Ricoh Launches the GR IIIx with a New 40mm Lens
Ricoh has announced the successor to the GR III, the GR IIIx. This high-end digital compact camera features a newly developed GR lens with a 40mm angle of view in the 35mm format while harmonizing professional-grade image quality with a compact, lightweight body perfect for street photography.
The RICOH GR IIIx has been developed in response to user requests for a new GR-series camera that will add a new perspective to the highly acclaimed RICOH GR III. The GR III was released in March 2019, featuring a 28mm wide-angle lens and designed to further enhance the essential values of the GR series: optimizing image quality, snapshot capabilities, and portability. The newly designed 26.1mm GR lens provides a 40mm angle of view in the 35mm format, close to the photographer’s own effective field of view. Depending on the way the lens is used, this versatile angle of view can create different image renditions: you can capture an image similar to those taken at a 30mm semi-wide angle, or create a completely different visual expression as if taken at a 50mm standard angle. The camera also provides a range of new and upgraded post-shooting functions to edit captured images to the photographer’s preference.
The new RICOH GR IIIx is a camera that harmonizes all the benefits of the ever-evolving RICOH GR series with a new, innovative perspective perfect for dramatic, inspiring street photography.
The RICOH GR IIIx incorporates a newly developed 26.1mm F2.8 GR lens, which harmonizes exceptional image quality with a slim design. Unlike past GR-series models which featured a 28mm wide angle of view for exaggerated perspective, this lens provides a 40mm standard angle of view in the 35mm format, delivering images with a more natural perspective and a more truthful sense of depth for a completely different type of street photography. The newly designed optics incorporates two aspherical optical elements at the most effective positions to reduce distortion and chromatic aberration to a minimum, while effectively minimizing the generation of flare and ghost images when shooting against backlight. In macro photography, the camera allows the user to move in on a subject as close as 12 centimeters from the lens front end. Coupled with the standard focal length, it captures close-up images with a natural perspective, set against a beautifully defocused background. It also comes equipped with an ND (Neutral Density) filter, which closes the aperture down by two stops to capture high-contrast, high-resolution images with a variety of scenes and subjects and under varying shooting conditions. Its nine-blade diaphragm mechanism creates a natural bokeh (defocus) effect and a truthful sense of depth at open and larger apertures while capturing beautiful light beams at closed-down apertures.
The GR IIIx incorporates a large APS-C-format CMOS image sensor with an anti-aliasing (AA) filter-less design and a newly developed GR ENGINE 6 imaging engine to optimize its image resolving power. With approximately 24.24 effective megapixels, this image sensor assures super-high-resolution images rich in gradation. It is also compatible with multi-tone 14-bit RAW image recording. The camera also features the RICOH-original accelerator unit designed to optimize the image data delivered by the image sensor and provides a top sensitivity of ISO 102400 for super-high-sensitivity photography.
The GR IIIx features a hybrid AF system combining a contrast-type AF mechanism superior in focusing precision with a phase-detection-type AF mechanism assuring high-speed focusing operation. During autofocus shooting, this AF system detects the subject’s face or eye with precision, focuses on it, and indicates the in-focus position on the LCD display using the AF frame. When the camera detects multiple faces, it automatically distinguishes the main subject from secondary ones and indicates this on the focus frame. Photographers can also change the main subject with simple touch-screen operation.
Three-axis, four-step shake reduction: The RICOH-original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism means that the GR IIIx effectively compensates for camera shake at the time of shutter release. The three-axis mechanism minimizes the adverse effects of camera shake caused by pitch, yaw, and roll by as much as four shutter steps. Since the SR mechanism shifts the image sensor to the ideal position horizontally and vertically, the camera lets the user take advantage of the Auto Horizon Correction function to effortlessly optimize image composition.
RICOH-original AA Filter Simulator: By applying microscopic vibrations with sub-pixel precision to the image sensor unit during exposure, the camera’s AA (anti-aliasing) Filter Simulator provides the same level of moiré reduction as an optical AA filter. This innovative simulator allows the user not only to switch the AA filter effect on and off but also to adjust the effect to the level best suited for a given subject.
Despite the incorporation of the large APS-C-format image sensor and the newly developed optics with a longer focal length, the GR IIIx is designed to be extremely compact, functional, and portable, in keeping with the GR-series concept of the camera as a pocketable imaging tool or a handy picture-taking tool. It also provides a host of user-friendly features – such as a short start-up time of approximately 0.8 seconds, control dials conveniently positioned next to the four-way controller, and effortless touch-screen operation – to enhance operability and allow the user to swiftly react to once-in-a-lifetime shutter opportunities. The exterior frame is made of highly rigid magnesium alloy to improve dependability and durability while being carried or stored.
The GR IIIx features a 3.0-inch high-definition LCD monitor with approximately 1,037,000 dots. Its touch-screen operation provides swift, intuitive control of various camera functions, such as AF frameshift, menu selection, and image advance/magnification during playback. It also features an air gapless construction, in which special resin is inserted between the LCD touchscreen monitor and a protective cover made of reinforced glass, to effectively reduce the reflection and dispersion of light for improved visibility. The Outdoor View Setting allows the user to instantly adjust the monitor’s brightness to the desired level for greater visibility in difficult lighting conditions.
The GR IIIx features a creative Image Control function, which integrates effect modes into conventional image setting operations. Using 11 basic Image Control modes, the user can easily adjust various parameters, such as saturation, hue, key, contrast, and graininess, to the desired level and create their preferred finishing touch. A set of adjusted parameters can be added as a custom setting to the Image Control function menu.
The GR IIIx provides in-body RAW-data development while allowing the user to edit a captured image as desired by adjusting such parameters as recoding size, aspect ratio, white balance, Image Control setting, and exposure compensation factor, all without the need of a PC. Since the camera reduces the time required for preview after the user adjusts the parameters of RAW-format images, it enhances the speed of in-body RAW-data development. The camera also lets the user retain the adjusted parameters after the initial RAW-data development is completed, making it possible to make minute re-adjustment of the already-developed image with greater efficiency. The camera’s image quality adjustment function for JPEG images is also upgraded: a newly added monochrome mode allows more minute adjustment of parameters in full-color images, such as filter effect, toning, contrast, and sharpness, to create monochrome images with the desired finishing touches. The camera also provides such creative tools as a choice of aspect ratio (16:9 or 4:3)* and image rotation in 0.1-degree steps to facilitate the image editing process.
Here some sample pictures:
The GR IIIx provides wireless LAN functions for easy pairing with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. By installing the dedicated Image Sync application, the user can transfer captured images to a mobile device, display a Live-View image on the device’s monitor, change various settings remotely, release the shutter from a distance, and even upload captured images to various social media with ease. Even when the camera’s power is turned off, the user can browse and download the images stored on the camera to a mobile device. The user can also send a mobile device’s location data to the camera, and record the data on captured images. The Auto Resize function, which automatically reduces the image size before transmitting an image to a mobile device, also helps improve the camera’s operability.
Other features:
- Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 frame rate) in the H-264 recording format
- New DOF Priority (Deep) added to the program line to prioritize the closed aperture setting
- Color Moiré Correction function to reduce the effect of moiré during playback
- Interval Composite mode, effective in capturing landscapes with traces of the moon and stars
- Electronic Level to check the camera’s inclination
- GT-2 Tele Conversion Lens (optional) to extend the focal length to approx. 75mm telephoto in the 35mm format, usable in combination with the camera’s auto-detection and crop functions
- Compatibility with accessory flash units designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras
Currently, the GR IIIx is listed as available for pre-order for £899 in the UK and €999 in the EU.
More info on Ricoh’s website.
