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Ricoh Announces GR IIIx
8 September 2021
Ricoh has launched its GR IIIx featuring a newly-developed 40mm-equivalent GR lens in a compact, lightweight body optimized for street photography.
The new lens can capture an image similar to those taken at 30mm or emulate a 50mm standard angle. The camera also provides a range of new and upgraded post-shooting functions to edit captured images.
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the new camera include:
- Newly-designed 40mm-equivalent lens
- Compact, lightweight design
- APS-C format 24.24-megapixel CMOS image sensor
- No AA filter
- Hybrid contrast/phase-detection autofocus
- Three-axis, four-step image stabilization
- Full HD movie recording
- 3.0-inch touchscreen LCD
- Advanced in-camera image editing
- WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications for the GR IIIx include:
RICOH GR IIIx SPECIFICATIONS Sensor 24.24-megapixel CMOS sensor
AA Filter SimulatorDust Reduction System Image sensor cleaning using ultrasonic vibrations DR II File Formats Raw, JPEG Storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Viewfinder Optional external optical viewfinder Monitor 3.0-inch, 1,037K-dot, TFT color LCD Shutter 1/4000 second to 30 seconds
Timed Exposure (10 seconds to 20minutes), Bulb, TimeISO Auto, ISO 100 to 102,400 Autofocus Hybrid autofocus
Image plane phase-matching and Contrast detectionLive View Yes Image Stabilization 3-axis sensor-shift shake reduction
Four stopsFlash Hotshoe Movie Full HD, built-in stereo microphone
Up to 25-minutes or 4-GB clipsConnectivity WiFi, Bluetooth
USB Type-CPower Rechargeable battery for 200 images
Optional AC adapter kitDimensions 4.30 x 2.43 x 1.38 inches Weight 9.17 oz.
GR IIIx LENS SPECIFICATIONS Focal Length 26.1mm (40mm 35mm equivalent) Aperture f2.8 to f16 Optical Design 7 elements in 5 groups
2 aspherical lens elementsAutofocus Yes Image Stabilization Body-based PRICE, AVAILABILITY
Ricoh said the GR IIIx will be availble in early October in the U.S. for $1,000. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.
Ricoh Announces GR IIIx
A high-end digital compact camera, featuring a newly developed GR lens for high-quality street photography at a standard viewing angle
TOKYO, Japan -- Ricoh Imaging Co., Ltd. has launched the Ricoh 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.
Main features of the Ricoh GR IIIx
Newly designed, high-resolution GR lens
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 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 to 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.
High-quality, high-resolution images
The GR IIIx incorporates a large APS-C-format CMOS image sensor with an anti-aliasing 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.
Hybrid AF system for high-speed, high-precision autofocus operation
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 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.
Ricoh-original SR mechanism
- 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 moire[!] 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.
Compact, lightweight design
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.
High-definition LCD monitor with intuitive touch-screen operation
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 frame shift, 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.
Image Control function to produce desired visual effects
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.
Advanced image editing
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.
Bluetooth and wireless LAN dual communication
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 (1920x1080 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 Moire[!] Correction function to reduce the effect of moire[!] 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 dSLR cameras