Why a review of the Ricoh GR IIIx, an old camera? Simple: it’s a new camera to me and sometimes, people get so used to their own lane they never look around to see there’s other stuff out there. So that’s why I’m going bonkers here and driving not only in a new lane, but on a whole new freeway! And it’s because I found something interesting.

Ricoh GR IIIx — One of the coolest cameras

Now I admit, I love quirky cameras. There — I said it. Sure there’s a lot to be said for rock-solid, expensive flagship bodies — the real pro workhorses, etc. But the quirky cameras hold a special place in my heart because they help motivate me to go out and make photos I wouldn’t otherwise pursue.

Depending on which side of the fence you’re sitting on, you may either see the Ricoh GR IIIx as a pocket powerhouse for discerning photographers, or an overpriced toy without weather sealing, short battery life and less than stellar tracking autofocus. Me? I think it’s one of the coolest cameras I’ve ever seen.

Let’s take a closer look starting with the basics.

Before I get started I want to mention that the GR series of cameras is nothing new. There is a 20-year history of Ricoh GR cameras traveling through time from film to digital. Along the way the technology may have changed but the company’s commitment to a small, lightweight, ultra-portable “snapshooting” camera has not. I respect the legacy of this company and their choices and that is part of the reason why I bought a Ricoh camera.

The Ricoh GR IIIx is a premium compact camera designed for photographers who value image quality, portability, and control. It’s the latest iteration in the GR series, known for its enthusiast appeal and “pocketability.”

It has a fixed 40mm (EFL) lens married to a 24MP APS-C sensor. It has highly effective in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) and a built in two-stop electronic neutral density (ND) filter. Also, it has a rear touch screen which allows control of almost all camera functions.

Ricoh GR IIIx — Key technical specifications

All tech specs were taken from the Ricoh GR IIIx product page on B&H.

  • Sensor Resolution: Effective: 24.24 Megapixel (6000 x 4000)
  • Image Sensor: APS-C CMOS
  • Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift, 3-Axis
  • Focal Length: 26.1mm (35mm Equivalent: 40mm)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • ISO Sensitivity Range: 100 to 102,400 in Auto Mode
  • Internal Recording Modes: H.264/MPEG-4
    1920 x 1080p at 23.98/29.97/59.94 fps 
  • Media/Memory Card Slot: Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC
  • Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
  • Display Size: 3.0″
  • Display Type: Fixed Touchscreen LCD
  • Built-In Flash/Light: No
  • Battery Type: 1x DB-110 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 3.6 VDC, 1350 mAh (Approx. 200 Shots)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4″ / 109.4 x 61.9 x 35.2 mm
  • Weight: 9.2 oz / 262 g (With Battery, Recording Media)

Pros

Beyond the basics, here are some strengths of the Ricoh GR IIIx

Image Quality: The GR IIIx boasts a large APS-C sensor (24MP) that delivers exceptional image quality, especially in good lighting. Images are sharp, detailed, and have excellent dynamic range. The camera (like all APS-C sensor-based cameras) doesn’t perform quite as well in lowlight but I have tested ISO 6400 and find it to look very good, when properly exposed.

Prime Lens: The fixed 40mm f/2.8 lens is fast, sharp, and produces beautiful bokeh. It offers a classic field of view ideal for street, travel, and documentary photography and this focal length can work in other situations as well.

Image Stabilization: The in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is a game-changer, allowing you to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with minimal blur. This is invaluable for lowlight situations and capturing decisive moments.

Built-in ND Filter: A built-in neutral density (ND) filter provides adjustable light control, enabling creative long exposures and shallow depth of field even in bright conditions.

Fast and Responsive: The camera features a fast autofocus system and snappy responsiveness, making it ideal for capturing fleeting moments on the street. It also offers a unique “snap focus” mode that is zone focusing on steroids!

Controls: The camera features a good selection of physical controls, allowing for quick adjustments to settings without having to delve into menus. While you can operate the GR in a purely automatic mode, to get the most out of the camera you really need to master many menus and manual controls. This may seem intimidating to beginners but it shouldn’t be. It’s not that big a deal.

