Key Takeaways
- Ricoh has launched its new GR III and GR IIIx cameras with built-in highlight diffusion filters.
- The new model maintains the original features while providing a unique soft effect along the edges and highlights of the image, giving it a vintage feel.
- Changes include a dark silver shutter button and improved Zone Select AF, but no built-in ND filter.
Ricoh has announced new versions of its GR III and GR IIIx cameras, but if you were expecting drastic changes, you’re out of luck. The new version adds a special built-in highlight diffusion filter for softer highlights. But other than that, most of the original features of this compact camera remain the same.
Ricoh GR III Early Review: Striking a High-End Heartstrings
The GR III will be launched in Europe priced at £800/€900. We used a high-end fixed lens APS-C sensor compact to make sure it’s still attractive.
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GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF are official products.
But what’s new?
Widely used in street photography due to their compact form, the GR III and GR IIIx feature point-and-shoot functionality, a 24.2-megapixel sensor, 3-axis sensor motion stabilization, face and eye detection, and in-camera editing. However, the lens specifications are different. The GR III is equipped with a 28mm lens (35mm equivalent), while the GR IIIx is equipped with a slightly tighter 40mm lens (35mm equivalent).
All of these statistics remain the same for the new GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF cameras. Ricoh has added a Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) developed using advanced inkjet technology. Special effects filters diffuse highlights and “create a blurred effect along the edges of the image,” Ricoh says. This effect creates smooth images much like those captured on film or vintage movies. The HDF can be instantly turned on or off with a single movement, allowing photographers to easily switch looks.
Here’s what it looks like in use:
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The image on the left above was taken with the HDF filter turned off, and the image on the right was taken with the HDF filter turned on. You can see how the HDF filter softens the highlights.
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Other subtle improvements
In addition to the HDF filter, Ricoh also changed the color of the shutter button to dark silver to differentiate it from other GR Series models and “symbolize easy switching of visual expressions,” Ricoh explains. Ricoh has also changed the default settings for the function (Fn) button to control HDF settings. Of course, you can customize the Fn button, but if you buy the HDF version, you’ll want to be able to use that function by pressing the button.
The two new models also feature Area Selection AF, which allows photographers to select the desired 3×3 area and then automatically sets focus on the most appropriate area within the image. Unfortunately, you can’t use the built-in Neutral Density (ND) filter on the GR III HDF or GR IIIx HDF, so you’ll have to do without one.
One of the features introduced in the HDF version is also applied to existing models through feature extension firmware. Up to three white balance settings can be pre-programmed as the default white balance. This function can also be used in conjunction with the white balance fine adjustment function. Updated firmware will be available upon market launch of HDF models.
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But how much will it cost?
Both the GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF will be released in April for $1,070 and $1,150, respectively.