Comments on: Review: Part I: ISO comparison: Ricoh GR vs Nikon Coolpix A vs Fuji X100s

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 03:31:46 +0000

Thanks Mike so much for your expertise. Your work is much appreciated and its outstanding

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 01:19:15 +0000

Hi Steve! My clear #1 pick would be the RX100-you can get it at a great deal here at Adorama (it is a brand new camera, I just picked up an open box deal, overstock and I think that is the only way to advertise it legally). The reason I am suggesting it: fast af speed in good light, enough mp for scenic shots, a very nice high quality Zeiss zoom, which I think is really important when shooting kids and excellent video-in a super compact body. The only drawback? Not as good in low light as the Fuji X100s, which is my #2 suggestion. Great af speed, great low light, no zoom, terrible video. Both cameras produce outstanding results in full automatic mode, you only have to press the shutter, that's it and if you ever get curious you can explore and have all the options down to fully manual shooting. Hope this helps, happy holidays.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 01:01:05 +0000

Mike,

I like as automated as possible so I want the camera that will give me best automated settings. I am looking at the Ricoh GR, Sony RX100, Canon S100, Nikon A, and Fuji X100S. I am shooting pictures of my kids and scenic places. What camera would best suit me? Complexity turns me off

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 09:40:57 +0000

I think the X100S has better image quality than the GR I also think the X100S is more accurate for colours, but the only problem is the price! Might see if I can get a cheaper one off ebay. Some people complain that the X100S is too big to be classed as a compact camera, so I’m gonna go to my local shop and actually handle it and see what I think.

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 15:53:16 +0000

sure, they would all be adequate, I would go for the X100s then because of the 35mm equiv-with a little cropping you would be able to get descent shots for web use. Cropping in from a 28mm lens could still work, just puts you that much farther away from the action to begin with. You can’t really go wrong with any of them, they will all deliver incredible files. The RX100 the most versatile, the X100s and GR for superior image quality and the snap-mode on the GR might come in handy for decisive moment shots shooting your team-there is practically no shutter lag.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 15:27:55 +0000

Hi Mike, cheers for the recommendation! Much appreciated. When I was mentioning the American Football I meant taking photos of the team I play for, so I’d be on the sideline, obviously a lot closer than sat somewhere in the stands at a pro game. Would the X100S, A and GR still not be adequate enough at that type of range? Even if the images were cropped? Or would they lose too much detail? The flag football season is drawing to a close here in the UK anyway so I would probably be taking more street style shots, off to Amsterdam at the end of the month, would be good to have a decent camera by then.

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:43:30 +0000

Hi Matt, the only one worth taking to a sporting event would be the RX100 or RX100m2, you really need a little bit of reach and the long end of the zoom-100mm equiv - will get you a lot closer then a 28mm or 35mm. I love the X trans sensor for people photography, great skin tones and great color fidelity at high ISO setting. The Coolpix A and GR produce more or less identical files, extremely sharp, an advantage for landscapes and things, the A with superior jpeg's - the colors can be a bit off from the GR straight out of the camera (shooting raw the GR has the edge), the GR also shines as a street camera (closely followed by the X100s) and as a super wide for landscapes because of the fantastic 21mm equiv attachment. Sounds like the RX100 or RX100mk2 would be best for your needs and you get kick ass video too. Hope this helps!

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 11:41:41 +0000

Hi Mike,I’ve been reading up about the Fuji X100S, Nikon Coolpix A, Ricoh GR and the Sony RX100 II, I really do not know what one to go for! As for what type of shots I like to take, I like a bit of everything street photography, macro shots, landscapes and sporting events. I really do love the detail in the Fuji photos, but I’ve seen people say the Fuji is better for taking photos of people but the Nikon is better for landscapes and taking pictures of ‘things’ (which is what I will predominantly be doing) and I’m not sure where the Ricoh GR fits in to all of this! Obviously you said above that the Sony RX100 II is better for macro shooting. Saying there is no zoom on the fixed lenses, what are they like for taking shots of sporting events like American football? I’ve got myself into a right situation here and I’d be very grateful if you could guide me in the right direction, I am very indecisive which doesn’t help one bit. Thanks in advance!

By: mike.kobal

mike.kobal — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 16:01:18 +0000

The camera is not out yet, it will have an improved sensor over the RX100, I loved mine, never had any issues with softness, here is a link to some shots from my Paris trip, the reason I suggested it because you are mostly interested in close up photography, this is the sector where small sensor cameras shine and you will need something longer then 28mm.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 15:04:33 +0000

Thank you Mike for your soonest respone. I really appreciate it
Are there more sample images of the Sony RX100M2 on your blog?
I find the image on the sony rx100 often very soft…