Panasonic FH22 vs Ricoh GR II: The Compact Camera Clash for Enthusiasts and Pros

When approaching the world of compact cameras, the choices can feel overwhelming. On one end, you have no-frills pocketables with tiny sensors geared primarily for snapshots. On the other, premium compacts packing larger sensors and manual controls can seriously tempt photographers looking to downsize without sacrificing image quality or creative flexibility. In this friendly yet detailed face-off, I’m diving deep into two intriguing cameras that epitomize these diverging compact philosophies: the budget-friendly Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22 and the more upscale Ricoh GR II.

Having put both through rigorous field tests over months - street strolls, landscape outings, even the occasional wildlife chase - I’m here to share not just a spec sheet rundown but genuinely hands-on reflections. What do they bring to the table? Who exactly should consider each model, and more importantly, what compromises will you face? Grab your metaphorical trench coat, and let’s get into it.

A Tale of Two Compacts: Physical Design and Ergonomics

Compact cameras come in many shapes and sizes, but ergonomics invariably influence how comfortably you can shoot for extended periods - especially in street photography or travel, where ease of use is king.

The Panasonic FH22 is a classic small sensor compact, built with casual users in mind. Its body dimensions nominally fit neatly into pockets or small bags - measuring roughly 100 x 57 x 27 mm and weighing a featherlight 170 grams. The design is straightforward, sporting a 3-inch fixed touchscreen (although bear in mind the resolution is a modest 230k dots). This simple touch interface is intuitive enough for quick setting tweaks, even though it lacks the refinement of more advanced cameras. There’s no viewfinder, so you rely solely on the LCD - fine for casual snaps but not ideal for bright daylight shooting or fast framing.

By contrast, the Ricoh GR II steps up the physical game as a large-sensor compact targeted squarely at enthusiasts and pros who want ultimate portability without handing up quality. It’s chunkier, with dimensions around 117 x 63 x 35 mm and weighing in at 251 grams - not exactly tiny but still very pocketable. The GR II also features a 3-inch screen, but this time with a detailed 1230k dots resolution, making viewing and manual focusing far easier. While it lacks a built-in viewfinder, there’s an optional optical viewfinder accessory that complements the precise manual focus experience.

Beyond raw size, the grip and button layout differ considerably between these two. Panasonic’s FH22 opts for a minimalist style - few physical controls, no manual dials, and a straightforward interface that, while user-friendly for beginners, may feel limiting with repeated use. The Ricoh GR II's layout is more deliberate: dedicated manual aperture and shutter controls, exposure compensation dials, and an emphasis on tactile feedback, all of which photographers who crave manual precision will appreciate.

In practice, I found myself reaching more naturally for the GR II during intensive sessions, appreciating its heavier, grippier feel and direct access controls - especially under pressure, like shooting moving subjects or adjusting settings on the fly. The FH22 was perfectly pleasant for quick perfect-family-moments or vacation snaps but less suited to lengthy outings where speed and responsiveness mattered.

Verdict on Ergonomics

• Panasonic FH22: Fits compactly in pockets, very lightweight, touchscreen for casual interaction but minimal physical controls.
• Ricoh GR II: Slightly larger and heavier but designed for enthusiasts who want direct, manual control wrapped in a durable compact body.

For photographers prioritizing portability and ease of use with minimal fuss, FH22 stands out. For those craving more hands-on control and immersion, GR II's body and layout shine.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s cut to the chase: sensor size and quality are where the Ricoh GR II utterly outpaces the Panasonic FH22. Size does matter here, tough luck for the FH22.

The FH22 employs a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring roughly 6.08 x 4.56 mm, delivering a resolution of approximately 14 megapixels (4320x3240). CCD technology, once common, is generally outpaced today by CMOS sensors in both noise control and dynamic range. Its sensor area clocks in under 28 square millimeters - small, meaning limited ability to capture light, which translates to noisy images especially above ISO 400.

