Ricoh GR review – Our verdict
Anyone who has used a camera in Ricoh’s GR series will know that they really are a photographer’s camera. The many different custom settings make the camera operate as the user intends, and all shooting features are easily accessed. The basic design and menu layout may not be to everyone’s taste, but the Ricoh GR is a tool – and a quality one at that.
With so much competition in the premium compact market at the moment, it can be difficult to know which camera to buy, but the Ricoh has one standout feature – its price. At just £599, the GR is at least £400 cheaper than any of its competitors, but this certainly does not represent a compromise.
We will no doubt do a full comparative test of these cameras in the coming months, but from what I have seen the image quality of the Ricoh GR is a match for its peers. It may well be the large-sensor compact that a lot of people have been waiting for.
Ricoh GR – Key features
Aperture preview
This button on the side of the camera allows the depth of field to be previewed, or it can be used as a function button to change the image effect.
Shutter button
As well as using a half-press to focus, a sudden full press will automatically take a shot. This is useful when the camera is set to a preset focus, and ‘full press snap’ is enabled. This means a moment can be captured in an instant.
Mode dial
Here the different shooting modes can be changed. Apart from the usual exposure modes, there are also three user-defined custom settings.
Wi-Fi
Although the Ricoh GR doesn’t have Wi-Fi built in, it is compatible with Eye-Fi cards, which will enable transfer from the camera to a computer or smartphone.
