Originally posted by Alnjpn My trusty Ricoh GR has finally given up on me after 5 years of extensive use. I have been using it for mountaineering, hiking, and camping. It took fantastic pictures but I think the abuse has finally taken its toll. I am considering replacing it with a tough camera that is more suited to the conditions. I like to keep the camera in my pocket and take shots as I climb. I have a K3 but even with the da21 it's just too heavy and bulky for how I want to use it.
My biggest concern is losing RAW ability and general picture quality. Does anyone have a tough compact that takes good shots? I don't need a zoom. 28mm is a perfect fov for what I need. I have been using Pentax/Ricoh for many years but am open to other brands.
If it's fixed, non-zoom lens and large sensor you're after, three models come to mind that may serve you well: Nikon Coolpix A (apsc; 28mm equiv. fixed lens); Fuji XF10 (apsc; 28mm equiv. fixed lens); and Fuji X100 series (apsc; 36mm equiv. fixed lens). The latter is a little larger than your GR, but not by much I think. I've used an X100F and was really impressed by the build quality. It has more features than the XF10 too - the hybrid OVF/EVF is a pretty neat trick.
OTOH, the Nikon and XF10 are probably closer in size and functionality to your GR. I don't think any of these are weatherproof though.
Personally I have an older Canon G1X (mk1 version), and I love it. Built like a brick, cheap to buy (so no tears if I drop it off a cliff), large sensor (just a wee bit smaller than apsc, but bigger than M4/3), and an amazingly sharp lens. Image quality is excellent. But it is a fixed lens zoom, a bit bulky for a compact, and not weatherproof either. The mk2 version is smaller yet, with an innovative control setup and optional EVF attachment. I carry mine in a hip pack when hiking and mtn. biking, and hardly notice it's there. I'd buy another if it ever breaks. Oh, and it has a built-in ND filter, which is nice to have.
All of the above shoot RAW, btw.
Hope this helps. Good luck in the hunt!