Choosing Between the Ricoh GR II and Samsung ST100: A Deep-Dive Comparison for Photo Enthusiasts

When I first unpacked the Ricoh GR II and the Samsung ST100 side-by-side, the difference in their philosophy was immediately clear. One is a deliberate, large-sensor compact aimed at image quality purists, while the other is a budget-friendly ultracompact designed for casual, versatile shooting. Both have their merits, but knowing which suits your use case is crucial before hitting the ‘buy’ button.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years across all photography genres - from wildlife to astrophotography - I’ve developed a nuanced sense of how these interlocking factors affect real-world use. Today, I want to walk you through a thorough comparison of these two distinct compacts to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s start by placing them side by side physically, and then peel back the technical layers, real-world performance, and ultimately, which user fits best with each camera’s DNA.

Seeing and Handling: The Physical Experience Matters

Starting with the basics - how a camera feels in your hands often dictates how it’s used.

The Ricoh GR II (117x63x35mm, 251g) is notably thicker and larger than the Samsung ST100 (100x60x20mm, 155g). Despite being called a "compact," the GR II’s body has a classic photographer’s heft and grip, lending well to stable handheld shooting and effective one-handed operation. The textured magnesium alloy body communicates a solid build, reassuring for street photographers and travel enthusiasts who want a reliable companion.

Conversely, the ST100 is very pocketable - more akin to a typical point-and-shoot. It’s lighter and slimmer, but at the cost of ergonomics; the smaller grip area means your fingers have less to hold on, potentially leading to increased shake or fatigue on longer shoots.

If portability is paramount - for instance, when you want to carry your camera all day without noticing it - the Samsung ST100 is a smart pick. But if you prefer a camera that feels deliberate and balanced in the hand with dedicated physical controls, the Ricoh GR II is a real winner.

Controls and User Interface: Designed for Different Photographers

Besides size, the physical layout and how you interact with the camera is critical.

Looking from above, the Ricoh GR II offers dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a well-placed aperture ring on the fixed 28mm f/2.8 lens itself. This level of direct manual control is a breath of fresh air in the compact space and shows Ricoh’s intent: appeal to experienced users who want to dial in settings swiftly without digging through menus.

The Samsung ST100 has a minimalist approach with a few buttons and a mode dial but lacks manual exposure modes, shutter priority, or aperture priority. Instead, it's primarily aimed at point-and-shoot convenience with fully automatic modes or limited scene modes, perfect for casual users who want simplicity over control.

The GR II does lack a touchscreen, which I personally find limiting in this era, but its menu system is simple enough once you get used to it. The ST100 does have a touchscreen, which is handy for quick focusing or menu navigation, making it friendlier for novices.

So here, the choice hinges on how much control you want over exposure and shooting parameters. If you want a tactile experience and precise manual control, Ricoh’s design will feel like second nature. If touch-based ease with mostly automatic settings suits you better, Samsung’s ST100 interface will suffice.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor and Image Quality Take Center Stage

At the core, the difference in sensor technology largely defines image quality.

The Ricoh GR II boasts a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor sized 23.7 x 15.7 mm, which, when combined with Ricoh’s GR Engine V processor, yields excellent image sharpness, dynamic range, and color depth. The sensor area, about 372 mm², is significantly larger than the ST100’s tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm and only 28 mm² in area.

This difference alone translates into dramatically better low-light performance, less noise at higher ISO settings (GR II max ISO of 25600 vs. ST100’s max 3200), and superior color fidelity on the Ricoh. On top of that, the APS-C sensor in the GR II naturally delivers shallower depth of field for creative bokeh, something the ST100’s small sensor struggles to achieve.

As someone who frequently shoots portraits and landscapes, the GR II’s sensor allows me to capture natural skin tones without aggressive noise reduction smoothing away fine skin textures. In contrast, the ST100’s images are respectable under good light but fall short if you push ISO or want big prints.

One practical tip: If you plan extensive cropping or printing large images, the higher resolution and quality of the GR II will serve you much better in the long run.

Viewing Experience: Shoot with Clarity and Confidence

Next, how you compose your shots matters a lot.

