S10, P10, GRD III

[johnny9fingers]

Hello Everyone in Ricohland,
I have been reading everything I can on these 3 cameras (or 1 camera & 2 lens units) and looking at hundreds of photos, looking for a clear cut winner in image quality. From what I can see the GRD III comes out on top, but it's a close call between them. I have been very happy with my GRD I, but it's getting long in the tooth and I worry one day it will cease to function. The GRD III would be the natural progression, but I'm intrigued by the GXR and the potential variety it will offer. Right now all three are offered at reasonable prices. Money is tight and buying additional lens/sensor units might not be possible for a while so the versatility probably won't factor in. To those with any combination of the three, I ask do you see a big difference in image quality...
Thanks for reading yet another this or that post...... :?
John

 

[andrewteee]

I love the GRD3 - it's such a classic and always easy to carry and fun to use. I tried and did not like the S10. I like the P10. Overall, the GRD3 has the best IQ, but for a small sensor the P10 has a pleasing rendering and is flexible too. If I could only have one I'd pick the GRD3.

 

[odklizec]

In my opinion, GRDIII is great pocketable and low light camera. It will allow you to take photos at places where you would be seriously limited with either CX3 or P10. On the other hand, CX3/P10 are much faster and more versatile cameras. I'm currently evaluating CX3 and despite the lens is nowhere as good as GRD lens, it delivers some great results. At low ISO (and with NR OFF), you don't have to worry about smeared details. At higher sensitivities, it would be great to have RAW. And this is where the P10 has a serious advantage over the CX3. Unfortunately, the P10 size is not that appealing.

It's hard choice I would probably get the P10, because there is an option to "upgrade" the camera with another modules. Either tomorrow or next year. With CX3 you may feel limited by low ISO and smeared details at higher ISO values. With P10 RAW you can get some very good results even at ISO800-1600. Noisy, but very acceptable.

 

[johnny9fingers]

Thank you andrewtee & Pavel, for your reply's and insight. I am kinda surprised you both prefer the P10 over the S10. I shoot jpeg most of the time, but want the option to use raw so the CX3 is out. I do have the R8 and its a little gem, but my son has adopted that camera. I am leaning more toward the GRD III, but will have to think about the P10 a bit.
Thanks again,
John

 

[johnny9fingers]

Do you use snap mode with the P10 :?:

 

[socket]

I would suggest you consider the GX100 for $299, too. It's such a good deal and the JPEGs have a really good reputation.

http://www.amazon.com/Ricoh-Caplio-GX10 ... 204&sr=1-1

The only down side is the 3-4 second wait for RAW writing to file, when RAW is enabled, and the shorter zoom. OTOH, the lens and image quality are probably better than the P10.

Do you miss the functionality of the R8? If you do, then maybe you should get the 'R8 on steriods', the P10. If not, then maybe the other cameras would be better.

How do you use the R8 the most? Do you zoom out a lot? Or do you just do macros and stay wide at 28mm? Then maybe the GRD would be better.

Look at how you've used your previous cameras and then evaluate these cameras from that perspective. For me, purchasing a new camera was an incremental process based on my past camera experience (which was limited, to be sure).

 

[andrewteee]

Do you use snap mode with the P10 :?:

Not with the P10 yet. Auto focus is pretty quick. With the GRD3 I use snap focus a lot. But I use them differently too. The GRD3 is a more "serious" camera with specific intentions in mind when I use it and the P10 is more of a snapshot camera, for lack of a better description.

 

[johnny9fingers]

I agonized between the GX100 & GRD I way back when and opted for the GRD. Picked up the R8 for the zoom but never used it much, and now it's my son's camera. I do have a Digilux 2 and can use that when I feel the need to reach out a bit, and have never been any good shooting longer than 100mm. The GRD III would seem to be the best fit as the GRD I has been my favorite digital hands down. Thanks guys, for confirming what I already knew.....
It will be the GRD III...
This shouldn't have ever come to question as my two all time favorite cameras of all time are the Hexar AF & GRD I. Both fixed single focal length cameras. But I have to admit being smitten by the D2, so as the Genesis song goes... Then There Were Three.....