When Casey Neistat mentions a piece of technology on his X (Formally Twitter) feed, the shopping sites like Amazon must go into meltdown. I know this as when Casey first mentioned this camera, I could get one delivered via Amazon Prime the next day, a few hours later… nothing!!!
However, Wex was showing stock so I immediately ordered 2 units. The Ricoh GRiii and the Ricoh GRiii X, the former having the 28mm lens and the x having the 40mm, it is the latter that interested me more.
really wanna get a Ricoh GRiii. pplease tell me why this is a good idea or not such a good idea. thank you pic.twitter.com/RILNzBSEMO
— Casey Neistat (@Casey) June 15, 2024
Ricoh GR III...
The Ricoh GR III Street Edition Premium Compact Digital Camera is a top-tier choice for photography enthusiasts. Packed with a host of features and accessories, this camera promises superb image quality and portability.
Priced at £1,099.00, the camera has garnered a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 79 reviews. Let’s explore what makes this camera a standout in its class.
I bought the Ricoh GR III Street Edition as a pocketable, go-anywhere camera (to replace the excellent Sony RV 100 VII, and it has truly lived up to its reputation. The snap focus feature is a game-changer, allowing quick and easy one-handed operation. The image quality is exceptional, although it may falter in low light conditions.
Despite its drawbacks, such as the lack of a viewfinder and flash, and mediocre battery life, the camera’s compact size, intuitive menus, and customisable settings make it a valuable tool for any street photographer.
Design and Build Quality
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The Ricoh GR III Street Edition boasts a sleek and stylish metallic grey finish that sets it apart from other compact cameras. Its compact and lightweight design makes it a perfect companion for street photography, easily fitting into a pocket or small bag. Despite its small size, the camera feels robust and well-built, with a solid grip that ensures it won’t slip out of your hands during use.
Image Quality
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Equipped with a 24.24 MP APS-C sensor, the Ricoh GR III Street Edition delivers outstanding image quality. The GR lens, combined with the new GR ENGINE 6, ensures detailed imaging and superb colour reproduction across the entire sensitivity range. Whether you’re capturing vibrant street scenes or subtle details, this camera offers impressive clarity and sharpness.
Performance and Speed
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The Ricoh GR III Street Edition is designed for quick and responsive shooting. It features a high-speed hybrid autofocus system and a 0.8-second startup time, allowing photographers to capture fleeting moments with ease. The Full Press Snap feature, activated via the touch screen, further enhances the camera’s ability to take instant photos, making it ideal for dynamic street photography.
User Interface and Controls
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The camera’s intuitive menu system and customisable settings make it user-friendly for both novice and experienced photographers. The touch screen interface is responsive and easy to navigate, allowing quick adjustments on the go. Additionally, the camera includes a customised shutdown screen unique to the Street Edition, adding a personal touch to the user experience.
Included Accessories
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The Ricoh GR III Street Edition comes with several valuable accessories, including an additional battery (DB-110) and a Ricoh Soft Case (GC-9). The case features both a black and an amber ring to complement the camera’s design. These accessories enhance the overall user experience and provide added convenience for photographers who are always on the move.
Low Light Performance
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While the Ricoh GR III Street Edition excels in various lighting conditions, its performance in low light can be a mixed bag. The camera struggles with noise at higher ISO levels (above 6400), but this can be mitigated in post-processing. Despite this limitation, the camera’s shake reduction feature helps in capturing crisp images even in challenging lighting situations.
Battery Life
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One of the downsides of the Ricoh GR III Street Edition is its battery life, which some users find to be less than satisfactory. The inclusion of an extra battery in the package helps mitigate this issue, but it’s worth noting that frequent photographers might need to carry a charger or additional batteries to ensure uninterrupted shooting sessions.
Portability and Discreetness
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The Ricoh GR III Street Edition is highly portable and discreet, making it ideal for street photography. Its compact size and quiet operation allow photographers to capture candid moments without drawing attention. This makes it a favorite among street photographers who value stealth and mobility in their gear.
Firmware Updates
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The Ricoh GR III Street Edition benefits from ongoing firmware updates that introduce new functions and improve existing features. Keeping the firmware up to date ensures that users have access to the latest advancements and enhancements, further extending the camera’s usability and performance over time.
Customer Feedback
Customer reviews for the Ricoh GR III Street Edition are generally positive, with users praising its image quality, portability, and unique features. Some customers have noted minor inconveniences, such as the lack of a viewfinder and the need for a battery charger. However, the overall consensus is that the camera offers exceptional value for its price, making it a top choice for street photography enthusiasts.
Pros:
- Excellent image quality with 24MP APS-C sensor
- Compact and pocketable design
- Customisable settings and intuitive menus
- Love that you can add recipes
Cons:
- Poor battery life
- No viewfinder or flash
- Low light performance could be better
- Video options are poor
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ricoh GR III Street Edition Premium Compact Digital Camera is an outstanding choice for those who need a reliable, high-quality camera for street photography. Its compact design, superb image quality, and unique features make it a worthy investment.
While it has some limitations, the overall performance and portability of this camera make it a top contender in the premium compact digital camera market.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Does this camera come with a UK plug?
Answer: Some users have reported receiving a European plug instead of a UK plug. You might need an adapter.
Question: Is the instruction manual available in English?
Answer: Some units come with a French manual, but you can download the English version from Ricoh’s website.
Question: How is the camera for street photography?
Answer: The camera is highly regarded for street photography due to its compact size, quick start-up, and excellent image quality.
Recipes for the Ricoh GR III...
As we mentioned above, the Ricoh GR III is customisable, but our favourite feature is the ‘recipes’ section. You can add photographic styles directly to the images taken, a brilliant concept that we absolutely love.
Here are a few websites that we have used to download recipes:
