Ricoh GRIIIx… Let’s Try This again (First Impressions)

About two years ago, I got a Ricoh GRIIIx because I was curious to try such a popular camera. At first, I was sceptical, but all the online buzz and a few friends using it made me part with my money. I used it for a few days but ended up selling it because I just didn’t gel with the camera. I found the build to be a bit plasticky, the images were not as nice as my Fuji at the time, and I didn’t see a need for it since I already had an X100V. Fast forward to today, and I decided to try it again. However, this time, I’m committing to at least six months of frequent use. Now that I’ve been using it for a few weeks, I have some initial observations that I will share in this blog. For clarity, this camera was purchased by me at full price, and Ricoh doesn’t even know I exist.

Size / Weight

Let’s get the most obvious positive out of the way. This camera is incredibly small and light. If you put it in your sling or bag, you wouldn’t even notice the difference in weight. If you put it in your pocket, it would fit right in and not look ridiculous, akin to a slightly overstuffed wallet. This really is a camera you can take everywhere and not notice a difference. For that fact alone, this is a serious consideration for many people.

Performance

This camera is fast to switch on, and it’s ready to go right away. The menu system is snappy, all functions operate instantly, and the camera never feels sluggish. The screen is akin to a smartphone. It’s bright, clear, and responsive. The files save instantly, and I’ve never experienced any lag or buffering delay, even when shooting in burst.

Snap Focus

This is something I knew little about before buying a Ricoh, and now I can only wish to have this feature on my Sony. Snap focus allows you to set a custom button, that when pressed, will focus the camera to a pre-selected distance. It’s instant, reliable, and can be a huge time-saver. On my GR, I set it to infinity; however, any distance is possible. For street photographers who love to zone focus, this is a godsend. Aside from the portability, this might be my favourite feature.

UI

The UI is great. I specifically love the U1, U2, and U3 custom modes on the top dial. They allow you to set up an entirely different camera to each one. While the possibilities are seemingly endless, I set mine to daytime, low light, and shutter drag photography. There will be a separate detailed blog on settings soon. The menu is easy to navigate and understand. The quick menu is customisable and pretty intuitive using the rear dial. The general user experience is great.

ND Filter

I love the built-in ND filter. This allows for wide-open shooting in harsh light or slowing down the shutter speed for slow shutter photos. This can also help video look more natural by lowering the shutter speed.

Macro Mode

This is the one feature that I didn’t think I’d ever use, but ended up using it almost every time I was out shooting. It’s great for close-up details, and generally having fun with the camera.

Image Quality

It’s good, and not even good considering the size, but good full stop. I would say it’s just below the Fuji APSC system, and miles above any other camera of a similar size that I’ve used. The colours are nice, the dynamic range is sufficient, and the images look great. Nothing to complain about here. Here are some sample photos.

Fun Factor

This brings me neatly to the fun factor. This camera is fun to use. You want to grab it and go out to shoot. That’s important.

Ergonomics

This camera is small, and for many people with larger hands, it can be a little awkward to use. I’ve seen grips and other accessories to help with this on the market, so not all is lost. It’s not a negative, but can have a noticeable impact on your user experience. With that said, the grip you do get, is fantastic for my small / medium sized hands.

No Viewfinder

I personally missed having a viewfinder, especially on bright, sunny days. While I like shooting using the screen, having a viewfinder can be a great help in some scenarios. I understand why it doesn’t have one, but one can dream of a small pop-up option in the future.

No Flash

These are the sorts of cameras you’d take with you to parties, travels, events, and days out with friends. In these scenarios, having a flash can be very helpful. I understand why it doesn’t have a built-in one, and the hot shoe is there for that reason; however, for these scenarios, I’d rather take the X100VI.

Battery Life

The battery life isn’t the best. On a full charge and with moderate use, I’m lucky to get through a day on two to three batteries. Like with previous points, I understand that such a small battery can’t hold much power just yet, so this isn’t a negative, more an observation.

Video

The video seems to be a bit of an afterthought rather than a feature that’s been properly implemented. There aren’t many manual controls, and it’s very much an iPhone-like experience. With that said, the video quality out of an iPhone is better, I feel. This isn’t a video camera, and 99.9% of buyers are solely looking at it as a stills-only system.

Slow AF

The AF is pretty basic and slow. It can hunt around, take time, and sometimes not get the focus right on the first attempt (if there is little contrast). With that said, for the purpose of this camera, it’s fine. If you’re buying the GR for holidays, a bit of street / travel photography, and for family snapshots, it’s totally fine.

No Weather Sealing

This is the biggest negative in my opinion and a missed step. This is the camera that you’d throw in your pockets, take to the beach, and always have on you ready to shoot. So to have a system that is not only not weather-sealed, but can actively suck dust inside, isn’t great considering the price you pay. Of course, there are accessories that can minimise this, but I wish this camera was sealed properly. If I’m going to the beach, or will be shooting in damp conditions, I’d rather take something like the X100VI.

Plasticky Build

This was my first observation two years ago, and even though it might have been a little harsh, I still stand firm by my opinion that it can feel a little cheap and plasticky. I understand it was done for weight saving; however, I’m sure more premium-feeling materials could have been used at this price point. I know this is nitpicking, and many will disagree, but with a camera this good overall, I had to dig deep.

Summary

Overall, this is a great little camera and perfect for those wanting something to carry every day that’s better than a phone. It’s not cheap, but you get fantastic results in such a small package. With that in mind, I would recommend it to almost everyone. The only group of people who might benefit from looking elsewhere are those who need weather sealing and top notch autofocus. I wish I never sold it all those years ago, but I’m glad I got it again.

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