GR IIIx Ricoh

GR IIIx RICOH Camera | RICOH GR 3x

Ricoh Imaging today expanded its acclaimed GR saga of high-quality compact cameras with the GR IIIx, a lightweight, pocket-sized model that features the same APS-C size CMOS sensor and 24 effective megapixels as the GR III, but incorporates a newly developed 40mm f2.8 lense that diversifies the brand's portfolio and brings another point of view to street photography.

New 40mm lense

Unlike previous models in the GR series, which feature a 28-millimeter universal pitch angle, the new lense 40mm f2.8 provides a standard angle of view that provides images with a more natural perspective and a truer sense of depth for a completely different street photography.

This optic incorporates two aspherical elements to reduce distortion and chromatic aberration to a minimum, while effectively minimizing flare and ghosting in the backlights. In macro photography, it allows you to get within 12 centimeters of your subject.

The lense also comes equipped with a neutral density (ND) filter that closes the aperture in two steps to capture high-contrast, high-resolution images. The nine-blade diaphragm creates a natural bokeh effect and a true sense of depth with larger apertures, and allows beautiful beams of light to be captured when closed.

Modern body

The GR IIIx incorporates an APS-C format CMOS image sensor without a low-pass (AA) filter and a GR ENGINE 6 image engine to optimize its resolving power. With approximately 24.24 effective megapixels, this sensor ensures very high-resolution images rich in tonal gradations.

Supporting 14-bit multi-tone RAW image recording, the camera also features the original RICOH acceleration unit designed to optimise the image data provided by the sensor and has a maximum ISO value of 102,400 for super-high sensitivity photographs.

High-precision, high-speed hybrid AF system

The GR IIIx features a hybrid AF system that combines a contrast autofocus mechanism, superior in precision, with phase-detection AF that ensures high-speed focusing operation.

New to the GR IIIx (and also to the GR III via an upcoming firmware update), this AF system accurately detects the subject's face or eye, focuses on it, and displays the focus point on the screen with the AF frame. When the camera detects multiple faces, it automatically distinguishes the main subject from the secondary ones, making it possible to choose another main subject via the touchscreen.

Ricoh's original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism allows the GR IIIx to effectively compensate for camera shake at the time of shooting. The three-axis mechanism minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake by up to four exposure stops and allows you to take advantage of the automatic horizon correction function to effortlessly optimize frame composition.

In addition, by applying microscopic vibrations with subpixel precision to the image sensor during exposure, the AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator provides the same level of moiré reduction as an AA optical filter. This innovative simulator allows you not only to activate and deactivate the AA filter effect, but also to adjust it to the desired level.

High-definition monitor with intuitive touch control

The GR IIIx features a 3-inch high-definition LCD monitor and approximately 1,037,000 dots. The touchscreen provides quick and intuitive control of various camera functions, such as changing the AF frame, selecting the menu and navigating through images or magnifying them during playback.

It also features a gapless construction thanks to a special resin inserted between the LCD touch monitor, and a protective cover made of reinforced glass that effectively reduces light reflection and scattering for better visibility.

Using 11 basic image control modes, the user can easily adjust various parameters such as saturation, hue, key, contrast, and grain, for their own personal touch. You can also add a set of parameters set as a custom mode to the Image Control menu.

The GR IIIx makes it possible to develop RAW files in-camera, while allowing the user to edit a captured image as desired by adjusting parameters such as aspect ratio, white balance, image control settings and exposure compensation, all without the need for another device.

The camera reduces the time required for preview after adjusting the parameters of RAW images, and this improves the speed of developing these files. It also retains the settings set after RAW file development is complete, allowing you to readjust the already developed image more efficiently.

Ricoh GR IIIx with flash

The camera's image quality adjustment function for JPEG files has also been updated: a new monochrome mode allows for more precise adjustment of parameters in full-color images, such as filter effect, tone, contrast, and sharpness, so that monochrome images can be created with the desired finishing touch.

The camera also provides creative tools such as the choice of aspect ratio (16:9 or 4:3) and the rotation of the image in 0.1-degree steps to facilitate the image editing process, new features that will also be available soon on the GR III thanks to a firmware update.

Dual Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication

The GR IIIx features Wi-Fi for easy pairing with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. By installing the dedicated Image Sync app, the user can transfer captured images to a mobile device, view the live image on the device's monitor, change various settings and trigger the shutter remotely and even upload captured images to various social networks with ease.

It is also possible to send location data from a mobile device to the camera and record it in the captured images. The new Auto Resize feature (coming soon for the GR III via firmware) automatically reduces the size of the image before transmitting it to a mobile device.

Other notable features of the GR IIIx are the new DOF Priority added to the program mode to prioritize aperture (a novelty that will also come to the GR III via firmware), the function of correcting the effect of moiré during image playback, the electronic level to check the tilt of the camera or the interval composition mode, effective for capturing landscapes in the wake of the Moon and stars.

The new GR IIIx uses the same DB-110 rechargeable battery as the GR III. Its body is only 2 millimeters thicker (109.4 x 61.9 x 35.2) and weighs only 5 grams more (262).