Ricoh GRIII & GRIIIX Review and Long Term User Experience
I have spent much of my adult life in the outdoors, carrying a camera and snapping images. Whether traveling in plains, trains, boats and automobiles or riding bicycles, hiking, skiing, canoeing, or kayaking, I almost always have a camera with me. Over that time I have found I value one thing in a camera more than anything else, size.
My pursuit of photography was no different than most. My passion for it developed in college and like many that pursue photography either as a passion or a profession, the desire for the best gear and perfection resulted in a full frame, large bodied DSLR. In my younger years I often carried that camera in a back pack or in accessible larger bag. As years progressed, I jumped to mirrorless cameras as they were smaller and offered a host of other benefits. Over the years, even mirrorless cameras got big, at least their lenses did and I struggled to carry them. For many outdoor activities I enjoy, I simply did not carry a camera. Now coming full circle, I went back to fixed lens cameras. Enter the Ricoh camera and camera systems.
I became enamored with the GR and their take on cameras about 15 years ago. They were small, capable and seemed to have features that I wanted. Ricoh seemed to understand the needs of folks wanting small, capable, cameras that were quick to shoot and provided really top notch image quality. I also felt the menus systems were clear and I loved the simple, clear font. Seriously, I was smitten and over the course of about 5 years, I ended up with a Ricoh GRI, Ricoh GRII, GR, GRD, GX200 and a GRX system. Today, my favored, simple kit focused on an active, outdoor or travel lifestyle is a combination of the Ricoh GRIII and GRIIIX. Admittedly, I am a fanboy.
When Ricoh released the 40mm GR IIIX, it cemented my love for the system. Sure they had the crop modes in the GR series cameras with 28mm FOV that work great, especially when set up on a function button. However, they are cropped and I want to use the full APSC sensor for capture. (Now….if they would just add a 75mm to 85mm version I’d complete the holy trinity of compact cameras). Having both a 28mm and a 40mm gives me so much joy and versatility. I can carry both, my phone, wallet, earbuds, chapstick, and an extra battery in my ULD Sling bag and barely know they are there!
How I use and have the camera’s set up.
Color coded - This is geeky I know, but since the GRIII and GRIIIX are identical to touch, to make it easy to quickly understand what camera is which by eyesight alone I have them color coded in lens ring and either a wrist or finger camera strap.
Thumb grip - I really like to add a thumbgrip. While it renders the hot shoe useless it absolutely adds to the ability to comfortably hold the camera and this extra grip allows me to hold it more steadily in lower light or slower shutter speed situations. For those interested, I bought the inexpensive JJC model. They were something like $18 a piece.
Snap Focus - For street walking and discreet types of photography, I most often put them in snap focus, auto ISO and continuous shooting. There is no holy grail of ISO and snap focus distance settings. As a photographer, you still need to understand how those things impact image quality and you need to set those to your preference for your desired output or use.
Iceworm MFG ULD Sling Bag - This is my own company and I spent over 6 months prototyping and designing my ULD Sling bag. While it works with other compacts, this bag is specifically design to carry the GR’s. I have traveled extensively with this set up now and just love it. Quick access, easy in and out, quick concealment.
RAW - I shoot RAW 100% of the time. I use the in camera RAW conversion when I want to use the wifi transfer and phone app to send to phone for quick editing, sharing or immediate social media posting.
User Experience and Review
While this article is more about a user experience than a formal review, I will give this really simple, short list of Pro’s/Con’s. This is developed from many years of using the GR series cameras.
Pro’s:
Size - This is the number one driver for me personally. I carry one or both cameras all the time simply because they are so small. they are easier to carry for me than the new giant cell phones.
Image quality - In short, amazing. I have used both the 16MP and now 24MP, APS-C sensor GR cameras. I am blown away by the image quality and flexibility of the files.
Lens sharpness - Really impressed with both the 28mm and 40mm lenses.
Snap Focus capability - Especially when traveling where i am sitting in a cab, a bus, a plain, a train or street walking, I often set the camera in snap focus, set my desired focal length, put the camera in auto ISO and walk and shoot.
