Looking for a compact alternative to the Ricoh GR for travel/stock work

[Camerarabbit]

Hi all,

Lately, I’ve been seeing the Ricoh GR everywhere and got curious. I finally borrowed one and, despite my dislike of cameras without viewfinders, I was genuinely impressed by the image quality - it holds up surprisingly well next to my Canon 6D Mark II, at least for images viewed on a screen.

Here’s my situation: I use DSLRs professionally and love them, but when I travel, I usually bring film cameras and work on my personal work. I was recently asked to take stock-style photos of still objects (like outdoor appliances) while on the road, so I’m looking for a super compact digital camera I can toss in my bag..something that delivers professional-looking images but isn’t bulky.

I love the Ricoh GR, but it feels a bit overhyped and pricey, especially since I don’t need the street photography-focused features like snap focus. So my question is: Are there cheaper alternatives to the Ricoh GR that still deliver great image quality in a small package? I’m totally open to used gear.

Would really appreciate any suggestions on where to start looking!

Thanks in advance!

 

[xkaes]

You don't say if you need that high a MP, but there are lots of small digital cameras that have zoom lenses at much lower prices. What are your end products going to be?

 

[Camerarabbit]

Images @ 13 inches on the wide side @300 DPI. That's the deliverable, but the photos will just appear on a website.

 

[xkaes]

This is not a recommendation, but my go-everywhere digital is a Konica-Minolta A2 with a 28-200mm (equivalent) macro zoom:

It's 8 MP CCD sensor gives sharp prints up to 11" x 14" at 250 DPI. You can get these in perfect shape for under $100.

Unlike a lot of digital cameras, it doesn't cut corners. For example, it not only has built-in flash, but also a hot shoe (iISO), but it has a PC cable plug too! It has image stabilization (Minolta created it first), electronic and mechanical shutter to 1/4,000, MAPS exposure modes, I could go on all day.

You got a lot to choose from -- since you aid used is OK.

 

[Camerarabbit]

Thanks! It looks big, like a DSLR. I'd love to have something as big as a cigarette box, like the GR, if possible

 

[xkaes]

OK. You're in-between a rock and a hard place. The smaller you go, the more features you will lose -- like a zoom lens, built-in flash (that actually has any power), etc. Still, there are lots of tiny, older digital cameras to choose from. Sony even made a U-series of digital cameras, for example, but they basically had no features a all.

You could start by listing what features you need -- focal length that's best for you, maximum aperture, minimum MP, flash, exposure options, viewfinder, rear panel size, etc.

 

[Camerarabbit]

Thanks! Dont need a flash. A max aperture of 2.8 would be nice. I was happy with the the Ricoh's set 28mm lens. MP maybe 18? Exposure options - dont need a super fast maximum, a standard bulb to 2,0000 or 4,000/second woudl be fine. Aperture priority would be great! But not necessary. Essentially I'm looking for the concept of the GR it seems. Thank you!

 

[xkaes]

Try this

https://shotkit.com/ricoh-gr-iii-alternatives/

 

[Camerarabbit]

Thanks! The Ricoh seems to be cheaper than all of these, hmmmm

 

[koraks]

Second hand smartphone with decent camera.

 

[xkaes]

Thanks! The Ricoh seems to be cheaper than all of these, hmmmm

You can also look for earlier versions of the same camera -- for example, get a model II instead of a model III, etc.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

RX100 Sony. The latest models are expensive. However, you can still find the earlier models at a relatively low price. Range is 24-70mm equivalent. LAter model go to 200mm but donlt have auto density filter for video. RX100 has an eye-level viewfinder as well as articulating back screen. I find mine (RX100-4) great for vacation and travel. It fits in my pocket, always available, and shoots 20mb 4K video. Built in flash also.
Sample:

 

[MTGseattle]

Fuji xa series, Sony A6k series, I'd say fuji x100 series, but you lose the zoom capability. Canon powershot G series.

 

[abruzzi]

I'd probably look at something from Fuji. They make some nice fixed lens cameras like one of the X100 series. If you want to go funky, try the X Half (a new weird digital camera with film influences.)

(the current new X100 is more expensive than the GR, and the X half is less, but there are X100s on the used market.)

I personally wet extremely cheap for a Sony NEX6 ($150 used) and a bunch of the manual focus chinese lenses from TTArtisan, 7Artisans, and a couple others. The NEX6 supports focus peaking and zoom for easier focusing. Then I leave the camera in Aperture priority since it cant control the aperture on the chinese lenses. I'l in about $600 for the camera and a bunch of lenses.

