Ricoh GR IIIx: First Impressions
Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) is real — and I’ve battled it for some time. As an APS-C shooter, I often wondered if it was time to step up to full-frame. I even made trips to camera stores to test bigger bodies, but never pulled the trigger.
Eventually, I realized that a larger, heavier setup wouldn’t help me shoot more (see Why Taking More Photos Matters), in fact it would probably make me shoot less. What I really needed was a compact camera I could carry everywhere.
So, putting my ego aside, I started looking into the Ricoh GR line — a set of cameras that, just a few weeks earlier, I would never have considered picking up.
The Decision: Why I Chose the Ricoh GR IIIx
The main selling point of the Ricoh GR series is its compact size paired with excellent image quality. In fact, it’s one of the smallest fixed-lens APS-C cameras available today.
Thanks to the runaway success of the Fuji X100V, there’s no shortage of premium compact cameras to choose from. Personally I considered the Fuji X100V/VI and X-E5, as well as the Sony RX100 VII.
After some research, the Fujis seemed just a bit too large to be truly pocketable, and their price point was significantly higher (the X100VI retails for around €1,800, the X-E5 for around €1,600, compared with ~€1,000 for a brand-new Ricoh GR III). Availability was another issue, given the high demand for the X100 line.
The Sony RX100 VII, on the other hand, is even smaller than the Ricoh and offers a huge 24–200mm zoom range. But with only a 1-inch sensor (about 4.2× smaller than APS-C), it wasn’t what I was truly looking for.
In the end, the Ricoh GR struck the right balance between portability, sensor size, and image quality. The only question left was whether to go with the GR III or the GR IIIx.
28mm vs 40mm: Why I Picked the GR IIIx
Once I’d settled on the Ricoh GR, the final decision came down to which version to get. The GR III comes with a 28mm equivalent lens, while the GR IIIx offers a 40mm equivalent.
Even though 28mm is a popular choice for street photography, I personally find it a bit too wide. Finding clean compositions can be harder and subject separation is more difficult to achieve.
The 40mm look, on the other hand, really appeals to me. Indeed two of my favorite lenses in my current kit are 42mm and 37.5mm equivalent (you can see some examples here and here). I enjoy how these focal lengths render scenes, offering a natural perspective for everyday moments and portraits, with just the right amount of subject separation.
So in the end GR IIIx it was.
There’s also an HDF version of the GR IIIx, which swaps the built-in ND filter for a Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF). This filter adds a subtle effect that softens highlights. However, I decided to pass on this version and instead put the extra €150 toward a set of accessories that better suited my shooting style.
Should You Wait for the Ricoh GR IV?
With the GR III released in 2019 and the GR IIIx in 2021, you might wonder — is’t it worth waiting for the GR IV, which Ricoh has officially announced for mid-September 2025 (The Verge)?
The short answer? Not necessarily. Ricoh only announced the GR IV, not a GR IVx, and since I was specifically interested in the “x” version, it still made sense to get the current model. I’d rather have a great camera in my pocket today than miss photo opportunities while waiting for the next release.
It’s also worth remembering that the GR IIIx’s core appeal — portability, a sharp fixed lens, and a great APS-C sensor — hasn’t aged a bit. Those qualities still make it a very relevant camera in 2025.
GR IIIx First Impressions: From Box to First Shots
What’s in the Box?
The unboxing experience was pretty average. The box is mostly cardboard, which doesn’t exactly feel premium — something Ricoh could definitely improve on, considering the price point. Inside, you get the basics: the camera body, a rechargeable battery, a USB cable, and a simple hand strap (more on this later).
Build Quality & Handling
Picking up the GR IIIx for the first time, I was surprised by how light and compact it felt. Despite the size, handling isn’t bad at all — the small grip gives just enough support to make it comfortable to hold. All the main buttons and dials are placed on the right side so everything is reachable with your thumb. They’re clicky and functional.
Screen, Controls & Usability
The rear screen is bright and easy to see, even outdoors, and the touchscreen is responsive. Navigation feels straightforward, and the menus are fairly intuitive.
First Shots in the Field
On my first outing with the GR IIIx, I struggled a little. At first, I tried to replicate the shooting style I usually have with my Sony a6600, but it quickly became clear that wasn’t going to work. The Ricoh is a very different camera, and it demands a different approach.
Once I started embracing its peculiarities — no EVF, relying more on the rear screen, using the touchscreen to select focus points — things began to click. My confidence in the camera grew fast.
Sunflower - f2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100
Image Quality & Rendering
How Sharp Is the GR IIIx Lens?
The GR IIIx lens is no doubt sharp, even wide open at f/2.8. Across the frame, details hold up well, and the files have plenty of micro-contrast that makes textures pop.
Crosswalks - f5.6, 1/1250, ISO 100
The 40mm Look in Practice
The 40mm equivalent focal length feels very natural — tighter than 28mm, but not excessively restrictive. It gives everyday moments a slightly more intimate perspective while still being flexible enough for general walk-around shooting. Subject separation at f/2.8 is subtle but present, adding a nice sense of depth.
Letter box - f2.8, 1/80, ISO 100
Dynamic Range
The RAW files are flexible enough to recover highlights and shadows when needed. It’s not on par with a full-frame sensor, but for a pocketable camera it’s more than adequate.
Low Light Performance
The GR IIIx handles low light reasonably well. ISO 1000 is very usable, with noise that looks more like fine grain than digital mush. Push it past that, though, and details start to degrade quickly.
Garden sign - f2.8, 1/40, ISO 1250
Image Stabilization
The in-body stabilization makes a real difference for stills. I managed several sharp frames at 1/13s handheld, which is impressive for such a compact camera.
