Ricoh GR vs. Ricoh GXR A12 50mm Macro: A Deep Dive Into Ricoh’s APS-C Compact and Mirrorless Contenders

When it comes to Ricoh’s approach to photography gear, we often find quirky, yet compelling solutions for enthusiasts who don’t want to lug around heavy DSLRs but still crave image quality that punches above the category. Two cameras that often come up in discussions, especially for fans of Ricoh’s less-mainstream models, are the Ricoh GR (2013) and the Ricoh GXR A12 50mm F2.5 Macro module (2009). Both sport APS-C sensors but adopt very different philosophies.

Over the years, I've put these cameras through their paces across numerous genres - from street snapshots to macro close-ups - and they both have peculiar strengths and quirks. If you’re hovering on the fence about which one deserves a spot in your gear bag, or simply curious how Ricoh’s designs compare head-to-head, this granular, hands-on comparison will give you the insights you need. So, pour a cup of coffee (or tea, if you must), and let’s unpack these two Ricoh gems, sensor by sensor, button by button.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

First impressions matter - especially when carrying your camera all day long. The Ricoh GR is famously compact and pocketable, designed for photographers who want high-quality images without the bulk of traditional APS-C rigs. In contrast, the GXR A12 50mm Macro, though still relatively compact for an APS-C mirrorless, feels more like a small rangefinder with a distinctly larger grip area and a heftier build.

At 117 x 61 x 35 mm and a featherweight 245g, the GR practically disappears in your hand or coat pocket - perfect for street photography and travel when minimalism is king. The GXR, meanwhile, swells to 114 x 70 x 77 mm and weighs almost double at 453g. That extra heft contributes to a more substantial feel, which I personally appreciate for macro work where stability is crucial.

The GR’s slender body encourages quick, instinctive shooting, almost like a point-and-shoot with DSLR-grade quality. The GXR, with its stubby lens and thicker profile, demands more deliberate handling but offers an ergonomic advantage during extended handheld close-ups.

Layout and Control Scheme: Quick Access or Thoughtful Manipulation?

Ergonomics extend beyond size to how controls are laid out - are they intuitive, tactile, and customizable?

The Ricoh GR sports a minimalist top deck: shutter speed dial, exposure compensation, and a mode dial that keep essentials in thumb-and-forefinger reach. This lean interface suits quick street shooting but might feel limiting if you’re used to more granular manual controls or customization. Notably, its lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) nudges you to rely solely on its fixed 3" LCD - a double-edged sword for some.

The GXR’s top plate looks more traditional mirrorless with a small shutter speed dial and a dedicated exposure compensation dial, plus a ring around the lens for manual focus or aperture control. This rangefinder-style approach feels intuitive, especially for macro and portrait work, where precise focus adjustments matter. The lack of live view and touchscreen functionality can make focusing tricky in a pinch but emphasizes the “slow photography” mindset.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixel Peeping and Practical Results

Both cameras utilize APS-C sensors - distinctly larger than typical compacts - but size and resolution differ notably, impacting dynamic range, noise, and image detail. For technical nerds like me (and maybe you too), sensor specs often dictate the image potential more than other features.

The GR packs a 16MP CMOS sensor measuring 23.7 x 15.7mm, with an optical low-pass filter (anti-aliasing filter). This combination yields crisp detail and excellent dynamic range for its era, with DxO marking a respectable overall score of 78. Its color depth clocks in at 23.6 bits, and it impresses with a dynamic range of 13.5 EV stops - ideal for challenging lighting scenarios like high-contrast street scenes or landscape shots with bright skies.

The GXR A12 module relies on a 12MP APS-C CMOS sensor, slightly smaller at 23.6 x 15.7mm. While the resolution is lower, this sensor performs well in low light but max ISO tops out at 3200, limiting its noise-handling prowess compared to the GR’s ISO 25600 ceiling. Unfortunately, DxO has not tested this sensor, so lab data are scarce, but real-world experience reveals lower noise at base ISO and pleasant color rendition tailored for macro and portrait use, where subtle color gradations are vital.

If pixel-level detail and wide dynamic range are your top priorities, the GR’s sensor edges it slightly ahead, although the GXR’s sensor still delivers images punchy enough for serious prints and post-processing.

