Ricoh GR IIIx – A review by wedding photographer Eve Dunlop

A non-technical review of the Ricoh GRIIIx – Quality images from my pocket rocket

I big up my tiny Ricoh GR IIIx camera to anyone that will listen. Because my pocket rocket (pet name) passion runs so deep I’m going to tell you why I love it.

I possess a decent (ish) geeky grasp of the technical aspects of cameras, but my interest in spec has never been particularly strong. Admittedly, this might be surprising coming from a photographer. Features like eye autofocus don’t exactly excite me; generally speaking, some of the advanced technological functionalities packed into modern cameras remain largely untouched by me, unless they are specifically needed.

I’m aware of what I need from my equipment, and I tend to stick with what serves those needs. I shoot manual and the way I shoot hasn’t changed much over the many years I’ve been a photographer. When I do find myself in the market for something new, my decision-making process is less about scrutinizing specs and new tech but more about just making sure it’s ticking the right boxes for me and going from there.

Ricoh GRIIIx Street Photography in Morocco – when “big cameras” don’t work!

Some years ago, I fell in love with Morocco. I mean that in every sense of the word. I felt a deep connection with the country and wanted to capture the essence of the place through my photography. However, the challenge I faced with using big cameras in the bustling streets of Marrakech was I learned quite a common one. People can be understandably sensitive to having their pictures taken, especially by large, conspicuous cameras.

For work, predominantly weddings I shoot Canon. I’ve had 1D mark 2’s and 5D marks 2, 3, and 4. Nowadays I photograph my weddings with the Canon R5 and R6.

Trying to take photos in Morocco with such large cameras, I was met with quite a lot of anger in my quest to bottle what I love about the place, and it turned out I wasn’t alone.

So, the only thing I could do was shoot with my phone and I just don’t like doing that. Call me a control freak, but I like the settings to be my decision. This meant any time I wanted to take a camera out for personal use historically it’s been a DSLR or my current mirrorless systems that have accompanied me.

So, for Morocco especially I needed another way around the problem.

The solution I sought — a discrete yet capable camera system — led me to the Ricoh brand particularly models like the Ricoh GR series. In the end I picked out the GR IIIx.

Why I chose the Ricoh GRIIIx

The Ricoh GRIIIx, at least for my personal and street work, ticked these boxes for me:

• Discrete Size – So I could be stealthy.
• Robust Build – So I could jam it back in my pocket or throw it in a bag.
• Lovely image quality – I print what I love.
• Functionality – It’s my on-the-go kit, up a mountain in a market on a beach. I don’t want anything too complicated.

That’s not to say the Ricoh GR IIIx isn’t packed with spec. It really is…

Ricoh GRIIIx Portability

The Ricoh GR IIIx is incredibly compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around wherever you go. Its small size allows you to slip it into your pocket or bag, ensuring that you never miss a photo op! Having a APS- C sensor in something so petite is a real treat. My pocket rocket is a third smaller than my iPhone and in this regard the Ricoh is niche. This means I could channel my inner ninja when it came to invisible one-handed shooting and blend seamlessly into my surroundings.

Ricoh GRIIIx Image Quality

Despite its petite size, the GRIIIx packs a powerful punch when it comes to image quality. The large APS-C sensor and 24-megapixel resolution captures stunningly detailed photos with rich colours and excellent dynamic range perfect for vibrant Morocco. The fixed 40mm equivalent lens is also renowned for its sharpness and clarity, delivering professional grade results.

It’s sister camera the GR III has a fixed 28mm equivalent lens, favoured by street photographers but I chose the 40mm counterpart because I just don’t like getting too close when shooting on the street.

This camera has a macro function too which is cool, yet another useful little surprise that’s packed in.

Ricoh GRIIIx Snap Focus

The GR IIIx features a Snap Focus mode. I must admit I hadn’t heard of this before. I’ve found this quite useful for on the go shooting. This mode is designed for quickly capturing shots without having to wait for the autofocus system to lock onto a subject. Selecting a focus distance that corresponds to the typical shooting distance for your subject. For street photography, for example, I might choose a distance around 2-3 meters for capturing subjects at a moderate distance quickly. With Snap Focus mode activated and the focus distance set, I can shoot quickly without waiting for the autofocus to engage.

