Ricoh introduced the 10MP GR Digital II in 2007

Last Updates: 27th May 2025

Imagine having an invitation to a photo walk featuring older digital cameras. While briefly reviewing feedback and comments from relevant reviews and forums, what would your expectations be for an 18-year-old 10MP compact camera? For example, do you think the images captured with the Ricoh are still relevant in 2025? I've added some JPEGs taken with the Ricoh further down. Some were slightly edited in Photoshop, and some are RAW files converted using Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). Is it possible that the Ricoh GR Digital II will continue as a competent and flexible performer in 2025?

The following compact cameras would be great for a photo walk:

- Olympus XZ-1

- Pentax QS

- Canon Powershot G11

- Panasonic LX-7

- Sigma DP2S

- Olympus E-400

- Olympus E-PL9

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 colors. However, I contend that this is largely due to manufacturers’ choosing an analog aesthetic rather than pre-empting a modern digital photography look in 2007. This is evident in the unique Kodak color 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 reproduction and detail. In contrast, the E-400 has a 4/3 CCD sensor, while the DP2S features 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 a Kodak CCD sensor. Personally, I favor the Olympus E-450, with its 10MP CMOS sensor, as it's quick and reproduces 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 keep it for my own use. I lean more towards the Olympus XZ-1/2 or the Stylus S1. Additionally, I love to create a color profile for my Olympus cameras that would mimic the "Kodak" look of the Ricoh GR Digital II images.

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

Major camera manufacturers seem to have lost sight of what most hobby photographers want. It has been suggested that the emergence of mobile phone cameras is contributing to a decline in overly specified camera models, particularly as the demand for extravagant video specifications and larger sensors never existed. Cameras such as the E-PL9, E-P7, and E-M10 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 pro lens. Any used E-M5 III, E-M10 IV, E-P7, and E-PL9 with two of these lenses will outperform mobile phones in terms of having fun doing photography, versatility, life cycle, and value.

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 quality compared to some of the other profiles I did. Its application also differs from the color profiles on this page. To create this profile, I incorporated features exclusive to Workspace. My intention was to ensure compatibility with all Olympus cameras. Consequently, the process involves first converting the enhanced raw file within Workspace, saving it as a 16-bit TIFF file, and then applying the profile to the converted TIFF file. This method represents a distinct approach, offering numerous advantages in the realm of layered processing.

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. Those using Fujifilm, Olympus, and compact cameras often develop a preference for the film-like noise of modern crop sensor cameras. What drives this sentiment for "smaller" sensor cameras? It could be that those photographers who prefer crop sensor cameras have come to terms with the image sensor's technical limitations. This may shed light on why full-frame photographers rely on DxO, Topaz, and Adobe AI noise reduction software. How many full-frame photographers were told that their cameras have no technical limitations? It is regrettable to witness this degree of inaccurate marketing information in 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