Olympus Stylus 1s vs Ricoh GR: A Detailed Showdown for Discerning Photographers

Choosing between the Olympus Stylus 1s and the Ricoh GR is like picking between two distinctly capable yet fundamentally different photographic tools. Each caters to a unique crowd within the enthusiast and professional sphere, carving out its niche in the compact camera market but with radically contrasting design philosophies.

Having put both models through their paces intensively over the years, here I offer you a granular comparison that cuts through marketing gloss and zeroes in on what truly matters: real-world usage, handling, image quality, and versatility. Whether you primarily shoot portraits, landscapes, street scenes, or even video, this comparison will help you decide which camera aligns best with your photographic journey.

Let’s dive in.

Setting the Stage: What Are These Cameras?

The Olympus Stylus 1s (or "1s" for short) is a bridge-style superzoom camera with an SLR-like form factor unveiled in 2015. It aims to give photographers a versatile all-in-one solution, boasting a 28-300mm equivalent zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture - ambitious specs for such a compact body.

On the flip side, the Ricoh GR, announced in 2013, is a large sensor compact with a fixed 28mm equivalent prime lens at f/2.8. This camera seduces street photographers and minimalists who value image quality, pocketability, and prompt usability over lens versatility.

The contrast is stark: one zooms, the other primes; one is bulky but flexible, the other compact and specialized. But that’s just the surface. Let’s dig deeper, starting with how these cameras feel in your hands.

How They Feel and Fit: Ergonomics and Build Quality

When I first held both cameras side-by-side, what struck me was the sheer difference in size and handling.

• The Olympus 1s comes across as a serious camera you can grip comfortably even with one hand thanks to its pronounced handgrip and SLR-like design. Its dimensions (116 x 87 x 57 mm) and weight (402g) give it a reassuring heft without tipping into bulky territory. The build quality is solid, but it lacks weather sealing - something to consider if you shoot outdoors often.

• The Ricoh GR feels like a classic compact camera: sleek, pocketable (117 x 61 x 35 mm), and ultra-light at 245g. Its rectangular, minimalistic design makes it easy to tuck in a jacket pocket or small bag. However, that smaller size comes with relatively smaller physical controls, which might challenge larger hands or those accustomed to more tactile feedback.

Between the two, I find the Olympus 1s more comfortable for extended handheld shooting sessions, particularly with heavy zoom lenses attached, thanks to its more substantial grip and control layout.

Speaking of controls…

Control Layout and User Interface: Speed Meets Intuition

Both cameras are designed for photographers who value manual control, but they take different approaches.

• The Olympus 1s features an impressive array of physical dials and buttons, including a dedicated aperture ring around the lens, a zoom ring, exposure compensation dial, and well-positioned shutter button. Its tilting 3" touchscreen LCD with 1040k-dot resolution adds to versatility. This layout makes it super intuitive for photographers familiar with traditional controls - rapid adjustments without menu diving.

• The Ricoh GR sticks to a more stripped-back interface. It has a 3" fixed LCD screen with a higher resolution of 1230k dots but no touchscreen capabilities. Controls are minimalistic, which is great for purists who want to keep their eyes on the scene and rely on direct dial adjustments or quick menu shortcuts. It lacks an EVF but offers an optional optical viewfinder - rare in the compact segment.

As a user who appreciates tactile feedback and quick access to settings, I lean toward the Olympus. But for those who prize discretion and speed in street shooting, the GR’s layout encourages a “shoot first, think later” approach.

Now to the heart of image quality...

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Larger Isn’t Always Better... Or Is It?

This image compares sensor sizes - a crucial factor influencing dynamic range, low light performance, and depth of field control.

• The Olympus 1s packs a 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58mm (about 41.5 mm²) with 12 megapixels.

• Meanwhile, the Ricoh GR boasts a significantly larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.7 x 15.7mm (roughly 372 mm²) and 16 megapixels.

How does this translate in practice? The larger sensor in the Ricoh GR offers far better noise control at high ISOs, richer color depth, and superior dynamic range (DxOMark scores affirm these advantages). This disparity is most evident when shooting in low light and when you push shadows and highlights in post-processing.

However, the Olympus 1s sensor is no slouch thanks to its backside illumination (BSI) technology, which improves light-gathering efficiency in a smaller sensor. Still, it can’t match the tonal subtleties and depth afforded by the GR’s APS-C.

For landscape shooters and anyone wanting crisp, noise-free images with excellent latitude for editing, the Ricoh GR clearly takes the crown on image quality.

Display and Viewfinders: Finding Your Frame

Back on usability, the 3-inch LCD on both cameras offers ample size for composition and menu navigation, but they differ in flexibility:

• The Olympus’s tilting touchscreen allows for low and high-angle shooting - a boon for macro or creative perspectives. Touch focus and menu navigation are intuitive and speedy, enhancing live view usability.

