Ricoh introduced the 10MP GR Digital II in 2007

Last Updates: 7th August 2025 (New color profile)

Imagine having an invitation to a fun photo walk with older digital cameras. While reviewing feedback from relevant reviewers and forum conversations, what would your expectations be for an 18-year-old compact camera? For example, would you say images captured with the 10MP Ricoh GR could still be relevant in 2025? Some of the Ricoh images (JPEGS) in this article were slightly edited in Photoshop, and some are RAW files converted with Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). Is it possible that the older Ricoh GR Digital II could surprise many as an exciting and flexible performer in 2025?

The following compact cameras would be great for an oldies photo walk:

- Olympus XZ-1 (10MP)

- Pentax QS (10MP)

- Canon Powershot G11 (10MP)

- Panasonic LX-7 (10MP)

- Sigma DP2S (14MP)

- Olympus E-400 (10MP)

- Olympus E-PL9 (16MP)

TIP: See this article for more information about the technique I use to capture the image below.

GR Digital II JPEG @ ISO100, f4.0, and 1/1050. The lighting was perfect, and the Richoh seems to have a unique gamma (tone) curve.

The Ricoh GR Digital II is an exciting camera that stood out in the 10MP camera category. The listed compacts in this article had larger and more expensive sensors. Apart from the Pentax QS having a BSI sensor, the XZ-1 and G11 have CCD sensors, and the LX-7 has a CMOS sensor. It is often suggested that older CCD sensors produce more vibrant Kodak like colors. However, I contend that it's largely due to manufacturers’ choosing an analog look rather than pre-empting a modern digital photography look for 2007. This is evident in the unique Kodak look images produced by the Ricoh GR.

The Olympus E-400 and Sigma DP2S differ in their design and features. The Sigma DP2S is renowned for its unique 14MP Foveon X3 sensor, delivering great color and detail. In contrast, the E-400 features a 4/3 CCD sensor, while the DP2S has a APS-C sensor. Notably, earlier Olympus E-Series DSLRs were recognized for their use of CCD type Kodak sensors; however, the E-400 literature does not explicitly reference the Kodak CCD sensor. Personally, I favor the Olympus E-450, with its 10MP CMOS sensor, as it's quick and delivers a similar Kodak color palette as older CCD models.

I converted the Ricoh GR Digital II raw files in Photoshop with the Adobe Raw Converter (ACR).

Will I use the Ricoh GR Digital II in 2025? The Ricoh is a notably refined and agile camera, with great image colors. Although I would recommend it to others, I do not plan to use it much in 2025. I lean more towards the Olympus XZ-1/2 or the Stylus S1. Additionally, I love to create a color profile that would mimic the "Kodak" look of the Ricoh GR Digital II for my Olympus cameras.

Olympus E-M10 IV with the amazing M.Zuiko 75mm, f1.8 lens. I converted these Enhanced Raw Files in Workspace.

Large camera manufacturers seem to have lost sight of casual and hobby photographers. It has been suggested that the emergence of mobile phone photos contributed to an upswing in overly specified camera models, particularly as the quest for extravagant video specifications, higher resolution, and larger sensors was not a grassroots requirement but rather a marketing strategy. 

Grassroots-friendly cameras such as the E-PL9, E-P7, and E-M10 II/III/IV continue to offer exceptional value when paired with the M.Zuiko 75mm f1.8, 12mm f2.0, 17mm f1.8, 25mm f1.8, and 12-45mm f4.0 lenses. Any used E-M5 III, E-M10 IV, E-P7, or E-PL9 with two of these lenses outperforms mobile phones in terms of having fun doing photography, creativity, versatility, life cycle, and value. Will AI processing widen the gap between mobile phones and older compact and M43 cameras?

The beta version of my Ricoh GR color profile shows great potential. My initial impression is that this profile exhibits a more refined and nuanced image look compared to some of my older profiles. Its application is also different from my existing color profiles. For example, I incorporated features unique to Olympus for this new color profile. My intention was to ensure compatibility for all Olympus cameras. Consequently, the process of applying the new color profile requires converting an enhanced raw file in Workspace and saving it as a 16-bit TIFF file. The Ricoh GR color profile is designed for converted Olympus TIFF files. This method represents a distinct editing approach, offering numerous advantages in the realm of "layered" processing with Workspace.

See this link for more information about the new Ricoh GR profile.

Ricoh GR Digital II color profile with Soft Focus ART filter.

A collection of Ricoh GR Digital II photos

I did not use the Ricoh GR Digital II noise filter for the images in this article. Those using crop sensor Fuji, Olympus, and compact cameras have grown to accept a little film-like noise. What drives this sentiment for "small" sensor photography? It could be that those buying crop sensor cameras came to terms with the technical limitations of the sensor. This might also shed some light on why full-frame photographers jump at every AI noise reduction offer from DxO, Topaz, and Adobe AI. How many of them were told that full-frame cameras have no technical limitations like dynamic range and noise? It is regrettable to have such inaccurate marketing information at the present day.

See this article for more on the technical limitations of digital cameras.

Examples of my new Ricoh GR Digital II color profile