Used Ricoh GR III Compact Camera

Ricoh GR III Compact Camera Summary

The GR III camera is incredibly compact, weighing around 257g including the Pentax DB-110 rechargeable battery, which is good for around 200 images. With such a compact size and pocket-friendly design, this is an ideal compact point and shoot for travel, street photography and general day-to-day snapshots. Ricoh has included high ISO performance of up to ISO 102400, with a bright f.2.8 wide angle lens, which are capable of gathering light during extremely low light situations. This ensures users can expect sharp results, especially when combined with the built-in sensor stabilisation, which works across three axes for up to 4-stops of shake compensation.

Key Ricoh GR III Features

• High resolution 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor
• Fast image processor so you always capture the moment
• Wide ISO range of ISO100～102400 for various lighting conditions
• Built-in 3-axis shake reduction system
• Approx. 2GB internal memory and add SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (UHS-I)
• Hybrid AF with Phase-matching and Contrast detection
• Face/Eye AF subject recognition
• Lens features 6 elements in 4 groups including 2 aspherical elements
• 3.0 inch TFT colour LCD
• Bluetooth and WiFi

Ricoh GR III camera in more detail

Sharp wide angle lens with excellent light gathering

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.

High quality 24.2 MP APS-C image sensor

GR III 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.

Fast GR Engine 6 image 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.

Outstanding low light and high ISO capabilities

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 body 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.

Hybrid AF which is fast and accurate

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.

Always ready to capture the shot

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.

Various focus modes for different subjects

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 Subject 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 camera 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
• Monotone
• Soft Monotone
• Hard Monotone
• Hi-Contrast B&H
• Bleach Bypass
• Retro
• HDR Tone
• Cross Processing*

What’s in the box

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

Special edition GR variations

Ricoh has created several special edition GR III variations including the Ricoh GR III Street Edition Kit and most recent GR III Diary Edition, both of which offer unique designs and features. A more standard 40mm equivalent lens is also found in the GR IIIx, which is preferred by some content creators over the 28mm equivalent lens, in this GR III.