DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx

Started 1 month ago | Questions
Ember88 Regular Member • Posts: 120
Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx

Image of all the cameras compared with the R5 and 35mm f1.8 Macro

I’m trying to find a walk-around, every day carry, lightweight, low-profile camera to compliment my Canon R5 gear. I’m deciding between the GR IIIx and the Canon EOS M6 Mark II paired with the EF-M 22mm f2.

Both cameras are pretty lightweight (though the GR IIIx is half the weight of the M6II combo) and would be pocketable.

The M6II has the benefit of being an ILC and could open up possibilities for other lightweight EF-M lenses for hiking (though, I don’t want to replace my Canon R gear).

The GR IIIx has the benefit of being newer and a few more features (IBIS, built in ND, etc.). I’m also nervous that it seems the Canon M-mount is dead…or dying and I don’t want to spend $800 plus on a system with little to no future support or development. With that said, I am unfamiliar with Ricoh and their development plans on the GR line.

I’m also looking at the lens quality of the two cameras. The GR IIIx lens seems to get good reviews and is stated to be pretty sharp. The EF-M 22mm f2 is soft in the corners wide open, but sharpens up as you close down.

Does anyone have the two cameras? Or has anyone tested the two together and compared? If so, what have you found? I’m curious what people would recommend if the choice was between these two cameras?

(Cross-posted in the Canon EOS-M Forum as well).

 Ember88's gear list:Ember88's gear list
Canon EOS R5 Canon Extender EF 1.4x II Canon Extender EF 2x II Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM +3 more
ANSWER:
This question has not been answered yet.
Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS R5
If you believe there are incorrect tags, please send us this post using our feedback form.
mc-101 Regular Member • Posts: 159
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx
2

In my collection, I have the GR-III and an original EOS-M with the 22mm lens. The GR-III is my preferred "every day carry" due to its excellent portability, while larger cameras require more consideration for transportation.

Other outstanding features of the GR-III include one-handed use, USB-C charging, customizable shooting settings, snap focus, excellent JPEG for black and white output, and flexible DNG raw files.

Some users consider the GR-III and GR-IIIx to be pricey for older cameras, and there are concerns about their build quality as they may feel fragile and unable to withstand drops.

Additionally, the cameras are prone to dust accumulation on the sensor, which can be difficult to deal with as it is a fixed lens camera. The circular control dial can also be finicky and prone to excessive play.

For me, the downsides are minor (and I have not experienced them).  The Ricoh forum can help you too.

mc-101 Regular Member • Posts: 159
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx
2

p.s. It's important to note that the GR-III and GR-IIIx are fixed lens cameras, with the former sporting a 28mm lens. Some users feel that current high-quality smartphones produce images that are comparable in quality and offer more convenience. I tend to agree, particularly due to the AI features that make it difficult to take a bad shot. The GR-IIIx, on the other hand, has a unique 40mm full-frame equivalent lens.

KEG
KEG Veteran Member • Posts: 4,909
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx
1

Also consider the Powershots.

I have Powershot G7 X II and I have found it to be an excellent performer.

-- hide signature --

KEG

 KEG's gear list:KEG's gear list
Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS R Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4 Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM +21 more
JimDH Junior Member • Posts: 29
. . . or the M200

The EF-M 22mm f2 is good, but it won’t make the M6 Mk II’s 32.5P sensor shine. I mount that lens on a (used) M100 as a cheap walk-around combo.

(The M100 and M200 have the same 24MP sensor; the latter has more advanced electronics. Both have only one dial, and thus require more touchscreen use.)

 JimDH's gear list:JimDH's gear list
Canon EOS M100 Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon 70-300 F4-5.6 IS II +1 more
OP Ember88 Regular Member • Posts: 120
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx

KEG wrote:

Also consider the Powershots.

I have Powershot G7 X II and I have found it to be an excellent performer.

I should have specified, I'm not wanting to go smaller than APS-C.

 Ember88's gear list:Ember88's gear list
Canon EOS R5 Canon Extender EF 1.4x II Canon Extender EF 2x II Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM +3 more
Maxmolly7
Maxmolly7 Senior Member • Posts: 1,480
Re: . . . or the M200

JimDH wrote:

The EF-M 22mm f2 is good, but it won’t make the M6 Mk II’s 32.5P sensor shine. I mount that lens on a (used) M100 as a cheap walk-around combo.

(The M100 and M200 have the same 24MP sensor; the latter has more advanced electronics. Both have only one dial, and thus require more touchscreen use.)

M200 has no sensor cleaning mechanism, M100 does!

-- hide signature --

May THE LIGHT be with you!

 Maxmolly7's gear list:Maxmolly7's gear list
Sony RX10 IV Sony RX100 VII Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +16 more
Swervin Mervin
Swervin Mervin Regular Member • Posts: 308
Re: . . . or the M200

I've got the M6ii and the GRiii.

I'm still getting used to the Ricoh. It produces nice files but if I'm honest I don't think I'm a fan of the 28mm equivalent focal length.

It is however hugely smaller and therein lies it's USP. I can comfortably carry it in my jeans pocket.

