First-class lightweight processing, portable Ricoh GR depth assessment

IT 168 Evaluation Speaking of Ricoh, I think many people have heard of it, but few people really know it. Ricoh's brand is very interesting It always seems to be on the edge of the whole digital imaging industry, but it is full of some legends. Although Ricoh does not have the popularity of famous camera brands such as Canon and Nikon, Ricoh can concentrate on making a series of products. Perhaps this series alone can capture the hearts of many photographers.

GR is the most famous camera series of Ricoh brand. This series of cameras has a long history. Since the film era, this series of cameras have established a group of loyal users because of their super portable performance, good handling performance and high-quality lenses. After entering the digital age, Ricoh GRD cameras can be regarded as classic portable digital cameras from 1 generation to the 4th generation.

Unfortunately, the traditional small DC scenery is no longer there, so camera manufacturers have turned their attention to large-soled DC cameras. This time, Ricoh also keeps pace with the times. After Leica, Fuji, Sony, Nikon and Sigma, Ricoh GR, a DC camera in APS-C format, has come out. So today we will see if this camera still inherits the excellent quality of GR series.

▲ Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR is equipped with16.2 megapixel sensor in APS-C format, and adopts a very common design without low-pass filter. At the same time, a high-performance GR ENGINE V image processor is adopted internally. The common sensitivity range is ISO 100-ISO25600, and the shutter speed range is 300- 1/4000 seconds. The nearest focal length is 0. 1m (macro mode).

▲ Ricoh GR is very small.

▲ Ricoh GR is currently recognized as the smallest outsole DC camera.

The overall dimensions of Ricoh GR are 1 17? 63? 35mm, weighing about 245g (fuselage only). When Nikon COOLPIX A went on the market, this camera was recognized as the smallest outsole DC camera at that time with its compact body design. However, it was not long before Ricoh introduced GR, which instantly broke the myth of Nikon COOLPIX A's smallest and lightest outsole DC machine.

▲ Ricoh GR adopts a GR lens with 28mm F2.8 equivalent constant aperture.

The lens is still GR lens with constant aperture F2.8 and equivalent focal length of 28mm, which is consistent with GR series. The lens is made of glass with high refractive index and low dispersion. By optimizing the arrangement of aspherical and high-precision glass lenses, the chromatic aberration can be significantly reduced and the resolution can be improved.

▲ Ricoh GR works very solidly.

The overall design of Ricoh GR inherits the style of GRD camera, and highlights the high-end from texture to material. Compared with the previous generation product Ricoh GRD4, the handle design of Ricoh GRD is more prominent, which enhances the grip of hands, and the anti-skid performance of litchi surface skin at the handle is also very good.

▲ The back is a 3-inch1230,000 pixel LCD screen.

Ricoh GR adopts a 3-inch LCD screen with 654.38+0.23 million pixels behind the fuselage, which is the same as GRD4.

▲ The top layout of Ricoh GR is the same as that of Ricoh GRD4.

The design of the top of Ricoh GR fuselage is the same as GRD4, and the positions of flash, hot shoes, switch, shutter and mode dial have not changed.

▲ Adjustment dial wheel in front of Ricoh GR fuselage

The design of dial lock is reserved on the mode dial at the top of the fuselage, which can effectively prevent misoperation during use. The adjusting wheel on the handle may feel a little concave in appearance, and the actual use experience is acceptable, but for adults, this adjusting wheel is indeed a little small.

▲ The return key is simple.

The layout of buttons on the back of Ricoh GRD4 fuselage has not changed much. The ADJ shortcut key is still in its original position, but the most obvious point is that the photo play button has been moved to the far right edge of the fuselage, so that it can be enlarged and reduced more efficiently when playing photos. A shift lever with auto-focus function is added in the original position. In fact, this arrangement design is related to the control concept of Ricoh GR series, which we will talk about later in the control section.

▲ Ricoh GR fuselage right interface

At the bottom of the right side of Ricoh GR fuselage are commonly used USB/AV interfaces and HDMI interfaces.