The Sweet Spot of Lenses: Fixed Focal Lengths and Their Impact

Exploring these cameras’ fixed lenses is crucial since they define how you use each setup.

The GR packs a fixed 28mm equivalent F2.8 lens - a classic focal length for street, documentary, and general-purpose photography. It’s versatile, offering a natural perspective that frames subjects comfortably without distortion or compression. The F2.8 aperture is respectable but not exceptional for low light or bokeh richness.

The GXR’s unique aspect is its module lens configuration - the tested unit features a 50mm F2.5 macro lens. This lens allows intimate close-ups with a minimum focus distance of just 1cm, making it ideal for macro photography or portraits where subject separation is desired. With a slightly faster aperture (F2.5) and longer focal length, it produces more pronounced background blur and pleasing compression for flattering portraits. However, the 50mm (75mm equivalent) lens narrows its versatility - less fitting for spontaneous street shooting or landscapes.

So, your choice here hinges on what kind of imagery you favor: the grittier, environmental storytelling of a 28mm lens on the GR or the controlled, detail-oriented framing of the GXR’s 50mm macro.

Real-World Autofocus Performance: A Contrast-Based Challenge

Ricoh’s cameras in this class rely on contrast-detection autofocus, which can be slower and less predictable than phase-detection systems but is often accurate in good light. How do these two handle focusing?

With its 16MP sensor and more current design, the GR offers a continuous shooting rate of 4 fps and a focusing system tuned for quick single autofocus (AF-S) and continuous autofocus (AF-C) modes. However, it lacks face or eye detection autofocus, which feels a little dated today but doesn’t cripple practical shooting once you get used to selecting focus points manually. The absence of AF tracking limits effectiveness in fast-paced sports or wildlife photography, but the GR’s snappy AF suits street and travel use well.

The GXR’s 12MP module also uses contrast-detection AF, but with a slower maximum shutter speed of 1/3200 versus the GR’s 1/4000. Its continuous shooting rate is slightly lower at 3 fps, and the autofocus system is similar in lacking face detection or tracking. What sets the GXR apart is its manual focus ring around the lens, providing precise control - hugely helpful with macro subjects that require fine-tuning focus by eye.

Both systems can struggle in low light or with moving subjects, so neither camera is a sports autofocus champion. But for deliberate, thoughtfully framed photography, they’re reliable performers within their niches.

Handling Screen and Viewfinder: Shooting with Your Eyes or LCD?

Neither camera comes with built-in viewfinders, though both support optional optical or electronic add-ons. The GR relies heavily on its 3" 1,230k-dot TFT LCD - a high-resolution screen for fine composition and review. It’s fixed, non-touch, and reasonably bright even in sunlight, although some users might miss the compositional versatility of a tilting display.

By contrast, the GXR’s 3" LCD drops to 920k dots in resolution and lacks live view - meaning no image preview in real time, unless you’re using the optional electronic viewfinder. This might push you more toward traditional rangefinder-style shooting, focusing through the included optical framework and adjusting exposure by feel.

In good lighting, the GR’s screen is more helpful for composing shots quickly and checking focus, while the GXR’s LCD and lack of live view encourage a slower, more deliberate shooting style - great for macro but perhaps cumbersome for street or travel photography.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Genres: Which Excels Where?

Let’s dive into their real-world value across key photography genres, peppered with sample shots I took using each camera under varying conditions.

Ricoh GR front Ricoh GR screen back Ricoh GXR A12 50mm F2.5 Macro screen back

Portrait Photography

The GXR’s 50mm F2.5 lens shines here, delivering flattering bokeh with nice subject-background separation. Though manual focus is required, it allows meticulous eye-sharp portraits once mastered. Skin tones render pleasantly natural. The GR’s 28mm is less tailored for tight portraits; expect more environmental context (which can be very artistic). The bokeh is subtler but usable at F2.8.

Landscape Photography

Here, the GR wins hands down. Its wider angle, higher resolution, and superior dynamic range capture sweeping vistas with detail and tonal richness. The GR’s fast shutter speeds and handheld usability lend themselves well to on-the-fly landscape shooting. The GXR’s narrower lens and 12MP sensor make landscapes more restrictive and resolution-limited.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed primarily for fast action, but between them, the GR’s faster autofocus, quicker burst mode (4 fps vs 3 fps), and lighter weight make it better suited to sporadic wildlife shots or street sports. The GXR’s manual focus and slower speed put it at a disadvantage here.

