Ricoh GR II Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Black)

I've been using this camera for the past week, and I think it is quite fantastic.I have a lot of cameras (and many more I sold over the past 2 years). I have a Leica Q, Leica M-P, Leica X2, Panasonic GH5, and Fuji XT-2. I also constantly used my Sony RX100 MV for about a year. So, as you can tell, I have quite the panorama of experience with various systems. I love all of these cameras for their own particular purposes: the Leica's are simple and have amazing image quality (the Q is, in my opinion, hands down the best fixed-lens mirrorless camera money can buy). The GH5 is brilliant for 4K footage. The Fuji brings the excellent image quality, build, and bells and whistles of the modern camera. And the Sony is a do-it-all pocket camera.But I'm giving the Ricoh GR II the same 5-stars I gave to the Q and GH5. Why?1. The GR is a true joy to use. Everything just works. The menu system is quick and unencumbered by endless pages of various settings (think Sony's textbook of a menu system). You can create your own profiles for the camera--which by itself is not new. But it's the depth of control you have over each thing the camera can do internally that sets it apart.2. The horizontal jog dial on the back of the camera is pure genius. I've not encountered this type of button before. You set it to access all your (emphasize YOUR) most-used functions. Push in to bring up the menu, scroll to bring up the sub-menus. Do you want to control ISO, image size, effects, and aspect ratio from the job dial? No problem. You can have those functions from that one button. AND you can decide exactly how you want those features to appear when you want them to.3. The images out of this camera are sharp. I mean, really sharp. The large sensor gobbles up light and allows for some excellent image quality. The fixed-lens is aberration-free. The focus system is accurate (though not as fast as the RX100 MV).4. I like the various "effects" built into the camera. You may not really enjoy these things if you're a professional photographer. But given the right circumstances, some of the effects make fun and unique photographs.5. The camera starts up very quickly. Frankly, I have yet to find a moment that I missed because I had to wait too long for the camera to extend its lens and become ready to shoot. For all reasonable purposes, it's immediate response upon hitting the on/off button. I don't think that my RX100 MV is faster.6. It has great build quality. The camera is weighty without being burdensome. I don't feel as if I'll forget it's in my pocket, but nor do I cringe at putting it in my jeans. As silly as it might sound, I dislike having my RX100 MV in my pocket much more than this camera. I think it's because the Sony has too many sharp corners, where as the Ricoh (though larger) has rounded corners.7. VALUE FOR MONEY. This is a no-brainer purchase if you want a large-size sensor in a pocket-friendly format. It has every single photography feature you could ask for. I have't tried the video recording mode and am not interested in recording on this camera. I'd rather prefer the RX100 MV's 4K recording. Nevertheless, the Ricoh has an HD recording mode--but I wouldn't brag about it.Overall, you can't go wrong with this purchase. If you look on other websites, you'll notice that this camera is going for $600 or higher. I haven't noticed that it has really plummeted in price since its release. And for good reason. It's a camera that forces you to think how you want to approach a subject, gives you easy and immediate access to all your settings, and excels in image quality.Others have said that you can operate this camera one-handed. I agree. I've done it. And I've been consistently surprised how painless it is to do.I think this is a fantastic camera for the price. I'd be hesitant to recommend it had it been priced around $800. If that had been the case, you'd be wiser to purchase the Fuji X70 or pay a little bit more and get the RX100 MV for some additional video features.But, since the price is between $500 and $600, you should certainly think about this camera. And then think again and again. There will be some people who will hate this camera for aesthetic reasons or his larger size. But you'd be hard pressed to find a legitimate complaint about the images it delivers.

Here are some of the cameras that are usually being compared to the GR: Fuji X100 series, Fuji X70, Nikon Coolpix A, Sony Rx100 series. Why did I pick GR? Its image quality tops all, its control tops all (my honest opinion) and it fits my pocket, so I carry it every single day. For me, the choice is pretty simple: being able to have the best IQ powerhouse in the pocket easily eliminated all other competitors from my shopping list. Granted, I love X100's retro look but I don't want to carry a bag everywhere I go; and X70 with its non-retractable lens, isn't as small as it appears; Nikon A is discontinued, unfortunately, and RX100 series, although small enough, but being 1" sensor, their image quality is not quite there. You really need to shoot GR in a serious way, to dig into its powerful customization capabilities, in order to really appreciate its ergonomics, ease of operation, and unsurpassed image quality - heck, it might just be one of the sharpest 28mm lenses, ever. It's a cult product, and it may not be something you fall in love with at first sight, but it could be the best thing one could have, if you know what you are looking for.

I've owner every Ricoh GR (Digital) cameras since the GRD2 and they since have become my favorite cameras to use. Like all GRs, the GR II is light, compact and has great image quality. The GR II is not all that different from the GR that came before it, but it does have benefits. However, the GR Remote "web app" is a disappointment (the Image Synch app found in the iOS App Store is not the GR Remote app; it is an older app used with a Pentax camera).The user experience design of the GR Remote app is good, but the fact that it is used through Safari on iOS is frustrating. I do not know why it is not a native app, which would have been a far better choice! To use the GR Remote you first have to get to it online then bookmark it. So while the app is nicely designed, useful and does what it is supposed to do, I'm bothered that it is not a native app. Let's hope they offer one in the future.But as a camera, if you are OK with the fixed focal length, the GR is hard to beat!

When my Ricoh GR II fell and landed on the lens in 2024, it wouldn’t close. I sent it in for repair, but they couldn’t fix it due to unavailable replacement parts. My options? Pay $30 to get it shipped back or let them recycle it.I appreciate that Ricoh doesn’t push out yearly updates like some brands. But it’s frustrating when older models become unusable because essential repair parts aren’t available.Recommendation: Get the newest Ricoh GR version. Always. Repairs on older models seem uncertain—you might find someone who can fix it, or you might not, possibly at a high cost.Why I Still Love It:Despite this issue, the GR series is still my favorite camera. It’s compact enough to fit in my pocket, allowing me to unplug from my phone and fully immerse myself in street photography. The image quality is fantastic, and the shooting experience is unmatched—but this is also true for the latest GR model (IIIx currently). That's the one you should get.