Ricoh GR1v Review: The Ultimate Street Photography Camera

Why the GR1v?

The Ricoh GR1v is Daido Moriyama's camera of choice. It's a tiny point-and-shoot with a fixed 28mm f/2.8 lens. It's not the sharpest, not the fastest, not the most feature-packed. But it's perfect for street photography.

Key Features

28mm f/2.8 lens: Wide enough for street, not too wide
Snap focus: Pre-set focus distance for shooting from the hip
Compact: Fits in your pocket
Aperture priority: Set the aperture, camera does the rest
Manual ISO: Control your grain

Pros and Cons

Pros

Incredibly compact
Sharp 28mm lens
Snap focus mode
Great for shooting from the hip

Cons

Expensive ($800-1200 used)
Fixed 28mm lens
Fragile electronics
No manual shutter speed

The Verdict

If you can afford it, the GR1v is the best camera for Are-Bure-Boke street photography. It's small, fast, and produces images with a character that's hard to replicate. But at $800-1200, it's not for everyone.

For a budget alternative, consider the Ricoh GR Digital IV or the Olympus XA.