Отзывы о Цифровой Фотоаппарат Ricoh GR

A few years ago Ricoh were laughed at with the launch of the GRD series of cameras. I mean, a compact camera with a wide angle prime lens with very wide maximum aperture, that's a joke right?

Only it wasn't and, as each iteration of the GRD cameras came along they slowly, quietly and without fanfare, changed what was thought possible from a compact camera.

I jumped in with the GRD-IV and, once I got my head around the insane customization, quickly fell in love with the camera, it was by far, and I mean by a country mile, the most ergonomically pleasing and well thought out camera I had ever used.

So, jump ahead to this camera, the GR. What are the USP's above and beyond the GRD series. Well, first thing is the sensor is now APS-C size, which means it has the same sensor as your average consumers DSLR. This is stunning in a compact. Secondly, as well as 16mp of resolution, the anti alias filter has been removed which means you will obtain bitingly sharp pictures. Thirdly, the files up to ISO 1600 (sometimes even 3200) are sharp, clean and eminently usable.

I really can't say enough good things about this camera. When companies such as Nikon jump aboard this format (with the release of the Coolpix A) you know that something is happening here. However, Ricoh was years ahead of the curve and had refined their compact through five generations. Sorry Nikon but I will look at your offering once it has matured.

So, for a lot less than the Nikon Coolpix A you get a magnesium alloyed body, stealthy looking compact that will garner no attention when you are out shooting. There are numerous in-camera effects that are totally usable rather than cheesy, the bleach bypass and hi-contrast black and white are my favourites.

If you are a serious camera user and know and value what prime lenses can do you should look long and hard at this camera. It really is fantastically designed, the buttons are in the right place, the menus are easy to navigate, the raw files are very malleable, the sensor is tuned brilliantly and gives lush, sharp and beautifully coloured pictures.

This is not a boys toy camera, if you know and understand how difficult it is to make a good photograph and value a camera that unobtrusively assists in grabbing the vision that is in your head rather than having a camera that hinders the creative process, then this is for you.

No bells and whistles, no fanfare or neon lights, just a stealthy, street smart, amazingly specc'ed camera that will, honestly, revolutionize the way you think and shoot.

Unparalleled, worthy of all the praise it is receiving on the web.

Fantastic little pocket battleship!!!...I've had one of these in the past and foolishly part exchanged it for a Nikon full frame. I was editing some old GR shots I snapped in the Lake District last year and remembered what a good landscape camera the little GR is, the skies are real and well defined unlike the disney skies of other leading compacts. I recommend this version of the GR because it's basicly the same camera as the GR2 but without the wi-fi and extra fn button, and it's much cheaper. Update the firmware stuff a eyefi mobiPRO in it and you nearly have a GR2 but without the phone remote function...It's a camera!!!... All in all the GR is a versatile companion that I would happily take out on it's own or with the big guns for extra firepower...

The virtues of the 'Ricoh GR' are well known and of course it has all the (reasonable) control an expert need's but what if you aren't an expert? I've found for speed and convenience that the JPEG's are just fine and for everyday use do not warrant time consuming tweaking of RAW files in an editing program.

I think it is important to have the 'DRO' (Dynamic Range Optimisation) in 'auto' - not in any other setting. It does work/make a positive difference (brings out the colour of eyes, in portraits etc). Supposedly, a little 'noise' may be introduced but to my mind it is not a problem, barely noticable.

Getting back to convenience - as a test, leave the camera in auto with DRO and click away. Head to waist portraits etc, can still achieve a pleasing amount of bokeh/background blur (if background is far enough behind) to isolate the subject/detract from the background. The bokeh (at 2.8) is round and creamy.

My tip for any editing? Download and give 'Photoscape' a try, it's free and extremely capable for editing JPEG's. Simply click - 1) Auto level, 2) Auto sharpen and 3) Backlight 25% - these settings, I feel, gives some depth and realism to the photographs.

To summarise the Ricoh GR (to my mind) produces photographs with a somehow filmic quality that are realistic - close to real life, with excellent dynamic range and colour reproduction. White balance is extremely accurate, although metering/exposure and in some cases autofocus can be a 'little off', hence the sometimes choice of further editing in Photoscape.

All in all, a very capable pocket size camera that produces results far exceeding other cameras of it's size - 'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts'.

First of all, know what you would be buying: a camera with a 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens and no viewfinder. If that's not what you want, don't buy this, and don't downrate for being what it is.

Ricoh has achieved an incredible breakthrough in weight reduction. This is the lightest APS-C (as well as when compared to micro-four thirds) camera + lens ever manufactured. The lightness of this camera is incredible given the image quality, and it's so easy to shoot one-handed and it barely weighs down your pocket (but a jacket pocket or unusually large pants pockets, don't expect this camera to fit practically into jeans pockets).

Image quality: never have I encountered such incredibly sharp pictures, all the way to the corners of the photos. While there are a lot of lenses that are very sharp in the dead center, it's rare to find a wide-angle lens with such sharp corners as this. Perhaps this is the overall sharpest 28mm-equivalent lens ever made, or at least it's pretty darn close. The lens is also pretty resistant to CA and purple fringing, although I can spot some under the right circumstances (like tree branches against a bright sky). The lens seems sharpest and has the least purple fringing at f/6.3. But even wide open, the lens is no slouch at all. Also, the front element of the lens is recessed when the lens is extended, so it sort of has a built-in lens shade, which is very nice.

I also praise this camera for having far more manual focus options than any other camera I've encountered. Also, having three custom modes available on the mode dial is a big plus. And kudos for having all of the camera controls easily accessible with just your right hand. The physical controls are definitely way above average for a camera of this size.

Otherwise, most other aspects of this camera are average at best. Don't expect the fastest auto-focus (it's good but not great), or the best auto-color balance, or the best high-ISO compared to other APS-C contenders from Sony or Nikon. The menu system isn't especially easy to use or intuitive.

The camera lacks image stabilization (perhaps a key to making the lens as small as it is), and with such a sharp lens/sensor combination, old rules about shooting at 1/30 of a second with a 28mm lens need to be thrown out. 1/125 of a sec seems like the more correct minimum shutter speed to ensure the sharpest photos.

The price for this camera is a bargain considering that it has an APS-C sensor and such a sharp lens. In some interchangeable lens systems, just a lens that's this good can cost as much as this entire camera sells for.

