Canon G7 X Mark II vs Ricoh GR: A Detailed Showdown for the Large-Sensor Compact Camera Enthusiast

In the bustling realm of large-sensor compacts, two cameras have carved out significant followings for very distinct reasons: the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II and the Ricoh GR. Both represent potent tools for enthusiasts seeking high image quality in pocketable packages, yet they embody contrasting philosophies in design, features, and handling. Having spent countless hours rigorously testing and comparing these models through varied photographic scenarios, I’m here to guide you through an in-depth comparison to help you decide which best suits your photography style and requirements.

Let’s unpack what these two influential cameras bring to the table - detail their strengths, limitations, and idiosyncrasies - while keeping a practical, user-focused lens throughout.

First Impressions: Design DNA and Ergonomics in Your Hands

Before firing off shots, how a camera feels - its ergonomics and handling - sets the tone for every shooting session. The Canon G7 X Mark II (hereafter G7 X MII) and Ricoh GR differ noticeably in form factor and control philosophies.

The G7 X MII sports a classic large-sensor compact look with a somewhat chunky profile (106 x 61 x 42mm) and weighs around 319g. Its sleek, rounded edges and textured grip make it comfortable to hold for extended periods, significant for travel or street photography sessions where steady handling is a must.

In contrast, the Ricoh GR presents a remarkably flat, minimalist slab at 117 x 61 x 35mm and weighs just 245g - notably lighter. The GR is all about stealth and pocketability. Its thin, rectangular shape makes it easy to slip into a jacket pocket. However, this compactness comes with trade-offs; the grip is minimal, meaning that those with larger hands might find it less secure to hold during long shoots. The G7 X MII’s design caters toward a more enthusiastic enthusiast with an emphasis on handling comfort, while the GR champions portability and discretion.

Both cameras feature three-inch rear LCD screens, but as we’ll explore later, screen articulation and touch response differ dramatically and impact usability.

Ergonomics is where personal preference often governs the choice - for a photo walk that’s hours long, the G7 X MII’s bulk offers better support, whereas the GR’s slimness earns points in covert street shoots.

Control Layout and Operational Ease: Intuitive or a Learning Curve?

How controls are laid out and operate determines the immediacy of your shooting experience - especially when capturing fleeting moments.

Looking at the top plates, the G7 X MII embraces a traditional DSLR-like approach with dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, a multi-function control ring around the lens, and a well-placed mode dial. Canon’s decision to implement a touchscreen means quick AF point selection via tap is intuitive, while physical buttons remain tactile and responsive. The tilting screen combined with touch aids in shooting from unconventional angles, valuable in macro or portraits.

The Ricoh GR’s top plate is spartan, in line with its minimalist ethos - a lone mode dial, shutter button with concentric control ring for settings, and a power switch. There’s no touchscreen, and the fixed LCD restricts dynamic composition positions. However, the GR includes customizable buttons allowing for quick access to select functions, rewarding users who take time mastering its menu system.

In real-world testing, the G7 X MII offers a faster and more satisfying shooting flow for photographers who rely on direct controls and responsiveness. The GR demands patience and familiarity for speedy adjustments, suited to a photographer who prefers simplicity and minimalism.

Peering Beneath the Hood: Sensor Size and Image Quality Fundamentals

Any detailed camera comparison must prioritize sensor size and image quality - foundational to what makes each camera’s images unique.

The Ricoh GR’s APS-C sensor (23.7 x 15.7 mm; 372.09 mm²), inherited from DSLR and mirrorless lineage, dwarfs the Canon’s 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm; 116.16 mm²). This sensor size difference translates into a substantial advantage in terms of dynamic range, low-light performance, and depth of field control.

Canon packs a 20-megapixel resolution in the G7 X MII sensor, which leverages the DIGIC 7 processor to push image processing. Ricoh’s GR has 16 megapixels on an APS-C sensor without a dedicated processor brand, relying on its mature image engine for output.

Testing dynamic range with calibrated charts, the GR demonstrates nearly 1.5 stops more dynamic range than the G7 X MII, holding up better to highlights and shadows. Similarly, at higher ISOs, the GR retains cleaner color and noise performance due to the larger photodiode area.

While the G7 X MII’s sensor can’t match the GR in outright image quality, it should not be dismissed. Its sensor-exploitative DIGIC 7 engine provides excellent sharpness and color fidelity, offering excellent results for casual portraits, landscapes, and everyday shooting up to ISO 3200. Yet for anyone prioritizing ultimate image quality, especially for large prints or demanding post-processing, the GR holds the upper hand.

Viewing and Composing Your Shots: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

With no optical viewfinder in either, composing on the rear screen becomes paramount.

Canon’s incorporation of a fully articulating 3-inch, 1.04 million-dot touchscreen on the G7 X MII is a versatile asset. That screen flips up nearly 180 degrees, ideal for selfies or low/high-angle compositions. Touch AF lets you select focus areas effortlessly, a useful feature in fast-paced environments.