• The Ricoh GR features a fixed, non-touch TFT LCD. While sharp, it feels less versatile for creative angles, and focusing requires manual selection via buttons or dials.

Neither camera includes a built-in EVF as standard, but the Olympus comes with a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) of 1440k dots with 100% coverage. This is a significant advantage for composing in bright conditions. The Ricoh GR, meanwhile, uses an optional external optical viewfinder - handy for street shooting but less flexible.

In bright sunlight, I found the Olympus’s EVF very useful to avoid LCD glare, whereas the Ricoh required meticulous positioning or the optional viewfinder accessory for consistent framing.

Burst Shooting and Autofocus: Capturing the Moment

Both cameras offer autofocus systems relying on contrast detection, but performance is very different due to hardware and design priorities.

• Olympus 1s has a 35-point AF system with face detection, continuous AF, and tracking. Its burst shooting rate maxes at 7 fps, commendable for a superzoom bridge camera. Autofocus speed is decent, especially in good light, but struggles somewhat in challenging low-light or contrast-poor environments.

• Ricoh GR uses a simpler contrast-detection AF system without face detection or tracking (which is a drawback if you often shoot moving subjects). Burst mode is slower at about 4 fps, reflecting the GR’s more single-shot or deliberate shooting style.

For wildlife, sports, or fast-action shooting, neither is ideal, but the Olympus 1s’s burst rate and AF tracking give it an edge. The Ricoh’s rapid startup and minimal shutter lag, however, make it a fantastic companion for street photography and candid portraits.

Lens and Focal Range: The Tale of Two Approaches

One of the defining distinctions of this comparison is zoom flexibility versus prime quality.

• The Olympus Stylus 1s features a fixed 28-300mm equivalent zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture through the entire range. This is a rare combination in a bridge camera, letting you capture everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife without changing lenses. The f/2.8 aperture holds its own for subject isolation and low-light but expect lens distortion and softness toward the telephoto end.

• The Ricoh GR is built around a superb 28mm fixed prime at f/2.8. It promises razor-sharp images with minimal distortion and excellent corner-to-corner sharpness - a reason why many street photographers swear by it. The 1.5x crop factor on the APS-C sensor gives a real 28mm field of view with that coveted GR "look."

If you prefer versatility and dislike juggling lenses, the Olympus 1s is a compelling all-in-one. But if image quality, edge-to-edge sharpness, and signature rendering are your priorities, the Ricoh GR’s prime lens wins hands down.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Neither camera is primarily aimed at portrait specialists, but they both manage respectable results within their limitations.

The Olympus 1s’s zoom lens is advantageous for tight headshots with long focal lengths, helping to compress features and isolate your subject with usable background blur at 300mm f/2.8. It also has face detection autofocus, ensuring good focus lock on subjects’ eyes, an asset for portraits.

The Ricoh GR’s 28mm prime, however, is a wide-angle lens that makes traditional close-up portraits challenging due to distortion and perspective exaggeration. It shines more in environmental portraits where the background context matters. The lack of face or eye detection autofocus means you need more precision when focusing manually or with the center AF point.

In brief, for portraits: Olympus 1s is better suited, especially if you want flattering tight shots and quick eye autofocus. The Ricoh GR excels if you seek environmental portraits with a storytelling element and razor-sharp detail.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

The larger sensor and higher resolution of the Ricoh GR offer significant benefits here:

• At 16MP, its image files provide ample detail for large prints or cropping.
• Superior dynamic range (~13.5 EV) lets you retain shadow and highlight details with ease.
• You’ll find its raw files easier to manipulate in post-processing for tonal enhancements.

The Olympus 1s, while sharp and versatile with its zoom, has a smaller sensor and lower resolution, limiting ultimate detail capture and dynamic range. Its constant f/2.8 aperture is unique in a bridge camera, but for landscapes, sharpness and detail trump aperture speed.

Neither camera is weather sealed or ruggedized, which rankles serious landscape shooters seeking reliability in harsh conditions. You’ll need to be extra cautious or add third-party protection.

Wildlife and Sports: Tracking, Burst Rates, and Reach

The Olympus Stylus 1s’s 300mm reach at f/2.8 and 7fps burst mode provide a useful package for casual wildlife or sports shooters. The zoom versatility means you can quickly compose diverse shots from distance.

That said, its autofocus system is contrast-detection only, which crawls relative to phase detection autofocus systems found on dedicated DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. So fast-moving subjects may be a challenge.

The Ricoh GR’s fixed wide-angle prime lens and slower 4fps burst mode make it unsuitable for wildlife or sports action beyond very controlled conditions.

Street Photography: Discretion, Speed, and Portability

This is where the Ricoh GR really shines.

Its compact profile, lack of protruding lens, and near-silent shutter make it ideal for unobtrusive shooting. The dedicated snap-focus mode lets you preset focus distance for instant shooting - a blessing in candid environments.

