Отзывы о Цифровой Фотоаппарат Ricoh GR

I always like to have a compact in my jacket pocket, just because you never know when a photo opportunity may arise, and it's not always practical to carry your "BIG" camera around with you.

Until owning the GR I've always accepted that using a compact would by it's very nature incur a noticeable drop in image quality, either from the smaller sensor or from the slightly suspect zoom optics, or from sluggish performance/handling. NOT SO! The Ricoh GR is a game changer.

The compromises are there, but they're different ones. If you can live with a 28mm fixed lens and poor video capture, then this little marvel is probably the best compact camera you can buy without spending thousands.

In fact, I'm so taken with the little GR that my poor D7200 hasn't seen the light of day in weeks!

First off I'm an amateur ([...] with no interest in Ricoh/Pentax. I just think this is a wonderful camera.

If you prize exceptional image quality, build quality, portability and the ability to point-and-shoot or manually adjust every facet of picture taking I would suggest you take a close look at the new Ricoh GR.

Since the 1990s and the days of 35mm film, the GR range has set the standard for gimmick-free compact cameras aimed at people who like taking and looking at photos.

I've owned and loved a Ricoh GR Digital 3 (GRD3) for about three years, and also love my Olympus OM-D, but this new incarnation of the GR is proving a game-changer. However good the GRD3 is - and it is very, very good - in the final analysis, cameras with larger sensors usually win on image quality. Now the GR has its own large (APS size) sensor behind a new pin-sharp 18.3mm (28mm equivalent) lens. Together lens and sensor deliver exceptional image performance, which, coupled with its rugged, compact form, is tending more and more to have me pick up the Ricoh GR rather than the small but comparatively much larger Olympus. I doubt there is any camera on the market that matches the ratio of image quality to size/weight of the GR.

Close comparisons between images captured with the GR and those captured with the OM-D with the very sharp Lumix 20mm pancake lens stopped down to f9,0 reveal differences that are marginal if not entirely negligible.

One further point on image quality with the GR. I have captured great images at ISO6400. Sure there is grain/noise at high ISO, but somehow its `good' grain/noise. This must come from the exception pairing of lens and sensor.

From a controls point of view, Ricoh have maintained the wonderful ADJ. button on the back face. The ADJ. button can be programmed to access and adjust any five controls you choose. I have it set to ISO, metering (matrix, centre, etc), capture type (RAW, JPG), aspect ratio, focus type and effect. Thus with three buttons/dials I can adjust all of the above plus aperture and shutter speed. This simple to use button enhances the useability of the GR way above any other camera I have used or owned.

It you are put off by the fixed focal length (i.e. non-zoom) lens, please don't be. Unless you are in the market for lenses costing many thousands of pounds, zooms are never, ever as good as fixed focal length `prime' lenses. I have tried to disprove this and wasted many hundreds of pounds in the process. No more. If you value image quality fixed focal length is better, believe me. And the GR proves it. From a creative perspective I find using fixed focal length far more interesting to use than zoom. If you want to get closer to something, get closer to it (unless you are taking a dangerous wild animal while on Safari - for which I would not recommend this camera, much less any zoom compact).

I have recently tried the Leica D-Lux 6 and the Sony RX100. Both are very capable cameras and both are smaller than the GR. For my hands both are too small to be easily used - they feel fiddly and over complicated. More importantly both compromise by using zoom lenses. On balance, for my kind of photo taking anyway, the GR is in a completely different class.

A final quality of the GR is that its physical appearance is the opposite of bling. It is plain black - the initials "GR" the only readable lettering on the front face. It won't attract attention to you as a photographer and it will minimise the attention of potential thieves.

I don't normally write reviews but I feel compelled to do so with the Ricoh GR as I'm just so impressed. My main camera is a Nikon d7100 and 99% of the time I have a prime lens on it and my most usual photographic subjects are my kids. The only problem with the dslr is that it's just not always practical to take it with me when I'm out and about with the kids due to its size, but my old point and shoot camera, although decent enough, just annoyed me as the quality was so far behind my d7100 that it didn't inspire me to take it with me. Consequently I felt I was missing out on a lot of everyday moments of the kids that I really wanted to be able to get a decent photo of.

Then I discovered the existence of this amazing camera! Wow! Incredibly similar sensor to the d7000 and it is apparent that, though this may look like a point and shoot, it is anything but (though of course you can use it that way if you want but that would be a waste!). I'm stunned by the image quality, the shallow depth of field I can achieve thanks to the large sensor and fast lens (especially in the fantastic macro mode) and how well it performs at high ISOs. There is definite noise at high ISOs, but as another reviewer said, it is somehow good noise and almost adds to the character of those images. I love how I can customise pretty much every aspect of this camera - the various function buttons, how it focuses, and all the tweaks you can make to how it processes the image in camera.

