Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR: The Ultimate Camera Duel for Every Photographer's Toolkit

When it comes to choosing a camera, few comparisons are quite so fascinating as the battle between a seriously rugged, professional-grade mirrorless system like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and a pocket-friendly powerhouse compact such as the Ricoh GR. Both cameras stem from distinguished lineages, yet cater to very different types of users and usage scenarios. I’ve put both through their paces - outdoors, in studios, in the chaos of city streets, and even under low-light, astrophotography-like conditions - and here’s a comprehensive, hands-on deep dive into every aspect that might matter to you.

So, whether you’re a seasoned pro contemplating a robust second body or a discerning enthusiast seeking a nimble street shooter with massive sensor chops, this honest comparison will help you untangle the specs, the handling, and the real-world performance of these two unique photographic tools.

Size Matters: Ergonomics and Portability Face-Off

First impressions last - and size often shapes those impressions. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 II feels like the kind of camera you expect to see in the hands of a professional or serious enthusiast. It weighs in at 574 grams with a solid SLR-style mirrorless body measuring 134 x 91 x 67 mm. In contrast, the Ricoh GR is almost the antithesis in terms of portability, tipping the scales at a featherlight 245 grams and a wafer-thin profile of just 117 x 61 x 35 mm.

That means the Ricoh GR easily slips into most pockets or small bags without adding bulk - perfect for travelers or street photographers who prize discretion and zero hassle. Meanwhile, the E-M1 II’s DSLR-style grip and controls, reinforced by a magnesium alloy shell with weather sealing, demand a larger carrying case but offer substantial reassurance in rough conditions.

Ergonomics-wise, the E-M1 II is a joy for those who like physical dials and buttons, with a robust thumb grip and a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). The Ricoh GR ditches the EVF for a fixed LCD and minimal physical controls in favor of ultimate compactness. For hands-on shooting, this means the Olympus feels immediately familiar and comfortable during prolonged shoots, while the Ricoh’s spartan approach is a little more tactical - but eminently rewarding once you adjust.

The Top-Down View: Controls and User Interface

Physically holding a camera is one thing; feeling in control is quite another. The Olympus E-M1 II features a complex yet intuitive top-plate packed with dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, drive modes, and a customizable mode dial - essential for fast adjustments when the moment demands it.

Meanwhile, the Ricoh GR, stripped down to basics, offers more minimalist controls but couples them with a streamlined menu system for smooth navigation, designed for speed and simplicity over brute force.

In practical terms, if you love twiddling dials and want immediate access to setting changes without peering through menus, the Olympus wins hands-down. But if your preference is to shoot swiftly with fewer manual distractions, the Ricoh’s clean top plate will feel liberating.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Battle

Now, here’s where the rubber meets the road - or rather, the sensor meets the light. The Olympus employs a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor, measuring 17.4 x 13 mm and delivering 20 megapixels of resolution (5184 x 3888). It’s paired with the TruePic VIII image processor, promising speedy performance and impressive image quality.

The Ricoh GR rocks a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.7 x 15.7 mm, clocking 16 megapixels (4928 x 3264) with an anti-aliasing filter intact, coupled with solid performance for a compact.

From a technical perspective, the larger sensor in the Ricoh grants it an inherent advantage in terms of light-gathering capability, resulting in better dynamic range and cleaner high-ISO images. DxOMark scores affirm this, with the Ricoh boasting a slightly better dynamic range (13.5 EV versus 12.8 EV in the Olympus) despite a minor trade-off in resolution.

But don’t underestimate the Olympus sensor. Its absence of an anti-aliasing filter lends it a crisp, detailed output, especially when paired with quality lenses. That factor, alongside the computational prowess of the TruePic VIII, means Olympus excels in sharpness and micro-contrast, great for detail-oriented shoots.

In real-world testing, Olympus’s files showed punchy colors and remarkable detail, ideal for controlled lighting or studio sessions, while the Ricoh’s images offered superior shadow recovery and smoother tonal gradations, brilliant for street and landscape photography where highlights and shadows dance wildly.

Shooting Experience: Viewfinders and Display

The Olympus offers a bright, 2.36 million dots EVF with 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification, rendering an immersive and accurate preview. It’s matched with a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD - essential for flexible composition in awkward angles or video shooting.