The Olympus 1s is larger, heavier, and more conspicuous - less subtle, though more versatile if you want zoom.

If you value stealth and speed while wandering urban environments, the Ricoh GR is a street photographer’s dream.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Stabilization

The Olympus 1s offers a 5cm minimum macro focusing distance and built-in optical image stabilization (IS), assisting handheld close-up shots. Image stabilization especially helps since macro work is highly susceptible to camera shake.

The Ricoh GR lacks image stabilization and doesn’t advertise a dedicated macro mode, though close focusing is possible by manual adjustment. Without stabilization, you’ll likely need a tripod to get tack-sharp macro images.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Control

Due to its larger APS-C sensor, the Ricoh GR excels in low-light and night shooting, including astrophotography. Its ISO sensitivity extends up to 25600, with usable noise levels to around ISO 3200-6400 depending on noise control preferences.

The Olympus 1s, with its smaller sensor, tops out at ISO 12800 but exhibits more noise at higher ISOs. Its image stabilization aids hand-held night shots by allowing longer exposures without camera shake, which is an advantage.

Neither camera offers specialized astro modes or intervalometers built-in, but both support timelapse recording.

Video Capabilities: What’s Possible?

Both cameras record Full HD 1080p video but with modest specifications:

• Olympus 1s: 1080p at 30fps, uses H.264 codec, with no microphone or headphone port, limiting audio control. Built-in optical IS helps stabilize video.
• Ricoh GR: Similarly records 1080p at 30fps, also H.264, but no video stabilization or external audio inputs.

Neither camera is designed primarily for videography. If video is a priority, you’ll find better options elsewhere.

Travel Photography: Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Ricoh GR front Ricoh GR screen back

Travel photographers need a camera that balances versatility, battery life, weight, and quick sharing options.

• The Olympus 1s has a larger battery capacity (450 shots per charge vs. 290 for the Ricoh GR) and built-in WiFi for quick image transfer - a plus on the road. Its zoom covers many focal lengths, letting travelers leave extra lenses behind.

• The Ricoh GR’s smaller size makes it incredibly portable, but battery life is more limited. It supports Eye-Fi SD cards for wireless transfer but lacks built-in WiFi.

Both take SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow Integration

Neither the Olympus Stylus 1s nor Ricoh GR are professional-grade cameras, but each can complement professional toolkits.

The Ricoh GR’s raw file quality, manual focus precision, and compactness make it an excellent secondary camera for photojournalists, street shooters, or artist-photographers needing discretion and image quality.

The Olympus 1s’s versatility and zoom range suit documentarians or event photographers needing an all-in-one travel camera with manual controls.

Neither supports tethered shooting or have pro-level ruggedness or dual card slots, so for heavy professional use, the options are limited.

Scoring the Overview: Which Camera Excels Where?

This chart highlights the overall performance of both cameras, factoring image quality, handling, speed, and features.

• Ricoh GR leads in image quality, low light, and dynamic range.
• Olympus Stylus 1s scores higher on versatility, zoom range, and control ergonomics.

For genre-specific nuances…

• Portrait: Olympus 1s
• Landscape: Ricoh GR
• Wildlife/Sports: Olympus 1s (casual)
• Street: Ricoh GR
• Macro: Olympus 1s
• Night/Astro: Ricoh GR

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right for You?

Choose the Olympus Stylus 1s if:

• You want an all-in-one camera with a powerful superzoom lens that covers wide-angle to telephoto.
• You favor comprehensive physical controls and a comfortable handling experience.
• You shoot varied genres and need flexibility, including moderate wildlife, portrait, and macro photography.
• You want an electronic viewfinder and built-in image stabilization.
• Budget is tighter (currently ~ $700), and you want wide utility in a single package.

Opt for the Ricoh GR if:

• You prioritize uncompromising image quality in a truly pocketable form.
• You are a street photographer, travel shooter, or environmental portraitist who values stealth, speed, and minimalism.
• You prefer prime lenses and are comfortable with manual focusing and slower burst rates.
• Low light performance and dynamic range matter greatly to your work.
• You can stretch your budget (~ $970) for a camera offering class-leading APS-C quality in a compact.

Parting Advice From My Experience

In my many years testing cameras, no single model suits everyone. The Olympus Stylus 1s and Ricoh GR embody different philosophies: versatility vs. purity; zoom power vs. compact image excellence.

If you can, try to handle both cameras yourself before committing. Consider your primary subjects and shooting scenarios, and whether zoom flexibility or image quality is paramount. Your photographic style and workflow preferences should lead your choice.

With either, you get solid performance and unique features deserving attention from enthusiasts hungry for capable cameras outside the standard DSLR/mirrorless crowd.

Happy shooting!

For further shooting samples and detailed charts, please refer to the images embedded throughout this article.