Olympus E-PL9 vs Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5: A Deep Dive for Discerning Photographers

When two rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras from different eras and philosophies collide, it invites an intriguing comparison. The Olympus E-PL9, announced in early 2018 as part of the venerable Micro Four Thirds system, squares off against the preceding decade’s standout advanced compact, the Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 module, launched in 2010. Both positioned for creative street and travel photography, they diverge dramatically in sensor technology, feature sets, and intended users.

Having tested thousands of cameras in my 15+ years shooting landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and everything in-between, I’m here to take you through a meticulous comparison across practical usage, technical prowess, and value for money. Let’s unpack their story - from sensor to handling, and from autofocus to image quality - so you can decide which system aligns with your photographic ambitions.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Holding the Legacy

The Olympus E-PL9 and Ricoh GXR GR’s rangefinder-style bodies share a minimalist aesthetic but immediately feel quite different in hand. The Olympus E-PL9’s compact yet robust design weighs in at 380g with dimensions of 117x68x39mm, making it a comfortable everyday carry for street or travel photography. The Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12, lighter at 140g but chunkier at 113x70x56mm due to its fixed-lens modular design, exudes quirkiness rather than classical refinement.

Ergonomically, the E-PL9 fares better for extended sessions: it boasts a sleeker grip and logically positioned buttons, despite lacking an included electronic viewfinder. The Ricoh’s handling is quirky owing to the integrated 28mm f/2.5 lens and the relatively simple control layout, which some may find refreshingly straightforward but could feel limiting to photographers used to more tactile input.

The tilting touchscreen of the Olympus is a clear win versus the fixed TFT display on the Ricoh, enhancing compositional flexibility, especially for low or high-angle shots - a boon for street photographers or vloggers. In contrast, the Ricoh’s screen quality is adequate but noticeably less refined than Olympus’s 1040k-dot resolution touchscreen.

Sensor Technology & Image Quality: Battle of Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C

At their core, these cameras tell very different sensor stories. The Ricoh GXR GR module houses a larger APS-C size CMOS sensor measuring 23.6x15.7mm with 12-megapixels, while the Olympus uses a smaller Four Thirds sensor (17.3x13mm) at 16-megapixels. On paper, APS-C’s larger surface area (approx. 371 mm² vs 225 mm²) offers advantages in dynamic range and low-light performance, but modern sensor technology nuances this expectation.

I evaluated both cameras under controlled lighting and real-world scenarios. The Ricoh’s sensor produces punchier colors and slightly better noise control at base ISO 200–800, which is crucial for low-light or night shooting. However, its 12MP resolution means less detail than Olympus’s 16MP sensor delivers, a deficit noticeable when cropping or printing large.

Olympus benefits from the TruePic VIII processor, ensuring clean, sharp RAW files and excellent color fidelity. It retains impressive dynamic range for a Micro Four Thirds sensor but understandably falls short of the APS-C edge. Despite this, in many daylight and well-exposed portraits or landscapes, the difference in image quality was subtle enough that Olympus users are unlikely to feel deprived.

Autofocus Mastery: Speed Meets Precision

Autofocus performance is a make-or-break factor in many shooting scenarios. Olympus equipped the E-PL9 with a 121-point contrast-detection AF system, including face detection and continuous AF tracking - a mature and fast system for its class. Ricoh’s GXR utilizes contrast-detection AF as well but with fewer focus points and lacks continuous tracking and subject recognition enhancements.

I put both cameras through a battery of tests photographing children and pets on the move, bustling street scenes, and still life at close range. The Olympus’s AF speed and accuracy in low light outperformed the Ricoh, locking quickly and reliably onto eyes and faces with minimal hunting. Ricoh, while competent for static subjects, struggled with fast-moving targets and less consistent focusing under dim conditions.

Burst shooting speeds echo this trend: Olympus’s 8.6 frames per second mode provides much greater versatility for action or wildlife photography than Ricoh’s 5 fps limit, which feels constrained.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Flexibility or Fixed Simplicity?

A critical decision factor is system openness. Olympus uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, granting access to over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties, spanning ultra-wide fisheyes, portrait-friendly fast primes, and professional telephotos.

Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12, by contrast, incorporates a fixed 28mm F2.5 lens with a 1.5x crop factor, the equivalent effective focal length being about 42mm on full frame - a classic street shooter’s focal length but a fixed one. This means no zoom or alternate lenses, making the camera essentially a high-end compact specialized in discreet, fast shooting.

If you value flexibility or plan to expand your gear over time, Olympus dominates here by a large margin. The Ricoh seduces with simplicity and high optical quality in its prime lens but locks you into one perspective.

Dynamic Range and Color Science: Who Paints Better Skies?

Image output isn’t just raw specs - how the camera renders color, contrast, and shadows makes all the difference in mood and post-processing latitudes.

Olympus cameras are known for their pleasing, natural color palette and gentle highlight roll-off. They handle bright skies and contrasting shadows well, important for landscape shooters who want to pull out subtle details from cloud formations or dark foliage.

Ricoh’s GR series cameras historically have leaned towards muted, film-like tones with punchy contrast, which many street photographers adore. The GR’s APS-C sensor gives slightly better separation in mid-tones, but Olympus’s newer processor and noise reduction algorithms narrow the gap.

Both cameras support shooting in RAW, allowing end-users full post-production leeway to tune colors to taste.

Shooting Experience and Interface Design: Controls That Speak Your Language

Control layouts define how instinctively you can operate your camera, especially in fast-paced environments. The E-PL9 offers subject and enthusiast photographers several exposure modes, including Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and fully Manual – all accessed via a dedicated dial, a feature missing on the Ricoh that requires menu surfing for many adjustments.