 

[reddesert]

Megapixel count is overrated. I don't think one needs an 18 MP sensor to make professional grade photos when the end use is displaying the photos on a website. (My opinion is that pixel number doesn't correspond 1:1 to dpi count in a print.) And if the sensor is smaller than APS-C, then the extra megapixels, like more than 10 MP or so, aren't really making it any better.

If you want to prioritize smallness, this is especially doable if you are ok with a prime lens (fixed focal length), and you can use a mirrorless camera with a wide-angle lens.

Some examples might include:
- Sony NEX or a5000/a6000 series (APS-C) with the Sony 16mm or 20mm lens, or Sigma wide-angle
- Olympus Pen E-PLsomething or E-Psomething (micro 4/3) with a prime lens (17mm, or Sigma wide-angle)
- Canon Powershot G series, like the G12, and there are models with larger sensors (G7X ? I haven't tried it)
- Canon Powershot S series, like S95, S100. These are "just" a ~10mp point and shoot but with a reasonably fast lens and a nice control ring that makes using the camera more intuitive IMO.

Basically, I think there are lots of cameras that can take a good picture if you get along with the user interface, but the handling varies among them. Some of them are easier to control than others, some have more focus/shutter lag (which may matter less if your subjects are static) and so on. I have never used a Ricoh GR, but IMO certain cameras become cult items because of their maximum specs, while the reality is that there are a ton of other cameras with 90% of the spec that can make essentially the same pictures.

 

[abruzzi]

- Sony NEX or a5000/a6000 series (APS-C) with the Sony 16mm or 20mm lens, or Sigma wide-angle
- Olympus Pen E-PLsomething or E-Psomething (micro 4/3) with a prime lens (17mm, or Sigma wide-angle)

Not all of the APS-C Sonys have optical viewfinders, but all the 6000's and the NEX6 and NEX7 have EVFs. Since the OP mentioned that he preferred a viewfinder compared to staring at the back LCD, so those are the Sony's I'd recommend. The 6000 series doesn't show up nearly as cheap, but I'd like an A6500 because thats when they introduced IBIS to the line.

Similarly with the Olympus I'd look at the early E-M1, E-M10, and E-M5 because they have an EVF. I believe all of the first generation of those three have IBIS. The E-M5 doesn't have focus peaking so isn't great for manual lenses. The first gen E-M1 does have focus peaking, it also started with the really cool long exposure tools that Olympus started building into their cameras (If I do long exposure on the E-M1, it shows me the accumulated exposure as its exposing.). There is a mk2 E-M1 for $250 at Kenmore Camera in Washington right now. It will still need a lens, but Kenmore has kit zooms for $100. $350 and you have a pretty nice camera kit.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Another vote on the sony a6xxx. I picked up the a6000 a year or so ago with the 16-50mm OSS lens with optical stabilization. Cost was around 150 or so. The lens retracts to an almost pancake size. Very light and pocketable in a jacket. Due to optical stabilization, I usually use it without a tripod, even for waterfall shots. I take this everywhere as a backup whether I am shooting film or digital. So small and light. The 24mp sony sensor is very good and in LR, the profiles for the lens built in correct any issues. I have been pleasantly impressed. In dslr, I currently shoot an eos r coming from a 5dmkii. The a series will be my go to travel camera for space/weight limitations.

with this combo from this winter. A grab shot

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I'd say the Fuji X100 series is probably going to do it for you, especially if you can get your hands on the last version, though you like the 6D so you may not need the last version. Also, what cameras do you travel with? You might want to get something compatible with the lenses you already have. A camera is more compact without a lens.

You mentioned pricey, so what would your budget be? How small do you want it?

 

[Paul Howell]

For many years my travel cameras has been a Pentax K2000, not a point and shoot, pretty light as there is no battery grip. Smallish MP count, still able to print up to 11X14 with some sacrifice of fine detail, uses 4 AA batteries, will work with any KA or AFKA lens. I've been thinking about trading up to a K50. Other smallish DSLR is the Canon Rebel.

 

[Sean]

Love my new X100VI the Fuji X-Trans sensor is the closest I've felt has a film like quality.

 

[rhmimac]

I'm currently building my compact digital alternative to my D780 DSLR: Nikon Coolpix A (fixed lens and APS sensor) and/or the Nikon Coolpix A900(no EVF) or A1000(EVF).
I own the A900 already and I love it, small sensor though so no real GR competitor as the Coolpix A is indeed.