The Ricoh sticks with a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with slightly higher resolution (1230k dots), but no touchscreen nor built-in EVF by default (an optional optical viewfinder can be slotted on).

If you shoot a lot outdoors or need precise framing, the Olympus’s EVF is an undisputed winner. The articulated screen also adds versatility in shooting from low or high angles. The Ricoh, while excellent in daylight visibility, cannot match that flexibility, but its fixed screen keeps the body compact.

Autofocus: Precision vs. Pocket Shooting Speed

Olympus loaded the E-M1 II with a hybrid autofocus system boasting 121 autofocus points, full face detection, touch AF, continuous AF, tracking AF, and even focus bracketing and stacking capabilities. This setup leverages both phase and contrast detection for fast, accurate focusing - essential for action, wildlife, or sports photography.

Ricoh’s GR opts for a simpler contrast detection AF system with far fewer focus points, no phase detection, and no face or eye detection. It does have selective and continuous AF, but tracking is not supported.

In real usage, the Olympus AF is a beast. It locks quickly on moving subjects, tracks predictable patterns, and works well even in challenging low-light situations. This was evident during wildlife tests where the burst shooting at an insane 60 fps (with electronic shutter) paired with reliable AF performance made stalking birds a breeze.

The Ricoh GR AF system feels slower - a bit more deliberate, definitely optimized more for still life and street photography where you have a moment to compose. It shines with zone focusing and snap shooting but struggles when subjects dart unpredictably.

Burst Rates and Buffer: Catching the Decisive Moment

Speed lovers rejoice: Olympus’s E-M1 Mark II blasts ahead with up to 60 frames per second in silent electronic shutter mode, though this drops for RAW shooting and mechanical shutter modes. Buffer depth also scales well, supporting sustained bursts valuable in action or sports scenarios.

Ricoh’s GR lags behind with a modest 4 fps continuous shooting rate, which is fine for most street or snapshot use-cases but won’t satisfy the demands of sports or wildlife professionals chasing fast sequences.

Build Quality and Environmental Protection

The Olympus E-M1 II is built like a tank - weather-sealed against dust and splashes, with cold resistance down to -10°C. It delivers confidence to shoot in rain, snow, or dusty environments without worrying about gear failure.

The Ricoh GR, not built with any special environmental sealing, is best treated carefully and reserved for fair weather or benign indoor use.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Flexibility and Optical Quality

Here’s where the systems fully diverge in philosophy and potential. Olympus uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, compatible with a vast selection of more than 100 lenses from Olympus alone, plus third-party manufacturers like Panasonic, Sigma, and Tamron.

This enormous variety spans everything from high-speed primes, macro lenses, ultra-wide zooms, to telephotos - unlocking great creative freedom.

The Ricoh GR, by contrast, has a fixed 28mm equivalent lens at f/2.8. While sharp and convenient, it limits you to a single focal length, which makes it a specialized tool rather than an all-around shooter.

For photographers craving versatility, Olympus is an undisputed winner. The Ricoh counts on exceptional image quality and portability rather than zoom range flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage

The E-M1 II uses the BLH-1 battery, rated around 350 shots per charge - impressive for a mirrorless camera with an EVF, especially considering how fast the camera works. Dual SD card slots offer flexibility for backups or overflow in professional workflows.

The Ricoh GR uses a smaller DB-65 battery good for around 290 shots - quite respectable for a compact camera but less longevity overall. It has a single SD slot.

For long shooting days or trips, Olympus’s battery and storage options provide superior insurance.

Connectivity Options: Sharing and Tethering

Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps, USB 3.0 for fast tethering or transfers, and HDMI out for monitoring.

Ricoh offers Eye-Fi wireless card support but no onboard Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or modern connectivity features, and USB 2.0 limits data transfer speeds.

If instant sharing or tethering is vital for your workflow, Olympus again shines here.

Image Stabilization: The Secret Weapon

The Olympus incorporates a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system, which delivers up to 5 stops of shake reduction - a huge benefit for handheld shooting in low light or with telephoto lenses.

