Below you can watch our video comparison between the Fujifilm X70 and the Ricoh GR II, two popular premium compact cameras with an APS-C sized sensor and a 28mm equivalent fixed lens. In this comparison, we cover various topics such as:
- design, ergonomics and ease of use (min. 0:39)
- image/optical quality (min. 3:35)
- autofocus (min. 7:16)
- manual focus (min. 8:13)
- video (min. 10:43)
To summarise our findings, we believe that it makes sense to choose the Fujifilm X70 if:
– you like the idea of having a tilting touchscreen
– you’re fond of traditional dials
– you like the look of Fujifilm’s Film Simulation Modes
– you plan to shoot moving subjects often
The Ricoh GR II on the other hand is more appropriate for those who:
– require the ultimate sharpness from their images
– often shoot in black and white
– enjoy zone focusing
– want the lightest package possible
Sharper images do not necessarily make a camera better. It depends on what’s important to the buyer. One of the primary targets for these cameras is street photography and sharpness is rarely an important aspect of this genre.
Why do you have to call people idiots?
You’re welcome!
Was asking me, where I can find the promised high-res samples ( as said in the youtube post).
Found this: https://mirrorlessons.smugmug.com/Comparisons/Fuji-X70-vs-Ricoh-GR-II/
Thanks for the nice comparison, very helpful! 🙂
both is very nice (really haven’t experience in fuji x70) BUT one thing
that actually kills all idea is A price. it so huge overpriced that you
should be the ” rich idiot” to buy. really in a holiday DSLR double
zoom bag kit apsc from both leaders you can find in a USA for $400-450.
sony a500/510 $289-350 and here. in a fackt, I believe that nobody buy
it. in a fact living in NYC and being frequently im most photographed
places I do not see those cameras at all. I can see x100 like 4-5 in a
year -one Russian tourist other from Japan, but not x70. accidentally
one old photographer ask me to setup his ricoh gr2, so i was very
impressed, especially in HDR, except application in iOS that not work
normally. heck I even see Leica medium format in the street (once but it
was enough for one fuji idiot call me liar, liar only for the fact
seeing leicaX on the street )))hi Mattias ))) but not X70. so till fuji
and Ricoh do not publish the real number of sales I consider that only
reviewers have this for money)))
I grabbed a GR II, but quickly returned it – mostly due to build quality. Just felt like a wad of black plastic to me.
LOVE your comparison reviews. Greatest feature of this site for me.
The Fuji has better handling, jpgs, white balance and iso performance.
Still, the Ricoh has the better lens, which, for compact cameras, means, it’s the better camera (giving sharper images)
The biggest problems with the Ricoh are: No Auto ISO in manual mode and screwed up Auto ISO in TAv mode. Apart from that, it is THE best street photography camera available. Snap mode is what sets it apart with close to zero shutter lag.
I would presume this is easily solved with a proper RAW workflow.
If you don’t like RAW processing I guess you will get the Fuji.
Ricoh GR skin tones are pathetic. If you google ‘samples Ricoh GR’ you see that the average face is sick looking, ashen. I had one and yes it is sharp, but people do not look good. The X70 in contrast has excellent skin tones.
I was actually surprised by how different the WB is on the two cameras (when they have the same Kelvin reading). The Ricoh definitely tends more toward magenta than the Fuji. The differences are less pronounced when you use Auto WB however. 🙂
Well done review, Heather. Curious how the Auto White Balance compares between the two cameras; I’ve found that Fuji’s AUTO WB to be unmatched by virtually anyone. I also have the OM-D E-M1 in addition to my Fuji X-T1, X-Pro1 and X100T, and always find it a bit bothersome to have to go in in post and correct the white balance.
Cheers,
Stephen
Thanks, Heather. I appreciate the response.
Pierre, thank you for your insights. Being pocketable is really the most important factor. I’ve handled the GR, but not the X70 and can’t imagine an additional 10mm in thickness would prevent me from carrying it (I don’t wear slim jeans).
The ricoh is not enough for a running 3 years old ( compared to micro 4/3 ) but the snap focus is here ans is so usefull.It’s really better than calculate the hyperfocal with mf on the Fuji ( i own x100s ).
From my expérience the tilt screen is really missing with the GR.
In the end i always take the ricoh with me, most of the time fuji x100s and omd em5 stay at home ! With a 3years old and a one year old girl you need to carry so much stuff that you NEVER want to carry more photography stuff. The ricoh gr feat easily in a front or back SLIM JEANS POCKET !!!!!!! For real. The x70 seems to be a little to big for that.
Only the tiltable screen is missing in the gr , but that only could make a différence ( try to take a photo of your kids with a screen , a viewfinder and a tiltable screen… )
I’ll keep the X70 for at least another month so I can let you know if it becomes an issue for me. As for the Ricoh, I have to send it back this week so I can’t really confirm one way or the other. In my time with the camera, I didn’t have any issues.
Thanks Steve! I too was surprised to see just how much sharper the Ricoh files are, but as they say, sharpness isn’t everything. 🙂 Personally, I feel that the results from the Fuji are more than enough, and in real life, you won’t be constantly comparing them to images from the Ricoh anyway. By the way, you may also be seeing some extra sharpness from the X-T1 because of the quality of the interchangeable Fuji glass. 🙂
There’s no question the Fuji’s AF is better for moving subjects but that isn’t the say you won’t be able to take good shots of your 3 year old, as long as he/she isn’t moving about too much. (I know, it’s a rare occurrence!) And remember, sharpness isn’t everything! 😉
I think that the GR is a light bit lighter and more compact compared to the X70…
Moreover, I would love to have the GR but I do fear the dust-on-sensor issue that spreads all over the web… I am curious to see if the same problem would be popping up in the next month for the X70 as well.
The timing of this comparison is perfect. Thank you for such a thorough comparison! I’ve been considering a pocket camera and settled on these two. I was completely blown away by how much sharper the Ricoh is over the Fuji and could easily identify each when zoomed in.
Unfortunately, I think the features of the Fuji are a better fit for me, unless you think the autofocus of the Ricoh could keep up with a 3 year old? (Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes)
A superb review and comparison of these two cameras, Heather! As an admitted “sharpness fanatic”, one thing that totally surprised me was your conclusion that the Fuji images were not quite as sharp as the Ricoh images!! Coming from 35+ years’ experience in the large format and DSLR world, to the Fuji X-System, I find that my XT-1 and Fujinon lenses (16-55, 60 Macro, and 35 f/2) deliver the sharpest, most detailed files I’ve ever seen in APS-C! In fact, for the most part, I now consider sharpening in Post to be “optional”…something I’ve rarely found with my Nikon, Olympus, or Pentax gear. So, I would have expected the complete opposite conclusion, at least in terms of image sharpness! In any case, an outstanding review of both systems! Thank you!
If you already own the X-Pro2, then yes, definitely keep your GR! And even if you didn’t, I’d still say there was very little point in switching. Glad you enjoyed the review!
Muchas gracias, Andrés. 🙂
Great review!!
Now it is very clear to me, I will stick with my beloved Ricoh GR v.1, until probably Fuji X70 v.2 comes out with higher pixel and the Acros simulation, then it may be worth considering to switch over to Fuji, but I think I will still keep the Ricoh for its Snap Focus feature that I adore. I just got the Fuji X-PRO2 which is indeed a wonderful camera to enjoy taking photos.
Excelente artículo chicos¡