Ricoh GR III Diary Edition

Ricoh GR III Diary Edition Summary

The Ricoh GR III Diary Edition is based on the popular GR III compact camera, and features the same 24 megapixel APS-C sensor, the same 28mm equivalent bright aperture lens and Ricoh’s 3-axis image stabilisation. Key differences between the regular Ricoh compact camera and this Diary Edition is the metallic grey body (rather than black), silver accents around the lens and a photo mode reminiscent of colour negative film. Special edition users also get a unique power-off graphic and enhanced smartphone integration.

The GR III camera underpinning is incredibly compact and weighs around 257g, whilst using the same Pentax DB-110 rechargeable battery, which is good for around 200 images. With such a compact size and powerful features this is an ideal compact point and shoot for street photography, general snapshots and travel. High ISO performance and the bright lens are capable of gathering light even during extremely low light situations, with sharp results, especially when combined with the built-in sensor stabilisation.

Unique Ricoh GR III Diary Edition Features

• Special body colour and ring cap
• Special Negative Film feature
• Special power-off graphic unique to this model
• Enhanced smartphone integration

Key Ricoh GR III Camera Features

• Lens features 6 elements in 4 groups including 2 aspherical elements
• Wide ISO range of ISO100～102400
• Built-in 3-axis shake reduction system
• Approx. 2GB internal memory and add SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (UHS-I)
• Hybrid AF (Phase-matching and Contrast detection)
• 3.0 inch TFT colour LCD
• Bluetooth and WiFi

Ricoh GR III Diary Edition in More Detail

Unique camera body appearance

The metallic warm-grey body colour is as friendly and comfortable as stationery, while maintaining the high quality feel of a powerful imaging tool. The painted texture gives it excellent slip-resistant functionality when gripping, and the grip is dark-brown coloured, adding the overall warm feeling.

Colour negative film mode

A new ‘Negative-Film’ Image Control mode has been added, which adjusts colour tones based on various negative films. This results in the perfect balance between the faded look of printed photos from negative film and well-defined colours for which Ricoh is known.

Special Power-off Graphic

The power-off end screen has been specially designed to blend fabric-based textures with an impression of the camera body paint, which is unique to this Diary edition.

Power-off Information Display

In addition to the number of shots taken, the total number of shots and firmware version can now be displayed (conventional display of only the number of shots taken on the day is also available).

Enhanced Smartphone Integration

You can check and transfer images while the camera is in your bag, etc., and turn off the power thanks to a power-off function from ImageSync, which is now available.

GR III camera in more detail

24.2 MP APS-C image sensor

GR III on which this special edition is based, is equipped with a high-resolution, wide dynamic range APS-C format CMOS image sensor with approx. 24.24 effective megapixels. The high resolution sensor can handle large sized prints and an anti-aliasing (AA) filterless construction emulates the characteristics of the high-resolution lens, which results in high-resolution detail. Both the image sensor and lens are also optimised for the best possible image quality.

Sharp lens with excellent low light capabilities

The GR lens has been imbued with Ricoh’s unique optical technology, which aims to provide high image quality at all times. The GR III lens employs a slim optical design consisting of 6 elements 4 groups with a focal length of 18.3 mm (which is approximately 28 mm in 35 mm full-frame equivalent focal width) and an f/2.8 aperture.

High-refractive index low-dispersion glass lenses and aspherical high-precision moulded glass lenses are optimally placed in the lens construction according to each model’s optical system to suppress optical distortion and chromatic aberration to the absolute limit, delivering a high level of sharpness. This results in images that are sharp and clear across the entire frame even from the full aperture setting.

GR Engine 6 processor

The imaging processor on GR III is the latest GR ENGINE 6, which serves to elevate the high image quality performance of the GR camera range, for greater detail. Faster processing enables a combination of high resolution sensor and multi-tone 14-bit RAW possible, which also contributes to improved responsiveness and functionality for autofocus and movies.

Incredible ISO performance

A high-performance ‘Accelerator Unit’ is adopted on GR III, which is a powerful way to support high image quality even at ISO 102400. The image sensor signal output is sent to the image processor after being optimally handled, which  reduces noise and delivers superb resolution and colour across the entire sensitivity range., right up to ISO 102400.

Built-in image stabilisation

3-axis, 4-step camera shake is employed for crisp images, even when taking split-second snapshots. Shake Reduction(SR) is installed while making the body size of GR III and GR IIIx compact, which minimises the shake across three yaw, pitch and roll axes. Compensation effects deliver up to 4 stops of shutter speed, based on CIPA standards.

AA filter simulator for reducing false colours and moiré thanks to Shake Reduction mechanism

The effects of the optical anti-aliasing (AA) filter are obtained with Shake Reduction(SR). Moving the image sensor slightly during the exposure suppresses false colours and moiré. You can choose whether to prioritise resolution or reducing false colours and moiré depending on your subject. Choose [High] or [Low] for effect settings.

Fast and effective Hybrid AF

Ricoh’s AF system is a hybrid image plane phase-matching and contrast detection, combining the advantages of high-speed phase-matching AF with contrast-detection AF precision. The common contrast-detection AF issue of searching for focus peaks has been reduced to achieve quick shooting performance required on street photography and for similar moving subjects.

Responsive and always ready

A high output motor is used to drive the lens barrel so that it quickly moves from a retracted position to the shooting position. Also, the program process of start-up is optimised to reduce the start-up time. The built-in lens barrier also makes it unnecessary to remove the lens cap, so you will not miss a sudden photo opportunity.

Versatile focus modes for various subject styles

Eight focus modes are available including Continuous AF for versatile shooting styles. LCD monitor that supports touch operations is also adopted for direct control over the AF frame using touch and slide gestures. You can also focus (Touch AF) and shoot while moving the AF frame for quick shooting in any type of composition.

Face/Eye Detection

The camera detects faces or eyes* and focuses. This feature is enabled in [Auto Area AF], [Select AF], and [Pinpoint AF]. When the face or eye is detected and in-focused, the focusing point is framed. It is also possible to enable this feature only in [Auto Area AF]. By using this setting, when you want to focus on a subject instead of faces, simply switch the focus mode without turning face/eye detect off.

*The latest GR III firmware is required

Intuitive touch control

The LCD monitor features a touch panel. Simply touch and slide to move the AF frame or access the menu. You can also pinch in and out during playback to change the magnification, flick to view the previous and next images or even go back to the centre of the image by double tapping the monitor. A control dial is also positioned around the four-way button. This layout makes it possible to quickly operate the camera with a simple action while maintaining a secure grip on the camera.

ADJ. mode and Fn button functions are customisable. You can also save the camera settings that best match your shooting intentions or the subject to U1/U2/U3 on the mode dial, making controls more convenient to match your shooting style.

Image control modes

• Standard
• Vivid
• Positive Film
• Negative Film* NEW for this camera
• Monotone
• Soft Monotone
• Hard Monotone
• Hi-Contrast B&H
• Bleach Bypass
• Retro
• HDR Tone
• Cross Processing*

What’s in the box

• Ricoh GR III Diary Edition
• Ring Cap (Black)
• Rechargeable Battery DB-110
• USB Power Adapter
• Power Plug
• USB Cable I-USB166
• Handstrap