Instagram is filled with photographers sharing methods for acquiring softer, extra cinematic images, like utilizing nylons, bubble wrap, or plastic baggies over the lens. However what if digital cameras may go from sharp to comfortable on the press of a button? Ricoh requested that query, then answered with the Ricoh GR III HDF.
… has a built-in filter that creates softer photos and spreads out the highlights for a extra cinematic, timeless look.
The HDF within the title stands for spotlight diffusion filter. The compact digital camera has a built-in filter that creates softer photos and spreads out the highlights for a extra cinematic, timeless look. Whereas the filter is in-built, a button turns the impact on and off, successfully permitting photographers to go from sharp to comfortable and again once more with none equipment.
Whereas the HDF characteristic is exclusive, the digital camera is in any other case largely unchanged from the unique 2019 GR III. That signifies that the important thing tech inside, just like the sensor, processor and lens, is now round 5 years previous. Longtime followers of Ricoh’s compact GR collection could also be left disillusioned.
Superior compact digital camera
A novel moveable digital camera for journey and road pictures
The Ricoh GR III HDF is a compact digital camera able to taking cinematic photos, because of the APS-C sensor and a built-in diffusion filter. Whereas the spotlight diffusion filter provides a singular, artsy look, the remainder of the {hardware} is equivalent to the unique GR III. Whereas the digital camera is a strong software for journey and road pictures, it lacks motion capabilities with a slower burst pace and autofocus system.
Worth, specs and availability
Ricoh introduced the GR III HDF in March 2024 alongside the GR IIIx HDF. Availability adopted in April, with the digital camera listed for $1,069.95.
Model Ricoh
Sensor Measurement APS-C
Video Decision 1,920 x 1,080
Photograph Decision 24.24 Megapixel (6,000 x 4,000)
Battery 200 pictures
Connection Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Measurement 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 inches
Weight 9.7oz With Battery, Recording Media
Water Resistance None
Lens 18.3mm f2.8
Burst pace 4 fps
Autofocus Hybrid part and distinction detection
Design, measurement, weight, and supplies
The Ricoh GR III HDF is a real compact
Plenty of cameras declare to be pocketable, however with the Ricoh GR III HDF, that’s not advertising and marketing hype. The digital camera is shorter and narrower than my iPhone 15 Professional, although greater than twice as thick. Measuring 4.3 inches on the longest aspect and about 1.3 inches thick, it weighs about 9 ounces.
That pocketable measurement does not depart as a lot room for controls, however all of the necessities are there.
That pocketable measurement does not depart as a lot room for controls, however all of the necessities are there. With two management dials and an ISO shortcut on the again, photographers have fast entry to all three factors of the publicity triangle. The Fn button is reserved for the HDF or spotlight diffusion filter, however like the opposite buttons, this may be personalized to regulate one thing else.
The touchscreen is massive for the scale of the digital camera, although sadly, there’s no tilt characteristic. The compact design additionally omits the viewfinder. However, if the latter is a dealbreaker, Ricoh sells an add-on.
The Ricoh GR III HDF additionally is not wealthy in ports both. The one port is a micro USB.
The brand new HDF characteristic will be added to almost any digital camera utilizing a screw-in filter. However, as a compact digital camera, the GR III lacks the lens screws to accommodate such equipment. You will get an adapter to make use of with the digital camera, but it surely then turns into a lot much less moveable. Sadly, the Ricoh GR III HDF lacks weather-sealing, so it is not the digital camera to soak up the rain or to the seaside. (The pattern photos taken within the rain had been as an alternative taken from inside a automotive).
Photograph and video efficiency
The Ricoh GR III HDF is not constructed for motion
The Ricoh GR III HDF is designed to be a compact, unobtrusive digital camera for road pictures and journey — and that reveals within the digital camera’s efficiency. The GR III HDF is not the digital camera that you’re going to choose up if you wish to shoot just a little little bit of every thing.
The compact measurement, picture high quality and options like Snap Focus work effectively for road and panorama.
The compact measurement, picture high quality and options like Snap Focus work effectively for road and panorama. However, flip the GR III HDF on youngsters or pets, and you’ll probably find yourself pissed off, disillusioned, or each. The burst pace maxes out at 4 fps, significantly decrease than different cameras and even smartphones. The autofocus equally had hassle maintaining with my canine.
Whereas the digital camera is not meant for motion, it is not fairly a one-trick pony.
Whereas the digital camera is not meant for motion, it is not fairly a one-trick pony. The lens can focus as shut as about 2.3 inches away. That wonderful macro mode provides some much-needed versatility. Equally, it is not a digital camera that you just’d choose up completely for video, because it lacks 4K and recording time is restricted to 25 minutes. The dearth of ports can be a draw back for video, with no mic port. However, that HDF impact does work properly on video.
Picture High quality
The Ricoh GR III HDF proves sharper is not at all times higher
Cameras and lenses have been trending in the direction of the scientifically sharp, however the Ricoh GR III HDF proves that sharper is not at all times higher. The HDF within the title stands for spotlight diffusion filter, an inner filter that may be turned on and off on the press of a button. The HDF softens highlights and light-weight sources. Direct it in the direction of automotive headlights, for instance, and the lights will seem to have a bigger unfold than with the filter off.
Whereas the impact is most noticeable directed in the direction of mild sources, HDF images have a usually softer really feel with much less sharpness than the unfiltered photos. Tremendous sharp particulars aren’t at all times a superb factor. With the Ricoh GR III HDF, photographers have entry to each sharp and comfortable images.
Spotlight diffusion is not one thing that is solely on this digital camera — you should buy a mist filter or comfortable filter so as to add to almost any mirrorless digital camera. What units the Ricoh mannequin aside is you could get this impact in a tiny digital camera, with out including a cumbersome adapter or remembering to pack any filters.
Whereas the Ricoh GR III HDF exchanges the prior mannequin’s ND filter for spotlight diffusion, not one of the different {hardware} modifications, so photos with out the HDF utilized will look equivalent to that of the unique GR III. The compact digital camera homes a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. The decision delivers a superb mixture of particulars and grain. At ISO 3200, noise is noticeable, however not overpowering.
The APS-C sensor combined with the f2.8 lens is able to delivering wonderful bokeh and background blur, contemplating the digital camera’s small measurement. The 35mm equal focal size of the lens is a superb software for extensive pictures in road and panorama pictures, plus it has an impressively shut macro mode. Directed on the mild, the digital camera may also produce some neat flare.
Verdict: Do you have to purchase the Ricoh GR III HDF?
Provided that you do not want a digital camera that may shoot motion
Photographers who love the Ricoh GR III HDF perceive what the compact digital camera is for — and what it is not for. The digital camera is a superb software for journey and road pictures, because of its small measurement, wonderful photos, and built-in spotlight diffusion filter. It is a terrific selection for these in search of a easy, compact digital camera that provides a cinematic really feel to its photos.
The Ricoh GR III HDF, nonetheless, ought to be prevented by anybody wanting a digital camera that may seize a panorama one minute and an motion shot the subsequent. The burst pace and autofocus are slower than comparable cameras. The digital camera additionally is not a lot of an improve for photographers who personal the unique GR III — it merely swaps out the built-in ND for the HDF.
Different key rivals to think about embody the Sony RX100 VII, which has a smaller one-inch sensor however a 20 fps burst. The Fujifilm X100 VI has the bigger APS-C sensor, however with 40 megapixels, 6.2K video and a 20 fps burst. Fujifilm’s compact, nonetheless, is each bigger and costlier than the GR III HDF.