Ricoh GR Digital III Announced
Ricoh GR Digital III Announced/Brief Hands On Preview
July 2009, Carl Garrard (Updated 8-11-2009 First Shots!)
(Updated 8-05-2009 Price Announced)
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Today Ricoh has introduced a new successor to the Ricoh GR Digital II, the GR Digital III. The GR III is the worlds only compact in development with a bright f/1.9 maximum aperture. I've recently spent some time with a pre-production GR Digital III, and I am happy to report in this preview that my first impressions were positive. The improvements in the design such as image quality, speed, features, and build quality (although subtle) are all impressive and a seemingly natural course for the highly regarded GR series. For those wanting a fully featured low light "prime lens" camera, I cannot think of a better solution or design currently on the market.
The new GR Digital III camera is loaded, of which boasts a newly designed f/1.9 28mm fixed prime lens, a large new 1/1.7" 10mp sensor, new processing engine- the GR Engine III, a new double shot HDR mode, and the nicest LCD screen of any compact I've seen yet with VGA resolution at 3" x 920,000 dots. It has a full magnesium body like its predecessor, improved raw burst depth (5 images), improved focusing speed (in all types of light), and improved image quality at all ISO sensitivities. A new Ricoh flash, new 21mm wide angle accessory lens, and a hood/adapter are also available along with the GV-1 and GV-2 optical viewfinders. Ricoh offers more accessories as well.
As usual to high end Ricoh compacts such as the GR and GX series, the camera is completely customizable and Ricoh has added another My Setting to the GR mode dial, a new FN 2 (function 2) button on the rear of the camera, and a shutter speed priority setting also on the mode dial, completing the cameras manual control dominating feature set.
Although my experiences with the GR Digital III are based on a pre-production model, I was told the camera was 99.9% complete (it certainly felt and operated like a completed product). I shot quite a few images with the new GR, and although I cannot share those images here (because it is pre-production), my first impressions were that image quality was improved within the image noise spectrum quite a bit.
I shot images through the entire ISO range to verify, starting with my natural curiosity of 800 and 1600. If the image quality is improved in the final production models nearly as much as my initial impressions of the pre-production model, I think GR fans will really take notice. As soon as I have a production copy to verify those initial impressions I will do just that (soon, I'm told).
*Update 8-11-09* I have recieved my production sample GR Digital III and here are the first few samples below, these are out of camera full sized Jpegs (haven't even looked at the raw files yet). I will post more in the final review. At first glance however, these are impressive.
ISO 800 (Standard Color and Native Camera Settings)
ISO 400 (Standard Color and Native Camera Settings)
ISO 1600 (Standard Color and Native Camera Settings)
ISO 100 Macro (Standard Color and Native Camera Settings)
ISO 200 Macro (Standard Color and Native Camera Settings)
ISO Comparison GR Digital III vs. GX 200
ISO 400, Jpeg, NR off, Manual WB, 28mm, f/2.5, 1/10th second, GX200 shot downsized to 10mp, 100% crop
ISO 400 Comparison GR Digital III vs. G10 (Canon)
All manual settings (as close as possible) 28mm, fine Jpegs, G10 image downsized to 10mp, 100% crop
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Officially Excited
As a resident Ricoh user here, I am looking forward to this one; particularly the faster shooting capabilities. A macro monster my R/8 is....with a toddler on the go, I'll be wanting something a bit faster in the P&S family. To that, the conversion lens has me piqued too. If I can't go alpha....this seems the next logical step.
Added full specifications to the preview
Fyi
Carl
Pixel Pitch
With compact cameras, pixel size or pixel density is always a concern for higher sentitivity. Note that most compacts now have pixel pitch of at least 32mp (squared) per centimeter or higher (up to 43mp squared is common nowadays).
The Ricoh has 23mp per centimeter, keeping pixel density down. This should help light gathering ability and with the new processing should also help the higher sensitivity output image quality.
Should have my hands on one next week.
Carl
Any word on a GT-1 type
Any word on a GT-1 type teleconverter (28mm -> 40mm)?
A 40mm is much nicer than a 28mm, for things like portraits or certain landscapes,
The GT-1 really made the GRD a very versatile tool and it would be a big loss if they no longer offered it.
I assume the GT-1 can't be used with the GRD III, due to the new lens.
Ricoh GR Digital III
Thanks for review on preproduction model. I know you are waiting for a finished product--any word from Ricoh yet on when you will receive this?
Any word on when it will be offered for sale in North America? I've heard first week of August in general, and August 15th as a release date for Australia.
From reading Ricoh's site, I understood it to say you couldn't use a polarizing filter on the 21mm converter lens. That is disappointing, since for me the primary use of the 21mm wide angle is for landscapes. Is that your understanding as well? Looking forward to your full review.
Hi Townsend
I have a production model and have started the review process. It will be available this month in North America.
I will get a copy of the converter lens soon, I will know then. I don't know if 21mm will be the primary use, I think you'd have to include architecture in that same sentence as well.
Ill have some shots up soon as I am able, as well as the final review.
Carl
Stan
"Any word on a GT-1 type teleconverter (28mm -> 40mm)?"
No word yet, I will ask Ricoh if they plan too however. I think an additional lens along with the 21mm would be helpful though indeed.
Carl
Any Thoughts on Comparison to Sigma's DP1 and/or DP2?
Eventually, I'd like to get a "high end" compact camera to complement my Alphas, and the Richoh would be a candidate. Recently, a friend who is a Physics/Astronomy professor was urging me to take a look at Sigma DP1 or DP2, which uses the FOVEON X3 sensor. The technology seems impressive, and sample photos look great. They certiainly have some excited followers, although sounds like the cameras could use more polish in the usability department. Do you have any experience with either of those cameras, especially compared to something like the Richoh, when it comes to the quality of the images they produce?
If I come across
some extra cash I might get a DP1 to cross compare before I finish the review.
I have other plans to compare to an APS sensor however in the meantime :).
Foveon is good for color overall, but short on resolution, and for its size the DR isn't as impressive as it should be.
There are pros and cons to both cameras of course, but the GR is already showing a lot more promise than previous Ricohs in terms of IQ.
Carl
Very impressive preview
I will be very happy to read the finished review, this camera looks like a total winner.
Joel