What's that old adage? How do you upset people online? Express an opinion and wait.
So. Here's my opinion expressed less - I dunno, comically? Sarcastically? There really are very few truly pocketable cameras in my opinion other than cell phones. Some I've read on this thread of people claiming to put a particular camera in their jeans pocket? Not sure what jeans you're wearing, and maybe you can? In fact, I've tried this and have found this annoying and uncomfortable. To each his own.
But, I continued, why is this even important? Why is size such a big deal? Why not pick up a full featured -- and I know they're on their way out (IMO thanks to marketeering...), DSLR that -- has a proper viewfinder (not an accessory that costs 1/2 the price of a camera LIKE the Ricoh GR does...) and (shriek) a mirror, and (shriek) a convenient built-in flash (that, yes, comes in handy...) and (shriek) an actual proper mechanical shutter... ???
So I don't care for such cameras as the Ricoh GRs given their costand I wouldn't own one at either a new or used prices. You are welcome to love them! Be my guest. I call such cameras "1/2 - cameras". 50% of a camera -- 100% of the cost. And yes, that's a snark. And "no" I don't care for such cameras.
That's my opinion of these cameras. No like-y. You, on the other hand, are welcome to love them! Get objectophilia, walk the aisle, and marry the danged thing. Be my guest. It's not a value judgement on my part. Buy/use whatever the h**l camera you want -- don't worry about what "I" think of it.
So, the question I pose is thus. Why is "pocketability" a big deal? Why are cameras getting smaller at the cost of standard features (but charging the same price if not more)? And "in the old days" people carried full-sized and full featured cameras that were not so concerned about size so much, but just used a normal camera strap, and didn't seem to mind?
Also -- some smaller sized cameras (again) in my opinion actually have bad ergos in this regard. They're too small for a strap, but they're too large to comforatably be "pocketable". In addition to this, they also have more fiddly buttons, do not accomodate larger fingers too well... The ergos actually diminish! Worse ergos than larger cameras -- but not quite accomplishing their goal of pocketability. Perhaps this is why the Leicas, Nikons, and Canons weren't so obsessed with size over the years?
And I'll give you an example. Love this camera -- one of my all time faves. Pentax PC35AF. Would you put a camera strap on it? No, that would be silly. Is it small enough to fit in your pocket? No. (Although a few people around here might try it). So, you wind up having the thing dangle from your wrist on a wrist strap, or you hold it, or you set it down somewhere and worry you'll forget it or knock it to the floor...
And many cameras today fall into this "tween" size range. In my opinion just get a regular sized camera that doesn't lop off features for the sake of size, put "a" standard prime lens on it, and use an old-school cameras strap. And another thing -- a lot of these smaller "pocketable" cameras (not to bash it) like the GR (again) are fixed lens cameras. The lens might be terrific -- but you're stuck with it. With an interchangable lens camera I can put whatever focal length on it. Huge advantage. Use that pocket for another lens. To me (again me) I'll take a "lowly" Nikon D5300 entry-level DSLR that has (a flash, a viewfinder, a proper shutter) for a few hundred bucks that I can attach any number of prime lenses to over the Ricoh. But that's just me.
Is this opinion something to get wound up about?
Chill!
And here's another 1/2 camera I would never own. Those Sony RX abominations. The online photo "press" bounces off the walls like the Cocoa Puffs bird over these things as soon as they came out. No viewfinder, a "terrific" 1" sensor (rolls eyes). How much do you want for that thing? A hahahaha! Oh -- it's "pocketable" you say? Hence the cost? No thanks. It's not as pocketable as my cell that I can take pics with, talk, text, listen to music, and play a game of chess and blackjack on.