Ricoh GRIIIx Image Stabilization

The Ricoh GR IIIx does have electronic shake reduction (SR) technology. This technology aims to reduce the effects of camera shake, especially in low-light conditions or when shooting with slower shutter speeds. Ricoh claims shake reduction offers around 3 stops of stabilisation, although it’s not as good as the IBIS I’m used to. I shoot it in relatively low light situations and as long as I’m mindful of the limitation I’ve so far be pleased with the results.

I have experimented with ISO settings a bit and found that ISO 100 to 2000 produces images with minimal noise. Actually, up to ISO 6400, the quality remains impressive. However, beyond this point, there is a noticeable decline in image detail. ISO 20000 is still acceptable, but I tend to avoid using it, as well as any higher ISO settings.

Ricoh GRIIIx Auto Focus

The Ricoh GRIIIx has got a decent Hybrid AF (Auto Focus) system that combines both image-plane phase-matching AF and contrast detection AF technology to achieve fast and accurate focusing performance. This hybrid approach allows the camera to perform well in various shooting scenarios, providing me with reliable autofocus capabilities for capturing sharp images and it’s nice to know the Ricoh will pull its weight in fast paced shooting environment. Not that I tend to do anything too fast paced!

Other cool features and benefits of the Ricoh GRIIIx

• Image Processor: A powerful image processor that enables fast performance, including quick start-up times and rapid shooting speeds.
• LCD Screen: A high-resolution LCD touch screen, typically around 3 inches in size, for composing and reviewing images.
• Video Recording
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth connectivity for wireless image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps.
• Controls: Intuitive manual controls and customizable buttons for easy access to frequently used settings.
• Hotshoe: Compatible with P-TTL Auto Flash
Flash Mode: Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye
• ND Filter : I’ve not used this yet but I like that the option is there.
• Macro Mode: In this mode, the minimum focus distance is reduced from 0.2m down to 0.12m, and with the 71mm crop mode employed, you can get nice and close.
• AA Filter Simulator: Moiré reduction using SR unit (Off, Low, High)
• Development: In camera raw development (I don’t use this)

Ricoh GRIIIx Limitations

Ricoh GRIIIx Battery Life

There will I’m sure be elements that the discerning photographer can find limiting about this camera but my only real bug bear is the battery. The DB-110 allows for roughly 200 images to be shot. That’s pretty shocking, and rather annoying but I’ve found a nifty way around the problem – I just carry two batteries. So if you plan accordingly you’re all set.

It remains an annoyance but not a deal breaker.

Ricoh GRIIIx lack of built in flash

I can’t decide if I care about this or not, the day I need a built in flash then I guess it will bother me but so far I’ve only used it in daylight really.

I’d also quite like a flip screen, but I like that I’m kept on my toes with the limitation of a fixed screen and it makes the camera feel more robust for travelling or throwing in my bag especially.

Conclusion: the Ricoh GRIIIx is a perfect everyday camera for this wedding photographer!

I love my Ricoh GR IIIx. Whether I’m capturing moments during holidays, exploring the streets, or on adventurous trips up mountains, this remarkable piece of technology never fails to astound me. The images it produces are consistently breathtaking, showcasing a level of quality that surpasses all my initial expectations. It makes me think and sometimes I must work for what I’m getting but I love that too.

What sets the Ricoh GR IIIx apart is its effortless coolness (in my opinion) and unassuming demeanour. It seamlessly integrates into my personal photography endeavours, so it’s become a trusted companion that consistently delivers what I need.

In essence, the Ricoh GR IIIx is not just a camera; it’s a testament to innovation and craftsmanship. It has earned its place as an essential tool in my creative arsenal, and I will continue singing its praises for years to come!

Any wedding photographer needs to be out taking photos between weddings to keep that sharpness of vision and creativity, and finding a camera you love to take photos with during those ‘non work’ moments is vital to that. Whether it’s your phone or a Fuji x100 or in my case the Ricoh GRIIIx, I hope you too find something that gets you excited about photography.