With the Coolpix A now cheaper than the Ricoh GR V, which is the better buy?

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frequencies

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I only ask because every comparative review I've seen online has been prior to the Coolpix A fire sale and state the GR's main benefit is/was the price difference.

Right now I can get a used Coolpix A for ~$380-400 or a used Ricoh GR for ~$600. Is the Ricoh worth the $100-120 extra?
 
frequencies said:
I only ask because every comparative review I've seen online has been prior to the Coolpix A fire sale and state the GR's main benefit is/was the price difference.

Right now I can get a used Coolpix A for ~$380-400 or a used Ricoh GR for ~$600. Is the Ricoh worth the $100-120 extra?
Click to expand...

Well, I was debating these 2 camera for awhile.. Ended up going with the Ricoh.. It just is an all around better camera and just fits me better.. I really like the way it handles was able to customize settings to my liking..Its a really fun camera to shoot with.. Snap focus is great which you set the distance and it focuses to that distance.. autofocus a little slow in low light.. in normal daylight its super fast and accurate. I really like that it shoots .DNG raw format meaning you don't have to have the latest and great software to open and work on the files.. Lens is super sharp, sharper wide open than the Nikon from the sample photographs I've seen...
 
We did this one a while back.

The IQ differences are irreliveant as both are so similar to each other.
I prefer the GR for lay-out and form factor. The grip to me is perfect.
I also like the DNG RAW output and actual physical appearance of the camera.
As someone who does not buy cameras often I would choose the GR for a $100 premium.

BTW in regard to price. I know I have seen $400 GR's sell right here on the forum.
You may be surprised how similar the used prices are today.

Cheers!
 
I've been using Ricohs, including film models, since the original GRD. They all produce great "textural" files. I have a friend who swears by his GR as well. I had a Nikon Coolpix and found the files without personality. But that's my experience.
 
Just a head's up.
Adorama has a package with the Ricoh with either the flash or the Optical viewfinder for $596.
 
I too was waiting to pick up a GR as a "stick in your pants pocket" camera that I could keep with me all the time. However, when Nikon dropped the price to $399 I went ahead and am not unhappy at all. The quality of the images produced by this camera meet my requirements and it does indeed fit in my pants pocket (a key requirement btw).

Here are some recent pix I've posted taken with the "A": flicker search = Coolpix A

Michael
 
Following Daido Moriyama's example....

Following Daido Moriyama's example....

Reknowned Japanese Photographer, now in his 70's published and shown worldwide moved from a Ricoh to a Nikon Coolpix. Not for long... switched back to Ricoh.

See MANY videos of interviews with the man and his work on YouTube.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=Moriyama+ricoh+gr+d&vid=4fbf5ef0a9d08fb15ffd426d6ef0bf11&l=4%3A05&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.607998830738476166%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJKbFAPq75UI&tit=Daido+Moriyama+|+Compact+Camera&c=0&sigr=11b2m09dp&sigt=10vr6md6g&sigi=11r12losl&ct=p&age%5B0%5D=1281909349&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av%2Cm%3Asa&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&tt=b

And many more.
 
I decided for the nikon a year ago because it fits my pocket. I am pleased with it without being able to compare with the Ricoh. Only the autofocus is very slow.
 
Daido Moriyama has said that he has never bought a camera; every camera he has used has been given to him. So it would not surprise me if Nikon tried to scoop a photographic legend, only to be rescooped by Ricoh.

The image quality differences are very small between the A and GR. My preference is for GR handling, ergonomics and customizability. I've handled the Coolpix A a few times and it just doesn't really do it for me, feeling like just another compact camera.
 
I purchased a Coolpix A just recently. The price swung it for me, plus familiarity with Nikon's menu layout. So far so good...
 
I think they both are equal in respect to the image quality they can produce.

I find that one advantage with the GR is the amazing customizing of the functions that are available to the user. Plus the SNAP focus features. On the other hand, the A is nice if you're already a Nikon user and are used to the familiar Nikon menu layout.

Can't go wrong with either, imho.
 
I'm a nikon dslr user. I tried a nikon A for near a week on loan. Then tried the GR several times in my local photo store. I bought the GR.

The nikon color was more accurate. It was a good camera. But the GR was better, 'for me'.

Grip on GR much better than the Nikon A design. I love the auto ND filter. That's not an option with the A. The controls, layout on the GR are better. And based on ricoh's past of firmware upgrades I knew I could count on at least a few. That did happen. Two firmware upgrades so far. I think the Nikon had one firmware upgrade to help improve autofocus.

But true, the color files from the ricoh are 'different'. And how the camera meters color can be hit and miss. Still, I really enjoy using this little camera. Snap focus is amazing. Auto focus works most of the time and it's fast. Image quality is excellent, as it is from the Nikon A.

When I bought my GR the Nikon was still selling for silly high prices. But even if it was the same price, I'd have picked up the GR.
 
The last firmware for the GR made the autofocus MUCH faster. The GR is hands-down the best option.
 
I haven't handled either, but decided in the end to get the Coolpix since it's currently $300 at Adorama and the cheapest GR I could find was still $600.

Thanks for the advice. I'll still likely "upgrade" to the GR at some point in the future, when funds permit.
 
Ok, after using both I still like the GR. The Nikon is just too slow AF wise. It's night and day between the two. However, and I didn't think this was possible, but the Nikon may have better IQ and a better lens. You cannot go wrong with either unless you want fast AF.
 
Just purchased a Ricoh GR II. Great camera - I settled on it after deciding that something in my pocket was a requirement. I'm really, really enjoying it. TAv mode with a floating aperture is just a fantastic way to work!

Sidenote: The upgrades in the GR II are close to useless, so if anyone is interested in this camera, a lightly used GR would be a hell of a good buy.
 
My GR still frustrates me...it's probably my best overall city/street camera. Why does it frustrate me? Because I've spent lots of time and money collecting Leica/Zeiss/Fuji gear and end up walking out the door with the GR.
 
I can't abide the snap focus mode, it guarantees me awful results, I wish the Ricoh had face detection like the Nikon does. (I might not use it often, but it can be handy).

Those two things said, I bought the Ricoh, and it amazes me every time I take it out, a truly astonishing camera, capable of fantastic results (when I get it right haha)
 
i think one element of the comparison, that is often overlooked, puts the Coolpix A out in front for me. The Nikon is a far superior video shooter. in fact, with 28mm being a classic cinema lens, the Coolpix is a very cool pocket video camera.
 
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