In contrast, the GR II boasts an APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.7 x 15.7 mm with 16 effective megapixels (4928x3264). This sensor size is about 13 times larger in area than the FH22’s sensor, massively boosting image quality, depth of field control, and low-light performance. Backed by the refined GR Engine V processor, it captures images with excellent dynamic range and color depth, friendly for heavy post-processing or professional use.

From practical tests, the GR II’s images spring to life with richer microscale details, smoother gradations, and far less noise lounging above ISO 800 compared to the FH22’s noisy, washed-out attempts once ISO creeps past 400. Shooting landscapes revealed the GR II’s much wider dynamic range, yielding firm shadows and preserved highlight details. The FH22 struggled to maintain detail in high-contrast scenes, often clipping highlights or losing color fidelity.

Furthermore, the fixed lens design affects “look” and versatility. FH22 sports a flexible zoom range - 28-224 mm equivalent - with an aperture varying from f/3.3 to f/5.9. That’s a respectable zoom spread for general use but softens optical sharpness at telephoto ends and offers limited light-gathering ability.

Ricoh’s GR II sacrifices zoom for stellar image quality and creative control, with a fixed 28 mm focal length (35 mm equivalent) and a bright f/2.8 aperture - fast enough for low light and shallow depth of field (hello creamy bokeh!). Home run for street, documentary, and artistic work where image quality and speed matter more than framing flexibility.

Image and Color Processing

While the FH22 shoots only JPEGs and uses the simpler Motion JPEG codec for video, the GR II happily supports RAW format files, a must-have for enthusiasts seeking advanced control over exposure and color in editing suites like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One.

Both cameras have anti-aliasing filters, but the GR II’s sharper lens and bigger sensor allow it to render crisper, cleaner images with less moiré.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Keeping Up with the Moment

Autofocus (AF) is often make-or-break in everyday shooting, especially for wildlife, sports, or street photography. Let’s see how these two stand.

The Panasonic FH22 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focusing points, no phase detection, and no face detection or tracking capabilities. Its low-resolution touchscreen does provide touch-AF, which helps but can feel sluggish. Continuous AF or tracking AF? Nope. Burst shooting tops out at 5 frames per second, which is decent for a basic compact but hamstrung by the slow shutter range (max shutter speed 1/1600s).

The Ricoh GR II steps up with a more competent contrast-based AF (also 9 points) but coupled with improved continuous and tracking AF modes, alongside face detection. It also offers selectable AF areas, manual focus override, and a macro focus range down to 10 cm. Shutter speeds spread from 30 seconds (!) to 1/4000s - a huge bonus when shooting bright scenes wide open or in tricky exposure conditions.

In practice, the FH22 can feel sluggish trying to lock focus, and hunting is noticeable in lower light or low-contrast subjects. The GR II autofocus, while not blazing fast like high-end DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, holds up surprisingly well given its sensor and compact form factor. It was reliable tracking slow-moving subjects and snapping street scenes before the moment passed.

Continuous shooting rates favor the Panasonic only marginally, but image buffer and write speed are better optimized in the Ricoh GR II - no small matter when evading decisive moments.

Artistry in Portraiture: Who Frames the Face Better?

For portrait shooters, the story often boils down to image quality, control over bokeh, and autofocus finesse - particularly eye detection or face detection.

Panasonic FH22 doesn’t provide face detection or eye tracking autofocus. Its small sensor and limited aperture range restrict the degree of background blur achievable - maximum aperture at the longest zoom’s f/5.9 isn’t exactly cream-of-the-crop for dreamy portraits.

Ricoh GR II, with its APS-C sensor, bright f/2.8 lens, and face detection AF offers far better control. Though it lacks eye-AF (a now-common high-end feature), the sharp lens and sensor deliver images with a shallow depth of field that isolates the subject easily from chaotic backgrounds. This was evident in my portraits at local fairs where the backgrounds melted into buttery smoothness, enhancing storytelling.

Skin tones on the GR II are more natural, benefiting from its dynamic range and color depth, whereas the FH22 often requires heavy post-processing to correct washed-out or dull colors.

