The Ricoh GR cameras were always a popular choice for street photography. It was compact, no nonsense straight forward and unobtrusive. The GR III (announced back in September during Photokina 2019) comes with a brand new 18.3mm (28mm equivalent) F2.8 lens, a new 24.24MP APS-C CMOS sensor with on-sensor phase detection, a 3-inch 1.04M-dot touchscreen LCD and 3-axis image shift image stabilization (which Ricoh calls “Shake Reduction”) rated at up to 4 stops. The Ricoh GR III is still very much marketed as a still camera, with only Full HD 1080/60p video. Gone is the small pop-up flash (but hot shoe is still here).
Ricoh GR III: Image Courtesy of Ricoh
The following video presents GR Ⅲ in Paris ～behind the scenes～:
“GR Ⅲ in Paris ～behind the scenes～ Photographed by ICHIGO SUGAWARA“
RICOH GR III
PRESS RELEASE
Ricoh launches RICOH GR III high-end, compact digital camera
Newest model in the popular RICOH GR series delivers exceptional image quality in a smaller, lightweight body, making it ideal for street photography
RICOH GR III: Image Courtesy of Ricoh
WEST CALDWELL, N.J., Feb. 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the launch of the highly anticipated RICOH GR III camera. The new camera is the latest model in the RICOH GR series, a lineup of high-end digital cameras providing exceptional image quality in a compact, lightweight body ideal, travel and capturing candid images.
RICOH GR III: Image Courtesy of Ricoh
The RICOH GR III features a newly designed lens, image sensor and imaging engine that further upgrade image quality, enhance functionality and improve usability. The 18.3mm F2.8 lens delivers exceptional imaging performance with a slim design, consisting of six optical elements in four groups, while retaining the 28mm angle of view. It produces the clearest, sharpest images in GR-series history while reducing distortion and chromatic aberration. It also comes equipped with a macro shooting capability with a minimum focusing distance of six centimeters.
RICOH GR III: Photo by Mitsuo Suzuki: Shooting mode – Program, Focal length 18.3mm, Shutter speed 1/80sec, Aperture F2.8, Image Control – Standard, White balance – Multi Auto White Balance, ISO sensitivity 800, Exposure compensation 0.3, Processing software RICOH GR III Ver. 1.00
In keeping with the GR-series concept of packaging high image quality in a compact design, the RICOH GR III camera body is smaller than its predecessor, and is equipped with a large APS-C-size CMOS image sensor with approximately 24.24 effective megapixels to produce high-resolution images. Its short start-up time of approximately 0.8 seconds allows for quick, responsive shooting. The camera’s high-definition LCD monitor features touchscreen operation, offering intuitive control of camera functions right on the screen.
RICOH GR III camera’s high-definition LCD monitor features touchscreen operation: Image Courtesy of Ricoh
The camera also features a high-speed hybrid autofocus system, built-in shake reduction, in-camera image finishing options, USB Type-C™, Bluetooth and wireless LAN connectivity options. An accessory wide-angle conversion lens designed exclusively for use with the RICOH GR III is also available. The GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens expands the angle of view to 21mm ultra-wide angle.
RICOH GR III with the GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens: Image Courtesy of Ricoh
“The RICOH GR III is the ultimate street camera,” said William Hereford, a Brooklyn-based pro photographer, who has been shooting with GR series cameras for years. “The image quality and ease of use are equally amazing. I literally don’t leave my house without this camera. The GR III fits perfectly both in my hand and my pocket, so it’s always available to capture a moment.”
RICOH GR III with the GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens: 1/100 sec., F2.8, ISO200, EV 1.0, WB: Multi Auto White Balance: Image Courtesy of Ricoh
Hereford says that the image quality is so great, that photos taken with his GR cameras have the potential to be used in national ad campaigns and magazine articles.
RICOH GR III: Photo by Mitsuo Suzuki: Shooting mode – Program, Focal length 18.3mm, Shutter speed 1/80sec, Aperture F2.8 Image Control – Standard, White balance – Multi Auto White Balance, ISO sensitivity 800, Exposure compensation 0.3, Processing software RICOH GR III Ver. 1.00
Designed to be the ultimate street photography camera, the RICOH GR III is a totally new breed of GR camera that will give the user new and different creative possibilities.
