Fuji X70 vs Ricoh GR2?

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ktmrider

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I am getting rid of my M9 this week and returning to film. However, I like keeping a small digital in the bag. I have been looking at the Fuji X70 and Ricoh GR2. The specs are very similar. What are your experiences and why did you go with one over the other?
 
I chose a GR because the X70 didn't exist yet. At that time the other really analogous choice was the Coolpix A. I had some familiarity with the GR ergonomics from its film predecessors, and had always heard great things about how customizable and sensibly designed the Ricohs were. I absolutely love the camera. I personally find it very intuitive and take advantage of lots of features that I wouldn't on other digitals just because it is all designed so logically (in my view). My one problem is that I haven't quite gotten the color output where I want it.

I like the Fuji X100 colors a lot, and so I was quite intrigued when the X70 was announced. However, if I am not mistaken the X70 has a detachable lens cap, not an automatically retracting cover. That is a dealbreaker for me for this use case — this is my one-hand, full auto, ergonomically uncompromised pocket camera.
 
I've used both... you can't go wrong with either. Both are quick enough for the street. Both are small (GR is smaller and lighter). The Fuji's sensor has better color output. The Ricoh has a better lens. The GR is cheaper new, but used they are quickly becoming closer in price. If I had to pick one today... I'd go with the GR (though I like the Fuji sensor a lot better).
 
I've only handled the Fuji. Recently sold the GR after a couple years of enjoying it along side other fuji cameras (x100, XE,Xt etc.....)

Since you are a "traditional camera" user you may enjoy the Fuji interface much more than the Ricoh.
The dedicated Shutter dial, Exposure comp dial for AE, aperture ring, Back button Manual focus, and Q button on the Fuji make it quick to interact with.
The Ricoh system is simple and advanced but it's not intuitive from the get go. You need to find where everything lies and assign buttons for tasks.... blech.
It does not have traditional speed or aperture ring.
Also Fuji has far Superior color Jpegs straight out of the camera For travel that is important imo.

Good Luck.
 
Fuji X70 vs Ricoh GR2?

So, I am selling my M9 and going back to pretty much film only. I would like to have a small digital in the bag as I don't like using the cell phone for photography.

I have been researching the Fuji X70 (had original X100 and loved it) and Ricoh GR2. The specs on these cameras are very, very similar and I know about the tilting LED, color JPEGs from the X70, sharpness of GR2's lens etc.

I am wondering about personal experiences with these cameras and how you chose one over the other.

I am leaving for three weeks in Asia in eight days and may take one of these along. With express shipping from B&H, I would need to order the camera within five days. Of course, I may just take my M2 and TriX and get something on return.

Thanks in advance.
 
- I have never owned or tested the Fuji X70. I have owned an X100T for a short while, as well as an X-Pro1, so I am somewhat familiar with Fuji cameras.

- I currently own the Ricoh GR ii, and have even owned the original GR1 film compact so I'm very familiar with the model.


My personal feeling about the GR is that all things considered it is by far the best camera I have owned or used (and I've been fortunate enough to own and test many cameras over the years). I even preferred it to an M240+28mm which prompted me to get sell that camera. Big praise, but I stand by it.

The GR and X70 seem very similar but here are some things which I love about the GR which could potential make me dislike the X70:

- Ergonomics
The GR is perfect for one-handed use. That's exactly how you should use a point-and-shoot - its the very point of its small, lightweight form factor. I dislike the idea of the Fuji's aperture ring. It also looks like the dials would be awkward to operate holding the camera in one hand. The GR is beautifully balanced - its easy to control everything and at not compromise grip and feel like you may drop the camera. It's little things like the combined A-EL / AF-L lever button on the GR - easy to operate with your thumb.

- Snap focus
I think I'm correct in saying the X70 doesn't have a snap-focus mode. That's pretty much kills it for me. Snap focus on the GR is amazing. I can walk around town with the GR set to 2.5m @f8. If I want to specifically focus on something it's a slight move of the thumb to quickly press the AF-L button or the macro button. It's very nice to use. I guess it depends on personal preference but being able to zone focus is essential for me.

- Pocketability
The GR is tiny and fits into a shirt pocket. One thing I notice compared to the X70 is that it has a much more flush surface. The lens retracts and there's not dials, etc, sticking up. It looks like there's much more to snag when taking an X70 out of a pocket.



So really for me it has very little to do with image quality or high-iso between the two... They're both excellent and due to the fast development in digital tech they both pack sensors which embarrass very expensive cameras from even a few years ago. For me, it's all about ergonomics and form factor. This has been the Ricoh's trump card since the days of the GR1.
 
I was thinking the X70 because the lens does not extend externally the way the GRD series does. I read the manual on the X and while it doesn't have snap focus there is a manual focus option that looks like could work. Never touched one, but having had a GRi, a GRiii, and the original film GR the way they work is ingrained in my brain.