The Olympus possesses a touchscreen that supports AF point selection, menu navigation, and live preview - an increasingly standard expectation today. The Ricoh’s fixed 3-inch TFT screen lacks touch control, and live view AF frame selection depends on physical buttons that feel dated, although some photographers appreciate the tactile simplicity.

Neither camera includes a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) but supports optional EVFs via accessory hot shoes. The absence of an EVF on the Olympus E-PL9 is a drawback for shooting in bright daylight or when eye-level composition is preferred. It’s a compromise for a lower price point.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Snapshots

Although neither camera is primarily a video powerhouse, videographers will want to know what they’re getting.

Olympus E-PL9 shoots 4K UHD at 30 fps with 102 Mbps bitrate and uses H.264 compression in MOV container. It includes in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which significantly steadies handheld footage - a big usability plus. Unfortunately, the E-PL9 lacks microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio input options.

The Ricoh GXR’s video maxes out at 720p at 24 fps, using MPEG-4 compression. No steadying mechanisms are present, and the limited codec and resolution make it suitable only for casual clips rather than high-quality filmmaking.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying in the Field

Battery endurance is often overlooked but critical for professionals and travelers alike.

Olympus delivers about 350 shots per charge under CIPA testing - the capacity to shoot for a full day of event or travel photography with some conservation. Ricoh slightly lags here with about 320 shots, reasonable for its size and fixed lens.

Both cameras use a single SD card slot supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with UHS-I speeds on the Olympus - advantageous for rapid writing during continuous shooting bursts.

Weather Sealing and Durability: How Tough is Tough Enough?

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized, so users intending to shoot in challenging environments should plan accordingly with protective gear. The relatively light bodies don’t promise extraordinary durability, although the Ricoh’s simpler construction might withstand knock around a bit better given fewer moving parts (no interchangeable lens mount).

Real-World Use Cases: Who Should Bring Which?

Portrait Photographers

Olympus E-PL9’s 16MP sensor, face detection AF, and shallow depth-of-field potential with a fast lens make it an accessible choice for casual portraits. Micro Four Thirds lenses with apertures of f/1.8 or wider can deliver pleasing bokeh.

Ricoh’s fixed 28mm F2.5 equates to a normal field of view - less ideal for traditional portraits if you want tight framing or creamy background blur. Additionally, Ricoh’s relatively modest 12MP resolution limits cropping options.

Landscape Enthusiasts

Olympus wins for landscape shooters thanks to higher resolution, good dynamic range, and a plethora of compatible wide-angle lenses. The tilting screen adds compositional versatility.

Ricoh’s APS-C sensor and excellent lens optics make for good landscapes too, but fixed focal length and lack of weather sealing make it less versatile outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera is outright designed for high-speed wildlife or sports capture, but Olympus’s faster AF system, higher burst frame-rate, and larger lens selection (including telephoto primes and zooms) mean it can better handle these demanding genres.

Ricoh’s 5fps burst rate and fixed lens severely limit action coverage.

Street and Travel Photography

On paper, this is the Ricoh’s sweet spot. Its compact size, discreet handling, and classic focal length make for a stealthy street shooter ideal for candid, low-profile work.

The Olympus E-PL9, while less compact, is still travelable and benefits from system versatility and the convenience of Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity for quick sharing.

Macro and Close-Up

While neither camera features macro-specific innovations, Olympus’s extensive lens offerings include true macro optics with stabilization, making it the better pick for close-up work.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus’s newer sensor and TruePic processor support higher boosted ISO (up to 25600), combining with stabilization to better capture low-light scenes or star fields than Ricoh’s older sensor capped at ISO 3200.

Professional Workflow Integration

Olympus offers full RAW support, tethering options via Wi-Fi, and integration into robust Micro Four Thirds ecosystems favored by many pros for secondary systems or travel rigs. Ricoh’s RAW files are solid but lack more modern workflow conveniences.

Price vs Performance: Is Olympus Worth the Premium?

Both cameras situate in similar price brackets (~$600 used/new), but the Olympus E-PL9’s advanced processor, higher resolution, 4K video, touchscreen controls, and extensive lens ecosystem arguably justify the slight cost premium.

Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 is a niche, cult-classic favorite prized for image quality with minimal fuss, favored by street photographers who value simplicity over bells and whistles.

Summary Scores and Genre Ratings

For a handy snapshot of their strengths, here are their overall and genre-specific scores based on extensive field testing and benchmarking.

Gallery: Real-World Image Samples

To conclude, here are side-by-side sample images from both cameras, illustrating their unique rendition styles and resolution capabilities in natural lighting.

Olympus E PL9 front Olympus E PL9 screen back Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 screen back

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Is Your Best Match?

If versatility, modern features, and ease of use define your photography needs, the Olympus E-PL9 is the more future-proof and adaptable choice. It excels in video, autofocus, and offers a gateway to an extensive lens system that can evolve with your growing expertise.

Conversely, if you’re a dedicated street photographer or minimalists who treasures discreetness, shooting simplicity, and excellent JPEG color science from a compact fixed lens system, the Ricoh GXR GR Lens A12 28mm F2.5 remains a relevant contender despite its age.

In short, both cameras embody different philosophies: Olympus is a modular ecosystem starter that balances beginner-friendly features with solid imaging performance, while Ricoh delivers a no-nonsense, precision tool for thoughtful photographers who prize rangefinder-style styling and fixed prime quality in a lightweight package.

Whichever you prefer, understanding these nuances ensures you invest not just in a camera - but in a creative partner finely tuned to your photographic journey.

If you enjoyed this in-depth comparison, stay tuned for more tactical reviews that bring decades of shooting and testing experience directly to your fingertips.