Micro 4/3 EPM2/EPL5 + 14mm/2.5 vs Nikon A vs Ricoh GR

Stan

Regular
Location
California
Name
Stan
With the release of the lastest big sensor, fixed lens cameras, it's a good time to be a photographer (and not a good time to have chronic GAS). The new releases coming out can make our heads spin in endless circles.

Question for the group: What makes/would make you choose a Nikon A/Ricoh GR vs. slapping on the 14mm f2.5 pancake on a Pen or GF/GX? (Or equivalently the 17/1.8 and one of the 35mm equivalents fixed lense cams?)
 
I would expect the A or the new GR to be better both sensor- and lenswise compared to any m43 + the 14mm pana lens.
Also smaller, especially with the lens retracted.

Of course that has to be weighed against the benefit of having a lens mount and a lot of options for lenses, but that was a requirement the A/GR wouldn't be that interesting in the first place.
 
The only thing that could move me away from my intention to own the GR would be if they also released a full frame 35mm a la Sony. Then, I'd want that. Sizewise the Nikon A and GR are much of a muchness, arent they? I like the retracting lens and the lack of lens cover.
 
After I got the EM-5 and 14/2.5, I used it as a 28mm point and shoot quite a bit. A smaller body would have been even better, which makes the GR suit my preferences just fine. The Ricoh interface is the bomb and the GR's pocketability makes it a winner. As much as I am glad that I bought into the m43 system, with all of its potential for low profile photography and video work, I still want a high quality camera that goes into my pocket.
 
I would expect the A or the new GR to be better both sensor- and lenswise compared to any m43 + the 14mm pana lens.

Honestly, comparing dpr's test images of A and GR with a Pana GX1, I wouldn't say that. And Oly/Sony sensor is even better.
Me, I'm in the small minority that think the GX1 sensor is quite good, with non-smeared/cooked high iso images. Of course DR is not great, but for that there's the Oly/Sony sensor. Yes, perhaps the GR's lens is better than the Pana 14.
Of course, the GR is a much different camera, it will not be the sensor the main reason to choose it against an m4/3.
 
Small, silent, deadly. The only lens I ever found that made an epl5 body even close to as pocketable as the Nikon A (or now the Ricoh GR) was the 15mm body cap lens. And the epl5 still has a somewhat loud shutter, compared to the silent shutter on either of these cameras. Finally, as good as the Oly is at ISO 3200, I'd say the Nikon (not sure about the Ricoh yet) is better at 6400. Not to mention that, for people concerned about this, the fixed lens is generally gonna be sharper across the frame than the Pany 14.

-Ray
 
Believe it or not, I was thinking about this on my way into work today. I have the E-PM2 and the Panny 14mm pancake. It's a compact and effective package, and it definitely slips into a jacket pocket easily. But not a shirt pocket, which the Ricoh GR may do. As others have said, the primary advantage of the new camera is pocketability while maintaining quality. The Ricoh is about the same size as a Sony RX100 - just a bit longer but a bit thinner. I don't tend to operate at ISO 6400 very often, so the APS-C's sensor advantage in that area isn't critical to me. I really should just preorder the GR already - because I won't pay $1000 for the Nikon A even if it's a bit better. I think the only thing holding me back is my monitoring of Olympus OM-D prices. With a replacement due to be announced later this year, we're beginning to see prices move a bit. But it may take until the end of summer to see real movement. So I should just pre-order the GR and be done with it.
 
I'm still perplexed at Oly's decision to make the flange of the lens mount so small on the EPM2/EPL5. The 14/2.5 looks a little odd when mounted on them. And the 20/1.7 looks very odd!! Maybe it's an attempt to get Oly camera buyers to buy only Oly lenses so that the combo looks prettier!
 
I'm still perplexed at Oly's decision to make the flange of the lens mount so small on the EPM2/EPL5. The 14/2.5 looks a little odd when mounted on them. And the 20/1.7 looks very odd!! Maybe it's an attempt to get Oly camera buyers to buy only Oly lenses so that the combo looks prettier!

Oly may very well be doing that. But if they want the strategy to work, they need to make all of their lenses available in both black and silver - at the same price.
 
Totally agree ... and they need to be available at the same time as well. No more later releases of "special" or "limited" editions with a price tag of additional $300. I wonder if anyone bought the black 12/2.
 
Small, silent, deadly. The only lens I ever found that made an epl5 body even close to as pocketable as the Nikon A (or now the Ricoh GR) was the 15mm body cap lens. And the epl5 still has a somewhat loud shutter, compared to the silent shutter on either of these cameras. Finally, as good as the Oly is at ISO 3200, I'd say the Nikon (not sure about the Ricoh yet) is better at 6400. Not to mention that, for people concerned about this, the fixed lens is generally gonna be sharper across the frame than the Pany 14.

-Ray

Good points! I especially forgot about deadly. The EPM2 is definitely not deadly :) More like gnarly or perhaps cute. LOL!

I do notice that my EPM2 and 14mm isn't flat. It fits in a jacket pocket fine. Edge sharpness of the 14 isn't stellar, but not bad. I find even for my landscapes, I don't normally put important features in edges/corners where it might matter.

I do like the fact that there's no lens cap to have to take off and stow, as trivial as that might sound on the GR and A. I'm definitely thinking that I might pick one up at some point for days when I go on big hikes, travel, and perhaps as a social camera. My ILC cameras will still get the bulk of the tripod-based landscapes, since in those situations a zoom and lens changes can make a big difference.
 
Totally agree ... and they need to be available at the same time as well. No more later releases of "special" or "limited" editions with a price tag of additional $300. I wonder if anyone bought the black 12/2.

Not me. yeah, black for the same price would be nice. I think though that silver lenses on the silver EM5 look nice.
 
The only thing that could move me away from my intention to own the GR would be if they also released a full frame 35mm a la Sony. Then, I'd want that. Sizewise the Nikon A and GR are much of a muchness, arent they? I like the retracting lens and the lack of lens cover.

The size and retracting lens are big plusses in my book. It's nice to just press the power button and get on with it. It's why I like P&S cameras sometimes... well until I have to cook the raw files, and then I feel somewhat disappointed with small sensors.
 
Believe it or not, I was thinking about this on my way into work today. I have the E-PM2 and the Panny 14mm pancake. ... So I should just pre-order the GR and be done with it.

One thing I like about the EPM2 + 14mm is the size, but I can see that it's a bit chunky and big for a shirt pocket. I think I'm plunking down for the GR this summer. The DNG files on imaging resource are encouraging so far, and although I have not used a Ricoh before I'm interested in the ergonomics and being able to shoot ever more discreetly.
 
I'm still perplexed at Oly's decision to make the flange of the lens mount so small on the EPM2/EPL5. The 14/2.5 looks a little odd when mounted on them. And the 20/1.7 looks very odd!! Maybe it's an attempt to get Oly camera buyers to buy only Oly lenses so that the combo looks prettier!

Call me shallow, but that's actually one of the reasons which led me to get rid of the E-PL5. The 20mm looked fine and balanced well on my black OM-D though. I got the E-PL5 as a small event camera, but it just looked and felt funny with the 20mm.
 
Back
Top