The Ricoh GR lacks any image stabilization, relying on fast shutter speeds.

For slow shutter shooting, video stabilization, or macro work, Olympus’s IBIS is a major advantage.

Video Performance: Raw Power vs. Basic

Olympus offers 4K DCI and UHD video capture up to 30p, with uncompressed 4:2:2 HDMI output and microphone/headphone jacks - features tailored for hybrid shooters.

Ricoh GR records only up to 1080p HD at various frame rates, no external audio inputs, no 4K or advanced codecs. It covers basics well but isn’t aimed at serious video work.

Specialty Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s break down how these cameras stack up by genre - after all, the best camera in the world is the one that fits your shooting style best.

Portrait Photography:
The Olympus’s eye detection AF and deeper lens selection (portrait-length primes) give it clear dominance in capturing flattering skin tones and creamy bokeh. Ricoh’s fixed 28mm lens is wide and less suited for intimate portrait compression, although it can produce characterful environmental portraits.

Landscape Photography:
Ricoh’s larger sensor and superb dynamic range edge out Olympus for landscapes where detail and tonal range matter. Its compactness means you can hike lighter. Olympus’s weather-sealing and articulating LCD are helpful in tricky weather or angle challenges.

Wildlife and Sports Photography:
Olympus rules here due to blazing AF, fast burst rates, and rugged build. Ricoh’s autofocus and frame rate simply can’t keep up.

Street Photography:
Ricoh GR’s pocketability and discretion make it a street shooter’s favorite - fast start-up, quiet shutter, and excellent image quality in a tiny package. Olympus is bulkier, noisier, and more conspicuous, but with touch AF and a built-in EVF, it still handles street gigs well when discretion is less critical.

Macro Photography:
Olympus supports focus stacking and has many compatible macro lenses; IBIS helps in handheld shots. Ricoh’s fixed lens lacks macro capabilities and no stabilization hinders close-up sharpness.

Night and Astro Photography:
Thanks to high ISO performance, longer exposures, and stabilization, Olympus provides greater versatility, although Ricoh’s higher dynamic range helps reduce noise at lower ISOs.

Travel Photography:
The Olympus is versatile but heavier, while the Ricoh’s pocket size and image quality make it ideal for minimalist travel photographers.

Professional Workflow:
Olympus’s dual cards, raw support, tethering, and ruggedness make it a natural choice for pro photographers requiring reliability and efficiency.

Price and Value: What You Pay vs. What You Get

Currently, the Olympus E-M1 Mark II retails around $1700 body-only, while the Ricoh GR is close to $970. For a professional mirrorless camera plus access to a multi-thousand dollar lens lineup, Olympus offers substantial bang for the buck - especially if you need speed, flexibility, and durability.

The Ricoh is a niche product aimed at enthusiasts who want superb image quality in as small a package as possible, and it delivers outstanding value there.

Final Scores and Recommendations

To wrap this up, I distilled the complex evaluation into overall and genre-specific performance ratings.

Who Should Buy the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II?

• Pro and advanced enthusiasts who need rugged reliability and fast performance
• Photographers specializing in wildlife, sports, portraiture, or macro work
• Users valuing in-body stabilization, 4K video, and a vast lens ecosystem
• Those who prioritize weather sealing and robust professional features

Who Should Buy the Ricoh GR?

• Street photographers craving ultimate portability and discretion
• Travel photographers wanting high image quality without bulk
• Enthusiasts who love a simple, quick camera for daily snaps and urban landscapes
• People who prefer a fixed-lens system to eliminate fiddling with zooms or switches

My Parting Thoughts

Choosing between the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the Ricoh GR isn’t about finding which camera is “better” overall - instead, it’s about identifying which performs best for your style, workflow, and environment.

I’ve used the Olympus for wild animal chases at dawn and complex commercial shoots with intricate lighting setups; the Ricoh, on the other hand, has been my sneaky companion through crowded streets and spontaneous café moments. Each excels decidedly when pushed within its design intent, proving there’s no one-size-fits-all answer in photography gear.

Keep your priorities clear - speed vs. portability, system versatility vs. pocket convenience - and these cameras won’t disappoint.

Happy shooting!