This is one of my favorite compact cameras – and I have several. It’s slim and understated and has an excellent 18.3mm f/2.8 lens – one of it’s main selling points.

This camera has a full complement of manual and automatic exposure modes..

The main feature of the Ricoh GR is its 16.2-million-pixel, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor. As has been the trend among many other recent cameras, the GR's sensor does not have an anti-aliasing filter, which means the camera should produce slightly sharper images than if such a filter was present. Excellent at capturing detail such as a field of flowers.

The sensor is paired with an 18.3mm f/2.8 lens, offering the equivalent focal length of a 28mm lens on a full-frame camera – or 35mm film camera if you’re old enough to remember those.
If you find that the 28mm focal length is too wide for portraits, street photography and many landscape images you can use the built-in crop mode that uses only a portion of the overall image to produce the same field of view as a 35mm lens on a full-frame camera. Due to the 35mm mode effectively cropping the full-resolution images from the camera, any shots captured in this mode are at a reduced resolution of 10 million pixels.

The GR has a huge range of options within the menu system. As well as the 35mm crop mode and native 3:2 aspect ratio, there is also the option to use either a 4:3 or 1:1 aspect ratio. Of course, each of these modes will again reduce the resolution of the images.

Raw shooting is possible, and these images can be captured simultaneously with JPEGs. That the Ricoh GR saves its raw images as DNG files should prove a huge benefit to many photographers. This means that the raw files can be opened in virtually any raw-conversion software, and it should ensure both forward and backwards compatibility with any future software.
I highly recommend this camera for the more advanced snap-shooter / photographer.

with a field of view similar to that of most smartphones, it's pretty wide. It's the obvious cheaper comparison to something like the Leica Q, or X100 series.

At ISO100, this camera has incredible dynamic range. It's better than my Canon 6D in that respect. Very small, very light, nice sharp images etc.

Functionality and battery life is excellent. It's literally a compact mirror less camera that can go anywhere with you.

As long as you're happy with a wide view (crops to 35mp and 50mp drastically reduce the megapixels and therefore file detail), you won't go wrong with this for street, family and travel photography IMO.

I was using a Fuji X100, an incredibly capable camera with some faults - the main one being slow AF. Finding that I was using it less and less. Taking it out when I intended to take photos (usually on the street), rather than having it with me when I need it. Looking around, I wanted at least an APS-C sensor, compact form factor, light in weight and a 35mm or wider, fast lens with great image IQ that can closely resemble film.

The GR had passed me by completely, as I was enjoying the X100. Then I stumbled upon some images on the web and started reading the reviews, which, are almost unanimous in their praise (aside from some talk of dust getting on the sensor). Maybe this was the camera to usurp the mighty Fuji?

After a quick workout I can pretty much say that this camera is close enough to 35mm film for me to enjoy. No downsides as yet. Lightroom 5 and a VSCO film emulation pack completes the setup. The X100 is going on eBay... and that is saying something. If you can live with a prime 28mm, a very quiet leaf shutter, perfect stealth and amazing image quality, then this is a camera that you must consider.

Highly recommended.

If you have had the older film Ricohs this is very similar and handles beautifully. The 28mm lens is wide and not everyone's cup of tea but I used the 35mm film camera in the Himalayas (same lens) and had very good shots. Also, it's rugged and small. BUT there is no viewfinder which I find now I almost cannot live without. But it is a really lovely camera.

One of my favourite cameras ever. I am fortunate to own a collection of quite a few cameras and lenses. However if I could only have one camera, this would be the one. The image quality is amazing. The build quality is great and all the buttons are well thought out. I use it occasionally with a wide angle adapter and it looses none of the great quality. For people who want superb quality in a "pocketable" camera you can't go wrong.

I am not an expert of photography. To be honest I was a little bit disappointed when I first got it. After trying taking a few pictures I thought it was just so-so. But after learned how to properly set it up, I could take the pictures I expected! That's just what I need. Love it. I especially love how fast it can start just in a couple of secs so I didn't miss any moment.

Amazing little camera. The quality of the pictures that this camera takes is great, as good as a dSLR. You can customise it totally, record different profiles, and it's very versatile. It's small, stays in your pocket, it's fast, and well built (not plastic stuff!). Highly recommended.

I gave up all my DSLRs when I fell in love with my EP1 in 2010. I then switched to X100 for its superb image quality and retro look. However, both cameras had this very huge and unavoidable issue: AF speed. If a street camera can't keep up with the speed and stealth, then what is the purpose of using it on the street. I also found people are less repelling to smaller size cameras when they are being shot by a stranger.

GR IV was my first Ricoh and I decided to upgrade to this GR due to its sensor and improved image quality. So far, I have not had any issues with it. However, it is really your job to learn the pros and cons before you buy it. For example, ISO won't be able to go down to 100 if you have DR on. I see some professionals dropped this camera due to this reason and i really don't understand why.

The battery life is not that great since smaller cameras always use smaller batteries. I think that's the major problem for everyday users.

I do see some people expecting this camera to be an all purpose camera and I really think they are on wrong track of camera selection. The fixed lens won't make you happy if you are standing too near or too far. Sometimes my cell phone would do a better job on composition with its zooming lens. You simply need to live with that and learn how to use it in the right way.

Photography has been changed or evolved......by a huge margin since the digital era. A lot of "normal shots" today would have had become pro shots if they had existed in 1980s. This evolution or change is pretty positive. This GR would make your street photography easier and give you the maximum stealth (well, not as much as your cell phone). I would rate it with a 5-star.

I was just about to purchase a Fuji X20 when I became aware this little baby was in the offing for release. I recently got involved in Street photography and bought a little Ricoh CX5 to use instead of cumbersome DSLR's or my Canon Compact.
The Ricoh CX5 astounded me in terms of swift focus and beautifully 'inky' black and white shots that people say are second only to Leica. So I saved and waited....quite a long wait as it was heavily pre-odered. The GR Expert was the perfect blend of DSLR sized sensor performance and portability...if Ricoh could pull it off.

Eventually, it arrived and I was sceptical that anything could live up to the buzz surrounding this release..but you know what? It really does.
The moment you unbox it and hold it, it becomes clear that this was designed by people who actually take photographs. The weight, the grip, the balance in your hand for one handed shooting..it's simply exquisite. It screams quality but is also very low key to look at and doesn't attract unwanted attention.

