The next generation of Ricoh GR-series cameras will begin shipping next month on March 18 for $899.95. These fast, compact cameras are favored by street photographers who value the small size with a comparatively large sensor, while also benefiting from a fixed wide-angle 28mm f/2.8 (35mm equivalent) prime lens.
New to the GR III, Ricoh has improved the sensor's resolution to now 24.2 megapixels and added in a new imaging processor, the GR Engine 6. The camera is capable of recording 14-bit raw DNG images and Full HD 1080p video up to 60 fps. The GR III did remove the built-in flash, however its empty space has been well used with the new addition of three-axis sensor-shift image stabilization. As with the previous two generations, the camera does have a hot shoe mount for adding flash back or other external accessories.
The GR III sports a new phase and contrast-detect hybrid autofocusing system, now with added Auto-area AF, Zone AF, and Select AF modes.
The newly designed lens in the GR III features six elements in four groups, including two aspherical elements. The minimum focusing distance is now lowered to 2.36 inches (6 centimeters) and the aperture's f-stop range is unchanged from f/2.8 to f/16.
To learn more details about the Ricoh GR III or to start your preorder, visit B&H.
Lead photo by fototsubu and used under Creative Commons, shot with the Ricoh GR II.
The only pocket camera I would get but I hope the color is better.
I have first digital GR and camera is very good but colors are bad. Skin can look dead
I'm not sure why this type of camera isn't more popular (pocketable with big sensor). The only examples I'd put in this group would be the Ricoh GR series, the Fujifilm XF-10, and the Nikon Coolpix A (discontinued). In my eyes there's no reason to use any camera with less than APS-C size sensor or I'd just use a smartphone for those snapshots. But the GR series, along with very few others, can produce professional-quality photos (really) from a camera that disappears and is very quick and easy to operate with full manual control and RAW output.
I bought a $300 Nikon Coolpix A (if not familiar it's almost identical to GR II) for a year-long bicycle tour through the Americas and it was absolutely the perfect camera. The only big thing I'd want to change change would be to add a little dust and weather sealing. I've become so comfortable pushing this camera's limits I can no longer tell the difference between images taken using it or using my full sized camera with a comparable lens. It has outstanding low-light performance for its size and price. In fact it partially contributed to my switch from Canon (I had a 1D-X with L glass) to Sony A7III due to the fact that the images coming out the the little Nikon looked arguably sharper with better tonal gradation than from the 1D-X! (though the Nikon doesn't have a low-pass filter)
The previous GR's had built in HSS flash through the popup unit, very useful for a little fill flash. This is a downgrade.
Disagree. I'd MUCH rather have IBIS and better AF than a built-in flash. Overall a huge upgrade from GR II.
Ibis on a 28? Who needs that? Improving the high iso performance goes way further on a 28 than ibis
I agree that ISO performance is much more important than IBIS, but on a camera this small camera shake is much worse than larger heavier cameras and IBIS is actually really welcome even at 28mm.
A HSS built-in flash does sound pretty cool, but if I had to pick I'd agree with Jesse Merz on this one.