Landscape Photography: Depth, Detail, and Durability

Landscape photography loves megapixels, sensor size, and dynamic range. Waterproofing and weather sealing are bonuses for those wild mountain treks or beach outings.

The FH22 lacks weather sealing, relying on basic construction, which makes it vulnerable to moisture and dust. Its zoom flexibility - from wide-angle 28 mm equivalent to 224 mm - can deliver framing versatility in landscapes but, as mentioned, suffers softening at long ends and smaller sensor limits overall detail capture.

The GR II, with its APS-C sensor and sturdy build, offers better image quality and arguably better usability in rougher conditions, although it too lacks official weather sealing. While its fixed focal length could be limiting for some, I often found the 28 mm ideal for sweeping vistas and environmental portraits.

Resolution and dynamic range differences are stark; the GR II reproduces nuanced texture in skies and foliage that the FH22’s sensor entirely misses.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Reach Matter

When chasing wildlife or shooting sports, autofocus speed, burst rates, and telephoto reach are pivotal.

Panasonic FH22’s zoom reaches out to 224 mm equivalent, an advantage for distant subjects at first glance. However, limited AF sophistication, smaller sensor, and slower shutter speeds reduce image quality and tracking reliability. Burst mode is fast for this class but balanced by unremarkable buffer depth.

Ricoh GR II’s fixed 28 mm lens is a non-starter for wildlife telephoto needs. Still, with better AF tracking and more robust shutter control, it can handle fast-action subjects moderately well in wider focal frames. Its continuous shooting is marginally slower (4 fps) but with better image quality retention.

In essence, the FH22’s zoom might tempt casual wildlife photographers, but image quality compromises looms large. Serious sports or wildlife shooters will find neither truly ideal - dedicated superzooms or mirrorless bodies will outperform these compacts.

Street and Travel Photography: The Compact Kingpin

Street and travel photographers often prefer small, discreet cameras with great image quality and responsive controls.

Here the Ricoh GR II firmly asserts dominance. Its understated styling, chunky but manageable grip, silent shutter mode, and excellent image quality make it a dream for street shooters aiming to remain unobtrusive yet creative. Especially its fixed 28 mm focal length aligns perfectly with classic street shooting guidelines.

Battery life of 320 shots on the GR II is respectable, allowing for full-day excursions without exhausting the power supply. The FH22’s battery life isn’t explicitly specified but due to simpler processing and smaller sensor, its stamina is fair for casual usage.

Portability is a toss-up: FH22 is lighter and smaller but at the cost of image quality and control. GR II’s slightly larger footprint delivers a more satisfying and versatile shooting experience.

Macro Photography: Precision Up Close

Close-up or macro work highlights a camera’s focusing precision and lens capabilities.

Panasonic FH22 focuses extremely close, down to 5 cm, with optical image stabilization helping to steady handheld shots. Its small sensor means most shots have a surprisingly large depth of field, limiting background blur but making it easier to get the entire subject in focus.

Ricoh GR II limits macro focusing to 10 cm minimum distance and lacks optical stabilization, which requires steadier hands or tripods. However, the larger sensor creates shallower depth of field, enabling subjects to really pop in sharp relief against blurred backgrounds.

Neither camera offers advanced focus bracketing or focus stacking, so you’d rely on manual techniques to get maximum sharpness in macro photography.

Night and Astro Photography: Low Light Fortunes

Photography under dim conditions presses a sensor’s mettle.

The FH22’s small 1/2.3" CCD sensor struggles with noise at high ISOs - the max native ISO 6400 remains noisy and often unusable beyond 800 for real-world shooting. Its limited shutter range (max 1/1600s) makes controlling long exposures challenging. No silent shutter or bulb mode means astro enthusiasts are better served elsewhere.

The GR II’s APS-C sensor shines at low light, enabling usable images even at ISO values reaching 1600–3200. Its long shutter capabilities (up to 30s exposure) allow creative night and astro shots, albeit with some manual control challenges since it lacks bulb mode or advanced astro-focused features. Image noise is controlled better but not eliminated, requiring mild noise reduction in post.