The one thing that concerned me before buying it was the focal length. It's so much wider than I normally shoot with, but now I actually have the camera I wouldn't change it. It's wide enough to get everything in shot indoors and the quality is so good that I can crop if I want to later. Or, there's an in built function so with the press of a button you can change it to 35mm instead (though this takes the image down to 10mp and doesn't alter your depth of field, but still excellent quality images and handy to have in-camera).

There are so many neat functions that this camera has that I could go on forever, and I think most of them have been covered really well in the other reviews. One feature that I wasn't aware of until I got the camera out of the box and started reading the manual though is that it has an in-built interval composite mode. I love taking star trail photos, and this mode seems especially designed for this purpose - the manual even gives you instructions on how to do it. You set up the shot you want, tell it how often to take the photo, and it will do the rest until you tell it to stop. You can even half press the shutter button while it's doing it and see what your composite image is looking like so far. Although it won't replace my d7100 and computer software as my main equipment for this purpose, it's amazing to know that if I'm ever caught out with only my Ricoh GR on a starry night, I can still get the shot!

How is a camera this size so clever?! If you're reading this review considering buying it, do it! It certainly won't ever replace my dslr as my main camera, but I'll be carrying this one around in my bag all day everyday, safe in the knowledge that I will always be able to get a fantastic quality photo whenever I want. Just brilliant!

I've worked in a number of genres over the years, and have always enjoyed street photography, but had always been impaired by the use of general purpose cameras like SLR's, TLR's, and even P&S's like the Yashica T4, Canon Powershot S95, or Canon G12. This purchase had been my first investment in a real purpose-built street camera. My budget had been considerably higher, and the final cameras in the running were this, the Fujifilm X100S, and the Sony DSCRX1R. My budget was clearly much higher than what I spent.

Not to be understated is the difference between (effective) 28mm focal length and 35mm. With a 35mm effective focal length, the photographer must be fairly close to the subject, but can still assume a somewhat safe distance. At 28mm, you must be right in the thick of things, so close to your subject that they can lay hands on you (if they were so inclined) without taking a step. I'm finding a certain intimacy at this focal length that was somewhat diminished at 35mm.

The Ricoh GR is insanely pocketable for such a high quality camera. As a result, I take it with me everywhere. When I go out on the streets, even just to walk to lunch from my office, the camera is in my hand. It's small enough, and low-key enough (almost entirely black, minus a fairly low-key "GR" on the front) that my subjects almost never appear threatened by the presence of the camera.

If you're running in one of the manual modes, the controls are right at your fingertips without having to shift your view away from the viewfinding screen. They are very well laid-out and I've found them to be convenient. I have very large hands and have not had a problem here.

I generally shoot in one of the three user-programmable modes. For daytime outdoor use, I'll preprogram it for TAv (Shutter-Aperture Priority) where I dial in the aperture and shutter speed I want, and the camera picks the best ISO for the job. For my work, I don't mind a little grain/noise if the camera goes high on the ISO but I do want more control over depth of field and shutter speed when I'm on the go. The metering of this camera has been outstanding and I have not regretted using this mode. There is also a snap focus mode, but the auto focus is very quick and accurate in the daylight. This camera will hunt for focus in low light, be warned.

The flash is almost always turned off for me, but I've found that when it is needed, it is fairly pleasing (as much so as on-camera flash can be).

I've had no problem importing & processing the RAW files in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5]. I also like Street Presets, which are not available through Amazon.

I debited a star for one major reason: battery life. When I'm walking around and the camera is turned on all the time, I can't even fill a 4GB card before the battery goes kaput and the camera unceremoniously shuts off. Spare batteries are expensive and largely unobtainable, even at Ricoh's high price. Aftermarket batteries are not available at the time of this writing, as best as I can tell.

If you want to see examples of photos I've taken with this camera, and stylized in Lightroom, follow @Ralwegians on Twitter, or check out Ralwegians fan page on Facebook. The Ricoh is my primary street camera (though not exclusive) so most of what you see there will be taken by the Ricoh.

I've had this camera for one day. My report after that duration: AMAZING. As I understand it, this camera has the same APS-C sensor that had the magic juice for Nikon and Pentax a few years back. The image quality is superb. I had ordered an LX100 but when I looked online and looked at the photos that camera gets and the ones people were getting from the Ricoh GR, I returned the LX100 without even taking it out of the box. I like the solid feel of this camera, being able to hold it with one hand, and the size: it is very small. I can even fit it in a pocket together with an iPhone. To be fair, I will qualify a few things. The autofocus is definitely on the slow side, particularly in low light. Though generally an action photographer, I'm willing to put up with that in this case for the tradeoff in image quality. Once focus has locked, it is pretty accurate. The battery charging system also drives me mad though I have a Wasabi system on order. Color rendition under fluorescent lighting can also be a bit scary (though I presume this can be largely bypassed by shooting in RAW). But I really love this camera overall. The dial controls are so much more accessible and user friendly than most other cameras on the market. I love being able to adjust ISO, shutter speed or exposure compensation without taking my finger off the shutter. I've used things like the LX3 and a whole slew of m43 cameras and this easily exceeds those in image quality. It's hard to quantify in words but try this camera out and you will see: it is a photographer's camera.

