"The long-awaited installment in the popular series of fast, compact cameras, the Ricoh GR III continues the legacy of being a pocketable powerhouse, offering impressive image quality, fast response, and immense portability. Featuring a redeveloped imaging feature-set, the GR III incorporates a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and GR Engine 6 to realize smooth tonality and rich color, with the ability to produce high-resolution 14-bit DNG stills or Full HD video.
Complementing the sensor design is an updated 28mm-equivalent prime lens, which features a bright f/2.8 design, to suit everyday shooting with a comfortably wide field of view. Additionally, a first for GR, a 3-axis Shake Reduction System compensates for the effects of camera shake to help render sharper handheld shots when working with slower shutter speeds."
Main specs:
24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
GR Engine 6
Updated 28mm f/2.8 Lens (35mm Equivalent)
3-Axis Shake Reduction System
3.0" 1.037m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
Full HD 1080/60p Video Recording
Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi
Hybrid AF System, Macro Mode
35mm and 50mm Focal Length Crop Modes
USB Type-C Port, 1x SD Card Slot
USB 3.0, USB Type-C
Wi-Fi Yes, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) Built In
Battery 1 x DB-110 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 3.6 VDC, 1350 mAh
Dimensions (W x H x D) 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3" / 109.4 x 61.9 x 33.2 mm
Weight 9.07 oz / 257 g with battery and memory card
The GR III looks to be another excellent camera and truly portable and pocketable. The 28mm FOV is ideal same as smart phones. The specs for AF, adaptability for uploading to social media and video capabilities are now important that there are so many superb options. The size/weight/simplicity and pricing will attract many photographers
The issue is that new smart phones are being released with great features and most people just upgrade their phones for little outlay. The new S10+ looks interesting!
Looking very forward to the GRIII release. If the AF is up to snuff and the price reasonable, I'd love to be able to pocket one of these as an alternative to my iPhone.
I dont think I'm interested in the Ricoh GR line anymore. The GR3 seems to be a step backwards instead of forwards. Well, there are improvements, such as a 14 bit sensor (formerly 12 bit), phase detection on sensor, and a touchscreen (AF point selection was a PITA before).
However the price has ramped up enormously, I dont want/need IBIS, I dont want a smaller camera thats even harder to hold, I dont want to lose all these control elements on the camera.
Right now I think I'd rather get a Fujifilm XF10. Almost half the price, apparently very good ergonomics, very good image quality, and has all features I want, except for a flash hotshoe.
Either way its not urgent. For the time being, my Ricoh GR still works.
Definitely in my plan for a small pocketable, high quality compact. I have missed my GR since I sold it several years back.
The updates to me are what I was looking for - 24mp sensor, better AF, IBIS, smaller size with same grip/handling. Touch screen could be a nice ad, if implemented well. The only negative for me is the lack of flash, but I rarely used it, so I can get by without.
Pricing is supposed to be $900 USD - hoping the Canadian pricing is more aggressive after FEX is factored in.
Lack of flash and the comp switch will be missed. Hopefully the sensor handles higher ISO better. I opted out of getting the II, while keeping the GR. Think I may sit this one out too unless the sensor is that much better. Walking the streets of NYC with the GR set to 5.6 - 1/250 - Snap - Positive Film works perfect for me. I've got so accustomed to the snap distances that I can hit on 2.8 90% of the time now.
My old GR is on its last legs and is probably not going to last much longer, it's my second one after accidentally breaking my first one. I'm quite interested in getting the new one but I agree $900 does seem a little steep, but if it delivers on the IQ front like the previous generation did / does then I'd be quite keen.
Even though IS is not 100% necessary it does extend the shooting envelope of this camera with regard to low light. Especially if the higher ISO ranges have been improved upon.
Only downsides I can otherwise see is that they altered the excellent control layout, got rid of the popup flash and made it smaller. I would still like to check one out though.
I own some very fine cameras and lenses from Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Canon etc. I also own a Ricoh GR II. There are days when I look at shots I've taken with that camera ... often under difficult if not impossible lighting conditions ... that I say to myself "this is really the only camera I need."
The GR III appears to be more of the same and then some. I would not hesitate recommending it to anyone who's serious about photography and who wants a truly portable tool that's an easy match for some of the best cameras out there. I'm very happy with my GR II and don't see anything in the GR III that prompts me to upgrade. But if you're new to the GR series, I'd go for the new GR III. The extra few dollars over the II are probably well worth it.
First time I've ever pre-ordered a camera. I lost my GR last year and didn't want to replace it with this announcement pending. I decided to try an X100F. But I'm going back to the Ricoh and will likely let the Fuji go. Really looking forward to having one again. Love the size, features, and especially the BW output. For my loose one-handed shooting, the IBIS should be very welcome.
But what annoys me....it’s not a 28mm f2.8 equivalent. It’s a 28mm f4 equivalent. I hate the way marjketers will give the equivalent AOV focal length, but not the equivalent DOF aperture. Please, either 18mm f2.8 and make it clear it’s an APS sensor, or 28mm f4...
But what annoys me....it’s not a 28mm f2.8 equivalent. It’s a 28mm f4 equivalent. I hate the way marjketers will give the equivalent AOV focal length, but not the equivalent DOF aperture. Please, either 18mm f2.8 and make it clear it’s an APS sensor, or 28mm f4...
Well David, I understand where are you coming from; ofcourse DOF equivalence is of a 28mm/f4 in 35mm terms (or 18mm/2.8 to be more precise), but light gathering per pixel is still at 2.8 (which is more important). Hence the equivalence is irrelevant here. Plus marketing aspect is there as well. Most gullible consumers feel that bigger the f-number, better the spec. This back bites when buying a medium format camera but again MF is not consumer oriented (yet). In ideal case though T-stops should be mentioned IMO.
Will the GR / GR 2 wide angle lens fit the GR 3? I am not keen to fork out another $150 for the lens plus adapter. Or perhaps the adapter is different but the lens the same?
Unfortunately not. New adapter and wide angle lens. Has electrical contacts.
Also, the lens is $250 USD and you have the buy the adapter separately. Not sure why they don't include together as a kit.
markhout wrote:
Will the GR / GR 2 wide angle lens fit the GR 3? I am not keen to fork out another $150 for the lens plus adapter. Or perhaps the adapter is different but the lens the same?