▲ Ricoh GR fuselage left button

On the left side of the fuselage is a flash switch and a filter mode switch, which also plays the role of preview of depth of field. When we half press the shutter or AE lock, long press this button on the left side of the fuselage, and the lens will switch to the current aperture value to preview the depth of field. When this button is released, the preview effect of depth of field will be cancelled.

▲ Ricoh GR supports Eye-Fi SD card.

Ricoh GR supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and Eye-Fi SD cards.

▲ Ricoh GR still uses DB-65 1250 mAh battery on GRD4.

Ricoh GR still uses the DB-65 1250 mAh battery on GRD4, and the official parameter is that it can support shooting about 290 pictures. However, when I actually measured this camera, I used the interval shooting function in the camera after it was fully charged, and it was set to shoot about 700 shots in 2 seconds. After shooting, the battery is still fully charged. Therefore, the charge of this battery is quite reassuring. Only in the process of continuous shooting, the handle will have a slight fever, but it will only appear in the state of continuous shooting for a long time.

Summary:

The appearance of Ricoh GR continues the classic design of GR series, and the details are adjusted accordingly from the user's point of view. However, the appearance of Ricoh GR series has always taken a relatively low-key route. Unlike Fuji, Nikon takes a fashion route. So many friends like the appearance of Ricoh GR at first sight, especially girls. But GR series cameras have always adhered to their own design style. There is a saying that if you like it, you will naturally like it. For this kind of camera with some unique personality, sticking to style is only a manifestation of personality.

Functionalization-the first control experience

The manipulation of Ricoh GR series cameras is the most impressive, and it is precisely because of its excellent manipulation that it has won the favor of many professional photographers. Therefore, Ricoh GR naturally inherits this fine tradition, which fully embodies the highly personalized independent setting and convenient adjustment method.

▲ADJ key is equivalent to shortcut key.

ADJ button can be regarded as the soul of Ricoh's entire control system. This button has been used in Ricoh's digital cameras for many generations, so the function of this button has developed more maturely today. This button is somewhat similar to the Q shortcut key on many cameras at present, but it is not as complicated as the menu brought up by many camera shortcut keys.

By default, clicking the ADJ key can bring up five options: ISO, image size, aspect ratio, focusing mode and metering mode. However, since we say that the control of Ricoh camera is very user-friendly, this ADJ key can of course set adjustment options according to different personal needs.

ADJ button can bring up five parameter options, and each parameter option can be selected from ISO, image size, aspect ratio, continuous shooting and other 13 options.

▲Fn 1 and Fn2 can be set independently.

Of course, if only the ADJ button is used, it will not be enough to meet the needs of all users. So there are two function keys Fn 1 and Fn2 on the back of the fuselage. Like the ADJ button, these two keys can be customized freely.

▲ Set the menu interface independently.

However, some friends will say that the Fn 1 and Fn2 buttons can only set one function at a time, and even with the five parameter options of the ADJ button, there are only seven parameter options. Actually, you can think about it. What are the chances of adjusting seven parameters at a time during daily shooting?

▲ Three custom modes can be pre-stored.

▲ Set the custom mode menu interface.

However, considering the different shooting environments and the needs of more professional users, Ricoh GR also set three custom camera modes, MY 1, MY2 and MY3, in the mode dial at the top. Users can set different camera button options according to different shooting environments or needs, and save them in these three custom modes.

Summary:

Ricoh GR's humanized and highly self-made control system can be summarized as my mode +ADJ button +Fn function key. This combination also embodies Ricoh's unique control concept. Of course, if you have used other digital cameras, you may not adapt to this control experience (especially for beginners) when you start Ricoh camera for the first time. If you don't study the manual carefully, you may not know the meaning of the ADJ button and many hidden custom functions. But once you are familiar with it, you will find that such key function settings can bring a very smooth operation experience.

Focusing mode convenient for street shooting

Ricoh GR series cameras are most suitable for street shooting, small in size and easy to carry, and the excellent focusing system is suitable for capturing scenes at any time.

