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Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57
Ricoh GR II front
 
Samsung NX30 front
Portability
75
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 Key Specs

Ricoh GR II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8-16.0) lens
  • 251g - 117 x 63 x 35mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Previous Model is Ricoh GR
Samsung NX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 375g - 127 x 96 x 58mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Replaced the Samsung NX20
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Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Ricoh GR II versus Samsung NX30, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Ricoh and Samsung. The image resolution of the GR II (16MP) and the NX30 (20MP) is pretty close and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The GR II was introduced 18 months later than the NX30 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Ricoh GR II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Samsung NX30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the GR II grades vs the NX30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Samsung NX30

 GR II NX30 
AnnouncedJune 2015January 2014Fresher by 18 months
Screen resolution1230k1036kCrisper screen (+194k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung NX30 over the Ricoh GR II

 NX30 GR II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Ricoh GR II and Samsung NX30

 GR II NX30 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Ricoh GR II offers outer measurements of 117mm x 63mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Samsung NX30 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3") with a weight of 375 grams (0.83 lbs).

Take a look at the Ricoh GR II versus Samsung NX30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GR II compared to the NX30.

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GR II and NX30 is 89 and 75 respectively.

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through technical specs. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GR II and NX30.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Samsung NX30 to render extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger GR II will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 sensor size comparison

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Ricoh GR II
Portrait photography with Samsung NX30
75
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Ricoh GR II
Street photography with Samsung NX30
74
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (251g)
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
75
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Ricoh GR II as a Sports photography camera
Samsung NX30 as a Sports photography camera
50
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (28mm)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh GR II as a Travel photography camera
Samsung NX30 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (251g)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
74
has touch to focus
MP count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh GR II Landscape photography info
Samsung NX30 Landscape photography info
59
has manual focus
screen is a good size (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
71
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh GR II Vlogging details
Samsung NX30 Vlogging details
32
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
75
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone support
does not have image stabilization
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Ricoh GR II vs Samsung NX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh GR II and Samsung NX30
 Ricoh GR IISamsung NX30
General Information
Company Ricoh Samsung
Model Ricoh GR II Samsung NX30
Type Large Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-06-17 2014-01-03
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip GR Engine V DRIMeIV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 247
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-16.0 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 32
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,230k dots 1,036k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - AMOLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.66x
Features
Min shutter speed 300s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Flash Synchro., Manual Flash, Red-Eye Flash Auto, Red-Eye Flash On, Red-Eye Flash Synchro, Wireless -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 lbs) 375g (0.83 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") 127 x 96 x 58mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 77
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 13.7 12.4
DXO Low light score 1078 1014
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 360 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DB-65 BP1410
Self timer Yes Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $599 $699