Ricoh GR vs Samsung DV300F: A Comprehensive Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing the right compact camera can be deceptively complicated. Both Ricoh’s GR and Samsung’s DV300F present themselves as handy companions for those wanting more than what typical point-and-shoots deliver, yet they cater to fundamentally different photographic needs and philosophies. Having taken both models through rigorous hands-on testing spanning multiple photography genres and use cases, I’m here to bring you an in-depth, no-nonsense comparison based on genuine experience - not just spec sheets.

Let’s unfold the layers of image quality, handling, features, and real-world performance side-by-side for these two distinct large and small sensor compact cameras, helping you make a well-informed choice tailored to your style and budget.

First Impressions: Design and Handling - Compactness vs. Command

Right out of the gate, one recognizably separates these two by feel and form. The Ricoh GR sports a larger body (117 x 61 x 35 mm, 245 g) than the slimmer, featherlight Samsung DV300F (95 x 57 x 18 mm, 133 g). When I held them side-by-side, the GR’s more substantial grip and magnesium alloy chassis felt serious - like a tool built for craft. The Samsung’s glossy plastic shell certainly leans toward easy portability and grab-and-go convenience.

The ergonomics reflect their use intent: Ricoh emphasizes tactile control with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and a well-placed rear dial for exposure compensation, rewarding photographers who like to manually tweak settings without digging into menus. In contrast, Samsung’s DV300F presents a more minimalistic interface with modest buttons and no manual exposure modes, clearly aimed at casual or beginner users.

This size and control layout difference is key and influences most shooting scenarios. The GR’s heft and button placement make it stable enough for deliberate framing and handling in demanding conditions, whereas the DV300F’s compactness makes it ultra-portable yet less comfortable during extended shoots.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C vs. 1/2.3" CCD - Night and Day Differences

Diving into the technical core, the Ricoh GR wields an APS-C sized 16MP CMOS sensor (23.7 x 15.7 mm), significantly larger than the Samsung’s tiny 1/2.3" 16MP CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm). Sensor size is a critical factor because it affects light-gathering ability, noise performance, dynamic range, and ultimately overall image quality.

In lab tests and real scenes, the GR shows markedly superior image quality - cleaner images at ISO 800 and beyond, with much more detail retention and finer gradation in highlights and shadows. Ricoh’s sensor achieves a DxOMark overall score of 78, boasting impressive color depth (23.6 bits) and dynamic range (13.5 EV). The DV300F, unfortunately, has not been DxOMark tested, but experience tells us the small sensor’s noise floor and dynamic range are far more limited, with visible color noise creeping in at relatively low ISOs.

The GR’s native ISO range spans 100–25600, offering versatile low-light performance, while Samsung tops out at ISO 3200, and pushing high ISO introduces overwhelming grain. This impacts night photography and the ability to preserve subtle skin tones in portraiture.

The fixed 28mm equivalent f/2.8 lens on the Ricoh provides crisp, sharp rendering with smooth out-of-focus areas for pleasant bokeh effects, albeit limited to a single focal length. In contrast, the Samsung’s 25–125mm (5x) zoom lens offers flexibility - but its variable aperture from f/2.5 to f/6.3 narrows significantly at telephoto. The tradeoff here is between the precision of prime optics versus the convenience of zooming.

The Viewfinder and LCD Experience: Framing and Feedback

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder by default, but Ricoh offers an optional optical viewfinder for the GR, a boon for bright outdoor situations where LCD visibility suffers. Both feature 3-inch fixed, non-touch TFT LCDs, but the GR’s screen resolution (1230k dots) surpasses the DV300F’s lowly 460k dots, providing more accurate image and menu display.

This difference isn’t just cosmetic: the GR’s sharper screen makes manual focusing and exposure review more reliable - important when relying on the 28mm fixed lens’s selective manual focus. The Samsung’s screen looks more pixelated and sluggish, which was frustrating during fast-paced street photography outings.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

The Ricoh GR employs a contrast-detection autofocus system without any phase-detection pixels or eye/face-detection capabilities. It’s competent but decidedly basic: the autofocus speed is moderate and can lag in low light or low contrast subjects. Notably, GR lacks continuous autofocus tracking and face detection, making it less suitable for unpredictable action or wildlife.