RICOH GR III: Top view
Pricing and Availability
The RICOH GR III will ship in March 2019 and will be available at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com and retail outlets nationwide. Price is $899.95 for the camera, $249.95 for the GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens.
RICOH GR III: Top view
About Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Company Ltd. Is part of Ricoh Group, which operates in about 200 countries and regions.
The company operating now as Ricoh Company Ltd. was originally founded in 1919, under the name Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co. and launched its first SLR camera in the 1950s under the PENTAX name. Today, the company continues to produce the heritage-rich, award-winning line of PENTAX DSLR cameras, lenses and sport optics equipment as well as Ricoh’s offering of stylish and compact digital cameras, known for their wide-ranging, rich set of features.
For further information, please visit www.us.ricoh-imaging.com
© 2019 Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.
Specifications
| Lens | Lens Construction | 6 elements in 4 groups (2 aspherical lens elements) |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length, Aperture | 18.3mm (Approx. 28mm in 35mm equivalent focal length), F2.8～F16 | |
| Image Capture Unit | Image Sensor | Type: Primary color filter CMOS. Size: 23.5mm x 15.6mm |
| Effective Pixels | Approx. 24.24 megapixels | |
| Sensitivity (Standard output) | ISO100～102400: Auto (ISO Auto Lower/Upper Limit and Minimum Shutter Speed can be set), Manual: | |
| Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift shake reduction (SR)(3-axis) | |
| AA Filter Simulator | Moiré reduction using SR unit (Off, Low, High) | |
| Dust Removal | Image sensor cleaning using ultrasonic vibrations “DR II” | |
| File Formats | Still Image | File Format: RAW (DNG) 14bit, JPEG (Exif 2.3), DCF2.0 compliant Color Space: sRGB、AdobeRGB Recorded Pixels: 【3:2】L(24M:6000×4000), M(15M:4800×3200), S(7M:3360×2240), XS(2M:1920×1280) 【1:1】L(16M:4000×4000), M(10M:3200×3200), S(5M:2240×2240), XS(1.6M:1280×1280) |
| Movie | File Format: MPEG4 AVC/H.264 (MOV) Recorded Pixels: Full HD (1920×1080, 60p/30p/24p), Sound: Built-in stereo microphone Recording Time: Up to 25 minutes or 4GB; automatically stops recording if the internal temperature of the camera becomes high. |
|
| Storage Medium | Internal Memory (Approx. 2GB), SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Conforms to UHS-I standards) | |
| Focus | Type | Hybrid AF (Image plane phase-matching and Contrast detection) |
| Focus Mode | Auto-area AF, Zone AF, Select AF, Pinpoint AF, Tracking AF, Continuous AF, MF, Snap, ∞ | |
| Face Detection | ON, Use only in Auto-area, OFF | |
| Focus Range (From lens face) | Normal: Approx. 0.1m～∞, Macro Mode: Approx. 0.06m～0.12m | |
| Exposure | Exposure Mode | Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure |
| Metering Mode | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Highlight-weighted | |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 sec. – 30 sec. (Limit by aperture setting F2.8: 1/2500 sec, F5.6 or greater: 1/4000 sec.) Timed Exposure (10sec. – 20min.), Bulb, Time |
|
| EV Compensation | Still Image: ±5EV, 1/3EV steps, Movie: ±2EV, 1/3EV steps | |
| ND Filter (2EV) | AUTO, ON, OFF | |
| White Balance | Auto White Balance, Multi Auto White Balance, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fl. – Daylight Color, Fl. – Daylight White, Fl. – Cool White, Fl. – Warm White, Tungsten, CTE, Manual White Balance, Color Temperature | |
| Fine Adjustment | Adjustable ±14 steps on A-B axis or G-M axis | |
