-bit for Ricoh.

14. So happy to hear the Ricoh users cropping up. Welcome to Ricoh Forum

15. I LOVE the Ricoh Cams and would love one of these ONLY if they offer a decent EVF (electric viewfinder)

    A must!

16. Nice camera, cheesy commercial 😛

17. The key feature of all the Ricoh GR cameras, over the competition, is they have always been so useable, so encouraging to shoot with. Maybe not the best IQ, but very filmic, and pleasing. But the handling, small size, durability, and excellent menu layout (including the FN function buttons, which I believe Ricoh pioneered) have made the GR’s real ‘photographers’ compacts. This latest version of the line certainly seems to be the best, and very tempting for serial GR users like myself…

18. I love my GRDIII, but I would love it much more with a 35 or 40 mm lens. I know this new GR offers crop to 35mm, but it would be so great if Ricoh were to offer this camera with some longer lens too … (I do realize that at 35mm there is the X100s, but I would much prefer Ricoh for its layout and finish)

19. For this camera and its intended usage for me, I don’t care too much about AF speed and that there is no VF, I just like its size, its sensor and its lens (quality and focal length).
    Put my pre-order last night….

20. I still regularly use the GRD I bought back in 2006, when I wanted a camera I could take with me at times I couldn’t or didn’t want to take my DSLR. It’s seen off two DSLRs and a m4/3 as the camera that’s easy to take everywhere because of its small size.
    I’ve seen pictures elsewhere which suggest that the new GR is only very slightly larger than the old GRD, so still looks easily pocketable.
    Looking forward to reading the review.

21. I hope to find a shop willing to let me “pocket-test” this new model, to see if it still manages, despite its overall increase in size in every dimension, to ride as comfortably in the pants pocket as my old GRD-2 does. That won’t be anywhere near me (N-E Italy): the last time I “examined” a Ricoh camera (a GX-100) in a shop around here, the lady behind the counter put white gloves on to hold it, and wouldn’t let me touch it at all. I’ve seen Ming Dynasty porcelain vases treated with less care. I didn’t have the heart to reveal to her how I intended to tote the thing were I to buy it.

    • as a grd III user, (since all gr IV are sold out here) i’d really love to test this one too., I wish some stores would let me hold and test if not for the specs only,. but how comfortable and friendly it would be for its targeted audience.(the specific ones).kind of a non technical review but more of a “user experience review”

22. I read over at image resource that this thing has a leaf shutter like the Fujifilm X100?

23. This feels like a rushed product. Hopefully I’m wrong and this will turn out to be an unexpected surprise kit. I’ll hold off until your review.

    • A rushed product? It’s born out of a long & ‘proud’ successfull line of GR’s and the latest GR IV was announced in October 2011 – thats almost 1 and a half years ago and quite a long period when it comes to modern-day electronics. Perhaps only Leica takes the ‘lead’ here when counting days inbetween models… I think most Ricoh-users are very happy indeed about this announcement;o)

      • Besides this amateurish video, where’s the marketing? Got a link? Maybe it will produce in spades – I’d love to give one a try myself; but it just feels like a decision was made in some corporate corner to get something out before the market is overly saturated.

        • Ted and Brian. Your posts disclose that you know nothing about Ricoh. klehmann`s words are more then enough to nail my point. A long time Ricoh user.

    • I would say the Coolpix is a rushed product. Ricoh know what they are doing. If you’ve owned one of their GRV series you’ll know they get things right.

      • Hey, don’t disregard Nikon completely. Their old 35Ti and 28Ti film cameras can play ball with the film GR’s. Shame the awesome aperture counter didn’t make a re-appearance with the Coolpix A.

24. I am looking forward to the review. Based on the company name, you know the image quality will be good, and the menu will be easy to use. Here is what would sell me on this camera:

    1. Fast and accurate autofocus.
    2. There is no “2”.

    • I am a bit worried on the sensor type though. All of other GRD’s had CCD sensors while this one has a CMOS. My GRD 3’s BW JPEG’s are absolutely fantastic, it has that pushed film look if you know what I mean.

      I’m afraid that GR will lose that pushed film characteristic. Many other camera lines have lost a bit of their image character when sensor changes are undergone. See: Leica M with CCD to CMOS, Fuji X100 to X100s w/ X-Trans. Even though there are plug-ins such as ASE, VSCO or Nik that can easily make up the differences, I’d rather not go through the hassle of manually applying the filters.

25. Steve, I have used the coolpix a for three weeks, and do not see a problem with AF tardiness, maybe the one you handed in a store was not properly set?
    Do not mean to be disrespectful but that is unfair to us consumers, I do value your opinions and think in a future you will issue a side to side comparison, from my point of view any camera company needs to fight for my money with quality products, I will not root for any brand at all, having, leica, contax, nikon and even olympus, I know that every camera have shortcomings.

    • All cameras have shortcomings yes, there is no perfect camera. What I saw in the A I used was slower than normal AF, especially in low light. WIth a $1100 camera in todays market, and no EVF or VF it doesn’t fly for me. To me, the X100s is a much much better camera than the “A” but if you need small size, the A would be a decent choice. Then again, the RX100 focuses much quicker than the A and has damn good quality at almost half the cost. If I can do a side by side with the Ricoh I will. Again, never knocked the A’s IQ..just other things and when I factor in the cost of it compared to other similar competitors it falls short. When it hits $799 (and it will) then it will be a much better buy.

      • Agreed!, I think street photographers will appreciate this camera, but as your only photo tool you will feel left behind.

      • Sorry, Steve, but when being so price sensitive, why not using the same standards for reviews of Leicas. And in this case particularly of the Leica X2 whith its ridiculous pricing when compared to the Coolpix A and the new Ricoh. And if these compacts prices give us any inidcation, a competitor`s digital RF would probably cost less than half of a M.
        Concerning the Coolpix A its AF is quite decent and its raw files are ecxellent and beat the ones from the X100s. The Coolpix is an excellent camera and was the only game in town, until the new Ricoh came along. As a long time Ricoh user and fan of their unmatched UI and 21mm equiv. wide angle converter I will switch over to the new GR. But the Coolpix A deserves your fair review, its a darn good camera. The new Ricoh and the A are the only direct competitors in the jeans pocket sice aps-c sensor segment.

        • Sorry Retow but you should know when the X2 was reviewed there was no Coolpix A, No new APS-C Ricoh GR, no Sony RX100, no Sony RX1…so when a camera is reviewed it is done so in a way where I take competitors into consideration. With the X2, the only competitor was the X100, which was slower to AF than the X2 at the time but I still recommended the X100 at $1199. I do not recommend the X2 at all, to anyone today because there are better cameras out there for much less money. The X2 has been a sales disaster for Leica because of this.

          With both cameras on paper, the A and the GR the GR wins easily for me and at $300 less. In use, it may be different as I have not touched the GR yet. It can have the best IQ ever but if usability is no good then the camera is useless IMO. Kind of like the Sigma DP Merrill. Great IQ but only at base ISO, no action shots allowed and can only use slow as molasses Sigma software. This equals no fun and limited use 🙂

          For all I know the GR can have those same issues..no one knows. All I do know is that compared to the X100s, to me, the Coolpix A falls short. No VF, slower AF and not too far off in price. Does this make the A bad? Of course not. Reminds me of the NIkon V1 which I thought I would hate but ended up loving, but I loved it due to its response, speed and AF as well as body style, film like IQ and VF. The A has none of that.

          For the money I feel there are better choices, but again, this was from limited use. The Canon EOS-M was AWFUL and I had one here for review. Hated it. Used it for 2 weeks and sent it back. Uninspiring, un-exciting and un-usable..for me.

          I will side by side the two, the A and GR as long as I can get an A to compare without having to buy one.

          • Steve, there is no reason to discuss about your views. If the people having problems with your Leica reviews, because it is not a test of a … boring Nikon or Canon camera – so what?
            Keep on good working and ignore the complainers – they could write their own blogs.

          • Yeah, agree. I only want the good news negative comments are always from the winers and complainers! I come here to be in good spirits. If I want to hear cons on a Leica camera or pros on a Nikon or Canon, I head over to DPreview. I just don’t want to hear it right now.

            If people disagree with anything that is written here they ought to keep it to themselves!

    • I am answering now to this whole thread, not only Evaristus: I don’t get this attitude where people position themselves as something like helpless sheep that are at the mercy of reviewers. And I don’t consider myself as a consumer first, more a human being, a photographer etc.
      What we are doing here is reading a free website transporting one man’s private opinion, and that is made pretty clear when you enter the site, it does not pretend to be team of scientists and consultants that work for the consumer’s behalf or interest. But still, Steve indeed gives some valuable information to the buying crowd, and this is what we are, unfortunately, maybe more than photogs. But you cannot demand “fairness” to the consumer. What’s this? Your preferences?
      When I read a review I try do feel (yes, indeed) what is important to the reviewer, and if his or her opinions are relevant to my style of shooting. I extract the info that is valuable for me and move on.

      A camera deserves nothing per se, it is a commodity that is backed by huge marketing and sales departments. Especially I don’t worry about any Nikon’s success, since sales people will talk a lot of uninitiated first-time buyers into Nikon or Canon anyway. I would be more worried about fine niche products that vanish from the scene because they don’t get the according attention, like the Sony R1 of yore. That was a paragon in its time, but the “market” (whatever that fuzzy concept might really be) wasn’t ready. Ditto the Epson R-D1 or maybe even the great Olympusses till the C5050Z that sported super fast zoom lenses and great ergonomics. Or the Oly E-1 etc…

      So people, relax, and buy what you need – or want 😉

      • Hahaha, that explains all this wool……

      • I agree with you, but remember that when you add a comments field people reading this blog will comments on this or that. Most of us are interesting in hearing others opinion because our opnion are not set in stone. We develope based on experience and often change our opinions (so did Steve with the V1 after reviewing it). I like comments that are both positive or negative to a thread, but it may depend on your definition of negative.

        I value Steve’s reviews on stuff. I read his reviews for what they are and know when he or others here talk negative about (people using) DSLRs or how heavy they are, this is not the place for people traveling to Antarctica or doing very much wildlife (neither do I, but my DSLR with its prime is still lighter than my M9).

        And I don’t complain to Steve about his review of the RX100 after buying one myself and being frustrated with the camera, because it didn’t work as well for me the way I use a compact camera. I traded it for an “A” and so far I’m very happy with it. Expensive, yes, but love the Nikon menues and handling. Maybe the Ricoh will be better in some ways, but I don’t mind. I just hope that Nikon doesn’t lower the price now that I bought it…

        That being said – I hope Steve will review the Coolpix A properly if he is going to be using it to compare the Richo against.

        • Michelle, I think you will enjoy the camera , I tried it for street photography and its great, you can zone focus easily, my copy focuses fast when in auto focus and I can carry it in my shirt pocket!.

    • The autofocus has to be “properly set”?

      Please elaborate.

      • Left side of the body there is a switch…….
        And….low light and full time servo gives you focus hunt.

        • Okay, got it. That would make a difference.

          • Yup

26. dang, no VF 🙁

    • You just need a Voigtlander ( never could spell that) optical finder. Will work a treat and won’t drain your battery.The important thing is it has that hot shoe there. Yipeee!

27. steve, don’t you have to review or at least handle the coolpix a extensively before making a comparison between the 2.

    regardless, it wouldn’t be a fair fight since you’re biased against the nikon already.

    • Sure of course I would. I am not comparing anything between them because I have not even handled the GR, so that is impossible. The GR gives us a nicer design, same sized sensor, great lens, superb controls for $300 less than the Nikon. If the AF speed of the GR is faster than the A then it is a no brainer. Why would I choose the A if the Ricoh has similar IQ (or better) and faster operation? I much prefer the GR body to the Nikon as well and I would save $300. In any case, I did not make a comparison..I made a prediction and as always, predictions can be wrong.

28. Looks nice. Looking forward to your review Steve.

    Would love (if possible) to see some night shots from this baby!

29. What were they thinking with that voice-over? Good grief, it’s a camera, not a summer action blockbuster aimed at male teenagers with low IQ.

    Looks good at the price though.

    • I think that was the Pentax side of the advertising house not the ol’ Ricoh style.

    • Kind of enjoyed it really. Sort of 1960’s mission impossible.

30. For my money, the RX-100 still reigns as the king of the truly shirt-pocketable cameras, and the Fuji x-100s in the APS-C niche. I love them both. Steve is right-on pointing out that the Fuji is a much better buy than the Nikon A at its offering price. I suspect Nikon will have to drop its price, as they were forced to do with the Nikon 1. Choosing a relatively slow, fixed 28mm equiv for the Nikon and Ricoh also seems a curious choice for most shooters.

31. Ricoh GR vs. Sigma DP1 Merill (28mm) and DP2 Merrill (35mm) with the Foveon sensor??
    I think Sigma DP1/2 M win this war of small pocketable camera in many areas.
    Sigma costs $799 new; killer sensor and amazing resolution, quick AF, just as light/

    • No high ISO though…

32. I’ve owned the GRD2 and still have the GRD3 and I loved them. But the last few years I’ve been using the GXR 28mm A12, 50mm A12 and the M-mount with a combination of 19 manual focus lenses (m-mount and vintage SLR glass). The one hole in my line-up is that it’s hard to find really wide glass for the GXR that is fast and inexpensive. The GXR 28mm A12 is a VERY good lens, but not great at high ISO.

    IF the high ISO on the new GR is relatively clean, then I will get it and the adaptor lens through Steve’s link and use it for my documentary work alongside the GXR, for when I want the 28mm and 21mm field of view.

    • Levent, try VC 15/4,5. Not crazy fast but cheap and optically super. Wider still you have Samyang 8/2.8. Fish-eye but you can rectify it.

      • Thanks for the suggestion Stanis.

        I’m sorry to say, that I am mostly shooting indoors and in low light, So the Voigtänder 15mm f/4.5 is way too slow a lens for what I am doing. At the present time my fastest wide on the GXR is the 30 year old Canon “New FD” 24mm f/1.4 lens which gives me a 36mm field of view on the crop frame GXR m-mount. Along with the Novoflex Canon to Leica adaptor it ended up costing me about $1300. Which sounds like a lot until you consider that the alternative was the Leica 24mm f/1.4 Summilux at $7000 🙂

        At present I’m thinking about also getting the new Voigtländer 21mm f/1.8 in the m-mount which is about $1250 and will give me about a 31mm field of view. In any case for the price one of those lenses I could probably get a Ricoh GR, the 21mm adaptor and the OVF! LOL!

        BTW…from what I understand the Samyang 8mm is for the Fuji and Sony mount. Is there a way to put such a mount on a Ricoh/M-mount?

33. It would be interesting to compare it to the Ricoh GRD IV.

    • What is there to compare? Its a new machine with an APS-C sensor and up to 25,000 ISO and yet will retain the customization and functionality of the GRD IV. This is the perfect go everywhere pocket camera for the wide angle shooter.

      • +1 to the perfect ‘go-everywhere-pocket-wide’

34. Wow! saw some sample crops…this thing might give the M a run 🙂

35. Has everyone forgotten the little Ricoh APS-sized GXR-with-M-mount?

    That’s Ricoh’s excellent build quality, excellent menus, APS-sized sensor, but not restricted to a 28mm-equivalent lens, but able to take every Leica-fit lens ever made (since 1930)! ..From the Voigt 12mm (behaving as an 18mm) to the Komura 200mm (behaving as a 300mm.

    The GXR (plus Leica M-mount unit) doesn’t have autofocus, of course, but it’s a hugely versatile, small, lightweight camera, takes its own add-on tiltable electronic finder, has magnified focus for accuracy – AND can shoot entirely -s-i-l-e-n-t-l-y- (in daylight or tungsten light ..though it shows banding with high-frequency flickering lights such as fluorescents) so you can use it undetected in museums, art galleries, recording studios or while shooting video, etc.

    Yes, it’s APS, and yes, the GXR-and-M-mount takes hundreds of different lenses..
    But no; it has no zoom and no autofocus.

    • I have not forgotten! This one is still on my long-term list of things I want to try. I really wish, however, that I could actually put my hands on a GXR, as I prefer to try before buying/ordering. Even in the fourth-largest city in the USA, there are some cameras that are not kept in stock. The only Ricohs I have seen in a display case here are pre-owned, and never a GXR. The Pentax acquisition by Ricoh gives me hope of handling a GR, as Pentax cameras are stocked by one large local independent seller.

    • Yes! I do have the same experience on the GXR M-mount and it takes all the vintage LTM lens with an adaptor, each picture has it own lens character. I just hope Ricoh will make a full size M-mount sensor!!!

    • None of us that have own and owned the Ricoh GRDs and GXR know. The GR is for the pocket! The GXR for around the neck. Two different animals. (8>)

    • More accurately, it should be…

      Has everyone forgotten the GXR with the neat 28mm f2.5 equivalent lens, and 12 megapixel APS-C sensor?

      Sure it’s not pocketable but it’s way smaller than the X100 everyone seems to love to compare with.

      That module came out in 2010 (?) – in my book it was the first small 28mm aps-c sensor camera…..

      • The GXR with the 28 is much bulkier and fatter than an X100 or X100s, so in no way is it “much smaller” than an X100 but the GXR and 28 2.5 is superb. Slow to AF though, not so hot in low light or high ISO (Fuji beats it easily here). Technology always moves on..and cameras improve. The GXR rocks though.

        • As of today BHphoto and Adorama are listing the GXR body as discontinued. I wonder if Ricoh will make a new version or is the GXR series finished?

    • Now Ricoh, an update for m-unit , please. The same Pentax K-5IIs sensor as in GR. A favor we, few but loyal Ricoh fanboys been pleading since Pentax K-5IIs release.

36. I was thinking that it is time to upgrade my original GRD and GX100. They are both beat to hell. I carried them everywhere. This looks great!

37. I may be interested in this myself. I have been buying so many cameras the past 3 years that another one doesn’t realy matter.

    On the compact side I’m still looking for the perfect p&s. Had the RX100 since last Summer and although I enjoyed it a lot I didn’t quite get familiar with the menues. Finally sold it but needed another compact so I bought the Coolpix A on impuls. I prefer a less wide lens, but had mostly used the RX100 (and LX3/5 before that) at its widest end so I figured I could live with that. Besides, I have a X100s for when I don’t mind a larger camera. Very happy with the IQ and Nikon menues are easy. Unfortunately image review doesn’t seem to be possible to turn off and that may be a turn-off. AF doesn’t feel that slow but find myself switching to macro too often.

    Only time will tell if I will like it… and why is no one making a perfect camera…

    • To answer Your question: Take a guess…. (;o) or read Your own post over – just kiddin’…. but take a read of the latest wonderfull posting from Colin Steel – that might alleviate some of the gear-pressure;o)

38. I still have a GRD2 and these are selling on ebay here in Britain for £80…I would never sell mine, the quality photos I have taken from this little camera never cease to amaze me…the lens is sheer quality…I am excited to see this release with a new APS-C sensor

39. I am sure it will be a good camera, but a fixed 28. I am a 50 shooter. Where are the cameras for us?

    • Buy a Sigma.

    • Brad, you have the Ricoh GXR A12 which admit both a 50mm and a 28mm module. See here:

      http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/RicohGXRa12/

      or HERE

      http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/12/02/the-ricoh-gxr-digital-camera-review-with-the-28mm-and-50mm-modules/

    • Crop.

40. now this looks great. It looks as the perfect light landscape camera. I could bring it with me on my bike with no problems. Also great for casual indoor shooting of people (clubs, dinners etc…).

41. Nice bit of kit, but in this day and age with the RX100 (yeah its a smaller sensor, but it is still a good pinch smaller than this and zooms with a faster lens) its not as magnificent as Ricoh would wish to portray it. However its still a Ricoh, and along with Leica; they are the masters of menu nirvana.

42. Steve,
    While I think this Pentax/Ricoh combo certainly has potential in a compact camera. I’d be curious to see test comparison images from this and the Sony NEX-7, which I believe, is the low ISO king for image detail in the APS-C sensor space.

    • Sorry but the dp merrils will put the nex 7 to shame at low iso, so no the nex 7 doesn’t hold the crown.

43. Not to mention the Ricoh-addon 21mm (in 35mm equiv.) WA-adapter also available (hopefully soon?) for it!! Now THAT tickles me…. Been waiting a loooong time for this beauty – sure hope it delivers – from base ISO to say ISO1600 and I’m in. Ricoh-grain is usually nice so I remain hopefull. Hope You get it delivered with the adapter although it looks kinda huge judging by the images. Maybe it ain’t that pocketable by then?

44. Looks cute though 2.8 is rather a con than pro. Small beast cameras market is super hot right now.

    • I don’t think they could make a faster 28 and keep the lens this close to the larger sensor and keep it the same size as the GRD III & IV which do have the 28 f/1.9.

    • Actually, the aperture is the same. As a sensor size increases, the depth of field will decrease for a given aperture. One has to use progressively smaller aperture sizes in order to maintain the same depth of field on larger sensors.

      1.5X cropped sensor at 18.5mm and f/2.8 = 1/1.8″ sensor with 6mm focal length at f/0.9

      Both equal 35mm Sensor with 28mm focal length and f/4.3 aperture.

      • I think the vital point you make is being missed or lost on far too many people sadly. All they are doing is focusing on the higher number of “2.8”.