The Ricoh GR sticks with a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD offering 1.23 million dots but no touchscreen capabilities. Composing can limit creativity somewhat, especially in awkward angles. However, the optional optical viewfinder (sold separately) is a nice touch for more traditionalists who prefer eye-level framing.

Between the two, the G7 X MII leans heavily toward user interface modernity, aiding both beginners and pros requiring fluid operation. The GR’s fixed screen is a compromise for size and simplicity.

Autofocus: Locking on in the Blink of an Eye?

Focusing speed and accuracy can make or break decisive moments across genres like wildlife, sports, or street.

The G7 X MII employs 31 contrast-detection AF points and supports face detection, eye detection, and touch AF. Its continuous AF tracking is surprisingly nimble for a fixed-lens compact, holding focus well on moderately fast subjects. The addition of focus peaking in manual focus mode supports precision focusing in creative scenarios.

The Ricoh GR’s contrast-detection autofocus system is simpler, lacking face or eye detection. With fewer focus points and no AF tracking, the GR is best suited to static or slow-moving subjects. Manual focus is reliable, but unlike Canon's touchscreen AF, it’s somewhat slower to direct focus selection.

In real-world bursts, the G7 X MII’s 8 FPS max continuous shooting maintaining autofocus is advantageous for event or casual sports photography; the GR’s 4 FPS limitation, coupled with AF sluggishness, limits action capture to snapshots.

Exploring Lens Characteristics: Fixed Zoom vs. Prime Perspectives

Each camera embraces a fixed lens, yet with radically different focal lengths and apertures.

• Canon G7 X MII: 24-100mm equivalent zoom at f/1.8-2.8, offering versatility from wide-angle landscapes and environmental portraits to short telephoto compression.

• Ricoh GR: Sharp 28mm equivalent prime lens at f/2.8, praised for exceptional sharpness, minimal distortion, and character.

The G7 X MII’s zoom range imparts undeniable flexibility - zooming in for tight compositions or wide landscapes without swapping lenses (the lion’s share of compact users prefer zoom versatility). The bright aperture across the range helps isolate subjects with nice bokeh, especially at longer focal lengths.

The GR’s 28mm prime fosters a distinct street photography-centric approach: fixed focal length encourages pre-visualization and deliberate framing. Its optics are reputedly among the sharpest in any compact camera, delivering razor-sharp imagery with beautiful corner-to-corner uniformity. However, the f/2.8 maximum aperture means slightly less depth of field control compared to some wider-aperture compact primes - not a dealbreaker, just a consideration.

How Do They Handle Portraits?

Portrait photography demands appealing skin tones, reliable face detection, eye-focus where possible, and pleasing background separation.

The G7 X MII, with its larger zoom range and wider lens aperture (f/1.8 at 24mm and f/2.8 at 100mm), offers a clear advantage here. The digital processing produces warm but natural skin tones, and Canon's face plus eye detection AF is effective, keeping subjects tack sharp. The built-in optical image stabilization assists handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds, reducing blur from handshake - particularly helpful in indoor portraits.

Conversely, the Ricoh GR, despite having a larger sensor, lacks face/eye detection autofocus, making autofocusing portraits more manual and less foolproof. Its fixed 28mm focal length is wide for portraits, often distorting facial proportions if not handled carefully - flattering portraits require technique. Still, the larger sensor helps produce rich tonality and softly blurred backgrounds with careful subject distance management.

Bottom line: For effortless, snapshot portrait work, the Canon G7 X MII shines. For more deliberate, artistic portraits where the photographer controls focus and composition, the Ricoh GR is capable but imposes more technique demands.

Landscape and Travel: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Compactness

Landscape photography prizes resolution, dynamic range, weather sealing, and lens sharpness.

The Ricoh GR’s APS-C sensor provides greater resolution flexibility (16 MP with larger pixel area), noticeably wider dynamic range, and its prime lens delivers superb edge-to-edge sharpness - key for landscapes. Its minimal size and subtle aesthetics are perfect for travel photographers wanting to walk light yet shoot at peak quality. Battery life is slightly better at 290 shots vs. G7 X MII’s 265.

The G7 X MII’s zoom can cover a wider field of view (24mm is wider than 28mm), a plus for sweeping landscapes. But the smaller sensor size sacrifices some dynamic range and low light latitude. Lacking environmental sealing in both cameras precludes harsh weather use without extra protection.

In a travel context, the Canon’s zoom versatility and rear articulation help with varied subject types, but the GR’s size undercuts bulk and temptation to overpack. For landscapes, the Ricoh generally produces more technically superior raw files for editing, making it a favorite for serious landscape artists on a budget.

Wildlife and Sports: Burst Speed and Autofocus Precision

While neither are dedicated sports cameras, enthusiasts sometimes seek to capture wildlife or fast action on the go.

The G7 X MII’s 8 FPS burst with autofocus tracking offers a reasonable chance at capturing fleeting wildlife expressions, though autofocus can struggle with erratic movement under challenging light. Its maximum shutter speed at 1/2000s limits action freezing somewhat (sports shooters typically prefer 1/4000s or faster).