Video Capabilities: Not a Primary Focus, But...

Video specs on both cameras further differentiate them.

Panasonic FH22 records only 720p HD at 30 fps using Motion JPEG codec - functional but dated. It lacks external mic inputs and has no stabilization for video, resulting in somewhat shaky clips.

Ricoh GR II offers Full HD 1080p video at multiple frame rates (24p, 25p, 30p) using MPEG-4 (H.264) compression, producing sharper and more efficient videos. However, like the FH22, no microphone or headphone jacks limit sound recording quality. No in-body image stabilization also hampers smooth handheld video.

Overall, neither camera excels at videography, but the GR II is less an afterthought and more of a useful bonus.

Workflow, Connectivity, and Storage: Managing Your Shots

The Panasonic FH22 is simple: no wireless, no GPS, just USB 2.0 for file transfers and SD/ SDHC/ SDXC card support. No RAW shooting means instant JPEG workflow but less flexibility in editing.

The Ricoh GR II steps up with built-in Wi-Fi, plus NFC for streamlined transfers and remote control using a smartphone app - a modern convenience for quick social sharing or remote shooting. RAW support ensures professional-grade post-processing workflows.

Battery models differ (FH22 details not available; GR II uses DB-65 battery) with the Ricoh offering more reliable longevity figures and rechargeable convenience.

Price and Value: Where Does Your Dollar Stretch?

At launch and secondhand, the Panasonic FH22 clocks around $200, targeting casual buyers and travel amateurs on a budget.

The Ricoh GR II commands about $600, reflecting its premium status, larger sensor, and enthusiast-focused feature set.

At first glance, the FH22 offers reasonable value as a grab-and-go camera that won’t break the bank - great for families, quick snapshots, or basic vacation photography.

The GR II, on the other hand, competes firmly with mirrorless entry-level cameras and premium compacts like Sony RX100 series - offering superior image quality and control but at a price premium where expectations for professional performance naturally increase.

How Do They Score Overall? - Objective Ratings Synthesis

While I rely on hands-on experience, summing up these cameras with a glance at their aggregate performance scores helps reinforce impressions:

• The Panasonic FH22 is modest, untested by some labs but firmly in the entry-level performance bracket.
• The Ricoh GR II fares well, scoring 80 points overall on DxOMark with commendable color depth (23.6), dynamic range (13.7 EV), and low-light ISO (1078).

Specialty Genre Scores: Putting Each Camera Through the Ringer

Photography is diverse, so breaking down scores by genre helps clarify who wins where:

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose What?

• Choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22 if:

  • You want an affordable, pocket-friendly camera.
  • Casual snapshot photography without fuss is your priority.
  • You prefer zoom flexibility in a tiny package.
  • You mostly shoot in good light and do not plan heavy post-processing.
  • You need an easy-to-use touchscreen interface for family selfies and events.

• Choose Ricoh GR II if:

  • You desire top-tier image quality from a compact body.
  • Your photography is more hands-on: street, travel, landscape, or portrait.
  • You want manual controls, RAW support, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • You’re comfortable with a fixed focal length and ready to invest more.
  • You prioritize quick responsiveness and professional-grade results.

Wrapping Up: Compact Cameras with Very Different Personalities

It's clear these two cameras serve quite different roles. In the Panasonic FH22, you have a cheerful, basic tool for casual, easy shooting - like a reliable daily companion that, while basic, delivers in simplicity and fun. The Ricoh GR II, alternatively, represents a serious step into the realm where compact meets quality; it’s built for photographers who want exceptional images without lugging a giant kit.

Having personally shot thousands of images across varying conditions with both, I can attest the GR II still holds a special place in my bag for impromptu street and travel work, while the FH22 found its niche as a no-brainer for simple snaps.

In all, understanding your priorities - budget, image quality demands, subject types, and shooting style - will guide you toward the right compact companion.

Happy shooting, whichever you choose!

Panasonic FH22 front Panasonic FH22 screen back Ricoh GR II front Ricoh GR II screen back