The Ricoh GR II provides a 3-inch fixed LCD with 1230k dots - sharp and bright enough for most outdoor conditions, though not a touchscreen. The absence of an electronic viewfinder (only optional optical add-ons) is a minor quibble but not unusual for a compact.

The Samsung ST100, however, features a slightly larger 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD at 1152k dots, a defining advantage for users who appreciate tap-to-focus and intuitive menu navigation.

While the larger screen on the ST100 is comfortable for review and touch interaction, the GR II’s screen offers better color accuracy, an important factor when judging exposure and lighting on the spot.

If you prefer a touch interface and larger image preview, the ST100 is more ergonomic. But if you want crisp, reliable color reproduction during shoot time, the GR II’s display edges out in quality despite the smaller size.

Real World Image Samples: What to Expect from Each

A picture is worth a thousand words - and here’s where these capabilities come alive.

Ricoh GR II front Ricoh GR II screen back Samsung ST100 screen back

Look closely at these diverse sample images: portraits, landscapes, and street shots. The Ricoh GR II offers punchy colors with excellent sharpness and pleasantly smooth bokeh from that f/2.8 lens. Skin tones pop naturally without exaggeration. In landscape shots, it captures a wider dynamic range, preserving highlight and shadow detail remarkably well for a compact.

Meanwhile, the Samsung ST100’s images perform well in bright daylight but show less detail in shadow areas and noticeably more noise in low light, even when viewed on screen. The zoom range (35-175mm equivalent) offers versatile framing but wide-open apertures between f/3.6 and f/4.8 limit its low-light flexibility.

If you mainly shoot casual everyday moments in well-lit conditions, the ST100 produces decent images and adds zoom versatility that the GR II lacks. However, for image quality enthusiasts or professionals who demand the best from a pocketable, the Ricoh GR II’s APS-C sensor and sharp prime lens deliver consistently superior results.

Shooting Performance and Autofocus: Speed vs. Precision

In dynamic shooting scenarios, autofocus speed and burst capabilities become important.

The Ricoh GR II features contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points, including face detection and continuous AF for moving subjects, and it can shoot at 4fps continuous bursts. This system is highly accurate, though not the fastest for wildlife or sports - timing a decisive moment requires some familiarity with its AF system.

The Samsung ST100 uses a basic contrast-detection AF with touch AF options but lacks continuous autofocus and has no burst shooting mode specified. Its slower shutter speeds and limited autofocus options position it mostly for static subjects or casual snapshots.

For photographers interested in capturing quick action, the Ricoh GR II will be more satisfying due to its more advanced AF and continuous shooting - though both cameras sit far behind dedicated sports or wildlife DSLRs/mirrorless cameras.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down how each performs across popular photography types:

Portraits:
Ricoh GR II shines with its APS-C sensor and fast f/2.8 lens, producing natural skin tones and creamy bokeh. Its accurate face detection AF helps keep eyes sharp. The ST100, constrained by a smaller sensor and slower lens, provides limited background separation, resulting in flatter-looking portraits.

Landscape:
The wide fixed 28mm field of view on the GR II excels in landscapes, capturing broad scenes with stellar detail and dynamic range. The Samsung ST100 offers a narrow 35mm equivalent setting at the wide end but cannot match the GR II’s sensor quality or rendering finesse.

Wildlife & Sports:
Neither camera is designed for these genres. The GR II’s AF and 4fps burst are marginally better, but the fixed lens is restrictive. The ST100’s 35-175mm zoom helps with framing but is handicapped by slow AF and no reliable burst mode.

Street Photography:
The GR II’s discreet, quiet shutter and forgiving 28mm prime make it an ideal street shooter for candid moments. The ST100 is more noticeable due to zoom lens extension but benefits from easy-to-use touchscreen controls.

Macro:
GR II’s macro focusing to 10cm can capture decent close-ups, while ST100 can focus down to 5cm but with smaller sensor resolution, limiting detail.

Night/Astro:
Ricoh’s larger sensor and better low-light sensitivity allow considerably more noise-free night shots. The ST100 struggles and produces grainy results even at low ISOs.

Video:
GR II captures Full HD 1080p at 30fps with high-quality MPEG-4/H.264 encoding. Samsung ST100 maxes at 720p HD with Motion JPEG compression - less crisp and flexible for modern video use. Both lack microphone or headphone jacks.

