Ricoh announces the new Ricoh GR II

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

 Hi Photographer friends,

Presenting the new Ricoh GR II

Building upon the legacy of the award-winning GR series, the GR II offers the perfect balance between exceptional image quality and outstanding portability.  It boasts a high-performance wide-angle lens and 16.2-megapixel APS-C size image sensor, delivering superb image quality with edge to edge sharpness. The GR II comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC functions for wireless connection with smartphones and tablets while offering complete remote shooting functionality. Catering to the street and travel photographer, the compact, easy-to-carry GR II offers high-quality, high-resolution images delivered by a large image sensor, equal in size to those in PENTAX DSLR cameras. The GR ENGINE V offers a top sensitivity of ISO 25600, improved AWB control and high-sensitivity noise compensation. Never miss the perfect shot with a high-speed auto focusing system capable of capturing subjects in focus in a mere 0.2 seconds. The GR II provides a total of 17 effect modes, which allow the user to apply a variety of image processing within the camera to create the desired visual expression. Enjoy intuitive design, fast operation and wireless sharing with a compact camera that rivals DSLR image quality with the GR II.

High-quality, high-resolution image delivered by the GR 18.3mm F2.8 lens

The GR II features a compact, high-performance GR lens with a focal length of 28mm (in the 35mm format). This lens incorporates two high-precision aspherical optical elements and a high-refraction, lower-dispersion glass element to minimize distortions and chromatic aberration, while reproducing sharp, high-contrast images even at edges of the image field. Thanks to its 9 blade iris diaphragm, the lens creates a truthful sense of depth and a natural bokeh effect, while allowing the user to capture beautiful light beams at closed-down apertures. The manually adjustable ND (neutral density) filter allows you to open the aperture up, even under bright sunshine, for a wider range of creative expression.

Large image sensor and GR ENGINE V, with upgraded AWB control and high sensitivity noise compensation

Featuring a large, APS-C-size CMOS image sensor with approximately 16.2 effective megapixels, the GR II provides a top sensitivity of ISO 25600. By reprogramming the AWB algorithm, it assures more precise white-balance control under artificial lighting such as fluorescent lights, while reducing the color bleeding of green hues in outdoor shooting.

Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC functionality

The GR II comes equipped with Wi-Fi functions for wireless connection with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. It is also compatible with NFC (Near Field Communication) functions for easy pairing with mobile devices. The GR II provides two types of applications: GR Remote for easy setting of various commands using a mobile device’s screen, just like on the camera’s LCD panel; and Image Sync for easy transfer and browsing of recorded images using a mobile device.

Pocket-sized body to enhance operability and portability

Even though it incorporates a host of Wi-Fi functions, the GR II comes in the same size as the GR. Its exterior housing is made of lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy.  The body is designed for maximum holding comfort and operational ease, with all control buttons laid out for easy access and shooting convenience.

Six effect modes newly added to expand creative options

The GR II provides a total of 17 effect modes, which allow the user to apply a variety of image processing within the camera to create the desired visual expression. Including Clarity and Brilliance, six modes have been newly added to the selection, allowing the user to adjust some parameters to the desired level. The user can set the desired mode simply by pushing the Effect button on the camera’s side panel.

Full HD movie recording for high-quality, extended movie clips

The GR II captures beautiful Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, 16:9 ratio, 30 frame rate) in the H-264 recording format. By teaming this function with the GR lens and the large image sensor, the GR II assures high-quality movies. During movie recording, the user can also adjust exposure compensation and use the AF button to activate the AF operation, whose speed is faster than before. Three new effect modes (Bright, Portrait and Vibrant) can also be used in movie shooting.

·         High-speed shooting operation to capture critical shutter chances

The GR II’s high-speed AF system captures a subject in focus in a mere 0.2 seconds,* thanks to the optimization of its lens drive mechanism and AF algorithm and the high-speed readout of image data obtained by the image sensor. Start-up time is only one second, and the GR II’s AF Continuous Shooting function captures a series of photos at a maximum speed of approximately four images per second, allowing capture of fast-moving subjects, such as athletes and wildlife, all in incredibly sharp focus.   Thanks to its increased buffer memory capacity, it continuously captures as many as 10 images in a single sequence during RAW-format shooting. * Measured in compliance to CIPA standards.

·         Wireless Flash Function

The GR II comes equipped with wireless flash functionality.  By selecting wireless flash the built-in flash can trigger external PENTAX flashes as a slave for creative portable lighting control in the studio or out on the streets. * Compatible accessory flash units are the PENTAX AF540FGZ II, AF360FGZ II, AF540FGZ and AF360FGZ.

·         A full range of shooting functions

The GR II provides an in-camera RAW data development function. After shooting RAW-format images, the user can adjust a variety of parameters within the camera, and output them as JPEG-format image files. The GR II now offers a choice between Normal and Original modes for the peripheral brightness level setting. Also included in the GR II is the new CTE (Color Temperature Enhancement) mode for white-balance control, making it possible to emphasize a predominant color within the image, such as the red in sunset scenes.  The GR  II also features the PENTAX-original Shutter speed/Aperture Priority (TAv) exposure mode, featured only in PENTAX-brand digital SLR cameras. This innovative mode automatically sets the optimum ISO sensitivity based on the shutter speed and aperture selected by the photographer.

·         Other features

Built-in non-directional stereo microphone Crop mode* to capture an image at a 35mm or 47mm angle of  view (in the 35mm format) Chromatic Moiré Correction function Pixel Mapping function featured for the first time in a GR-Series model GW-3 Wide Conversion Lens (optional accessory) expands the angle of view to 21mm ultra-wide angle Digital Camera Utility 5, the latest utility software compatible with the GR II, included * The size of recorded pixels is fixed at M for the 35mm setting, or at S for the 47mm setting.