Quick off/on - It’s ready to shoot in an instant, even with the retractable lens. Especially when you are using snap focus and not depending on autofocus.
Menus - Clear and simple. I also love the font as it’s so easy to read. This is a your results may vary pro. I simply get along with them but recognize this also is influenced by how long I have used the camera.
Con’s:
Fragile - After years of use and rendering a number of cameras useless with my abuse, it is clear they are a bit fragile. The lens that expands and retracts is great, but the light plastic pellicle lens cover is easy to get off track or damage. You also need to make sure you don’t turn the camera on and off in your pocket or camera bag as restricting the extension of the lens during the on process can easily jam it.
Dust - Similar to the fragility related to the expanding/contracting lens, the camera appears to not have the best sealing and I’ve gotten dust inside that did end up impacting image quality.
Autofocus - It’s still not the best autofocus. With all the new advancements in face autofocus, this system feels a bit archaic compared to what is currently on the market. It also has some challenges at closer focus distances and takes some time to get both the framing as well as the focus.
Note here:
I do believe the GRIIIX autofocus is better than the 28mm. I have no actual proof here, just my experience. Your results may vary.
On the fragility and dust - Honestly, I have little issue with these now that have both accepted it and know it, but also because I am diligent about using these cameras in a camera bag instead of carrying in a pocket or something. Intentionality in usage and protection goes a long way.
So let’s look at some images from the GRIII and GRIIIX cameras. Please click on any image to go to slideshow mode.
Please note. These images are taken over several years. I take images for fun and process them in the moment, days and weeks following their capture. This set was not edited to be a finished set with similar, look, feel and story. They are images from real world life and living in the moment!
Family and fun
Travel & Street
Bikes, Bikes and more Bikes
As you can see, I have used the camera in a number of different ways & experiences. I simply love the camera. Because of these cameras, I actually have more images. I am sure many will say they prefer to just use their phone for the types of images I have shared here. That is great and I am glad you like them. I prefer the the little GR’s as they give me a more photographic experience and higher quality images. For me personally, a dedicated image taking device is simply more rewarding and pleasing.
What would I like to see changed in these cameras?
Make this product more durable and weather sealed. I, personally, would pay more for the camera if I had the trust that they would endure more.
Advancements in AF and face recognition. With modern sensors and technology this should be within the realm of possibility.
Competition:
In 2023 I don’t see a true competitor on the market. It’s a shame really. Many will point to Fuji X100 series cameras, but as an owner of an X100V as well, I do not see these as direct competitors. While the X100 series of cameras are absolutely fantastic, the size, specifications, EVF, & focal length are in a class of their own.
If you consider older cameras, I would put the Fujifilm X70 and the Leica X1/X2 series as direct competitors. I have owned and shot both an X70 as well as a Leica X2. Both are fantastic cameras but neither are direct competitors and both are still quite expensive to buy new. However, if you can snag either of these cameras for a good price, they are absolutely worth it.
Things I prefer on the Fujifilm X70 over the GR series. These are based on my personal preferences and may not apply directly to how/what you prefer.
The fixed, 28mm lens with an aperture ring and threaded mount.
I also really liked the tilting screen.
Things I prefer on the Leica X2.
The color and rendering of the lens and sensor. This is really subtle and personal, but it is simply fantastic IMHO.
Built in flash. It’s small, but if you need it, you need it and it works
For a camera with an extendable lens, I prefer the Leica and while I have no proof, it seems to be built with a little more quality and strength in operation. Again, no real proof of this other than real world experiences. I do not have any comments or experience regarding video with any of the cameras mentioned here. I used them only for photography.
One final note: Ido not have any comments or experience regarding video with any of the cameras mentioned here. I used them only for photography.
Thank you all for coming along and reading. I know this may not provide some folks with the type of user review they were hoping for. Feel free to drop a comment or jump to the contact page and send me a note with questions or feedback. Happy to attempt to help and if I can’t I will let ya know that too!
