Ricoh has announced the development of its new GR III, a significant update to the GR and GR II. The camera gains sensor-shift image stabilization and on-sensor phase detection as part of an updated 24MP sensor. The camera’s 28mm equivalent F2.8 lens has also been redesigned and a touchscreen added for the first time.
The GR III’s sensor can now shift in three axes to compensate for camera shake and, in common with Ricoh’s Pentax DSLRs, this shake can simulate the effect of having an anti-aliasing filter.
Since the stabilization is done at the sensor level, we suspect the lens has been redesigned to boost focus speed. On-sensor phase detection underpins a hybrid phase- and contrast-detection system which, combined with a new processor and the new lens will, we hope, make the autofocus performance more competitive.
The redesigned 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens will have six elements in four groups, including two aspherical elements. The minimum focus distance has improved to 6cm (2.4″) from 10cm (3.9″). The built-in 2-stop ND filter from the GR/GR II remains. The GR III can record 1080/60p video, up from 1080/30p on its predecessors.
From the front at least, the design is unchanged, though preliminary specs say that the III isn’t quite as wide as the I and II. We’ve yet to see the back of the camera but we do know that the 3″ LCD is now touch-enabled. The GR III has a USB-C socket, which the company says can be used for video output. Wireless functionality continues to be offered through Wi-Fi only: no Bluetooth here.
The GR III will be available in early 2019 at price to be determined later.
Press Release:
RICOH GRIII, a high-end digital compact camera to be exhibited for preview at Photokina 2018
LONDON 25 SEPTEMBER 2018 – RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING EUROPE, S.A.S. are pleased to announce a preview showing of the RICOH GRIII camera at Photokina 2018 — the world’s largest, full-scale trade fair of photographic and imaging products, to be held from September 26 to 29 in Cologne, Germany. The new camera has been in the process of development as the latest model of the RICOH GR series, which features a line-up of high-end digital compact cameras combining exceptional image quality with a compact, lightweight body ideal for snapshot photography.
Over a history of more than 20 years, the RICOH GR series has always kept its basic concept of optimising the essential values of a camera — high image quality, snapshot capability and portability — while at the same time making the changes and refinements needed to meet emerging needs. Because of this, GR-series models have been preferred by a great many photographers, particularly professionals and highly experienced amateurs.
Currently under development, the RICOH GRIII inherits the basic GR-series concept, but it incorporates totally new devices in its main components, including a newly designed lens, a new image sensor, and a new imaging engine. These are designed to further upgrade image quality, strengthen many of the functions and improve the user interface.
Designed to be the ultimate snapshot camera, the RICOH GR II is a totally new breed of GR camera, one that will give the user new and different creative possibilities. We hope Photokina 2018 visitors will enjoy their first look at this new-generation GR-series model.
Overview of the product under development
- Model name: RICOH GRIII
- Launch date: Scheduled to be launched in early 2019
- The design and specifications are identical to those first announced publicly about the camera’s development, and are subject to change without notice.
Ricoh GR III specifications (preliminary)
| Body type |
| Body type |
Large sensor compact |
| Body material |
Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor |
| Max resolution |
6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w:h |
1:1, 3:2 |
| Effective pixels |
24 megapixels |
| Sensor size |
APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
| Sensor type |
CMOS |
| Color space |
sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array |
Primary color filter |
| Image |
| White balance presets |
8 |
| Custom white balance |
Yes |
| Image stabilization |
Sensor-shift |
| Uncompressed format |
RAW |
| File format |
- JPEG (Exif v2.3)
- Raw (14-bit DNG)
|
| Optics & Focus |
| Focal length (equiv.) |
28 mm |
| Maximum aperture |
F2.8–16 |
| Autofocus |
- Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Phase Detect
- Multi-area
- Center
- Selective single-point
- Tracking
- Single
- Continuous
- Touch
- Face Detection
- Live View
|
| Autofocus assist lamp |
Yes |
| Manual focus |
Yes |
| Normal focus range |
10 cm (3.94″) |
| Macro focus range |
6 cm (2.36″) |
| Screen / viewfinder |
| Articulated LCD |
Fully articulated |
| Screen size |
3″ |
| Screen dots |
1,037,000 |
| Touch screen |
Yes |
| Screen type |
TFT LCD |
| Live view |
Yes |
| Viewfinder type |
Optical (optional) |
| Photography features |
| Minimum shutter speed |
30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed |
1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes |
- Program
- Aperture priority
- Shutter priority
- Manual
|
| Built-in flash |
No |
| External flash |
Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes |
Auto, Flash On, Flash On+Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Slow Sync+Red-eye |
| Self-timer |
Yes |
| Metering modes |
- Multi
- Center-weighted
- Highlight-weighted
- Spot
|
| Exposure compensation |
±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| Videography features |
| Format |
MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes |
- 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
- 1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
- 1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
|
| Microphone |
Stereo |
| Speaker |
Mono |
| Storage |
| Storage types |
Internal, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) |
| Storage included |
2GB |
| Connectivity |
| USB |
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging |
Yes |
| HDMI |
No |
| Microphone port |
No |
| Headphone port |
No |
| Wireless |
Built-In |
| Wireless notes |
802.11b/g/n |
| Remote control |
Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical |
| Battery |
Battery Pack |
| Weight (inc. batteries) |
257 g (0.57 lb / 9.07 oz) |
| Dimensions |
109 x 62 x 33 mm (4.29 x 2.44 x 1.3″) |
| Other features |
| Orientation sensor |
Yes |
| GPS |
None |
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
