Ricoh GRIII Review: The Ultimate Street Camera?!

Ricoh GR - Ever since it was released, the series has gained quite a following and now with the latest GRIII, quite the dedicated fanbase! Word around the block is that this very camera, the Ricoh GRIII might just be the one and only street camera you’ll ever need. Featuring an all new sensor, redesigned optics, and a whole slew of improvements, both software and hardware, how does it perform? Are you going to grab a Ricoh GRIII?

Host & Editor - Bobby Tonelli
Main Camera - Soon Kai Hong
Second Camera - Sham Ma'arif
Producer - Soon Kai Hong
Editor - Soon Kai Hong

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Credits

Thanks to Cathay Photo for providing the Ricoh GRIII

[TECHTV]

Hi everyone, Ricoh has released an update recently. Version 1.10 which addresses autofocus and wifi seems to have improved the camera substantially. If you have the GRIII highly recommend you update asap.

[manyoffers]

Great review. I'm so glad you spoke about the autofocus. I took lots of shots and many were out of focus. Unlike my Panasonic Lumix which focusses every shot instantly. Like you I thought there was something wrong with the camera but will keep trying. Guess I just need to get used to it.

[edmond]

Wow! not easy to find a camera review based in Singapore! I preordered my GRIII from a camera shop from Plaza Sin last month, really look forward to receiving it and testing it myself!

[jubileeth]

It took me a while to get use d to the snap focus setting. I set Fn button to be snap/auto focus toggle which made it lot easier for my girl who always running in and out of snap range.

[jjccllgg]

Yes, I like having the flash for special ocasions. The GRii is a very good and solid camera. For us long time film shooters, the in-camera stabilization is not a big deal. And the 24 Megapixels, unless you are blowing up your pictures, is really not necessary. I will keep my GRii until something REALLY better, comes up!

[Shredcow]

Fantastic review. You've described my use experience with the GR iii completely! Subscribed.

[lenloving]

Nice review! Just a small but important point: the LCD in the GR III is not higher (as was said at the 2:15 video mark). The GR II is 1.23 million dots versus the GR III’s 1.04 million dots. To retain the same resolution *and* be a touch screen would have been great! But alas, Ricoh had to compromise.

[Klavsash]

Great Loved the presentation. I've heard from 4-5 reviewers over the past several days discussing problems with the AF in low light. Most have blown it off as something we have to live with versus a correction via a firmware update. Thanks for the very informative video.

[paulm]

Good review. Cam has snap and “full press snap” modes. In full press snap mode a quick full press on the shutter will cause cam to focus at the preset snap focus distance. However, in full press snap mode, a half press of the shutter will turn on regular autofocus — continue to press shutter button to trip shutter at the regular focus acquired during the half press. A bit confusing, but it works well to address the issue you mentioned. In full press snap mode, back button focus can be established to avoid an accidental shutter half press.

[pgulysse]

Thanks,

A lot of street photographers love the GRIII.

Ricoh seems to be committed in compactness (Compact cameras and compactness), the same way Pentax is committed to DSLR (the mirrorless K-01 is gone).
#Ricoh and #Pentax(Now Ricoh) have great tech and experience in Digital Imaging (DSLR, Mirrorless, Lenses, Compact, ...).

I know compact digital cameras are one of the categories taking more punch, but I was wondering if there is room to Ricoh/Pentax to offer a new type of GR cameras:
Advanced APSC compact with Tilting or Articulated screen, Headphones/Mic Jacks, Multi-interface hotshoe, Flash, Video specs (4K), EVF, Zoom len (20/24 mm - XXmm), more controls on the body ...
... like the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III ...

Do you think #Ricoh #GRIII fans and/or shooters would be happy to have a bit of more flexibility with a GR (for street photography, vlogging, travel photography, a little hybrid advanced compact GR for stills and videos)?

[mynameistrd]

im more interested in the mic that you used in this video. great clarity with very little noise. what was it?

[-grey]

I'm thinking about this one, but I'm into the Fuji system rn, and I wonder if it can hold up to the workflow. One of my favourite things with Fuji is the in-camera raw processing. Every camera should have this. Also I can comfortably go up to ISO 4000-5000 with a weak grain effect to bring clarity to the image. If the GR III can look natural up to 3200, I'd have it.

[elmersu]

This camera is super sharp. Sharper than my Fuji x100v! Was so impressed!

[RonScibilia]

Snap focus must be used in conjunction with the depth of field for a given f-stop setting and an appropriate focus distance. For myself I use 5 meters, often at f8 and 1/1000 (Auto ISO). Try it.

[jjccllgg]

I have a GRii and it is great for street and more!

[gcalvaro]

Excellent review and samples!

I do have the Nikon Coolpix A (APS-C / 16 Mp) which is an EXCELLENT camera for street photography, but I'm seriously thinking if replacing it by this new gem OR directly purchase a compact full frame beast (for better dynamic range performance), like the Leica Q2 or the possibly coming soon new Sony RX1R III.

P.S. Apparently the firmware updates have improved the AF performance on the GR III.

[jonbarnard]

I was sorry to see the flash go too. However, I have to admit that I have never actually used the flash on my GR1, or maybe used it once. I think I am willing to trade the flash for the addition of image stabilization. Too bad they increased the price by 50%! By the way, if you really find it an effort to take the sd card out to load your images on a computer, you can plug the camera into your computer and transfer them that way (unless using a usb cord is too big an inconvenience.) For me, wifi and bluetooth on a camera are just battery draining gimmicks. These cameras are great for carrying around in your pocket and have very good image quality. They are a great second camera for travelling. You go out for dinner and leave your big camera in your hotel room. You may find that the best photos of your travels were taken with your GR. A 24 megapixel APC camera in your shirt pocket? I'll take that.

[karthickm]

which one would you recommend Canon G5X Mark II or Ricoh GR III?

[ilyaszainal]

1080 at 60fps is pretty good for that size! Love this channel and i hope you guys grow!

[DarkstarDarth]

Fun fact: Ricoh engineer explained that the flash had to be removed to make room for a bigger drive motor in body.