A review of Nikon Coolpix A vs Ricoh GR: do you agree with this?

[Major Tom]

http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/05/07/battle-of-the-28mm-compacts-ricoh-gr-vs-nikon-coolpix-a/

It's hard for me to decide.

I was leaning heavily to Ricoh because of the obvious superior sharpness but the exposure and color issues with the Ricoh are very pronounced in this review. This reviewer also makes it sound like overall AF performance is better with Nikon.

Do you concur or disagree? Has anyone with a GR had these same problems? Did you work around them?

 

[George Bonanno]

I bought both, kept the Ricoh, flipped the Nikon. The Nikon blew focus on a few important shots, the Ricoh never does. Besides I like the images from the Ricoh way better than the generic files from the Nikon. Get the Ricoh and stop wasting your time. BTW: I have no intentions of going any further commenting on this issue as I’m a Ricoh fanboy. So, that’s that on that.

 

[Quinn Porter]

This review was written shortly after the GR was released. If you read deeply into the comments, Ming Thein states that subsequent GR color profiles in ACR greatly improved color performance. Also, Nikon subsequently released a firmware update that they claim improved AF performance. Just remember, it's a difficult choice because they are both excellent. Most likely you will be happy with either camera.

 

[kuuan]

Not owning neither of the cams, just pointing out that there have been a number of firmware updates for the GR, I think last being version .4, that supposedly addressed some of the 'issues' Ming Thein had noted

 

[Major Tom]

I bought both, kept the Ricoh, flipped the Nikon. The Nikon blew focus on a few important shots, the Ricoh never does. Besides I like the images from the Ricoh way better than the generic files from the Nikon. Get the Ricoh and stop wasting your time. BTW: I have no intentions of going any further commenting on this issue as I’m a Ricoh fanboy. So, that’s that on that.

I haven't been here for a while but even in the short time I was here I learned to take everything you say with a grain (or a shaker) of salt. 😉

 

[Major Tom]

Not owning neither of the cams, just pointing out that there have been a number of firmware updates for the GR, I think last being version .4, that supposedly addressed some of the 'issues' Ming Thein had noted

I think I will get the GR with the firmware updates and see how happy it makes me, especially at night. Unless I feel something is missing I'll stick with it.

 

[bonatto]

I have a coolpix a, have not tried the GR but had a GRIII. They are different cameras. The nikon being the simpler one to operate. It has a fn button on the front that can be assigned to af-on like the pro dslr nikon bodies, I quite like this. The GRs are made in China and use plastic for many parts. The nikon is made in Japan and manufactured mostly from metal parts. For the prices you can get a new or clean coolpix a (below the going rate of a gr), it can be seriously considered. It's also more compact and comes with a battery charger. The GR has a huge cult fan base, the coolpix was hugely criticized since it's launch (mainly based on price and customizability). I do not wish or care for better sharpness or better color. The coolpix a does just fine. Buy what you will enjoy to shoot. Or enjoy shooting what you buy 🙂
Most of the photos here were taken with the nikon.

http://cargocollective.com/bonatto/In-Agreeable-Harmony

 

[Rick Waldroup]

Fred, that is some excellent work.

 

[JoeV]

... The GRs are made in China and use plastic for many parts. The nikon is made in Japan and manufactured mostly from metal ... http://cargocollective.com/bonatto/In-Agreeable-Harmony

So, since China is a manufacturing powerhouse, and engineered plastics are in many cases superior to metal, the GR is the obvious choice, right? 😉

~Joe

 

[bonatto]

So, since China is a manufacturing powerhouse, and engineered plastics are in many cases superior to metal, the GR is the obvious choice, right? 😉

~Joe

it sure can be!

Fred, that is some excellent work.

Thanks Rick.

 

[Major Tom]

So, since China is a manufacturing powerhouse, and engineered plastics are in many cases superior to metal, the GR is the obvious choice, right? 😉

~Joe

Yeah that doesn't really concern me.

I'm sure both cameras would make me happy. I'm just splitting hairs here.

 

[cz23]

Sorry, no Nikon experience. If you read Ming's later posts, you'll see he chose the GR, mainly, he said, for its BW output. I agree. Its BW rendering is the best I've experienced from a digital camera.

Does the Nikon have snap focus? I find that feature and TAv to be the cat's meow for what I do. Its ergonomics are also stellar.

I shot this gallery with the GR, mostly using snap focus. I can't say enough good things about the GR. But take all this as from an admittedly smitten GR user.

John