Compact and Portable: The camera’s pocketable size and lightweight design make it ideal for carrying around all day, perfect for street photography and travel.

Customization: The camera offers extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor its settings and controls to your preferences.

Cons

As I always say there is no perfect camera. So here are the cons to purchasing a GR IIIx.

Screen: The GR doesn’t have a tilting screen. Some users might miss a tilting screen for easier composition at awkward angles.

Limited video: Let’s face it, this camera isn’t going to be anyone’s first choice if video is required. It has some video capabilities — good enough for some B-roll, but I’d say pick something else if video is your main interest.

No EVF: The hardest thing for some people to get past with the GRIIIx is the lack of an EVF. You work it like a smartphone camera, holding the LCD in front of you to frame the image. You can get an OVF from Ricoh that’s incredibly expensive and which will give you a good approximation of the final image.

40mm lens: The fixed focal length lens might not suit all shooting styles. I see this as a benefit but some will see it as a con. No ability to change lenses and no built-in zoom limits versatility compared to some pocket cams.

Price: The GR IIIx is more expensive than most compact cameras, and even some entry-level mirrorless cameras. This might be a deal-breaker for budget-conscious buyers.

Battery Life: Battery life is average at best, and heavy use can drain it quickly. Consider carrying a spare battery for longer outings.

Ricoh GR IIIx — Final thoughts

NOTE: Ricoh is holding some sort of event on Feb. 23 and there are rumors that they will announce a new version of this camera. The rumors aren’t all that reliable but since it’s only a few days away, I’d wait to see what they do before running out and buying this version.

The GR has a built-in ND, built-in IBIS, amazing film recipes, superb in-camera RAW processing, it’s super small, lightweight and pocketable and has very impressive image quality.

As I started this quick look post by saying I like quirky cameras, the GR IIIx is indeed quirky. Quirky is another word for NICHE. This is certainly a niche camera. It’s a great camera for street photography and also a great everyday carry (EDC). But it has enough juice to do light macro, studio and portrait work along with travel and landscape.

The Ricoh GR IIIx delivers exceptional results in capable hands, especially for EDC, street, travel and documentary photography. ANY camera is a “pro” camera in the hands of a pro! 🙂

Yep, the battery life sucks. (Get another battery?) Yes some wish it had a tilt screen but that isn’t a deal breaker. I am more concerned about it not being weather sealed so I bought an $8 rain cover just in case. The GR doesn’t do super fast tracking auto focus. But it does have good AF and even has touch screen AF. It doesn’t have an EVF or an OVF. It has a fixed focal length lens, etc. etc. etc.

But here’s the thing — people don’t buy cameras for what they DON’T do — they buy cameras for what they DO do. (sorry about the double dos …) And this camera does a lot.

Ricoh GR IIIx — Some additional factors to ponder

While you can operate the GR in a purely automatic mode, to get the most out of the camera you really need to master many menus and manual controls. This may seem intimidating to newbies but it shouldn’t be. It’s not that big a deal.

P.S. — The GR pairs very nicely with the Godox Lux Cadet which allows you to do flash photography for an extra $95. The Godux is not TTL so you have to experiment with its built-in automatic mode or you need to be an old dude like me who knows how to do manual flash calculations.

P.S.S. — I also picked up a RICOH External Mini Finder GV-3. Since the GR doesn’t have any viewfinder, you use the LCD to frame your images. But it might be challenging to see the back of the LCD on a sunny day. So I found one of these little guys and despite the fact that it’s utterly stupid expensive, I bought one. (I did find a used one on eBay for $200 but if you want a new one you can pick it up on Amazon for $246.) Since it has no electronics and is merely a piece of optical glass with some framing marks, it’s not worth the money. But I am the guy that has to buy all this stuff so I can tell you it’s not worth the money so you don’t have to waste YOUR money. I will say that it does work in that if you cannot see the LCD this gives you a fairly realistic view of the scene as you will capture it on your camera.