 Swervin Mervin's gear list:Swervin Mervin's gear list
Ricoh GR III Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS R Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM +18 more
Maxmolly7
Maxmolly7 Senior Member • Posts: 1,480
Re: . . . or the M200

If size really matters,  consider Sony RX 100x series plus Topaz tools oe DXO. It comes very close to APS-C results.

They have built-in flash, EVF and tilrable screen.

-- hide signature --

May THE LIGHT be with you!

 Maxmolly7's gear list:Maxmolly7's gear list
Sony RX10 IV Sony RX100 VII Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +16 more
KEG
KEG Veteran Member • Posts: 4,909
Re: . . . or the M200

Maxmolly7 wrote:

If size really matters, consider Sony RX 100x series plus Topaz tools oe DXO. It comes very close to APS-C results.

They have built-in flash, EVF and tilrable screen.

Canon Powershots G5/7/9 X * are built around the same sony sensors as RX100x but with Canon menus and usabilty.

So with DXO it is possible to get great looking results from them at ISO 6400.

-- hide signature --

KEG

 KEG's gear list:KEG's gear list
Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS R Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 32mm F1.4 Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM +21 more
SW Anderson Contributing Member • Posts: 549
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx
5

I think either camera would serve you well.  I also think it comes down to whether you want the added flexibility of an interchangeable lens camera or feel you need IBIS in a small, light camera with a short focal length lens.

As far as the M series being orphaned, there are plenty of lenses available new , refurb and used. That will continue to be so for years to come. With the M6 Mk.II you can expect years of good use with the chance to have additional lenses, if you wish, an EVF if you decide you need one.

With the Ricoh GR, what you buy is what you'll have. The GR's are, by all accounts I've seen, great cameras for the type of use you're interested in.

It seems there's no bad choice here. What matters is what you want the most.

 SW Anderson's gear list:SW Anderson's gear list
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Fujifilm X-E2S Canon EOS M5 Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Canon EOS M50 +3 more
PowerMike G5 Regular Member • Posts: 113
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx
1

If 4K video isn't important to you, I would consider a Canon G1X Mark III in the mix as well.  It gets you smaller than the M6 Mark II, but with all the manual controls, APS-C sensor, and a small zoom lens.  It would start at 24mm FF equivalent at  f/2.8 and have OIS as well.

When I owned it, I found it to truly be the perfect travel camera.  I miss it a lot, but I value 4K video a lot, went with the M6 Mark II as "the compromise" to get such.

 PowerMike G5's gear list:PowerMike G5's gear list
Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R5 C Canon EF 35mm F2 IS USM Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art +4 more
Shooters on My Squad Regular Member • Posts: 379
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx

Ember88 wrote:

Image of all the cameras compared with the R5 and 35mm f1.8 Macro

I’m trying to find a walk-around, every day carry, lightweight, low-profile camera to compliment my Canon R5 gear. I’m deciding between the GR IIIx and the Canon EOS M6 Mark II paired with the EF-M 22mm f2.

Both cameras are pretty lightweight (though the GR IIIx is half the weight of the M6II combo) and would be pocketable.

The M6II has the benefit of being an ILC and could open up possibilities for other lightweight EF-M lenses for hiking (though, I don’t want to replace my Canon R gear).

The GR IIIx has the benefit of being newer and a few more features (IBIS, built in ND, etc.). I’m also nervous that it seems the Canon M-mount is dead…or dying and I don’t want to spend $800 plus on a system with little to no future support or development. With that said, I am unfamiliar with Ricoh and their development plans on the GR line.

I’m also looking at the lens quality of the two cameras. The GR IIIx lens seems to get good reviews and is stated to be pretty sharp. The EF-M 22mm f2 is soft in the corners wide open, but sharpens up as you close down.

Does anyone have the two cameras? Or has anyone tested the two together and compared? If so, what have you found? I’m curious what people would recommend if the choice was between these two cameras?

(Cross-posted in the Canon EOS-M Forum as well).

I own all three bodies and at least for me they aren’t replaceable by each other.

Size-wise the Ricoh is in a completely different ballpark (than most cameras).

Also the AF: there are worlds between the Ricoh and the Canon which mostly just delivers.

 Shooters on My Squad's gear list:Shooters on My Squad's gear list
Canon PowerShot G5 Ricoh GR III Olympus TG-6 Canon G5 X II Ricoh GR IIIx +41 more
R2D2 Forum Pro • Posts: 26,528
Re: Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs. Ricoh GR IIIx
1

Ember88 wrote:

KEG wrote:

Also consider the Powershots.

I have Powershot G7 X II and I have found it to be an excellent performer.

I should have specified, I'm not wanting to go smaller than APS-C.

+1 APS-C all the way!

The Ricoh is smaller of course, but the M6ii can take you far beyond if desired. I’m talking knocking on the door of the R5 capabilities (using the M6ii’s Spot AF). I’ve shot some of the (same) tough subjects with both systems (R and M), and the M6ii is scary good…

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64108171

Click in the links I included for more examples.

R2

-- hide signature --

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

 R2D2's gear list:R2D2's gear list
Canon EOS M6 Canon EOS M6 II Canon EOS R5 Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R7 +1 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads