Author Topic: ep1 image quality vs grd III (Read 1846 times)

dgoakill · « **on:** March 09, 2010, 05:14:35 PM »

So I was all set to buy an ep-1 and ended up spending the money on other gear.......now I'm ready and it seems the whole scene has changed. Now there is the EP1, 2, pl1, gf1, gxr, grd III. I know all the ones I listed are m4/3 except for the Ricoh's and I know technically spec wise people get upset when you try to compare them, but here's my situation.

I want a simple camera I can take with me daily, it must be fast with no lag and have an OVF. I primarily shoot street so that sums up 90% of what i'm looking for. The grd III is very pocketable compared to the m4/3's out there, which at the end of the day means it would get used more. however, if there was a HUGE difference in IQ between the grd and the ep-1 I'd put up with the size issue.

Anyone have experience with both? Right now there are some good deals to be had for a ep-1 kit with 17mm + VF. In fact that pacakge is cheaper by almost $150 compared to the GRD when you add the cost of the Ricoh VF to the mix.

ndroo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2010, 06:03:32 PM »

I own both the E-P1 and a GRD3. Can't really comment about the IQ differences because I don't really go into details. For street shooting, the GRD3 is definitely my 'weapon of choice' because it attracts less attention and the wide lens is a plus because I love to go real close to the people and 'steal' shots of them.

Luke · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2010, 06:14:15 PM »

the prices to be had on the e-p1 are bordering on ridiculous and that ricoh would be very incognito. I can see your dilemma.

madmaxmedia · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2010, 02:31:02 PM »

The GRD III is much better as a stealth street shooter, but the E-P1 has significantly better IQ IMO. Ricoh JPEG's are not very good (too much noise reduction smearing), so you would need to shoot RAW with the GRD III. The Ricoh GRD III has a fast lens, but the E-P1 has better ISO performance and has some fast lens options too. The GRD III has a great user interface, with lots of customization options and easy to use with LCD off and in Snap focus mode.

There really are significant advantages to each, just depends on your priorities.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2010, 08:57:40 PM »

i own the ep1 gf1 amd ricohs gx 200 and the cx1

i consider the gx200 to be a worthy street camera with very good iq at iso 64 at iso 400 and above noise ruins the show

the gx 200 is however a camera i always have with me
it has snap, infinity,multi, and spot focus full manual exposure control A P M my 1 my 2 my 3 custom profiles fully customizable "film"modes and scene and movie mode mode

and raw

im a huge ricoh fan but the price of the grdIII puts me off its single focal length and its iq is better than the gx 200 but has banding issues at high isos
id look at the micro four thirds for a bargain like the epL1
or something or a cheaper ricoh

ep1 image quality vs grd III