Last update 13 November’09 – Review and Sample Photos @ DPS
Ricoh GR Digital lll announced on July 27, 2009 is a 10 megapixel large pixel pitch sensor that features a fast f1.9 28mm prime lens, 3 inch VGA high resolution LCD, dynamic range double shot, ‘full-press snap’ mode that jumps to a preset focus distance for fast street shooting, ISO range from 64 to 1600, camera dimensions are 108.6 mm (W) x 59.8 mm (H) x 25.5 mm (D) (excluding projecting parts) and it weighs approx. 188 g (excluding battery, SD memory card, strap).
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Review Index – (updated 13 November’09)
DPS
“This camera’s image quality was super sharp and had right on the money colors. I did however notice the camera because of the exposed lens elements tends to flare in bright conditions. With a lot of accessories available like external flash, 21mm converter lens and even an optical viewfinder you can make the GR Digital III a top dog machine.”
ITReviews
“When it comes to photo quality you would be hard pressed to find a compact camera that makes better pictures. In addition, there is an optical viewfinder, wide angle conversion kit plus hood and adapter that kick this camera up a notch. Here’s the catch – for the same amount of money you can snag a pretty good DSLR.”
Gaj-it
“This is a nice camera, mainly because it comes equipped with many of the features of most entry level DSLRs. But it is still a compact camera, however we look at it as an addition to our photo tools, which makes more sense. Targeted for the professional or very serious shooter, it offers a lot. Optical zoom would have been nice but it appears this piece of gear is not intended for that type of photography. It’s not cheap but hey, you rarely can find this kind of quality for cheap.”
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Steve’s Digicams
“The GRD3 also offers very tame Auto and Program modes, which perform well with little to no fuss. With a MSRP of US$699, the GRD3 is one expensive digicam. So, if you are one who is in the market for a very well-built camera with some outstanding features, and price is not an issue, look no further.”
Wouter28mm
“In the end I really have been impressed by the Ricoh GR Digital III and can recommend it for those who are interested in a camera that has some of the best user interfaces and is designed with photography in mind.”
TrustedReviews
“The Ricoh GR Digital III remains a unique camera. It offers a range of user control normally associated with fairly advanced DSLRs in a well-designed, slim and pocket-friendly camera that is a genuine pleasure to use. Image quality is comparable with the very best that compact cameras can offer, with build quality and finish to match. The only downside is the price, and the fact that its competitors offer more features for less money.”
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RegHardware
“The Ricoh GR Digital III is a great camera for the person who puts performance and control over fancy features. It offers superb handling, fantastic customization and really lets your creative juices flow. The one drawback is the price, especially when you consider that the suggested retail price of the GR Digital III is more than for the Canon EOS 1000D DSLR. If you want a compact that offers top-notch performance and can find the GR Digital III for a discounted price, then you’ll have bagged yourself a winner.”
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CNET.uk
“For the average user, the Ricoh GR Digital III is so overpriced and under-specified that it’s just not worth considering. But, for pros and enthusiasts who want a ‘proper’ camera that they can fit in a pocket, and who value quality and simplicity above all, it’s just brilliant.”
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DPExpert
“This camera in its various forms has attracted a loyal customer base, and it’s not surprising. Image quality is reliably good, and Ricoh make a point of the fact that they are not in the pixel wars, favouring better image quality over pixel numbers. The pleasure of using the GR Digital III lies in making you rethink your approach to photography.”
CNET Australia
“There’s a lot to like about the Ricoh GR Digital III if you’re a prosumer photographer looking for a lot of features in a small package. However, this is a camera that will only appeal to a certain number of photographers because it has a fixed lens (this means there’s no zooming, there’s manual controls and a fairly conservative design), which equals niche appeal.”
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ePhotozine
“I think it’s a camera that is designed for a specific purpose and it isn’t sports of portrait photography. If you’re a macro or landscape photographer and you need a slim line compact either for reconnaissance of a location or if you’re out and about with the family, then this is a perfect little camera.”
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PhotoReview
“Buy this camera if: – You’re looking for a well-built, pocketable camera with P, A, S and M shooting modes that is inconspicuous to use and ideal for street and candid photography – You require the ability to shoot raw files. – You’re happy to use the monitor for shot composition and shoot with a prime lens.”
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AlphaMountWorld
“Ricoh has set a new standard for itself that will compete with the very best in the business here. That makes the Ricoh GRD III a one/two punch knockout camera. Easily, this is my favorite Ricoh to date. Mind you much of my reasoning stems from such an impressive upgrade in terms of Image Quality. Most of the time now I’d rather use this camera than my other Ricohs, 28mm fixed lens or not. Sure I’d be sacrificing the convenience of a zoom, but I’ll run around on these two legs a bit more to get better images. It’s simply worth it to me at this point, and a heck of a lot of fun.”
Pocket-lint
“Yes the LCD makes accurate metering and focus assessment problematic in bright conditions but wow! Like me, you’ll marvel at the captured detail and image quality when you get to see it up close. I’d recommend buying the optional viewfinder though.”