Ricoh GR upgraded the focusing system and changed the focus switching mode. First of all, we can see how the focusing speed of this camera has improved compared with the previous generation product Ricoh GRD4 through the following video.

Through the above video, we can see that the focusing speed of Ricoh GRD is obviously improved compared with Ricoh GRD4. However, it is a pity that Ricoh GR does not use the current mainstream hybrid focusing system, but only uses contrast focusing. Therefore, the Ricoh GR seen in the above video will shrink back and forth during the focusing process. The official data is that Ricoh GR's autofocus speed can reach 0.2 seconds at the earliest. Although there is still a certain gap between this and the fastest Fuji X 100S (also a DC camera in APS-C format) focusing speed of 0.08 seconds, if it is only street shooting or landscape shooting, this focusing speed is definitely enough.

▲ Newly added focus function lever

It can be seen that the focus function switch lever behind Ricoh GR is a newly added design. On this focus function switch lever, you can see three signs: AFL, AEL and C-AF. Everyone should be familiar with C-AF, which is AF-C mode on many cameras, which means continuous focusing. But many friends may not understand what AFL and AEL mean. Let's talk about it in detail for everyone.

In fact, this AEL and AFL mean exposure lock and focus lock respectively. When the joystick is located at the AEL/AFL end, we can only set AEL (exposure lock) or AFL (focus lock) in the camera, or lock both AEL and AFL. Then, in the process of shooting, just press the round button in the middle of the focus function lever to complete our set function, and then you can press the shutter safely.

If the AEL/AFL lock is turned off, the circular button in the middle of the focus function lever will only have the same autofocus effect as half-pressing the shutter.

On the C-AF side, in C-AF mode, continuous shooting can be set in the menu of Ricoh GR, which is divided into AF priority and shutter priority. Auto focus priority means always shooting continuously while pressing the shutter. Shutter priority means that the focal length of the first shot is fixed while the shutter is pressed, and then continuous shooting is always performed. However, whether it is AF priority or shutter priority, you need to focus with the round button in the center of the focus function lever before pressing the shutter every time. At this point, I personally think it is inconvenient. It would be much more convenient if you could directly press the shutter to change to continuous shooting instead of pressing the round button to focus first.

However, continuous shooting can be set separately in the camera menu. However, if the continuous shooting function of the camera is turned on, no matter whether the focusing function lever is at the AEL/AFL end or the C-AF end, as long as the shutter is pressed, continuous shooting will be performed. So although this can be directly continuous shooting in C-AF mode, it is inconvenient to lock the exposure or focus of a single subject.

In short, this is a logical problem. At this point, although Ricoh GR has achieved a convenient focusing function, it still has a small flaw. Therefore, the truth that no one is perfect is also universally applicable to cameras. I hope Ricoh can improve this in the future.

The above is the auto-focus mode of this camera, so some friends will ask, does this camera have no manual focus mode? The conclusion is that this camera certainly has a manual focus mode, but compared with other cameras, the manual focus mode of this camera needs to be found in the menu.

▲ Manual focusing needs to be called up in the menu.

In the default mode, one of the parameter options brought up by the ADJ button is related to AF and MF, so we can find manual focusing here. But after turning on the manual focus mode, you will find that there is no focus ring on the lens, so how can you focus manually?

▲ Manual focusing cannot be performed until the macro button is pressed.

The mystery lies in the macro button in the cross area behind the camera. After starting the manual focusing mode, we need to press the macro key and then turn the adjustment gear on the front of the fuselage to focus.

This is worth mentioning. First of all, it is also a small outsole DC machine. Why can't this camera set the AF/MF switch at the lower left of the fuselage like Nikon COOLPIX A? Second, why not design a focusing ring on the lens? Third, if you don't have the above two items, forget it, but why doesn't even the peak focus function assist manual focus?

Perhaps for me personally, what I am most dissatisfied with is Ricoh GR's manual focusing function. For many users who just started this camera, it is definitely impossible to master how to use the manual focusing function at the first time, and even if the manual focusing function is used, it is very unsatisfactory to adjust the focus only by adjusting the dial wheel.