| Drive Mode | Drive | Single Frame Shooting, Continuous Shooting, Bracketing, Multi-exposure, Interval Shooting, Interval Composite |
| Self-timer | 10 sec., 2 sec., OFF | |
| Shooting Functions | Crop | 35mm, 50mm, OFF |
| Image Control | Standard, Vivid, Monotone, Soft Monotone, Hard Monotone, Hi-Contrast B&W, Positive Film, Bleach Bypass, Retro, HDR Tone, Custom1, Custom2
Adjust parameters: Saturation, Hue, High/Low Key Adjustment, Contrast, Contrast (Highlight), Contrast (Shadow), Sharpness, Shading, Clarity, Toning, Filter Effect, Grain Effect*, HDR Tone Level (Adjust parameter varies depending on the selected image setting) |
|
| Dynamic Range Correction | Highlight Correction, Shadow Correction | |
| Noise Reduction | Slow Shutter Speed Noise Reduction, High-ISO Noise Reduction | |
| Display | Display magnification (4x, 16x), Grid display (4×4 Grid, 3×3 Grid), Histogram, Bright area warning, Electronic Level | |
| Playback Functions | Playback View | Single frame, Multi-image (20, 48 frames), Display magnification (up to 16x, 100% view and Quick Zoom view available), Histogram (Y histogram, RGB histogram), Grid display (3×3 Grid, 4×4 Grid), Bright area warning, Auto Image Rotation, |
| Base Parameter Adjustment | Brightness, Saturation, Hue, Contrast, Sharpness | |
| RAW Development | Aspect Ratio, JPEG Recorded Pixels, Color Space, White Balance, Image Control, Peripheral Illumination Correction, Sensitivity, High-ISO Noise Reduction, Shadow Correction | |
| Edit | Resize, Cropping, Levels Adjustment, White Balance Adjustment, Color Moiré Correction, Movie Edit (Cut), Movie Edit (Divide) | |
| LCD Monitor | Type | 3.0 inch TFT color LCD (aspect ratio 3:2)、Approx. 1037K dots, Wide viewing angle, Air-gapless tempered glass |
| Touch Screen | Capacitive sensing method | |
| Adjustments | Brightness, Saturation, Blue/Amber, Green/Magenta, Outdoor View Setting: ±2 Steps | |
| Wireless LAN | Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n (HT20) (Wireless LAN standard protocol) |
| Frequency (Center Frequency) | 2412MHz～2462MHz (1ch～11ch) | |
| Security | Authentication: WPA2, Encryption: AES | |
| Bluetooth® | Standards | Bluetooth® v4.2 BLE(Bluetooth Low Energy） |
| Frequency (Center Frequency) | 2402MHz～2480MHz (CH0～CH39) | |
| Interfaces | USB Type-C™ | Battery Recharge/Power Supply (Optional AC Adapter required), Data Transfer: MTP, Video output: DisplayPort over USB-C (DisplayPort Alternative Mode) |
| Hotshoe | Compatible with P-TTL Auto Flash Flash Mode: Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye Flash Exposure Compensation: -2.0 -+1.0 |
|
| Lens adapter pin | Available | |
| Power Supply | Battery Type | Rechargeable Battery DB-110 |
| AC Adapter | AC Adapter Kit K-AC166(Optional) | |
| Battery Life | Number of recordable images: Approx. 200 images, * With a fully-charged Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery under the temperature at 23°C. Tested in compliance with CIPA standard. Actual results may vary depending on the shooting condition.Playback time: Approx. 180 minutes * The playback time is a guide based on RICOH’s measurement method . The actual number differs according to usage conditions. |
|
| Dimensions and Weight | Dimensions | Approx. 109.4(W)×61.9(H)×33.2(D)mm (excluding protrusions) |
| Weight | Approx. 257g (Included dedicated battery and SD memory card), Approx. 227g (Body only) | |
| Included Accessories | Rechargeable Battery DB-110, USB Power Adapter, Power Plug, USB Cable I-USB166, Handstrap | |
| Language | English, French, Germany, Spanish, Portuguese, Italy, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkey, Greek, Russian, Thai, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese | |
