Ricoh GRD II Review

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Conclusion

The GRD II is the closest I've found to my ideal compact camera and has now become my constant companion.

The lens is great and although noise can be an issue there's a lot that can be done to minimize the effects, particularly if ISO is kept to 200 and below. Clearly a fixed focal length lens isn't going to appeal to everyone but if your way of working suits a fixed focal length then the image quality produced by the 5.9 mm optic won't disappoint. By getting to know the camera and the key controls it's possible to operate very quickly and efficiently and Ricoh's control customization is the icing on the cake.

Looking over my shoulder

A growing number of manufacturers are entering the high end digital compact market including Canon's G9 and Sigma's DP1, and there's also the Ricoh GX100; all offering the ability to capture RAW files while remaining small enough to be carried around all the time for those 'just in case opportunities'. This is a sector that I'll continue to watch closely; for the time being the image quality from the GRD II is more than acceptable and for me the camera's small size compared to the competition makes the GRD II my preferred option and I'm sure I'll be using it for some time to come.

The GRD II has filled a gap for me - giving me a camera that I can keep on me at all times, to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself

While the image quality doesn't rival that of an SLR given the portability and flexibility it offers this is a welcome companion that's already delivered images I wouldn't have otherwise have got

Closing Remarks

The bottom line is that thanks to this camera I've taken photographs that I otherwise wouldn't have, simply because I had it with me when an SLR would have been too cumbersome.

There's some genuinely innovative technology built into this camera that's a real bonus - like the electronic level and live histogram display and although the usual issues of shutter lag can be a problem Ricoh have designed ways to minimize this.

From a commercial point of view, images from the GRD II enlarge well and (so long as ISO is kept low to minimize noise) will likely print up to A3 size at acceptable quality for publication.

Noise is the camera's greatest issue, but there's a lot you can do to minimize the effects especially at low ISOs. This camera has a unique feature set and compact dimensions and there's currently little else with the same compact proportions and ability to capture RAW so while there's room for improvement by Ricoh - this camera will fill a valuable niche until my perfect compact camera comes along.

Advantages

◆ Excellent lens - fast and sharp
◆ RAW file support - DNG format
◆ Solid build quality
◆ Customizable controls and banks of predefined settings
◆ Close focus of 1.5 cm and great macro mode
◆ Innovative features including live histogram and electronic level
◆ Small size = truly pocketable
◆ Ability to use AAA batteries in an emergency

Disadvantages

◆ Expensive
◆ Shutter lag
◆ Slow start up time
◆ 4:3 default image ratio
◆ Noise in images
◆ Noise from focussing
◆ Dust - lack of dust sealing is a serious omission

Future Equipment Reviews

If there is a lens or piece of equipment that you are interested in please email me and I'll let you know my thoughts - if I get enough interest in a particular piece of equipment I'll consider getting hold of a sample and doing a review on it in the future. You can contact me at eyeswitching@googlemail.com as always I'll respond to your messages in person as quickly as I'm able.

Note on impartiality

Please note that eyeswitching.com is a non commercial site, I have no connections with any photographic manufacturer. These reviews and user experiences are independent and represent my own opinion of the equipment tested and nobody pays me to do any of this.