Summary:

Through our demonstration and explanation of Ricoh GR's focusing function, I believe everyone can feel that the focusing function of this camera is still very suitable for users' daily shooting. Although there are some regrets and shortcomings, most of the time it does not affect the normal use. This is just a habit. Personally, I still say that most of the functions are very practical, but you (especially the novice) need to study the manual carefully and fully grasp the characteristics of each function in order to give full play to the advantages of this camera.

The edge quality is very good

Ricoh GR is equipped with APS-C format16.2 megapixel sensor, without low-pass filter, equipped with high-quality GR lens, and the constant aperture F2.8 is equivalent to 28 mm So what kind of image quality performance can this camera achieve? Let's take a look at the test results in a rigorous evaluation environment.

▲ Center resolution test results

By using Ricoh GR to shoot the ISO 12233 standard resolution test card (4000 lines) and processing the test results, it can be seen that the central resolution of Ricoh GR remains above 2000 lines before F 1 1 and reaches the peak at the aperture F4.

▲ Edge resolution test results

The trend of edge resolution is relatively average, hovering around 2000 lines. Therefore, through the comprehensive results of center resolution and edge resolution, Ricoh GR camera can achieve ideal resolution at the aperture F4 and F5.6

We can see that the resolution of Ricoh GR is very good at the center and edge, especially at the edge near the corner, which has good contrast and resolution.

However, we know that Ricoh GR camera adopts the design without low-pass filter. The function of low-pass filter is to effectively reduce the moire fringe during shooting, but low-pass filter will also reduce the image quality of the camera to some extent. So canceling the low-pass filter can make the camera achieve better resolution performance. However, in the actual shooting process, we found that the probability of moire fringes produced by camera Ricoh GR is relatively high, especially when shooting some stripes or thin and dense lines.

▲ Canceling the low-pass filter is more likely to cause moire fringes.

Especially in the thumbnail photos, the moire pattern is more obvious (100% magnification is not so obvious), and you can clearly see the lines on the black and white plaid clothes and the irregular lines on the elevator in the above picture. However, moire is not so terrible. As long as we change the angle of view slightly during shooting, we can greatly reduce the appearance of moire fringes.

Summary:

Ricoh adopts CMOS sensor in APS-C format,16.2 million pixels. In terms of image quality, this camera basically handed over a satisfactory answer sheet, which reached the level of this pixel level, especially the control of edge resolution by Ricoh GR camera. However, although the image quality is good, moire fringe is still an unavoidable problem. Removing the low-pass filter may still have advantages and disadvantages. In the daily shooting process, everyone should focus on avoiding moire fringes.

High sensitivity ISO 1600 is the limit.

The high sensitivity of a camera depends largely on the computing power of the camera image processor. Ricoh GR uses a high-performance GR ENGINE V image processor, so let's take a look at the performance of this camera at various sensitivities.

We shoot the same scene with different sensitivities, and then compare the red areas in the above picture. The final test result is that Ricoh GR has a very good performance in ISO800 and below, and many details are reserved. When the sensitivity rises to IS0 1600, a little noise begins to appear in the picture, but the contrast of details remains within an acceptable range. When the sensitivity reaches ISO3200 and above, a lot of noise visible to human eyes begins to appear in the picture, and the details begin to be lost very seriously. Therefore, the limit sensitivity of Ricoh GR camera should be ISO800.

Summary:

In the daily shooting process, using ISO800 and below can achieve clearer pictures and higher contrast of details. However, in many extreme environments, it is acceptable to use ISO 1600.

Distortion control is very good.

Distortion is a problem that every wide-angle lens will encounter. Whether the distortion is obvious directly determines the quality of wide-angle edge imaging. Speaking of the picture quality of Ricoh GR before, we mentioned that this camera has a very good performance in edge picture quality. So does this camera also have a good performance in distortion?