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PhotographyBlog
“The only fly in the ointment is the price. This is a lot of money to pay for a 28mm fixed-focal length compact camera with a comparatively tiny sensor – you could buy a mid-level DSLR camera for that kind of cash. Still, if the Ricoh GR Digital III key specifications fit your billing, then we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend what is one of the most photographer-friendly compacts that we’ve ever reviewed.”
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Owner Feedback
Coming soon…
Sample Photos
[ISO Performance Photos @ Steve's Digicams]
[ISO Performance Photos @ TrustedReviews]
[Sample Photos @ RegHardware]
[Sample Image Quality @ CNET.uk]
[ISO Samples @ CNET Australia]
[Sample Photos @ AlphaMountWorld]
[Sample Photos @ Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos @ Ricoh]
[Image Quality Samples @ PhotographyBlog]
Press Release
Tokyo, Japan, July 27, 2009 — Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the release of the GR DIGITAL III camera. A Successor model to the GR DIGITAL II, The GR Digital III achieves a whole new level of image quality.
The GR DIGITAL II (November 2007) achieved superb image quality by packing superior resolution, low noise, and low colour aberration performance into a thin, compact body. In the 20 months since its release, the GR Digital II it has been very popular with a wide range of customers, especially professional photographers and experienced amateurs.
The new GR DIGITAL III takes the GR line’s traditional high image quality to an even higher level with a new image processing engine, a new CCD, and the newly developed 28 mm/F1.9 GR Lens. Performance has also been enhanced in areas such as quick shooting, operability, and power of expression.
In order to fully respond to the needs of our customers for the GR DIGITAL III, Ricoh will continue to offer the customization services (fine tuning of shutter release button sensitivity, AE/AWB, etc.) that we have provided since the introduction of the GR DIGITAL.
The new GR Digital III will be available at £529.99 inc from the middle of August.
Main features of the GR DIGITAL III
Newly developed large-aperture lens
* The adoption of the new F1.9, f-6.0 mm (equivalent to 28 mm for 35 mm film cameras) lens for the GR DIGITAL III takes compact-body cameras into a new realm of images. This lens makes it possible to shoot with a faster shutter speed than could be used on previous models, or to shoot with the same shutter speed but at a lower setting for ISO sensitivity.
* Despite the large F1.9 aperture, the new lens achieves a resolution level equivalent to that of the F2.4 GR Lens.
* The use of a newly developed lens drive system has made it possible to achieve greater image quality in macro photography.
Taking the GR DIGITAL concepts another step forward, the GR DIGITAL III achieves even greater image quality.
* The new image processing engine GR Engine III is installed. Using newly developed noise reduction technology, it enables highly sophisticated noise processing to be done while maintaining superior resolution, tone characteristics, and saturation.
* The new high-sensitivity CCD (1/1.7 inch, approx. 10 megapixels) achieves high-sensitivity properties through the use of a new process. The combination of the newly developed GR Lens and GR Engine III significantly increases shooting performance in low-light scenes.
* Even faster shooting capabilities for capturing fleeting shutter opportunities.
* Algorithm improvements have reduced focusing time in low-light scenes. With the Pre-AF function, focusing speed is further accelerated by adjusting the focus to match the movement of the subject.
* The new “full-press snap” function shoots at a preset distance for a one-push full-press of the shutter button.
* Up to five RAW images can be recorded in consecutive shooting* and bracketing.
Enhanced expression capabilities make good use of GR Lens performance.
* Shutter speed priority AE is now available in addition to aperture priority AE.
* A more extensive range of image settings enables the photographer to control hue and saturation. This makes it easy to create images with a wide variety of coloration.
* When photographing subjects with mixed color temperatures, the multi-pattern auto white balance function makes it possible to achieve optimum colour reproduction.
Large, high-visibility 3.0-inch VGA LCD monitor.
* The 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot VGA LCD monitor provides high resolution, a wide viewing angle, excellent colour reproduction, good visibility outdoors, and a surface that resists soiling. The sRGB comparison for colour reproduction range is 100%.
* The micro-thumbnail display function displays 81 thumbnail images on a single screen.
Operability further enhanced.
* The My Settings on the mode dial have been expanded to three sets. The number of Fn (function) buttons on the back of the camera body has been expanded to two.
* A function has been added for assigning names to My Settings sets and storing and retrieving them. A maximum of six sets can be defined and stored.
Expandability further enhanced with addition of new options.
* The 21 mm wide conversion lens GW-2 and hood and adapter GH-2 will be sold.
* The available soft cases are the GC-3 for the body only and the GC-4 quick-shooting case type compatible with the GV-2 viewfinder.
* There are also plans to introduce the GF-1 external flash, which can handle TTL flash using auxiliary flash, in the autumn of 2009.
Function to be expanded using firmware.
* Even after the GR DIGITAL III is introduced, we will continue to add new functions through the release of new firmware. By updating their firmware, GR DIGITAL III owners can continue to utilize the latest functions.