Then you realise how rich it is in terms of options and settings. You find that the buttons and dials you reach for instinctively do the job..because many of them do whatever needs doing at the time. You can assign so many functions to specific buttons or dials but even if you choose not to..it always seems instinctive.

There are a range of 'creative options' and they are inspiring...not only that but when you choose one you have further control as to the singular aspects that make up that option via slider controls and can fine tune each to your own , very personal and specific tastes.

The Black and Whites excel and there are enough settings in that field alone to explore and fine tune for a long, long time. Then there is 'Bleach bypass' which is incredible. I have heard some murmerings about the Ricoh 'colours' not being all one could wish for but I honestly don't get that when you have so many options ( and options within options) It's hard to believe that with such customizable colours there wouldn't be something for everyone...I mean the combinations are virtually endless.

Another wonderful aspect of this camera is that you can take multiple exposures...up to 5 I believe although that may look a bit messy.

I have had this camera since the beginning of August and am still finding exciting things it can do. It's a delight and a joy and well worth the outlay.

If the 28mm fixed lens makes you hesitate then I would just add that with quality this good you can crop really hard if you need to and still get an amazing result.

Excellent camera light weight simple but sophisticated and as complicated as you want to make it Many many user adjustable settings more than I'll ever use. Takes good photos too !

Ricoh has made a name for itself for high quality cameras with good optics. This Ricoh model takes a revolutionary look at how point-and-shoot cameras can keep some of the major benefits of a DSLR, while still remaining compact and light enough to lug around. By purchasing a universal base, which provides only the power and interface, this Ricoh design ensures that the camera you own today and become familiar with, will be the same one that you own tomorrow - just snap on a new lens body and you are ready to go.

This particular lens is the standard and ubiquitous 50mm lens found on most starter (D)SLR cameras around the world. If you truly want to learn how to take good photography, a 50mm lens is the way to go. No uber-zooms, no wide angle issues - just straight photography as it was meant to be taken. Add to that a great macro feature and you can really take some amazing photos. The MP (12.3) on this lens isn't exactly first class any longer - but still very respectable for the average photography. Unless you plan on blowing the picture up to wall-size, you should be fine. And while this lens is fairly expensive (comparable to most DSLR lens that fit on Nikon, Canon, etc), it contains not only the lens, but also the CMOS chip that captures the photo - something that DSLR lens lack (as the camera body holds that chip on most DSLR cameras).

Pros: near DSLR like quality photos; respectable megapixels; excellent macro; fully enclosed body to prevent damage/dust

Cons: cost; sliding on/off camera body sometimes a pain; if/when something finally finds a way inside the lens, no way to remove it

Overall, this is a fine lens for the money and a great way to take photography - 50mm is the most versitile lens out there, in my humble opinion. Ricoh gives the average photography an excellent means of having near DSLR like capabilities in what amounts to the size and weight of an advanced point-and-shoot camera. Whether you are on the go or simply don't want to lug around a suitcase full of camera accessories, the Ricoh camera has you covered.

NOTE: when updating this particular camera's firmware, remember that each lens you own must be individually updated, since each lens contains its own processor. Many people update the camera body (as you would on most DSLR cameras), but forget that each lens likely has an update as well. This could alleviate some issues you may experience with your lens.

I bought this camera and had it with me nearly every day. Great to carry around, put in pocket and have a very solid camera to take everywhere. Very easy to use as well. Great image quality, that can't be beat for such a small size.

It can be particularly excellent in situations impractical for others. It is silent, small, convenient, easy.

However, the other day while shooting a wedding (a 3rd camera on me) the camera would not got to iso 100, only 400. It killed some shots and I didn't have time to futz with it. Later, I reset the camera and it enabled me to then use ISO 100. But this problem resurfaced.

The camera also froze about 8 times. Ejecting the battery would always work in resetting. However, it also later wouldn't zoom in on photos taken properly and that would not change even with resetting. So I returned the camera.

Before trying to return, I wanted to speak to someone at Ricoh about it and see what they say. I can't see any reasonable way to reach them. Thankfully, I bought on Amazon and can return. Otherwise, I'd be very unhappy.

This is a great camera and has some features I wish were on every camera. Well thought out in many regards. Only a tiny bit short on dream list of what I'd want, which is great because no camera is perfect for everything. But instability along with an unreachable company is not something I want to sign up for. I'm guessing I had a lemon or a firmware upgrade will resolve those issues. I may even buy again, but need to see if they address issues in a future firmware upgrade.

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Update:

I actually may even buy this camera again if Ricoh provides a firmware upgrade to deal with above issues I experienced with mine.

Amazon has always been amazing with service and came through here as well - DESPITE the seller, ACE Photo, trying to block the return despite being within the 30 days Amazon offers. ACE tried to charge me a few hundred dollars for that trial period citing I took too many shots and that the camera - which had problems - was now "used". MGR at ACE was down right rude and did what he could to block the return. Knowing he was out of line, he wouldn't even provide me his name. Absolutely appalling service and attitude from ACE. They also cited it did not have problems and no one else had the same issues whereas I've seen others comment on the same. I buy from Amazon so I can return if needed and because of their stellar service, delivery, etc., and thankfully that came through here as well despite ACE's attempts to block it.

It is too bad that Canikon dominates camera reviews and comparisons. This camera is a real gem and one of my favorite point and shoot purchases by far. I purchased this camera to replace an Sony RX100 (Dust magnet, difficult flash on/off, huge menu system, and you can't view video and images together as they are taken.) and Nikon P7700 (I like it more than the RX100, but it is so much bulkier, and if you hold a button down by accident the shutter won't fire which happens quite often). Although I'm still on the fence on the overall value for the price and size.

The Ricoh did everything I wanted and more. I have a few pictures with 5,000 ISO and up that are simply amazing. Blacks rarely have a lot of color noise in them at high ISO. The dynamic range is surprising for a point and shoot. The video is okay and not on par with the IXUS 100hS and 300HS Canon's (I've used and liked for the price for years) which take great low resolution video.

The menus could be broken down into smaller segments. It could use a setting ring around the lens. I'd REALLY like an articulating touchscreen for this price. The buttons are too small, and the exposure +- gets changed unexpectedly (ANNOYING! but you learn to watch for that). Image previews and zooming are horrible, and there's no automatic picture review. I felt the lock on the mode dial a bit overkill, especially because it doesn't stick out like other makes do. You can't change this with one hand and keep a comfortable/firm grip on the camera.

There were many times when I wanted to turn the flash on/off and the menu wouldn't come up. It should always be available.

If you use a Nikon pro DSLR the image navigation is so awkward and many buttons and dials do the same thing when they could be made more useful. Software/Firmware would fix this, and overall I'd like more options and functions in all cameras!

This is meant to be an initial reaction review and is in no way as detailed as many write-ups that already exist on the web. Having been a ridiculously happy owner of the GRDIII since 2009, as well as an avid Pentax DSLR shooter, I pre-ordered this camera from B&H only a couple days after it was announced, the first time I can remember ever pre-ordering anything.

The GR (many refer this as the GR5) handles almost identically to my beloved GRD3 with only minor changes found here and there in the menus and controls. If you've used a GR series cam in the past, rest assured this is a GR. The weigh and handling and customization are on par with all the rest - stellar. But the truly remarkable part is the APS-C sensor that is crammed into this awesome compact. In using the camera for about 200 shots in a day I have cropping possibilities that I would not have ever DREAMED of with it's older brother the GRD3. Everything about the image quality is improved in every way in my opinion and that fact is by itself amazing. Snap focus is still present of course among new modes such as pinpoint AF and a new metering system. My only gripe thus far is the GR's autofocus seems to hunt and be much slower in lowlight compared to the GRD3, though I have heard that it is hopeful this can be much improved in firmware updates. I find the lowlight AF acceptable but definitely not as amazing as every other aspect of the cam... e.g.the exposure and High ISO performance on this model is outstanding for lowlight, the latter *more* than making up for the slightly slower lens than it's predecessor. The new lens however has a 9 blade aperture and I have noticed that the bokeh it produces when in the more open aperture ranges is much creamier than the GRDIII produces. Also, with snap focus and manual focus available within a couple quick presses, the slower lowlight AF does not matter as much as you might think.

I'll update this review down the road after I've truly put this thing through the paces, but my initial reaction is amazement... especially amazed that there has been this much improvement on a camera design I was already in love with. Hats off to Ricoh-Pentax... They've darn near nailed this one.

UPDATE 1/5/2013: Just a brief update to note a very crucial change to my review. I've been very busy with videography the past several months and have not been shooting still shots nearly as much as I'd like and as such I completely missed a Firmware update from Ricoh back in mid-October. I've just installed it this evening and I have to say that the low-light focus is now *nearly* as phenomenal as my old GRIII. What this means is that there is now nothing, and I mean *nothing* I do not love about this camera. It is the bee's knees and my perfect focal companion. I now have to seriously contemplate downsizing my DSLR rig and glass. An unreal little gem this thing is.

Such a fantastic little gem of a camera, I almost want to buy another one as a backup.

Very portable, I take it with me everywhere I go. I keep it in a tiny Lowe Pro Tahoe belt bag because I worry about dust.

The lens is so sharp, you'll be amazed by the pixel-level detail, contrast and color. It has no AA filter, so images are really crisp. Despite the missing filter, moire has not been a problem at all in 4 months of regular use.

Noise performance is great, ISO 6400 is very usable, auto-ISO is incredibly good.

Autofocus is very fast, especially after firmware 4.0. I bought this camera for the snap-focus feature but I don't even use snap because the AF is so good.

28mm is tough AOV to get comfortable with, I'm a 50mm guy, but using the GR has expanded my skills as a photographer, now I can pre-visualize scenes at a 28mm focal length before I take the shot.

The manual controls and customizable menu settings are a joy to use. You can even store additional sets of settings in the internal memory and recall them later. You can completely control and use this camera with one hand.

Set the "Ambient Brightness" setting from "Normal" to "Off" if you are shooting RAW. Using "ambient brightness:normal" mode in very high contrast scenes you might see concentric rings when pulling the shadows up. This setting applies some vignette correction that will be built into your Raw file, - I prefer my files to be untouched so I turn ambient brightness off.

The 28mm fixed focal lens on this camera is excellent. It perhaps is not the fastest at f/2.8 but it delivers amazing results wide open and the large APS-C sensor of this camera can more than compensate for good low light performance.

This combination will outperform just about any entry level DSLR in image quality, at a fraction of the weight and while also being pocketable. The image quality is noticeably greater than that of my D5100. Partly thanks to Ricoh/Pentax's decision not to include the AA filter in this package as well as the great lens pairing.

Key to producing great images with a 28mm focal length is to get in close, if you do, you will be rewarded by great 3d looking captures.

Ergonomically the camera is perfect, it's the first camera that I don't use a strap with, because of how well it fits my hand. All the controls are placed in natural position accessible with just one hand.

This is a photographer's camera that delivers perfection of what's possible with today's technology. If I had to sell all my cameras I would be tempted to keep just the Ricoh GR (V).

This is further reinforced by the fact that after purchasing the camera I had to barely change any settings to make it function the way I want. Usually when I get a new camera I have to fight with it for a few hours or sometimes even days to get it to work just how I like it, with this one most of the defaults are just how I like it. It took me 5 minutes to figure out how to disable AF assist light, power light and beep sounds (I like my cameras not to reflect and make noise).

There is simply nothing that rivals it at this price range and form factor.

Let me first say that this is a nice little camera. But ultimately I didn't decide to purchase it (rented it for a week). It is truly everything that you have read; small, sturdy, quick, customizable, and the image quality is reasonable. I enjoyed being able to set a custom function to flip between the 28mm and 35mm crop modes quickly. The 28mm focal length is not my ideal, but that's a completely personal choice, no mark against the camera as many famous photographers have used this range. The 35mm crop gives about a 10 megapixel file and the quality is still quite good. It is very small in size but durable which is great for having your camera with you everywhere. The camera is very responsive, focuses fast. I thought I would love the snap-focus feature but ended up not using it much because the camera can focus so fast. Even if you're shooting in RAW you can still change the effects (B&W, cross-process, high contrast, etc) which will be reflected on the LCD while shooting. You can see the world in B&W and your RAW images will still just be color RAWs for your later conversion.

In the end, even though I respect the camera a lot, I didn't find it fully satisfying. Again it's small, but it's still not exactly pocketable; it will fit in a jeans pocket but sitting down and even walking around it gets a bit squished. Since it isn't really fully pocketable all the time I started to wonder why I wasn't just carrying my Fuji X100. It's got better image quality and is a more enjoyable camera to use. The GR feels like a typical, 21st century digicam, not a lot of style so-to-speak, which is not a deal breaker but important to my personal enjoyment of taking pictures. I think not having an optical viewfinder to compose with is part of the reason. The lens is sharp, no argument there, but the images are somewhat middle of the road, not bad in any way, but not characteristic either like the X100, even after editing RAW images. I can easily distinguish images between the two cameras. That's actually what made my decision final; I was looking through some images and was suddenly struck by one and thought 'wow, this camera takes incredible photos' and I realized it was a photo from the Fuji.

To summarize, I mean no criticism of the camera, I liked it a lot, it lives up to its promises and online reviews. It's quite an amazing camera really but not a great fit for me personally. I really recommend renting it before buying. I really thought about just purchasing it sight unseen as I thought it sounded like a perfect go-anywhere and street photography camera but in the end I decided what I had already was better for me.

The camera was well received from Amazon, packaging was adequate. The camera was well built and although I was concerned that it may be too small for my hands, it is a good size and weight for stable shooting. The camera would not turn on. It was likely a battery issue but I didn't want to order another battery if the camera was the issue. I decided to return it fearing a defective camera. I never had the opportunity to take any pictures. I was disappointed as the reviews are good and the camera doesn't have the low pass filter so I had high expectations for the quality of the pictures. I may eventually reorder the camera.

I have owned the GR twice, brought it in 2013 regreted selling it earlier this year to try different cameras, including the x100s which is an excellent camera, but manual focus is a turnoff as the ring is fly by wire and too sensitive to touch, while autofocus fails in challenging light situation. Very good image quality however.

I brought GR again, used and was happy to learn that the performence actually improves by it's latest firmwares. With the autofocus boost, this camera is now faster than the x100s by comparison, and I rarely uses snap mode now. I also use area focusing and let the camera decides the point of focus and the GR is intelligent enough to determine what to focus. I use an OVF with this, and confidently let the camera determine point of focus. It's an 18mm crop after all!

With 3 MY settings, I have 3 exposure values covering different lighting conditions, the GR does everything I need to do. I have not missed a shot with this... thats big, for a camera this size. I don't need to worry about settings. Like a Leica, it allows me to concentrate on the photo taking process. It's always a companion to my Leica... and now I used it more.

I bought this as an every day carry about camera so I can leave the DSLR at home. Problem with compact cameras is the image quality. This is overcome with this camera. It's crop image is as good as my cannon 650 DSLR. Quality not on par with my 3D mk 111, but it's only 10% of its cost. I have taken some very usable photographs at 1600 ISO on this. I sell stock photos through an agent and images on this camera pass quality control. I use it in RAW and process in Lightroom.

It's light and got a very fast focuse speed. For street photographs it's a dream come true. I use this with a £2.00 app on my iPhone for geocoding locational shoots. But don't skimp on the card quality or you will be letting the camera down. Use a high speed card above 45mb/s and you got a winning combination.

Battery is charged via the camera. Not the best idea I have come across. Plugging a camera into electricity socket is not something I was keen on so I bough a cheap charger of Amazon with another cheap battery as back up. For less that £20 you get both. I think they are called dot photo.

Yes it's expensive for a compact camera with no zoom. But if your reading this then your more interested in quality photographs. This camera gives quality photographs. I have had A3 prints from it and very good quality. 8x10 Prints on par with my full frame in the right conditions.

I'm not dissapointment with this camera.

Although many have raved about this camera as the perfect carry-everywhere camera, I was underwhelmed by it's performance, and ultimately decided to return it. I was looking for a small camera as an alternative to the Fuji X100S, but while it has the same size (APS-C) sensor, the low light performance is inferior, and as soon as you put it in any kind of case, the size advantage evaporates.
The reason for the case - there have been a number of reports of the camera picking up dust on the sensor if not fully protected, and subsequent difficulty in getting the camera repaired under warranty.
It's most certainly a good camera, but not for me.

I've been a photographer for about 15 years, I also now work as an art director, so if I'm not taking shots I'm surrounded by those who are. This little camera is a serious diamond in the rough. Don't overlook it just because it's not a Nikon or Canon.

PROS:
• The lens is amazing, super sharp.
• Highly customizable.
• Snap focus is fantastic, especially for street photography.
• Size. Fits perfectly in my hand, just feels very natural. Yet small enough to slide in my jeans pocket.
• Invisible. People ignore you, point a big SLR at them and you won't get the same reaction.
• Superfast autofocus (with v4 firmware update)
• TAv mode. This is something I've only seen on Pentax/Ricoh cameras. You set the FStop and SS and the camera picks the ISO. Works great, especially in daylight.

CONS:
• Wish it was weather sealed
• Would love a built-in viewfinder (I added an external, but it's not the same)
• Noise at high ISO
• Built in Wifi

Most of the complaints I've read on here has been addressed with continued firmware updates. I think Ricoh/Pentax plans on really supporting this camera.

I have a Pentax K-5 with tons of prime & pentax limited lenses so I wasn't sure if I really needed this camera. I decided to buy it anyway strictly as a dedicated "street shooter". After using it for about a month now, I have to say that it is fantastic! The image quality is on par or better than my K-5 / DA15 limited lens combination. The best feature of this camera is that it looks like a toy to most people and is unobtrusive. People will tend just to ignore it which will allow you get get more candid shots. Little do they know that it packs a full-sized APS-C sensor and fantastic controls including a "snap focus" feature which is perfect for quick, spur of the moment street shots. It fits right in my pocket and I take it everywhere where I normally would not take my K-5 so I get the shots that I normally would not be getting.
It also does not have an anti-alias filter which increases the sharpness of the photos. It is a solidly built piece of hardware. If you are looking for a fixed lens camera for street shooting or landscapes, this camera will exceed your expectations!
I love my K-5 and the flexibility of switching lenses but this is fast becomming my favorite camera to use.

I absolutely love this camera! Compared to my girlfriend's DSLR, this camera is so much more pocketable, which means it's easier to pull out when an opportunity strikes. I'm also relatively new to photography and this camera has been easy to learn, providing many straightforward options in an easy-to-navigate menu. I like the ability to edit RAW photos on the camera itself. The 16 MP A-COS sensor is fairly ubiquitous right now, and the image quality is decent. I just got back from a trip to Kauai and have hundreds of photos.

Battery life and view finding are my only complaints. The view finder adapter is $250. I find the LCD screen usable, but slightly less creative because I shoot looking at the screen, not the image itself. Also the battery life supports around 290 photos. This seems like a lot, but because of the size, this camera prompts a high volume of shooting.

I highly recommend this camera for beginners that want to learn. There are helpful exposure and other display settings to teach you how the camera functions. The other big plus is customization of buttons and settings once you figure out what you need most frequently. I also think this could be a helpful sidekick for the avid DSLR user, but because of its point and shoot nature, it works best for subject shooting only.

Happy shooting!

Good day! I did have a few question on the camera. Overall I will say that is it wonderful and I look forward to experiencing all of the features offered.

I do have two thoughts that maybe you can shed some light on for me with regards to the condition the camera.

The shutter history showed over 840 shots taken. Being this was to be a new product, I would have expected this to be much lower given some light use during product final inspection. It leads me to believe this camera is either is a slightly used camera or was an in store demo.

The other hint of being used is the scuff mark on one corner of the housing. It clearly has been abraised ever so slightly to affect the removal of the green paint finish on this particular corner. Again, this could be due to being used or an in- store demo.

What are your thoughts on the condition of the camera I received?

I am just back from a trip to Alaska and after snapping 1500 shots in raw and developing them in Lightroom 5, I can honestly say that this camera is fantastic for landscapes. I felt sorry for all the tourists with 10 lbs of equipment they were lugging around to get shots that I was getting with this camera on a carbon fiber monopod. It is a joy to use and clearly was created for the enthusiast. Pentax-Ricoh has been speedy with firmware updates, although the original firmware was fine. The lens is so sharp and the combination of lens, sensor, and processor are amazing and unsurpassed in a small camera. No need for a zoom with such a sharp lens. I found that cropping shots and still having perfect clarity and detail eliminated the need for zoom. With this cropping ability, I feel that the 18.3mm lens gives a zoom range of 28 to 150 mm on a 35mm basis. This is perfect for landscapes. Macro shots were great also. I use a magnetic loupe on the screen for shooting in bright sun. It works perfectly. My rating on this camera, I feel, is probably more significant that most reviews since I have personally owned 40 digital cameras over 20 years. I sell most after I get bored with them or they fail to wow me, but The Ricoh GR is a keeper.

The Ricoh GR is nearly perfect for my needs as a "go everywhere," pocketable camera. It's incredible how such a powerful camera has made it into such an unassuming package.

First of all, the quality of the images is outstanding. I have used it for landscapes, street scenes and even macro photography - and I have not been disappointed. Straight-out-of-camera JPGs look great; the RAW images need some post-processing, and are very malleable in Lightroom; black and white conversion in particular produces stunning results.

Second, the ergonomics are nearly flawless. The rubber grip fits my hand perfectly, and allows me to hold the camera in one hand while simultaneously changing settings with the thumb and forefinger of that hand. The external controls allow me to quickly and easily adjust aperture, ISO, exposure compensation, etc. As others have noted, the controls of the Ricoh GR are very customizable, and I've played with around a number of different configurations. Ricoh clearly designed this camera with photographers in mind.

I had thought that the lack of a viewfinder would be a downside, but I have found composing using the LCD screen to be easy, even in very bright conditions. If this camera had IBIS (I have been spoiled by the OM-D E-M5 in that regard), it would be perfect.

Before buying the Ricoh GR, I tried the RX100 and the Nikon A. The RX100 produces wonderful images, but I did not like the external controls and I did not like how it felt in the hand (though adding the Franiec grip helps). The Nikon A seems like a terrific enthusiast's camera, but it is not better than the Ricoh GR, and certainly not several hundred dollars better. I also own two micro-43 bodies (E-M5, GX1), but with lenses attached they are not pocketable.

A sampling of my photos taken so far with the Ricoh GR is in this Flickr set: [...]

This could actually be a wonderful camera as the handling, build quality and most importantly, the image quality is excellent. But within days of owning the camera and having kept it in a suitable case, dust found its way on to the sensor despite this being a sealed unit with a fixed lens. I discovered that this is a well documented problem and the only solution is to return the camera to Germany for a replacement lens unit (which includes the sensor). It's then likely that the problem will persist as Ricoh have not been able to resolve the issue and it plagues the replacement units. I returned the camera as I've owned many sealed units and have never noticed dust on the sensors of those cameras.

The box I got was not sealed，and the charger was not look the same as the manual pictured，also can not charge，I have to buy another charge…great camera，but consider buy from other places，at least not from amazon

Having had a Panny Lx3 for several years , which has been my everyday, everywhere camera, I bought a Canon 600D DSLR to shoot my sisters wedding, after falling in love with the results, but increasingly hating lugging a DSLR and lenses around, the DSLR has started gathering dust because of its impractical size, so after lusting after the Ricoh GR1s/r etc 35mm cameras for when I'm shooting film, the Ricoh GR (APS-C) is almost as close as I'm going to get to a full frame pocket stealth machine in digital form for now ( no doubt a full frame version will emerge in a few years) so after deciding to downsize to the Ricoh GR, I'm going to ditch the DSLR format, and while I may miss it for the flexibility of shoving a 135mm 2:8f or a 17mm or even a 50mm 1.4, my back isn't !
After giving the GR a test at another wedding, I feel confident that this is going to be a real workhorse, with it's fast lens and 28mm field of view, it caught the majority of shots I tried to get ( the ones I missed more more likely my fault) and it's great fx range gives some really fantastic, and not gimmicky film processes, the B&W and cross-process got some serious use, and the high contrast B&W will give lovers of Daido Moriyama a taste of his signature look!
The high ISO shots aren't brilliant, they're ok in colour, but in B&W they give a real filmic grain, something that I love, so already, I'm happy !
While I've only used it for a one full day, and that is a full 12hrs travelling from London to Paris, then on to a wedding and use indoors, outdoors, with flash etc... I'm really happy with the versatility and power of this camera, it really is small, and fitted in the jacket or pocket of my slim fitted suit! It's also very, very well made, works right out of the box ( after a charge of course!) and it's very easy to understand...
So, a massive thumbs up from me !

Hello everyone, I'm going to review this little camera since there is no one does it on Amazon. Well, first of all, I am a photo bug that love street and landscape photography, I have number of full frame DSLRs, and some heavy lenses; however since once I brought all of my gears to go on a trip to Thailand, I understood that making "good" photos are not an easy job, physically. Then I decided not to bring too many heavy gears when I go travelling.

Alright, lets talk about this camera, which is our main topic. You might heard about Ricoh's GR series cameras since the film photographers' era; GR series are famous of its compact size, good handling and professional control functions. For this specific camera, GR Digital IV, it has the 28mm wide angle prime lens on it, with f/1.9 maximum aperture and image stabilization, very convenient for not only low-light condition, but also creating shallow Bokeh. However, GRD IV only gets a small 1/1.7 CCD sensor in it, bigger sensor literally means better image quality. About this point, different people may have different idea. So personally, I would not recommend to beginner to get it in this price range, for whom many Mirrorless cameras and entry-level DSLRs could be more suitable. But I would highly recommend to the ones who are looking for a compact alternative of heavy cameras for specific purposes, like me myself.

GRD IV has many interesting features such as many custom functions allow you to create a comfortable control system; two multi-function dials, number of custom buttons, a M-A-S-P dial with three custom-mode, also variety of pictures effects. The external button layout is nice and neat, no superfluous design. Superior build quality, you will know where your money goes when you hold it in your hands. Also, Ricoh offers us different accessories like lens hood, wide angle attached lens, viewfinders and cases, you might wanna get some for your GRD IV.

Overall I am happy to give a five-star rating to this camera, for the features that I introduced to you, also I will update my review and some pictures taken by it. Thanks for reading.

- Apr 10 2012

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I've been using this camera for two days, everything is going well, and I found out this little camera is extremely good at taking macro shots, your lens can actually touch the subject and still able to focus! I have taken several macros in Raw files, they turned out very nice, sharp and beautiful Bokeh...

Also, the mode "My sense" actually got more interesting in-camera processing, such as long exposure for taking star tracks, high dynamic rage shots, all done in camera. However I haven't tried them out yet, I'm gonna find a good day to take some shots at night using those interesting features. They are many different combinations in My modes (you have three my modes on the M-A-S-P dial). For examples, I like to shoot in RAW, however when you are wondering to use the in camera pre-set like Hi-contrast, B&W, Hi-pass etc, you can only shoot in JPEG, RAW files would not have anything else other than original image information. In this case I set the MY1, MY3, MY3 modes into different JPEG modes, with different pre-set combinations, different metering and focusing mode, very convenience! If I want to shoot RAW, I can just turn the dial to M-A-S-P, other than that I use "My modes" to shot interesting JPEG pictures. Since the in-camera processes are so decent, it saves my time to do the post process for the snap shots.

Simply saying I found this camera is such a fun toy to play, easy and amazing, and nice handling like DSLRs, professional point&shoot!

-Apr 18 2012 by Ben

The GR is about half the price of the x100s, and as soon as it's in your hands you know why.

All the switches, dials, etc. feel as wobbly bits. Maybe some of you remember "disposable" cameras, and once you took a photo you had to spin that plastic dial with your thumb for the next frame. The front right dial of the camera, controlled by the index finger of your right hand, feels exactly like that: very "toy-like" or "juvenile" as does the jog dial. When manipulating the controls you feel like you don't want to push or press too hard or you might break them.

I'm not sure why reviewers call this camera "durable" or "solid" when it's not really that way at all.

Image quality is above average due to the sensor, though not as good (in my opinion) as the x100s with considerably more noise once you hit 1600. With the x100s I can shoot 3200 without worrying about it. Not so with the GR.

There's also this funny business about the GR automatically setting ISO in TAv mode to ridiculously atmospheric levels, like 6400 without any justification.

The one area where the GR may outshine the x100s is in RAW conversion to black and white. Awesome detail in the GR's RAW files.

But in the end, for me, the GR stands for a Great piece of Rubbish. It is basically a nice big sensor in a disposable body. Maybe that's what it's come to.

I own a Sony RX100 II and the Ricoh GR. After comparing the two I was set to return the Ricoh as the pictures from the Sony looked better and sharper under large magnification. Turns out the JPEG engine in the Ricoh is not so good. The Sony's pictures shot in Raw and JPEG look very good. The Ricoh produces excellent raw images but the JPEG's are definitely not as good. So in raw mode the Ricoh takes significantly better pictures than the Sony, no doubt due to it's much larger sensor. In JPEG mode however the Sony is better. When I want absolute best pictures in JPEG format I now shoot with the Ricoh in raw mode, import into iPhoto then export them into JPEG mode. The conversion process via iPhoto export provides excellent results. I'm sure a separate raw converter would work even better with more editing options. The Ricoh does come with Silkypix LE software which I assume offers raw conversion. I generally avoid loading other software to keep my computer uncluttered.

Finally one important point. The Ricoh GR does not have image stabilization. In low light it is harder to get a clear picture than with the Sony which has stabilization.

amazing camera. perfect for street photography. currently have a exhibition running with shots taken with this one. love it.

expensive. tough to figure out all of the features. there are so many. awesome photos most of the time. need to be sure your focal point is correct as it is tack sharp where the camera focuses, but may not be where you were expecting.

Loving this camera so far... I like it being so compact and produces good images. The raw files are great when I edit them in LR. Been taking it to some casual trip and I don't have to lug my huge 5DM3 with the lens in it. I also got the EyeFi SD so I could post the images I like in FB or Instagram. Pictures are 100x better than my smartphone camera. Getting more likes (LOL) with better composition and sharpness.

The only thing I'm observing is sometimes I've tried to make changes in the settings and it does not take effect until I re-boot the camera. Like when I try to change the settings of the ISO to only up to 3200 max (from 1600), it would still be at 1600 - until I had to reboot it.

Still - I got the camera for the images and so far I'm really happy with this. Don't hesitate to get it if you are williing to invest in good pictures in a small package!

It is amazing camera. I looking for this camera such a long time, and when I actually got this I cannot stop taking the pictures. really nice size, grip feeling, speed and all functions are very nice. I really like old film camera colour and feeling, this camera can makes a pictures excellently what I want to. So nice to having it. Plus delivery was very very fast, and safe. I really highly recommend this Camera in here Amazon. Thank you

Are you a professional photographer or an enthusiast? If yes, then please stop reading this review (right now!), as it is not written for you. All others, please continue…..

Are you coming from a point and shoot camera? Are you looking for a camera that is good but will not break the bank? If you answered YES to either of these questions then this is the camera for you. It is a small camera with a lot of power.

Throughout this review, I will write about this camera’s:
compact size, how this camera has a fixed focal length of 28 mm, how to add a focal length of 35 mm and 47mm; Firmware updates, built in effects, outputs in RAW and JPEG, crazy sharp images - even in AUTO, histogram display, LCD expectations, Silkypix

I have to say that I find this camera is anything but expert. Very disappointed and its only saving grace is that it imprints the date and time on each picture. The saving of RAW files with the JPG version is a bit of a gimmick to be honest.
I got this camera as a backup or emergency camera for my SLR holdall. Whilst the construction is 'sturdy' the quality of the pictures and the auto-focus, leaves alot to be desired. Might I suggest you get a TZ from Panny - it won't disappoint.

I bought the Ricoh GR for street photography. It works great. The Snap function is very helpful. In street photography you do not have the time to center the subject, so the Snap function uses the focus distance you set and takes the photo. Also the subject tracking is another great feature. It is very quick in finding the moving object. It quiet, but not as quiet as the Fujifilm X20.

I love this camera. I've used many systems trying to find the perfect street photographer / versatile carry around camera, and this is it. As background, I've used Nikon D90, Canon 5D, Sony A850, Olympus 43, Panasonic GF-1, and this is my favorite camera yet. I am an advanced amateur photographer who has exhibited at local galleries.

Why you should buy the the GXR -

- 100% customizable interface. there is absolutely no need to dive into the menus.
- everything is at the "top level" meaning there is instant control - just spin the knob or push the button. There's no "hold this button down then turn this" For example: I shoot in aperture priority. here are the commands that are directly accessible without any need to hold down any button or dive into menus:
1) Aperture
2) ISO
3) exposure compensation
4) switch to Manual focus
5) enlarge image (focusing aid)
6) focus assist (peaking)
There are 5 additional, easily accessible and completely customizable functions that are just 1 button press away.
- snap focus mode with depth of field gauge. This is amazing, highly useful for street photography, and taking photos of fast-moving kids. there are 2 ways to do this:
1) when the camera is in AF mode, you can make it so that if the shutter button is fully pressed in 1 motion, the camera will focus at a pre-determined and user-adjustable distance (i.e. 2-meters). You can change this distance with 1 button press. if you use 1/2 press shutter, it is AF as usual.
2) when you are in snap focus or manual focus mode, there is a depth of field gauge that tells you the focus point and the DOF around that focus point.
- great LCD screen at 920k dots
- magnesium alloy build. the build quality is superb.
- you can hold the camera in 1 hand and operate almost all the controls. Also, the back of the camera has a large area where the thumb can rest and not accidentally touch any other button.
- the mode dial locks. This prevents accidentally changing the shooting mode.

Why you should get this lens module -

- Very sharp lens
- very versatile - 50mm standard lens, and also a macro lens
- the focus is good. The older firmware was not as good. The latest firmware is much better, and focus is much improved.
- the sensor is outstanding. clean to ISO 800, and ISO 1600 needs just a touch of NR in lightroom 3. the colors are fantastic and the image has a great look to it.
- one issue that DP review points out is that the raw file output is a bit soft - that's just how the processing is. It sharpens up perfectly with a bit of sharpening in LR3 - this reminds me of the files from the canon 5D. The jpg files are sharp and contrasty.

Now, here's a thought. I never understood why people bought the GXR until now:

1) the GXR balances sensor size to deliver a great shooting experience in a small form factor. want a large zoom? ok, get the 28-300 module. It's got a small sensor to keep the overall size small. If you want a 28-300 lens on full frame, buy the Canon 5D2 and 28-300 L for about $6000. You want uncompromising image quality? ok, get the 50mm or 28mm module w/ APSC module. The A12 APSC sensor is superb. clean to ISO 800. 1600 needs just a touch of NR in Lightroom.

2) why would the majority of people really need more than ISO 1600 and 12MP? this sensor and lens setup on the A12 modules is so good, I don't think anyone would need to update. i'll take the superior user interface any day.

Who should NOT get the GXR?

1) Sports photographers who need long, fast zoom lenses to shoot from the sidelines

2) night wedding photographers needing ISO 3200 and a 70-200 2.8 zoom

3) gear heads wanting to buy 12 lenses at 1,000 each, then wind up using just 2 of those.

4) people who need long tele lenses (i.e. bird photographers or animal photographers) or ultrawide lenses.

if you are in one of these groups, the GXR would not be a good 1 system camera, but would be a great 2nd system camera.

Now that the M mount is coming out, it's just getting better.

I bought the GR to complement my Canon 5D3. I had not been thrilled with the quality of other point-and-shoots that I'd owned, and I didn't want to invest in another interchangeable lens system.

The GR doesn't disappoint. It's a take-anywhere camera that gives me true DSLR quality. I can pixel peep at 100% and be satisfied by the sharpness of its images. In low-light, I feel the GR gives usable images up to ISO3200. The handling it great. It's so configurable and I've customized it so it mimics the 5D3's control system quite well, so switching back and forth between my cameras is easy for me.

It's not a beginner's camera though. There is no image stabilization. There's no zoom. It does best when you set it to manual settings instead of putting it into auto modes (in bright conditions, I set the shutter speed and aperture and have the camera use auto-ISO). The automatic flash metering is finicky (I manually set the flash's power and adjust my exposure manually for flash shots).

I have absolutely no regrets buying this camera. As a DSLR companion, it's exactly was I was looking for.

Even lighter than the regular version and comes with all the stuff you'd want for it. Ok, the case is pretty much useless, but the strap and hood/tube are nice and better than regular versions. Color and grip look/feel are nice too.

Lens and sensor are terrific and the one-handed control system is hard to beat. It's a very serious camera, make no mistake. There is just nothing better in this size/weight.

Are you a professional photographer or an enthusiast? If yes, then please stop reading this review (right now!), as it is not written for you. All others, please continue…..

Are you coming from a point and shoot camera? Are you looking for a camera that is good but will not break the bank? If you answered YES to either of these questions then this is the camera for you. It is a small camera with a lot of power.

Throughout this review, I will write about this camera’s:
compact size, how this camera has a fixed focal length of 28 mm, how to add a focal length of 35 mm and 47mm; Firmware updates, built in effects, outputs in RAW and JPEG, crazy sharp images - even in AUTO, histogram display, LCD expectations, Silkypix