The first thing you notice when cracking open the box is the GR's size. It looks pocketable, and under most normal circumstances it is pocketable. The camera is light and fits nicely into the front pockets of my Express shorts and producer pants. The pocket-bulge is nearly identical to an iPhone fitted with an Otterbox case. On the other hand, you can go ahead and toss away any conjured fantasies of stuffing it into a pair of 511s though. It won't happen. I've already tried. Ergonomically, the GR feels great in the hand. The grip is sort of sticky (in a good a way), so it adheres nicely to my palm & fingers; making it perfect for comfortably long shoots.

One of the most important things while taking photos is limiting the barrier between you and your subject as you snap the shutter. The less a camera is in your way, the better. Luckily for the GR, it's quite simple to assign and change up the functions to suit any particular style of workflow so it gets out your way immediately. It's somewhat reminiscent of the OM-D. It may take a day or two to find the most intuitive button layout that suits you, but once you've found it, you'll probably never have to touch it again. (As an aside, if I could add one feature to the menu, it would be the ability to shoot RAW alongside small or x-small jpegs. Currently the camera can only save RAW photos alongside large JPEGS.) In action, I find the GR snappy and stealthy; buffer speeds are quick, focusing is lighnting fast in adequate lighting, and the shutter is barely audible. It's not all chocolates and roses though. Despite being accurate, the focus is slow in low-light; the latter being a room with one or two lamps on. In the aforementioned shooting scenarios, the camera sometimes takes between 1.5-2 seconds before it locks. But once you're accustomed to the snap-focus feature and prejudging distances, it's not that big of a problem.

If you're in the market for this camera, you know you're in it for the large-sensor photos. Heading over to Flickr and browsing the real-life samples will probably give you a better indicator of the IQ than what I can put into words. To put it simply, the GR's sensor/lens combination is one of the sharpest kits I've ever used; even wide open. (Much sharper than my old X100.) The photos have a nice `pop' to them that I find tough to achieve with the Panasonic 14mm. ISO looks clean up to 3200; with noticeable noise kicking in at 6400. Keep an eye on the white-balance though. It strays from the norm every once in a while, more so than my m43 cameras. But if you're shooting RAW it's easily correctable in-camera. And for bokeh lovers, I'll be upfront. At 28mm, this is not a bokeh machine. You can isolate subjects, but the f/2.8 lens is best suited for contextual shooting. I prefer compositions with backgrounds and context while shooting 28mm anyways, so this is no issue to me. Having video at the flip of a switch is nice too. However, I wish I could have some kind of basic control over the shutter speed while recording in order to smooth out the motion cadence a bit.

Before you purchase the camera, please be aware of its limitations. The GR will not suit everyone; especially at its current price. But for its target market, it's almost everything one could ask for. Luckily, I am that targeted market. And while f/2.8 is adequate, the GR does not substitute my Panasonic 20mm combined with Olympus' stabilization. But if you're okay with the limitations & you must have DSLR-like IQ in a pocket, what are you waiting for? Thus far I've taken the GR to a rave, a few dinners, and many other places that my larger ones will not go. Personally, that alone is priceless.

'Ricoh GR Expert' - This is the Ricoh GR V version I. The model previous to the new GR II. A bit confusing but there you go. I did a lot of research before I decided to buy this camera. I've had it for a day now and Wow!! It's awesome. The image quality of the photos is fantastic. Very sharp with the look and feel of a Leica image. I bought it mainly for street photography as it has a TVA setting, which allow you to set the Aperture and Shutter Speed and the camera sets the ISO automatically. This, in conjunction with Snap focus, which allows almost instant focus at set distance, enables you to take super fast photos. It's also good in low light and an intuitive menu system. I recommend this camera, especially at £379. They were about £600 not so long ago.

This is a fantastic camera. Some might think it limiting to have a fixed lens but this forces you to walk around more and be more creative.

The image quality is fantastic and because the camera is small and inconspicuous you do not draw attention to your self when trying to shoot in the streets. This is great for increasing your shooting confidence if performing close quarters street photography which is where this camera really excels.

The snap zone focusing mode is very useful and the camera is very customisable. The body is made of magnesium alloy so is very strong yet light.

This is a true photographers camera. There is a 35mm and 47mm crop mode if you prefer to frame at these focal lengths. This isn't an optical zoom but a crop so you do lose resolution but the images are still very high res.

The only thing I don't like is that the image preview on the screen seems to be quite low res which makes it blocky when zooming in on the camera.

Also not the version of the GR I received had version 2.x of the firmware installed. The latest version if version 4.0 which you can download from the Ricoh website. The update procedure is very straight forward.

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.

-------------

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.