My poor GRiii with it's lens stuck out just sits in my drawer......

On the other hand, my son is doing some good stuff with his iPhone 7Plus!

B2 (;->
 
Personally, I like the GR better. Fits in a pocket really easily, snap focus is really awesome even though the standard AF is quick too, I like the color profiles and *especially* the black and white options in the GR, like someone else mentioned the ease of one handed use is really nice. That's not to say the X70 doesn't do these things well, just that I like the GR better after using them both. I've had a lot of experience with the GR but only some experience with the X70, it mostly comes down to ergonomics because the lenses on both are awesome, the files on both are awesome, just personal preference really. The one thing the Fuji does have on the Ricoh is the ability to send photos to your phone if that's something you care about. I think the Ricoh *has* the ability but the app is terrible and doesn't work.

Also, B&H is closed until the 26th.
 
I've only used the X70 briefly but sold it because of the horrendous clicking noise it makes when shooting videos. If video is your thing ..
 
Am still debating if I want to make the plunge before I leave in a week for Asia. Currently, I plan on taking a film M with 35/90 but there is room in the bag for a small digital. So far, everything here pretty much mirrors other stuff I have read on the internet. Does not seem like either camera would be a mistake. I had the original X100 before I bought the M9 and really thought it made a great travel camera.

I am waiting for the buyer of my M9 to pick up the camera but if he backs out, then I do not need another camera and will take the M9 along. Have recently been reviewing some travel photos and it is a great camera as well.

Yes, B&H is closed but Adorama has the GR with free overnight shipping so I have a couple days to make my decision. Am actually awaiting an M5 from Sherry which may go with me instead of the M2.
 
KTMRider,

I stand by my Ricoh GRii. From the sample shots I've seen online, the optics are much sharper on the Ricoh than the Fuji. Like you, I was initially tempted by the X70 when it was launched but after reflecting on my usage patterns, I decided against it.

Here's a list of what makes the X70 "stand out" against the GRii and why they are moot points (for me):

- Touchscreen: Call me old-fashioned but I still prefer to use the shutter button to take a photo. Also, focus-recompose is pretty much a muscle memory by now.
- Articulating LCD: Well, it's nice to have but really, how often do I need to take photos that are practically at ground-level or above my head? Not often.
- Fuji Colours: I shoot 90% B/W, and for my landscapes, I will do some heavy editing in Lightroom and PS anyway, so no SOOC JPEGS for me.


Whereas the GRii has

- Snap Focus: If you shoot your Leicas with zone-focus/trap-focus techniques, this is a perfect, perfect feature.
- Lighter in weight.
- Excellent ergonomics and firmware.

If you're interested in some real world shots, I have a bunch of photos that I took during my trip in the Gobi Desert and Iceland that I challenge you to tell the difference between the GR's output and the photos from my A7Rii. http://nicographi.cc/

Cheers,
Nick
 
I had the same question in the summer and ended up with the Ricoh. This was going to be my everyday go everywhere camera so my decision was solely based on size.

The Ricoh even with an auxiliary finder attached can fit in the front pocket of my jeans.
 
I had both the x70 & the GR so I was able to compare the two with respect to my use.

I returned the Fuji & chose the Ricoh GR for the following reasons: snap focus, ergonomics, slim profile. Addtionally - and this one was big for me - the Ricoh's crop mode (I used the 35mm crop quite regularly) saves the file in RAW. Yes I know you can crop the Fuji's 28mm RAW file in post, but I'd rather do it in camera to aid in composition at the point of capture.
 
Went with X70

Went with X70

Well, my M9 has found a new home and my M5 finally arrives today from Sherry. I am off in six days for three weeks in Asia.

After reviewing this thread and a lot of internet research, I ordered a black X70 last night. I was really torn between it and the Ricoh GR2 as each has advantages, appear to have very similiar specs and are both loved by their owners.

I went with the X70 based upon being very happy with the original X100 and the color jpegs seem a bit better then the GR2.

I will be packing the M5 with the 35f1.2 and twenty rolls of HP5. I was tempted to take an M2 body for color but that is why I purchased the X70. It will be interesting to see which I use more on this upcoming trip.

Thanks for all the input.
 
By the way, I ended up ordering the X70 from Samy's Camera in LA as both B&H and Adorama were closed for one of the Jewish holidays. It was the same price and LA is only 800 miles from El Paso vice 2000 miles to NYC.

Am presently in the Philippines and really glad I bought a small color digital as I only brought the M5 and black and white film. Am still getting used to using the LED vice a viewfinder.

And I will be spending two weeks over Christmas traveling in Mexico with my wife and daughter. The challenge would be just taking the X70.
 
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