        This is the first camera that I have ever pre-ordered. Can’t wait!

45. Steve, I’m happy to hear you will be reviewing this Ricoh GR. Years ago I had a Ricoh Caplio 100, sold it to buy a Panasonic Lumix compact, and I am still feeling sorry because I missed it every single day since then. The Lumix I also sold out because its quality image was dissapointing when comparing to the Caplio.

    So I am pretty sure this GR will be excellent.

    The only flaw will be the price. At $800 I think it’s still very expensive. For that price you can get the new Canon Rebel 100D which seems to be a wonder.

    • Can you see how the Ricoh GR and the Rebel 100D differ?

46. Is this competition for the x100s or x20?

    • if it was to be, it would be the X100s, the X20 is a 2/3″ sensor, while both this Ricoh GR and the X100s use a much bigger APS-C sized sensor but they are in a different category.

      X100s has a more premium appeal and feats like the Hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder, so that’s one of the reasons of the different price.

    • I don’t think it would be a competition between either of them. The only thing that is comparable to it is what Steve mentioned, the Nikon Coolpix A. Both are APS-C sized sensors, both have a 28mm equivalent focal length with an aperture of f/2.8. Both put size ahead of form (which is why neither have a viewfinder of any sort).

47. I wouldn’t buy based on the VoiceOver alone.

    • I’m glad I wasn’t the only one! I’d buy the camera though.

      • Where was he from, the Bold and the Beautiful or whatever? What a pain, lol.

        This thing is too menu driven. And too expensive.

        • Too expensive compared to what? The blog states the Nikon A is $1100 while the GR will be $700-800 with similar specs. That’s not too expensive in my book.

48. The smallest APS-C camera yet! Yup, I think you’re right it’ll give the RX100 quite some competition. Man, the world of pocketable or near-pocketable cameras is so exciting right now. If you wait a quarter or half a year, something better will be out… :p

    • The RX10 will be out soon and destroy all aps-c sized compact camera’s out there! (except for the mighty rx1 offcourse…)

49. I… want… one…

    • Maybe the camera fairy will leave you one. Just leave $800 dollars under your pillow tonight.

      I’d like to try one first. I like the no nonsense design. I like cameras that don’t shout expensive, or professional.

      • i am totally with you. in film camera era, i loved to use GR series, contax T2 T3, Leica Minilux. i thought X1 could replace T3 however it was just not that case. GRD is a DC really closed to film PS. Now it comes APS-C GR, would be glad to use it at the first time. that is why i am getting rid of my X100 limited version on Steve’s site. 🙂 i am expecting be out with GR or my precious Contax T3. they are true pocketed.

    • My response to the announcer of the Ricoh video: “Shut up and take my money!”

50. Hi Steve,

    Ricoh is the one who bought Pentax, not the other way around. 🙂 though it seems the Penax brand will be the main one used for marketing as its stronger abroad…

    • Yea, my goof as i had an email come in from B&H Photo saying the new “Pentax GR”..was my 1st post of the day..head was foggy and I did not realize it until 10 minutes later, lol. Either way, looks to be a fantastic camera.

51. As a user of the Ricoh GR Digital III since December of 2009, I am ready to eBay my D7000 + 35mm and upgrade to this. Yes, upgrade. The Ricoh GR made me a better photographer with its straight forward controls (arguably best U.I. of any digital camera) and prime 28mm lens, made me have to walk to compose. This camera only further excites me to the point that I am now able to get the Ricoh quality and compactness with the image quality of a DSLR. Furthermore, how many Lenses out there are prime 28mm F/2.8 for under $800?

    I sense this camera will be a classic.

    • All the GR’s are ‘classics’… Well – at least to the loyal Ricoh-fans;o)

      • the grd III which I recently had, is the best for me, this one, even better! but ill stick to my grd III for the moment

      • The second one didn’t find much love, though… the jpegs tended to be mushy and the B&W is not as nice as from the others. Ricoh found their stride back with the III, and made the best (technically) one with the IV. But my favourite will always be the first one, it had a tonne of character and the B&W jpegs right off the camera look very much like pushed Tri-X.

    • “…how many Lenses out there are prime 28mm F/2.8 for under $800?”

      The Sigma 19mm for E mount? Cost=peanuts.

      • +1 on the Sigma. Great pictures, very sharp. But a dog to focus. I almost prefer to manual focus it, which works like a charm.

52. This really looks like a big winner!!

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