Ricoh GR III
Announced September 25, 2018
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Ricoh GR III provides high-quality, sharp imagery and a highly portable, pocket-sized design that excels for street photography. While it offers impressive image stabilization and a fast lens, the camera is hampered by poor battery life, lackluster video performance, and an autofocus system that can struggle in low-light conditions.
Weighted from 31 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact, pocket-sized form factor
- Sharp, high-quality lens and APS-C sensor
- Effective in-body image stabilization
- Responsive touchscreen and intuitive controls
- Fast startup and snappy operation
Cons
- Short battery life
- Poor video quality and limited features
- Inconsistent autofocus performance
- Lacks a viewfinder and articulating screen
- High price point
- Launch price $899.95 (USD)
- Sensor 24.24MP APS-C CMOS
What the Reviewers Say
All 31 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- DPReview 81/100
The Ricoh GR III updates the GR series in some really important ways, bringing a modern high-resolution sensor and hybrid autofocus system to the lineup for the first time.
-
The lack of a zoom lens won't be everyone's cup of tea, but if you can live with it and you're a street shooter or just like to travel light, there's a lot to love here!
-
The more you use it the more you start to fall in love with it.
-
Yeah, now the GR III, I think, is a fantastic camera to do this with, and the camera you're going to take with you everywhere. It encourages you to do that.
-
The Ricoh GR III gives high image quality, with sharp detailed images, whilst also giving ample customisation of the output.
-
Whereas the previous GR II camera was a very modest upgrade of the original GR, principally only adding wi-fi and NFC connectivity to its predecessor, the new GR III model is a much more significant reworking of the GR blueprint.
-
The GR III is a considerable update on the GR II, blessed with a speedy performance and the capability to produce detailed, stabilised, distortion-free images, all from a tiny body you can get into your pocket.
-
GR fans, or GRists as Ricoh call them, will love this update of an iconic camera. But in the world of multi-lens camera phones the wider appeal of this fixed lens compact will probably be limited.
-
If you're a fan of the GR line you'll love what Ricoh has done here. With fast operation, dependable image quality, a crisp and responsive touchscreen and an even smaller body than before, the GR III has masses going for it.
-
The market for high-end compact cameras is a narrow one. [...] Get the Ricoh GR III if you're looking for a small camera that takes great photos, but at $899, you'll have to pay up for it.
-
The Ricoh GR III is a camera that can be enjoyed by many, not just those diehard GR users or fanboys who wish that they would die, no Moriyama's be displayed. This is a far more competent camera than the GR II, a far better camera than the original film GR ever was.
-
Very few cameras leave an impression so great that you decide to hold onto them for the longest time possible, despite the flaws. The Ricoh GRIII is a digital snapshot camera with a heart. And it has definitely captured mine.
- Digital Trends 8/10
The Ricoh GR III will make you rethink whether a smartphone camera is ‘good enough.’
-
For the GR cameras, it’s the combination of a high-quality fixed lens and the largest sensor available on a pocketable camera.
-
Ricoh haven’t messed with this DNA on the GR III, but have built upon it by adding modern-day tech such as the touch screen, higher resolution and IBIS. It’s an unapologetically simple camera to use, but that’s why people will love it.
-
The Ricoh GR III is a compact camera that tugs on those high-end heartstrings. For users familiar with the line-up, this camera will evoke the same feelings of old: it's very particular in use, very focused with its fixed-lens, very capable of delivering mighty impressive images.
- SlashGear 7/10
I find I'm almost bemused by my feelings about the GR III. The reality is that my phone's camera can handle 80-percent of the photography I want or need to do.
-
The Ricoh GR III is ideal for photographers who prioritize portability without compromising on image quality.
-
I enjoy more with this little camera is I'm always looking for little scenes, a scene where there's multiple people, multiple things going on.
-
Final thoughts on the Ricoh GR III, I like this camera this is a fun little camera, beautiful image quality, really punches above its weight class.
-
The Ricoh GR III gives high image quality, with sharp detailed images, whilst also giving ample customisation of the output.
-
[S]: it shoots and it feels like a GR with obvious generational updates and that's just with any camera and you're gonna have those that like the changes, some who won't like the changes.
-
Despite its shortcomings, the GRIII undeniably remains one of the strongest contenders in the hobbyist and street photography markets.
-
If you can look past that folks, the Ricoh GR III is truly still one of the best cameras for street photography and it's tiny, it's small, and you can literally take this anywhere you go.
-
The GR III completely redefines what is possible in such a small form factor. While Ricoh have been making their GR series for years, this latest version has pulled everything together beautifully and given us a camera that can truly do almost anything you ask of it.
-
I was really impressed with the autofocus, the image quality, the detail coming out of this camera, the depth of field at 2.8, this small compact size; it really does fit in your pocket.
-
And while it's not the most professional look camera, it produces really great images. And when I've shown those images to the talent, they've been really impressed with the results.
-
I'm very pleased about the body design and the build quality; everything feels quite solid, and apart from some of the buttons everything's made of metal and feels quite durable as well.
-
I'm still thinking about adding the Ricoh GR III personally because I like I I I had a very, very good time shooting it. I don't know what else to say, it's very good.
-
[I] would definitely choose this over an RX100 for photography only. I think that the images on this look way better than what the RX100 can do for still photography, but for video shooters and hybrid shooters [...] this is really not giving you the best bang for buck.
-
I start by saying that yes the Ricoh GR III is a camera that will make you a better photographer, collect precious memories, take photographs that can be sold or win awards, and most importantly that is fun to use.
