(Leica D-Lux 5)
A Ricoh GR fitted with an APS-C sensor…. What a mixed blessing.
We all know the upsides and downsides of serious compacts fitted with a smaller sensor. My experience makes me love these cameras better for doing street shots since a camera with an APS-C sensor avails me little in using the wider aperture without forgoing a more extensive depth of field. As far as street photography is concerned, at least to me, an extensive DoF is of paramount importance because each photography opportunity presents itself in too soon a moment for even the fastest AF. For that matter, the usability of a wider aperture afforded by a smaller sensor gives an irreplaceable surety in achieving an extensive in-focus distance while allowing the maximum intake of light at a lower ISO value(and hence a faster shutter speed), which cannot be attained when using an APS-C or bigger sensor. Zone focusing can do the trick to ensure in-focus subjects but the story is quite different.
That said, a smaller sensor is of no comparison in terms of image quality. While the GR is known for its street photography capabilities, the new version with a larger sensor undoubtedly gives away its key role as such. This is not to say that the new GR cannot play the role again but it will never be the same. However, I’m at the same time pretty sure that the many very capable Ricoh users will find new ways to make the new GR shine even brighter.
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