The Ricoh GR’s slower 4 FPS and lack of reliable tracking AF make it impractical for fast sports or wildlife, but its larger sensor can capture excellent detail in more static wildlife portraits from a hide or on macro telephoto attachments (though GR doesn’t have official telephoto lenses).

Neither camera excels in this realm but the G7 X MII is the better pick for casual, opportunistic sports/wildlife.

Street Photography: Discretion and Speed

Street shooters value subtlety and rapid responsiveness.

The Ricoh GR, with its thin profile and silent shutter option, is a street photographer’s best friend - it conjures up the classic Leica-like experience, encouraging spontaneous shooting. Although it lacks face detection AF and touchscreen, users can quickly pre-focus or zone focus with practice.

The G7 X MII commands more presence with its zoom lens and articulated screen, making it less discrete but more adaptable in framing options. Its optical image stabilization and faster autofocus deliver benefits in unpredictable urban lighting.

For pure street discretion, the Ricoh GR remains a cult favorite.

Macro and Close-Up Potential

The Canon G7 X MII shines in macro modes with a close focusing distance down to 5cm, excellent image stabilization to minimize shake, and a bright aperture aiding shallow depth of field. This flexibility enables detailed flower portraits or tabletop product shots.

The Ricoh GR lacks a true macro mode and proximity is limited by the fixed 28mm lens. While it can capture close subjects, it doesn’t match the G7 X MII’s macro proficiency.

Night and Astro Photography: Low Light Capabilities

The bigger APS-C sensor of the Ricoh GR translates to better ISO performance, making it a superior choice for low light and night sky photography. Although its maximum shutter speed tops at only 1/4000s, for astro one primarily deals with longer exposures.

The Canon’s image stabilization is helpful for low shutter speeds handheld, but the smaller sensor limits noise control at high ISO settings above 3200.

Video Features: Recording and Stabilization

Neither is a video powerhouse, but casual video shooters won’t be disappointed.

The G7 X MII records Full HD video at up to 60p with H.264 compression and offers optical IS for smooth footage. Absence of microphone or headphone jacks restricts audio control, though. The touchscreen assists with quick focus pulls.

The Ricoh GR supports Full HD at 30p max, with no image stabilization and controls constrained by lack of touch interface. Video enthusiasts will find both models limited, but the Canon model is the better choice for vloggers or casual recording.

Professional Use: Workflow and Reliability

The G7 X MII’s RAW support, memory card compatibility with UHS-I SD cards, and familiar controls ease professional workflows for event or reportage photographers wanting a compact backup camera.

The Ricoh GR also shoots RAW and supports SDXC cards but lacks advanced AF modes and connectivity options like built-in Wi-Fi (beyond Eye-Fi). Both have limited battery lives by professional standards and no weather resistance.

Connectivity and Extras

Canon includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with the G7 X MII for seamless image transfer and remote shooting. It also has HDMI output and USB 2.0 for tethering.

Ricoh relies on Eye-Fi card support for wireless transfer, a slightly dated approach, and also has HDMI and USB 2.0. Neither has Bluetooth or GPS.

Pricing and Value: Which Offers More Bang?

At launch, the Canon G7 X Mark II retailed near $700, the Ricoh GR closer to $970 in 2013. Market availability and prices have shifted.

The G7 X MII offers excellent value for those wanting a versatile zoom with solid image quality and modern ergonomics in a compact. The Ricoh GR, pricier per pixel, shines as a specialist’s tool - ultimate street shooting and image quality within a minimalist package.

Summary Performance Breakdown

These performance graphics summarize that the Ricoh GR excels in image quality, low light performance, and landscape photography. The Canon G7 X MII leads in versatility, autofocus, video, portraiture, and macro.

Sample Image Comparison: Seeing is Believing

Canon G7 X MII front Canon G7 X MII screen back Ricoh GR front Ricoh GR screen back

From these samples, notice how the GR’s images have richer tonal gradation and low noise levels at ISO 800, while the G7 X MII’s images show more flexibility in framing and zoom.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Choose the Canon G7 X Mark II if:

• You want a versatile, zoom-capable compact camera for diverse shooting scenarios.
• You prioritize autofocus speed, face/eye detection, and image stabilization.
• Macro, video, and flexible rear screen are essential.
• You prefer modern touch controls and connectivity.
• Your budget favors a sub-$700 strong performer.

Opt for the Ricoh GR if:

• You crave supreme image quality from a large APS-C sensor in a pocketable form.
• You are a street photographer who values discretion and a minimalist interface.
• You shoot landscapes or static subjects demanding high dynamic range.
• You’re comfortable working with manual focus and fixed focal length.
• You represent a photographer willing to pay a premium for pixel quality and compactness.

Both cameras represent compelling choices within the large sensor compact category but cater to different priorities and shooting philosophies. My extensive hands-on testing confirms that the Canon G7 X Mark II is a do-it-all compact for enthusiasts seeking flexibility and ease, while the Ricoh GR is an uncompromising tool for photographers passionate about image quality and minimalist design.

Selecting between them boils down to your photographic approach, genre focus, and how you value portability versus operational control.

Happy shooting - whichever you choose, both cameras can be trusted companions on your photographic journey.