▲ Distortion test results

We use Imatest software to test Ricoh GR, and the test results are marked with percentages. The closer the value is to zero, the smaller the distortion is. If the test result is negative, it means barrel distortion and the picture expands outward. On the contrary, it means pincushion distortion and the picture shrinks inward. The results show that the test result of Ricoh GR is -0.792%, which is barrel distortion. Because it is less than 1%, the distortion effect is not obvious.

▲ Real shot proofs

It can also be seen from the actual proofs that the edge of the picture is still deformed, but it is not obvious.

The effect of Jiao Wai is very beautiful.

Ricoh GR's lens adopts the design of nine aperture blades, which is two more than the conventional design of seven aperture blades. Therefore, when shooting with a large aperture, the shape of Jiao Wai's dispersion circle will be more round and better.

▲ The Jiao Wai dispersion circle of Ricoh GR is very beautiful.

We can see that the shape of the dispersion circle shot by Ricoh GR is very beautiful, and the edges around the picture can still maintain a relatively rounded shape.

▲ Real shot proofs

The outdoor real shooting also reached the same conclusion, so we can safely use Ricoh GR's F2.8 large aperture, under which the background blur effect will be very good. At the same time, we can also use this excellent Jiao Wai effect to complete some special effects shooting.

It is convenient to open the filter with one button.

▲ Ricoh GR's filter open button is designed at the bottom of the left side of the fuselage.

Ricoh GR's filter open button is designed at the bottom of the left side of the fuselage. In any mode, you can select different filters in the home screen, just click the effect button. In addition to the well-received positive and image bleaching effects, Ricoh GR also added nostalgia, high-tone and micro-mode special effects. Among them, my personal favorite is the positive and negative thrust and high contrast black and white effect of Ricoh GR.

The positive and negative thrust effect has a unique taste similar to LOMO, and it also shows the fusion of light and shadow at night.

During the evaluation of Ricoh GR, I took this camera to many hutongs in Beijing, and expressed the hutong culture with positive and negative effects, which made me feel a brand-new experience.

Needless to say, the black and white filter is one of my longest filter effects. However, Ricoh GR is different from the black and white particle filters of other brands of cameras. Just like the name of this filter of Ricoh GR, it is a high contrast black and white effect. This effect has great contrast, white highlights and dark shadows. This allows me to experience the black and white world more clearly when shooting.

Final evaluation summary:

By evaluating Ricoh GR, we can conclude that this is a good camera. Its portable control is still impressive, the edge image quality is excellent, the filter effect is rich, and the body is small and easy to carry. However, I have to say that if many friends who didn't know Ricoh camera before want to get started with this camera, they need to be familiar with Ricoh's concept of camera design, whether it is control or appearance.

In fact, it is better to understand that if you want a street camera with good image quality and can carry it with you, then Ricoh GR is the right choice. But the premise is that the preparatory work must be done well (that is, fully understand the key and menu settings), otherwise it is difficult to play the camera 100% skill.

Another point is the price that everyone is very concerned about. The current price of Ricoh GR camera is around 4700 yuan, which should be regarded as the most cost-effective outsole DC camera. At present, it has not been fully distributed in Chinese mainland. And a small number of parallel imports on the market have already been snapped up, which shows the fiery degree of Ricoh GR in the market. Finally, I want to say that this camera is worth buying. After the goods are fully distributed in mainland China, friends who like this camera can pay without hesitation.

Advantages:

1. Small and light.

2. Highly autonomous control settings

3. The edge image quality is very good.

4. The filter has rich effects.

5. Affordable

Disadvantages:

1. Moire fringe is easy to appear.

2. No peak focusing function

3. No WiFi function.

Real shot sample:

▲ Shutter: 1/40s Aperture: F5.6 Sensitivity: ISO400 ()

▲ shutter: 1s aperture: F5.6 sensitivity: ISO 100 ()

▲ shutter: 8s aperture: F 16 sensitivity: ISO 100 ()

▲ Shutter: 1/40s Aperture: F4 Sensitivity: ISO 100 ()

▲ shutter: 1/45s aperture: F5.6 sensitivity: ISO 100 ()

▲ Shutter:11000s Aperture: F5.6 Sensitivity: ISO 100 ()