Fuji x100s vs Ricoh GR

FrankS

FrankS

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These 2 cameras are interesting to me. Compare and contrast. Thoughts and opinions.

The obvious:
35f1.4 vs 28f2.8
4/3 vs APS-C
Compact vs pocketable
 
Well, the obvious should be:
35f2 vs 28f2.8
APS-C vs APS-C
Compact vs (almost) pocketable

Cheers

FrankS said:
These 2 cameras are interesting to me. Compare and contrast. Thoughts and opinions.

The obvious:
35f1.4 vs 28f2.8
4/3 vs APS-C
Compact vs pocketable
Click to expand...
 
As a long time GRDIII user I have bought a X100 a couple of months ago. I really liked shooting with the Fuji - except of the quirky moments (camera freezing up during writing etc.). I have even completely stopped using my GRD. Yet when the GR got announced I have immediately put the Fuji on ebay for fund raising and currently I'm waiting for the postman :)

I don't think it's fair to compare these two, they really are quite different beasts. TBH I'd love to own both X100s AND GR, but can't justify it. I want to give GR a chance because the GRDIII was my all time favorite camera and my only gripe with it was lacking IQ from the small sensor.

My feeling is, the Fuji is the more balanced/versatile camera here; nice "in-between" focal lenght, bokehlicious max aperture, superb viewfinder... you name it

The reason I went for the GR series again is that I'm more of an out of the pocket, 28mm, snapshot kind of guy.

I'll think about this again when the black X100s hits the stores :D
 
I like the thought of both cameras. One I see as a replacement for an M, slung across my chest and there to be drawn upon, the GR being more a lifestyle/ documentary camera for me, and one to be there at all times to document all the small moments in ones life. So, complimentary for me, rather than either/or.
 
What do i think about these cameras? I'm very impressed. I have a GRD IV and love it. Heard all the good stuff about the 100S.

I have seriously been contemplating selling my Leica gear just to get them. I rarely shoot with my M9P now...it's becoming just like a collector's piece...and that makes me upset.
 
Biggest difference is focal length and viewfinder based on stats on paper. I prefer the ergonomics of my gxr vs my x100s. If you have a 28 and 35(50) maybe pick the camera with your preferred FL.
 
the fuji's aperture ring and shutter speed dial is definitely a plus for the fuji's ergonomics in my books. it's just if you need to change other things when it becomes a bit of a pain.
 
I sold an x100 for GR.

I agree with previous posts that the aperture ring and the speed dial are a plus. I wouldn't have done the swap if fuji had 1. implemented a proper mechanicaly-controled manual focus ring 2. adjusted the frame in the viewfinder without the need of pressing the shutter button. These two last points made the camera very difficult to use in the streets.

Coming from GXR-M I new what GR would be. Customizable. Another plus is the pocketability. This camera fits in most of my pockets, and will be there when I need it. No need for camera bags.
But the biggest advantage of GR, compared with any camera, is the snap focus. If the lens does not have a manual focus ring, this feature is the only thing that can satisfy my need to know were I am focusing. No more shutter delays and focusing on random objects in the foreground.

I have to also agree with the another post that since Fuji overprices cameras, they tend to loose their resale value really fast. Not to mention the black x100 extortion price.
 
I will go as well with the GR as my main B/W Camera + always with me.

4 years ago I owned the GXR with all lenses. If I think back - I was really happy with this camera , build qlty was just great ! Menus perfect to use and to adjust - almost all of my pictrures were just great and sharp.

In the meantime i used the M8.2 and the Epson RD-1. Sold the M8.2 and used almost the RD-1 till now. I really love the RD-1 especiall with 15mm and 21mm lenses. But its still the size of the X100s. Just to big somehow to always carry around with you.

The GR will give me the 28mm which i really like - more than that I will be able to use the lovely 21mm Adapter on it. A big big plus for me. The possibility to crop already to 35mm in the camera is also nice to have !

Basically my dream comes through - small APS-C which you can just put into your pocket all the time ! Great Great Great ! 21mm + 28mm + 35mm (crop) in your pocket ? I want !

Just compared during the last weekend few shots of the X100/s with the GR.

X100/s have better colors. (Black is mostly Black) - The GR Black goes more into Grey. Also Red / Yellow is better on the X100/S.