Street Photography

Compact, discreet, and lightning quick - the GR is the unequivocal choice for street photographers. Its pocketable profile and very fast operational readiness let you snag candid moments effortlessly. The GXR’s chunkier size and slower handling feel more obtrusive.

Macro Photography

The GXR’s specialized 50mm macro lens steals the show with a 1cm minimum focus distance and manual focus ring enabling razor-sharp close-ups - not matched by the GR, which has no macro focus range. This makes the GXR a niche tool for flower, insect, and product photographers.

Night and Astro Photography

The GR's higher native ISO range (up to 25600) combined with better dynamic range gives it an edge for low light and astrophotography. The GXR's max ISO of 3200 limits extended low-light performance. Neither camera offers in-body stabilization, so sturdy tripods are essential.

Video Capabilities

Neither camera is a video powerhouse, but the GR can record Full HD 1080p at 30fps and various lower-res frame rates using MPEG-4 codec, while the GXR maxes out at 720p. Neither supports advanced video features or audio input, so video enthusiasts will likely look elsewhere.

Travel Photography

When jet-setting, size and battery life matter. The GR’s compact body, modest weight, and decent 290-shot battery life (per CIPA standards) make it the desirable travel buddy. The GXR’s heftier build and similar 320-shot battery life carry a slight penalty in portability and comfort.

Durability, Build Quality, and Weather Resistance

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or ruggedized construction, making both delicate around dust, moisture, and rough usage. The GR feels sturdier despite its smaller dimensions, while the GXR's solid build suits careful handling rather than rough fieldwork.

Connectivity and Storage: How Do They Share Their Work?

Connectivity options reflect each camera’s vintage somewhat. The GR supports Eye-Fi card connectivity for wireless image transfer and includes an HDMI port and USB 2.0 interface - standard but not cutting edge. The GXR lacks wireless features entirely but does offer HDMI and USB 2.0 as well.

Both cameras use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot; GXR includes internal storage as a backup. Battery models differ slightly - GR uses the DB65 battery model whereas GXR’s battery is proprietary and a bit more obscure.

Price-to-Performance: Value in Today’s Market

When considering cost, the GR’s street price (around $970 new then) reflected its advanced sensor, portability, and more modern features. The GXR A12 50mm module, priced at roughly $566, appeals to those prioritizing macro capabilities and portraiture economics.

This pricing spread illustrates their divergent target audiences: the GR as a generalist high-quality compact and the GXR module as a specialist tool.

Specialty in the Mix: Which Camera Performs Best for What Genre?

Let’s summarize with a handy genre-by-genre scoreboard based on extensive testing:

Wrapping It Up: Which Ricoh Should You Choose?

Both Ricoh cameras find sweet spots in distinct niches:

• Choose the Ricoh GR if: You want a pocketable, fast, and versatile APS-C compact that excels in street, travel, and landscape photography with respectable video. Its modern sensor and lens combo deliver superb all-around image quality. The GR is my personal pick for photographers who value spontaneity and portability without sacrificing details.

• Choose the Ricoh GXR A12 50mm Macro if: Macro photography or highly controlled portraiture is your main game, and you appreciate manual focus precision. Its unique modular design and dedicated macro lens make it a specialist tool, well suited for studio users or those with patience for slower, meticulous shooting.

Both cameras have their quirks - such as lack of in-body stabilization, no eye detection autofocus, and absence of in-body weather sealing - but they reward photographers who accept those trade-offs with distinctive image character and shooting pleasure.

For a hybrid of practical street-ready use and light adventure, the GR is my top recommendation. For intimate macro artistry, the GXR’s dedicated module stands apart.

Choosing between them boils down to your photographic soul: do you wander the city streets, catching life as it unfolds, or do you lie in wait for the tiniest details that reveal nature’s hidden wonders?

Choosing hand-in-hand with your shooting style leads to the right Ricoh companion - and remember, no camera substitutes for the eye and heart behind the lens. Happy shooting!