Travel:
If you want a single camera for travel, the ST100’s zoom flexibility and ultra-compact body are appealing for sightseeing without fuss. However, the GR II offers superior image quality and more control, which I prefer for capturing meaningful memories on trips.

Professional Workflow:
Raw support on the GR II enables powerful post-processing, vital for professional or semi-professional use. The ST100 does not support raw files.

Under the Hood: Technical Build and Feature Breakdown

Delving deeper into the specs:

• Build Quality: GR II uses a magnesium alloy body with a feeling of durability; ST100 is plastic-bodied and feels less robust. Neither offers weather sealing, restricting rugged outdoor use under harsh conditions.

• Lens: GR II fixed 28mm f/2.8 prime is sharp and fast but no zoom. ST100 offers 35-175mm f/3.6-4.8 zoom, great for framing variety but slower and noisier lenses.

• Image Stabilization: ST100 has optical stabilization, helping with telephoto zoom and video steadiness. GR II lacks stabilization, so faster shutter speeds or tripods are needed to avoid blur.

• Battery Life: GR II rated at around 320 shots per charge - solid for a compact APS-C. ST100’s battery life specs are unclear but generally shorter typical for ultra-compacts.

• Storage: Both use a single card slot, with GR II accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC, while ST100 uses microSD and internal storage - a minor consideration for capacity and card costs.

• Connectivity: GR II includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless image transfer and remote shooting - a big plus for modern workflows. ST100 lacks wireless features entirely.

• Price: The GR II originally launched at around $600, while the ST100 has a street price near $250. This price gap explains much of their feature and image quality differences.

Overall Scoring: Where Each Excels and Falls Short

To summarize findings visually:

Here you can see a quantification of the Ricoh GR II’s superior imaging, build, and control. The Samsung ST100 scores decently for compact convenience and zoom range but falls behind in every imaging and performance category.

Specialty Photography: How They Fare by Genre

Want to zero in on your niche? Here’s a breakdown:

• Portraits and landscapes heavily favor the GR II.
• Travel and street lean towards ST100’s portability and zoom flexibility but accept lower image fidelity.
• Macro and night photography are more comfortable on the GR II due to sensor size and manual control.
• Neither camera suits wildlife or sports shooters due to limited AF and speed.

Final Takeaways: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Ricoh GR II if you…

• Are a serious enthusiast or pro seeking excellent image quality in a pocketable form
• Value manual controls and superior sensor performance for portraits, landscapes, street, and even macro
• Need raw file support and wireless connectivity for flexible workflows
• Don’t mind carrying a slightly bigger camera for better handling

Go for the Samsung ST100 if you…

• Want an ultra-portable, affordable camera with a versatile zoom for travel and casual shooting
• Prefer a touchscreen interface and simple point-and-shoot operation
• Don’t require manual exposure modes, raw files, or high ISO prowess
• Need optical stabilization and moderate video capabilities within a small package

Wrapping Up: My Expert Opinion

After hands-on evaluation and extensive shooting tests, I see the Ricoh GR II as a specialist’s tool: a compact powerhouse that rewards photographers who care about image quality, control, and reliable performance. Its APS-C sensor and fast 28mm lens deliver results that outclass many compacts - even some entry-level mirrorless systems - in well-lit and demanding scenarios.

The Samsung ST100, while charmingly compact and friendly for beginners, is more of a budget travel zoom that’s best suited for casual snapshots where convenience rules over image perfection.

If your budget allows and you want a camera that can grow with your photography passion or even hold up in professional contexts, the Ricoh GR II is worth every penny. If you want something smaller, simpler, and cheaper for day-to-day use and family outings, the ST100 is a reasonable choice.

Remember, the best camera is the one that inspires you to shoot more and fits how you work. Both these cameras offer vastly different roads to that goal.

Happy shooting!

If you want to see sample image quality comparisons or my extended video review, check back here soon - I’ll be updating with hands-on visual content based on extensive field testing.

Summary Table: Ricoh GR II vs Samsung ST100

This detailed comparison should clarify your decision based on extensive real-world use and technical understanding. Please feel free to ask if you want me to focus on any particular use case or side-by-side test results!