Samsung’s DV300F, while also contrast-detection based, includes face detection and multi-area AF, which can lock focus quickly on human subjects in straightforward scenes. This feature caters to casual photographers wanting good results with minimal effort but at the expense of fine manual control.

Burst rates also reflect intent: the GR can shoot at around 4 fps continuously - good enough for street photography but no match for serious sports shooters. Samsung doesn’t advertise continuous shooting, a limitation for dynamic subjects.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practicalities for the Field

The Ricoh GR supplies approximately 290 shots per charge, powered by its proprietary DB65 battery. While not extraordinary, it’s respectable for large sensor compacts, and I found that carrying a spare battery was necessary for day-long shoots.

Samsung’s DV300F battery life specs are unclear, but user reports suggest moderate endurance suitable for casual usage. It uses a BP88 battery and supports MicroSD cards (including MicroSDHC), whereas Ricoh uses full-size SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Connectivity is also telling: the GR includes Eye-Fi card support for wireless transfers - a niche but useful feature for workflow efficiency. Surprisingly, the DV300F boasts built-in wireless connectivity for sharing photos, presumably Wi-Fi, but lacks Bluetooth or NFC in either.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography: Skin Tone Nuance and Bokeh

In portraits, the Ricoh GR’s APS-C sensor coupled with a bright f/2.8 prime lens creates commendable subject isolation and natural skin tone rendition. The subdued background blur and fine gradations in shadow deliver more flattering and professional-looking portraits than the DV300F’s small sensor and variable aperture zoom lens can manage.

Samsung’s DV300F face detection helps keep focus on subjects, but color saturation and skin tone accuracy feel artificial, and the background is more distracting due to inferior bokeh capability.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution Essentials

The Ricoh GR excels in landscapes. Its wide, sharp 28mm lens captures expansive scenes with excellent corner-to-corner resolution. Combined with its high dynamic range (13.5 stops), highlight retention in skies, and shadow detail preservation are first-rate. In my dusk landscape shoots, the GR preserved tonal subtleties the DV300F couldn’t approach.

Samsung’s narrow dynamic range often clipped highlights or crushed shadows in high contrast scenes, and tiny sensor resolution did not translate into real detail in enlargements.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: AF and Burst Performance

Both cameras struggle here, but for different reasons. The Ricoh has limited AF tracking and a modest 4 fps burst, no face or animal detection, so fast-moving subjects pose challenges. The Samsung’s face detection aids in standard portrait scenarios but lacks manual exposure modes or burst shooting, reducing control and responsiveness.

In my tests with birds in flight and local soccer games, neither camera impressed. Serious wildlife photographers should look elsewhere.

Street and Travel Photography: Stealth and Versatility

Here the story changes. The Samsung DV300F’s compact, lightweight body and versatile zoom lens make it an accessible choice for casual street shooting and travel snapshots. Its smaller size is less intimidating, and zoom flexibility covers most focal lengths needed while wandering.

The Ricoh GR’s discreet black finish, quiet shutter, and prime lens inspire a more contemplative shooting style aligned with street photography purists who value image quality over zoom flexibility. Its manual exposure dials and superior sensor allow decisive creative control, though its larger size requires a bit more commitment.

Macro and Close-Up Shots: Focus Precision and Magnification

Samsung’s macro focus at 5 cm enables some close-up framing, ideal for casual flower or detail shots. However, image softness at the edges and restricted aperture limit creativity.

The Ricoh GR’s fixed 28mm lens naturally limits close focusing distance, with no dedicated macro focusing mode. Still, its manual focus precision allows minimal focus stacking or focus bracketing applications through patience.

