This time I wanted to compare the GRD I, GRD II, GX and GX100 JPGs when it comes to color images. Unfortunately the weather was still not very nice and it even rained during my testing so I had to keep it short and will have to do a more thorough comparison soon.
All cameras were used at f4 (both GRDs), f4.3 (GX100) or f4.7 (GX) respectively and at ISO 100 in A mode again. The jpg settings were on both GRDs set to 'Contrast -2, Sharpness +1 and Color Depth +1', the GX100 'Contrast -2, Sharpness +1 and Color Depth +2' and the GX was left to standard since it does not offer these options. I use the cameras this way so this is why I do not set the parameters to normal since it would not be a real life test for me. The metering and focus on the GX are not working properly so I had to use infinity or macro focus instead of spot, also the camera underexposed most shots so I had to meter the scenes differently. Due to this I will use the LC1 next time for 'Part 2' and also to give and impression of what a larger sensor with less MP brings.
Anyway, enough talking, now to the actual pictures.
Ok, I will leave my final verdict till the next time but will say this for now:
- The GX100 has the lowest dynamic range when it comes to JPGs, although the GX is also struggling with it.
- The GRD I has the most natural colors and is the only camera to get the correct color for the purple flowers in the first picture or the red stop sign.
- The GRD II has as expected the highest dynamic range and shows almost no chromatic aberrations.
This is it for today, weather permitting I will have the 2nd part up on Sunday. The 3rd part will feature a low light comparison between these cameras (the GX might be substituted for the LC1).
Thanks again for another comparison, Cristian.
ReplyDeleteIMO the GRD is clearly better than the rest in terms of JPG output. If I only wanted to shoot JPG, and never RAW, the GRD would be my obvious choice. I could immediately pick the GRD shot in each case.
RAW may be a different story, but the JPG output of the GRD is impressive when compared to the GX100 & GRD2.
I wonder why Ricoh has stepped backwards in their JPG processing?
You are right Chris, I can pick out the GRD I pictures but it is a bit different now and was much clearer cut on the b&w comparison where it is a much bigger difference.
ReplyDeleteNo idea why Ricoh decided to go backwards and destroy the great JPG engine that they had. I sure hope they find their way back.
One thing I noticed is that the GRD II jpgs are indeed slightly improved now and don't look all that bad (although I still would not use them).
I think putting the GX100 at +2 color depth didn't do the camera any favors.
ReplyDeleteThe GX100 is not mine and this is how the GX100 gets used to get nicer colors out of the camera. For the 2nd test I will set it to the same as the GRDs but this did not really make a huge difference at low ISOs from my observations. At higher ISOs it increases the color noise but noticeable only over ISO 400.
ReplyDeleteThe light on that day did not do any camera any favor and the GX100 was the only one to constantly produce white skies in the jpgs.