RICOH GR IIIX LOOKS LIKE THE PERFECT STREET COMPACT

New camera has a 40mm-equivalent lens, plus face- and eye-detection AF © Ricoh

Ricoh Imaging has announced the Ricoh GR III, a new digital version of a pocket-sized APS-C camera much loved by pros and street photographers.

This new version has the same design as the original, but swaps that camera’s wide 28mm-equivalent lens for a more natural 40mm angle of view. The original Ricoh GR III is still ideal for wide-angle street shots, landscapes and tight spaces, but the new GR IIIx offers a more normal, natural perspective, close to that of a ‘standard’ lens.

Ricoh’s GR III cameras are quite expensive, and come with a fixed focal length lens and no viewfinder. However, they’re much more compact than regular APS-C cameras, and ideal for serious photographers who need a ‘proper’ camera that can genuinely fit in a pocket. They have limitations, for sure, but they’re still amongst the best compacts for enthusiasts and pros.

The Ricoh GR IIIx boasts a new 26.1mm F2.8 GR lens, equivalent to a 40mm lens on a full-frame camera. It incorporates two aspherical lens elements and a 2-stop ND filter that can be engaged for very bright conditions. Inside is a 9-bladed diaphragm for smooth bokeh, and the lens can focus down to 0.12m for close-up shots.