X100/s takes better HighISO pictures. Till 3200 ISO the GR is still god. The 6400 ISO Setting from the X100s just kills the GR already.

GR is great for B/W. (Colors are not thaaaat great what I have seen)
For me at least this will be my always with me camera. Using my RD-1 I missed really here and there few shots have to say because I just didnt had the camera with me. (to clunky).

Cheers

EDIT: As mentioned above ! Hyperfocal focussing with Snap focus is the perfect match ! So great to have this feature on board with the GR !
 
I've just spent some time customizing "MYx" setting on the GR... my God! How I have missed this customizability! Now with the additional buttons it's even better than it was ever before, I think I was struggling to find settings I'd like to assign to all of those guys :)

Mind you, the X100 was more or less a "set and forget" camera, but this goes just way beyond that!

Someone mentioned X100's high ISO output - this I'll definitely miss a LOT.
 
If only the Fuji could at least remember the distance it was last set to in MF. But no even the X100S won't do that. It goes by-wire with the AF distance every time you switch over...
 
There's also $500 in favour of the GR.

I've been looking at both but will not make a purchase until September. (and maybe not even then).

Very tough decision IMO. Both would be ideal I think. And saying that reveals that as much as you want to compare they really are different cameras.

I'm leaning towards the GR for its compactness.
 
I use both of these cameras. The GR is the best pocket digital I've ever owned. Yes, it fits in your front pants pocket. I don't wear baggy pants either. The lens is great, but the high ISO is a notch or two below the X100s. For a camera that does not have a dedicated shutter speed dial and aperture ring, the GR does have a clean and easy to use modern interface. That said, I feel the X100s is the better overall and more versatile camera. Its built in O/EVF finder, its dedicated knobs and rings, its better high ISO and faster lens, traditional body style feels more like a camera, etc. You cannot go wrong with either. Choose based on your priorities. 28mm vs. 35mm, no VF vs. VF, pocketable vs. not pocketable, old school ergonomics vs. new school ergonomics, etc.
 
Better high ISO? Well, the f2 lens gives a stop of advantage, but come on, it's just on par at high ISO when using RAWs: Fuji inflated their ISO values up to 1 stop + it's their NR that gives another stop of "advantage". In fact there's practically no difference in high ISO department between them.
 
jsrockit said:
I use both of these cameras. The GR is the best pocket digital I've ever owned. Yes, it fits in your front pants pocket. I don't wear baggy pants either. The lens is great, but the high ISO is a notch or two below the X100s. For a camera that does not have a dedicated shutter speed dial and aperture ring, the GR does have a clean and easy to use modern interface. That said, I feel the X100s is the better overall and more versatile camera. Its built in O/EVF finder, its dedicated knobs and rings, its better high ISO and faster lens, traditional body style feels more like a camera, etc. You cannot go wrong with either. Choose based on your priorities. 28mm vs. 35mm, no VF vs. VF, pocketable vs. not pocketable, old school ergonomics vs. new school ergonomics, etc.
Click to expand...

I've tried both and am looking at buying.

I am 5/10" and 170 lbs and the GR easily fits into a pair of Dockers pants FWIW.

I actually think the Sony sensor in the GR handles high ISO better. Done a bit of pixel peeping and that's my personal conclusion.

I also tried the GR's 21mm add-on (very good) and the 21-28 optical VF, which was very good, too. I wear glasses and found the use of the hotshot, passive OVF very handy. No, it's not up to the X100S but the GR is all about setting up the snap and then just shooting while framing, so it is an ideal set-up.

One thing that still draws me to the X100S is it has better AF than the GR. It just does, and that alone has kept me from purchasing either right now.
 
Aristophanes said:
I actually think the Sony sensor in the GR handles high ISO better. Done a bit of pixel peeping and that's my personal conclusion.
Click to expand...

I've used both extensively since the day they were available and can see no way how you guys come to this conclusion. That said, both are perfectly fine high ISO cameras.
 
Fuji got a plus for me because it has a built in viewfinder.
However I am more familiar with Ricoh's feel in my hand. And because of the price, the Ricoh GR wins for me.

Image quality? I often equate comparing image quality on today's top models, to counting leaves on two big trees to decide which one has a better shade for me to sit under.
 
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