Night & Astro: High ISO Performance and Long Exposure

This is the GR’s domain without contest. Its high ISO capabilities and sensor noise control mean night street scenes and even astrophotography capture fine star detail with low noise. The DV300F maxes out at ISO 3200 but struggles badly beyond ISO 800.

Both offer timelapse features (GR’s timelapse recording is a plus), but Ricoh’s mechanical shutter speeds down to 1/300s and exposure bracketing give it more versatility for nightscape experimentation.

Video Capabilities: Modest Options for Casual Use

Neither camera focuses on video. Ricoh GR records up to Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 30 fps with basic MPEG-4 compression, no 4K, no microphone ports, or professional options. Samsung tops out at 720p HD video.

Neither offers optical zoom during video or advanced stabilization beyond Samsung’s optical IS. For serious video, look elsewhere. Here these cameras serve more as still-image-centric devices with occasional video snippets.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for Rough Conditions?

Neither camera is weather sealed, dustproof, or shockproof. Ricoh’s metal body offers more durability than Samsung’s plastic shell, giving it an advantage outdoors or in tougher environments.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability: Fixed vs. Zoom

The GR’s fixed 28mm equivalent lens is a double-edged sword - excellent optical quality and wide field for street and landscape, but no zoom. Samsung’s DV300F has a versatile 5x zoom (25-125mm equivalent), appealing for general travel photography but compromises aperture and image quality.

Lens interchangeability obviously isn’t an option on either model.

Price-to-Performance: Value Perspectives

At the time of their release, Ricoh GR’s price hovered near $970, marking it a premium pocketable camera for serious enthusiasts and pros wanting a compact supplemental camera. Samsung DV300F, around $200 new, targets budget-conscious consumers seeking an easy-to-use compact for snapshots and travel.

Given their performance disparity - especially in sensor size, image quality, and manual control - I find the GR justifies its higher price for serious image makers, while the DV300F makes sense for casual users prioritizing zoom range and portability.

Ricoh GR front Ricoh GR screen back Samsung DV300F front Samsung DV300F screen back

Overall Performance Ratings and Expert Verdict

The Ricoh GR clearly leads with superior rankings in image quality, handling, and features relevant for enthusiasts and professionals. Samsung DV300F scores lower, appropriate for its budget compact niche.

Specialized Genre Scores: Where Each Excels

• Portrait: Ricoh GR dominates for skin tone and bokeh.
• Landscape: GR’s dynamic range and resolution trump Samsung.
• Wildlife: Neither truly fits; slight Samsung edge due to zoom.
• Sports: Neither optimized; GR’s continuous shooting is better but still limited.
• Street: GR excels with manual control and image quality; Samsung offers discreetness.
• Macro: Samsung’s 5 cm macro focus is handy.
• Night/Astro: Ricoh GR is far superior.
• Video: Both basic; none geared for videographers.
• Travel: Samsung better for zoom and portability; GR for image quality
• Professional use: GR offers reliability and RAW support.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Choose Which?

• Choose the Ricoh GR if: You value image quality above all, need manual controls, shoot streets, landscapes, portraits, or night scenes professionally or seriously. You’re ready to invest in a camera designed for deliberate photographic expression and quality over zoom convenience.

• Choose the Samsung DV300F if: You want an inexpensive, compact, and easy-to-use camera with zoom flexibility for casual travel snapshots, family events, or as a pocketable upgrade from smartphones. Manual controls and maximum image quality are less critical for your needs.

Personal Closing Notes

Having walked city streets, captured twilight landscapes, and explored creative manual exposures with the Ricoh GR, it feels like a photographer’s true companion - robust, thoughtful, and uncompromising in quality. Samsung’s DV300F, meanwhile, shines in simplicity and portability but will leave demanding shooters wanting.

So, unpack your priorities: If you seek craft, control, and image excellence in a compact, the Ricoh GR remains a compelling choice. If budget and zoom versatility rank higher, the Samsung DV300F is a worthy, affordable option.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you pinpoint your ideal camera partner, tailored perfectly to your photographic adventures. Happy shooting!

End of review.