Motion blur - f11, 1/13, ISO 100
My Favorite Things About the GR IIIx (So Far)
Form Factor
The biggest win of the GR IIIx is its size. This is a true pocket camera still housing an APS-C sensor. Having that kind of image quality in such a discreet body can be an incredible boost to you photography, because it’s always with you.
Internal memory storage
The GR IIIx includes 2GB of internal storage, enough for about 40 RAW files or 140 JPEGs. That may not sound like much, but it can be a lifesaver. On my second day with the camera, I went out for an evening walk, happily shooting away — only to get home and realize I’d left my SD card in my laptop. The internal memory saved the shoot. It’s a small feature, but one I now really appreciate.
Overall image quality
For such a compact body, the files this camera produces are very good. Sharp, detailed, with pleasant colors. In combination with the 40mm lens this camera delivers images that feel very natural.
Macro mode
Personally, I love taking macro shots, so being able to capture small details with a camera that fits in my pocket is a huge plus.
Fern - f2.8, 1/200, ISO 100 - Macro mode
What could be improved
Autofocus
The autofocus on the GR IIIx isn’t lightning fast, but most of the time it gets the job done. In good light, it’s accurate and reliable. Where it struggles is in low light or low-contrast scenes, where it tends to hunt or miss focus.
As for manual focus… let’s just say it’s not a joy to use.
Charging Port Cover
This is a small nitpick, but worth mentioning: the cover for the USB-C charging port feels unnecessarily stiff when opening it. I'm really not sure if I'm doing something wrong. Closing it feels fine, but opening it requires more force than I’d like, and almost every time I worry about damaging it.
Trade-offs Worth Mentioning
The true strength of the GR IIIx is its compact size. For me, the ability to slip it into a pocket and carry it everywhere outweighs the limited battery life or the lack of an EVF. Until Ricoh finds a way to add a high-quality EVF without compromising the slim form factor, I’d rather keep the smaller body — especially since I already own the Sony a6600, which covers those needs.
Battery life
The GR IIIx battery is officially rated for around 200 shots. On paper, that isn’t much — but in practice, it hasn’t been a problem. The batteries are tiny, so carrying a couple of spares is no big deal. Since the camera powers on in well under a second, I got into the habit of switching it off between shots to save same battery without worrying about missing anything.
No EVF
This was the hardest adjustment at first. Coming from cameras with an EVF, I didn’t realize how much I relied on that experience to block out distractions and focus completely on the frame. In the first few days, I caught myself instinctively bringing the GR IIIx up to my eye more times than I’d like to admit. With time, though, I adapted — shooting from the rear screen now feels more comfortable, even if I still miss the EVF at times. For example, in bright sunlight I’d still prefer one, but in most situations the rear screen has been more than adequate.
Church - f5.6, 1/640, ISO 200
Accessories I bought and recommend
With the camera I picked up a few accessories to make the GR IIIx more practical for everyday use.
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Extra Batteries + Double Charger
Battery life on the GR IIIx isn’t great and the official Ricoh batteries aren’t cheap. I went with a third-party bundle that included two extra batteries and a dual charger, so I can charge two at once.
📎 Extra batteries + double charger
Carrying Case
Since I take the GR IIIx everywhere, I wanted a small case for when it’s in a backpack or stored while traveling. The one I bought is compact, lightweight, and gives just enough protection. It also has a small front pouch that fits spare batteries and SD cards
Adjustable Wrist Strap
The strap included with the camera is fixed-size and feels too loose for me — I always worried it might slip off my wrist. I replaced it with an adjustable wrist strap that feels much more secure.
Thumb Grip (Tried, Then Removed)
I tried an external thumb grip for the first time with the GR IIIx. The build quality was good, but it didn’t work well with my shooting style: I tend to press with the middle of my thumb rather than the tip, so it never felt comfortable. It also made turning the power button on/off slightly trickier and added bulk when pulling the camera in and out of its case. In the end, I decided to remove it.
Screen Protector
A cheap, no-brainer upgrade to prevent scratches on the rear screen without affecting the touch sensitivity.
SD Card
While the 2 GB of internal storage is a handy backup, you’ll definitely need a proper SD card. Any card from a reliable brand works but I picked up this one.
📎 SD card
If I had to recommend just three accessories, the screen protector would be the first choice, followed closely by the extra batteries and the carrying case. Together, they make the GR IIIx far more practical as a daily carry.
Conclusion
After my first thousand shots with the Ricoh GR IIIx, what stands out most is how easy it is to always carry around. The true strength of the GR IIIx is that it disappears into a pocket and reappears the moment you need it.
Yes, the battery life is short, the lack of an EVF takes adjustment, and it’s not the cheapest compact camera around. But the payoff is huge: a sharp, reliable APS-C camera that’s with you when inspiration strikes — whether that’s on a walk, during travel, or just in the everyday in-between moments.
For me, the GR IIIx has filled exactly the gap I hoped it would: an extremely portable camera with excellent image quality that’s with me all the time. As Chase Jarvis famously said: “The best camera is the one you have with you.” And for me, more often than not, that’s the Ricoh GR IIIx.
The proof, of course, lies in the photos — I’ve gathered a selection of my favorite shots so far in a separate gallery, make sure you check it out.
Flowers at sunset - f2.8, 1/1000, ISO 200
After my first month with the Ricoh GR IIIx, I’ve gathered a selection of favorite images. Everyday moments, light, color, and perspective — exactly the kind of shooting this pocket camera was made for.