This week, Ricoh is unveiling two exciting new cameras. The Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF, which come with cutting-edge features like a highlight diffusion filter for nostalgic images and zone-select AF for quick and accurate focusing. Even better? While innovative, the new Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF are point-and-shoot cameras, which means they’re intuitive and easy to use, even for beginners.
Here’s what we know about the new Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF cameras, from built-in vintage aesthetic functionality to upgraded autofocus and white-balance technology.
Key Features of the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF
- Built-in highlight diffusion filter (HDF)
- Zone select AF
- Three white-balance pre-program settings
- 24.24 megapixel camera
- Full HD video
- Image sensor cleaning via ultrasonic vibrations
- Moiré reduction with SR unit
- Sensor shift shake reduction
- ISO range 100-102400
What’s New about the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF?
With the GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF, Ricoh is introducing a fresh way to capture eye-popping images with both vintage flair and crisp focus. Here are four of the top features to swoon over with Ricoh’s latest camera additions:
High Diffusion Filter
These cameras introduce an innovative and intuitive way to create vintage-looking images. The trick? A built-in high diffusion filter (HDF). This special-effect filter creates a diffused look along highlight areas, with blurred highlights that look pulled from vintage films and photographs. This gives creators the chance to produce high resolution and high-contrast content that pops off the page and screen, while ensuring a unique and creative look that keeps followers coming back. Users can incorporate the HDF in video and photo; a new default setting with the camera’s Function (Fn) button lets creators easily switch the HDF feature on and off.
Zone Select AF
Nailing autofocus just got easier with the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF cameras’ new zone select AF feature. This option lets creators select where in the photo they’d like to focus; they can move the 3×3 focus area to the image section that makes the most sense. For even more functionality, try options like eye-AF solely within that focus area. This new feature isn’t just for Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF photographers and videographers. Ricoh creators with all GR III and GR IIIx series models will soon enjoy the zone select AF feature with the latest firmware expansion, set to be released alongside these two new cameras.
Pre-program White Balance
Waste no time switching between white balance. Creators with the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF cameras can pre-program white balance settings as their base white balances, which means simple transitioning between the three. Users can pair the go-to base white balance with the camera’s white-balance fine adjustment function, too. (This function will be available to all RICOH GR III and GR IIIx series models via firmware update later this year.) The benefits of pre-programming white balance abound: creatives can get back to photographing or filming in often-frequented settings and
locations, and they can set a base to start at for small adjustments in specific scenarios instead of starting from scratch each time.
High-quality Imagery, Easy to Use
These features, plus the 24.4 megapixel sensor with a wide ISO range of 100 to 102400, built-in image sensor cleaning to remove dust, 14bit RAW files, Full HD at 1920×1080 at up to 60p, and multiple hybrid AF options, make it clear the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF cameras are workhorses. Yet despite their diverse capabilities, these cameras are highly intuitive and easy to use. Ricoh designed the GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF to have point-and-shoot functionality. While creators can play around and perfect their shots with sorts of features, they can also simply pick up the camera and begin shooting—the perfect entryway to photography and filmmaking.
Who Should Buy the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF?
The Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF cameras are perfect for beginner or intermediate photographers, particularly those who are ready to either pick up the crafts of photography or videography as a hobby, or those hoping to take their lifestyle, travel, or street photography to the next level. With the built-in HDF, which provides dreamy, vintage-looking images, photographers can create their own unique style and aesthetic as they build their own portfolio and follower base. Additionally, the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF give photographers the chance to experiment with higher-end features, such nailing autofocus or white balance. And, with Full HD video, photographers can dabble in nostalgic-looking films, too.
See Below for the Differences Between the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF cameras:
| RICOH GR III HDF | RICOH GR IIIx HDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Lens construction | 6 elements in 4 groups (2 aspherical lens elements) | 7 elements in 5 groups (2 aspherical lens elements) |
| Focal length, aperture | 18.3mm (Approx. 28mm in 35mm equivalent focal length), F2.8-F16 | 26.1mm (Approx. 40mm in 35mm equivalent focal length), F2.8-F16 |
| Focus range | Normal: Approx. 0.1m~∞, Macro Mode: Approx. 0.06m~0.12m | Normal: Approx. 0.2m~∞, Macro Mode: Approx. 0.12m~0.24m |
| Dimensions | Approximately 109.4(W)×61.9(H)×33.2(D)mm (excluding protrusions | Approximately 109.4(W)×61.9(H)×35.2(D)mm (excluding protrusions) |
| Weight | Approximately 257g (Included dedicated battery and SD memory card), Approximately 227g (Body only) | Approximately 262g (Included dedicated battery and SD memory card), Approximately 232g (Body only) |
Comparable Ricoh Cameras
Ricoh has numerous cameras that are highly targeted to specific photographers and filmmakers. Including many in the GR III and GR IIIx series. For example, the Ricoh GR IIIx Urban Edition is an innovative take on the standard GR IIIx model with city-specific functions, such as snap-distance priority mode to make capturing snapshots quick and simple, while the metallic gray finish has cool and edgy look. The Ricoh GR III street edition also comes with a full press snap feature for a speedy and instant capture of the moments as they unfold, with a bright f/2.8 aperture to introduce bokeh as well. Other options in the line include the GR III diary edition, or the standard GR III and GR IIIx.
Final Thoughts
The Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF are perfect for those looking to add a bit of interest and
pizzazz to their photography, or those who want to hone a nostalgic-looking style that helps
them stand out from the pack. These cameras are ideal for beginning or intermediate photographers, particularly those looking to experiment with their craft, be it photo, video, or both. While creators can use the cameras for myriad scenes, the built-in features make them especially useful for travel, lifestyle, street scenes, and everyday use. Additionally, the Ricoh GR III HDF and GRIIIx HDF cameras work well for new parents. Especially since the HDF vintage-aesthetic feature lets new moms and dads capture photographs that look similar to the ones they grew up with.
