Ricoh GR II vs Olympus PEN-F

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Ricoh GR II vs Olympus PEN-F

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Ricoh GR II Review.
How does it shoot? Ricoh GR II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GR II.
Compare Ricoh GR II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Ricoh GR II conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F conclusion.

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Differences

Ricoh GR II advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$538 vs $999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.30 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GR II test data on DxO Mark PEN-F test data on DxO Mark

1,078 vs 894 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GR II test data on DxO Mark PEN-F test data on DxO Mark

13.7 vs 12.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
248g vs 434g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
300 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 43 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Ricoh GR II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Shooting with a wide prime helps you see new shots; Good performance and fast autofocus; Excellent sharp, bright lens; Very customizable; In-camera Wi-Fi works with more than just Android and iOS; Supports Pentax wireless flash strobes
Fixed, wide prime lens isn't for everyone; Cramped controls; Burst capture is slower for JPEGs; Tends too warm under incandescent lighting; Wi-Fi app is poor, and web browser control has cluttered interface
Read our Ricoh GR II Review

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

The Competition

Compared to Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR

$538
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$799
APS-C

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR

Olympus PEN-F

Ricoh GR

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Ricoh GR

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Ricoh GR II

Fujifilm X70

$538
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Fujifilm X70

Olympus PEN-F

Fujifilm X70

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Fujifilm X70

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Ricoh GR II

Panasonic GX85

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Ricoh GR II

Olympus E-PL8

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$599
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Fujifilm XF10

Ricoh GR II

Fujifilm XF10

$538
APS-C

Bigger pixels
NFC

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Fujifilm XF10

Olympus PEN-F

Fujifilm XF10

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Fujifilm XF10

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