The Ricoh GR is a street photographer favorite due to it’s small, pocketable size and excellent image quality from the APS-C sensor. With the new GR II, Ricoh haven’t messed with a good thing, using the same excellent 16.2MP CMOS sensor and 28mm F2.8 fixed lens. What they’ve added is Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity that allows for wireless image transfers to a smartphone or tablet as well as remote control of the camera.
Other minor changes include a new maximum shutter speed of 1/2500s and the ability to autofocus while shooting video. Apart from that, other improvements are firmware and software-based and we’ll only know how they’ve affected the camera when we shoot with it ourselves.
Ricoh haven’t strayed from the things that made the GR a classic and it’s often mentioned as the best truly pocketable (in your pants, not jacket) camera available today. The sensor has excellent dynamic range and it’s paired with great optics in the 28mm F2.8 lens. There aren’t as many bells and whistles as some other compacts that include 4K or image stabilization but the GR excels where it matters.
Ricoh says the GR II will be available in July at an estimated retail price of $899.99. You can find it at Broadway Camera here.
See Ricoh’s full press release here.
RICOH IMAGING UNVEILS GR II, ITS NEWEST PREMIUM COMPACT CAMERA, FEATURING WI-FI AND NFC CAPABILITIES
Popular for combining exceptional image quality with outstanding portability, new functions now enable easy image sharing and expanded effects options
DENVER, CO, June 17, 2015 – Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation (Ricoh Imaging) today announced the newest camera in its GR series, the RICOH GR II, a premium compact camera with Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality. The GR II is the smallest premium compact with DSLR image quality, making it ideal for advanced photographers who want the quality of an SLR camera but the portability of a smart phone.
To manage the new built-in Wi-Fi and NFC functions, Ricoh Imaging also announced GR Remote, a web-based application which allows users to control camera settings virtually via any browser, as well as view and share images wirelessly. Image Sync, available on PENTAX DSLR models, is also supported on the new GR II. It enables GR users to easily browse and transfer images to accompanying mobile devices.
“With the introduction of the GR II, we are taking the premium compact camera to a new level, offering the key features desired by photo enthusiasts: high resolution, a wide angle lens, quick shoot time and portability,” said Jim Malcolm, President of Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. “With its new Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, photographers can now easily share their exceptional street and travel shots more easily, benefiting from the best of both worlds.”
Features of the new GR II camera include:
– High-quality, high-resolution: The GR 18.3mm F2.8 lens is a compact, high-performance GR lens with a focal length of 28mm (in the 35mm format). The GR II also boasts a large, APS-C-size CMOS image sensor with approximately 16.2 effective megapixels. Equal in imaging area to the type used for most PENTAX digital SLR models, the sensor combined with the GR lens assures exceptional image quality.
– High-speed: The GR II’s high-speed AF system can focus in a mere 0.2 seconds, thanks to the optimization of its lens drive mechanism and AF algorithm, and it also has a one second start up and shut down time. Further, with the GR II users can go instantly from the play back mode to shooting by half pressing on the shutter release button.
– Pocket-sized: Even though it incorporates a host of Wi-Fi functions, the GR II comes in the same size as the previous GR model. Its exterior housing is made of lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy, while its grip is shaped for easy, comfortable hold, and features a control button layout that enables simple one-hand operation.
– Expanded creative functionality: The GR II provides a total of 17 effect modes with six new modes added including: Clarity, Brilliance, Bright, Portrait, Vibrant and HDR Tone. The new GR II also includes a full range of shooting functions including an in-camera RAW data development function, full HD movie recording for high-quality, extended videos; and, wireless control of PENTAX AF360FGZII & AF540FGZII external flashes.Pricing and Availability
The Ricoh GR II will be available for purchase July 2015 in stores nationwide and at www.ricohimaging.com for a retail price of $799.95.| About Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation|
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions.
The company now known as Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation, was originally founded in 1919, under the name Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. and launched its first SLR camera in the 1950s under the PENTAX name. Today, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation continues to produce the heritage-rich, award-winning line of PENTAX DSLR cameras, lenses and sport optics equipment as well as Ricoh’s offering of stylish and compact digital cameras, known for their wide-ranging, rich set of features.
For further information, please visit www.ricohimaging.com
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© 2015 Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.