Ricoh GR DIGITAL III 10 MP CCD Digital Camera with 28mm f/1.9 GR Fixed Lens and 3-Inch LCD
- 28 mm/F1.9 lens features outstanding brightness
- sophisticated image processing capabilities and comprehensive shooting functions: GR DIGITAL III
The new GR DIGITAL III takes the GR line’s traditional high image quality to an even higher level with a new image processing engine, a new CCD, and the newly developed 28 mm/F1.9 GR Lens. Performance has also been enhanced in areas such as quick shooting, operability, and power of expression. The GR DIGITAL III 1. Newly developed large-aperture lens. The adoption of the new F1.9, f-6.0 mm (equivalent to 28 mm for 35 mm film cameras) lens for the GR DIGITAL III takes compact-body cameras into a new realm of images. This lens makes it possible to shoot with a faster shutter speed than could be used on previous models, or to shoot with the same shutter speed but at a lower setting for ISO sensitivity. Despite the large F1.9 aperture, the new lens achieves a resolution level equivalent to that of the F2.4 GR Lens. The use of a newly developed lens drive system has made it possible to achieve greater image quality in macro photography. 2. Taking the GR DIGITAL concepts another step
List Price: $ 499.00
Price: $ 449.00
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Ricoh GR DIGITAL III Digital Point and Shoot Camera,
Ricoh digital point and shoot cameras aren’t your traditional point and shoot cameras. Take the GR III, it’s not the smallest or doesit have the longest zoom lens or is it the cheapest. Actually, it’s pretty pricey. And it’s not for everyone. And if I hadn’t gotten it for free, I wouldn’t have bought it. But now that I have had some time to use it, I really like it.
As I said above, this isn’t the smallest camera. It’s considerably bigger than the newer Canon SD series. However, it will comfortably fit in a shirt pocket. It is also quite a bit heavier. The body appears to be of metal with a rubber covered grip. The grip is nice sized and very comfortable. There is a nice 3″ LCD on the back for composing and viewing images. As has become the norm on P&S cameras, there isn’t an optical viewfinder. On the top, there is the typical power button, shutter release, and mode dial. A nice little feature is that the mode dial locks so that it can’t change settings accidently. Also on top is a hot shoe for using an external flash. You almost never see this on a camera this small. The camera also has a small built in flash.
On the subject of a zoom lens, there isn’t one. The GRIII comes with a fixed 28mm (35 equivalent), fast f1.9 lens. Why no zoom lens? My guess is that Ricoh went for quality here (and they achieved it). This wide angle lens is great for landscapes, shooting around the house, street photography, and macro shots. And with the fast f1.9 aperture, you can easily control the depth of field to blur the background if desired.
The camera has many shooting features. Some, like Snap Focus, the leveling aid, and High contrast B&W mode are not found on any other P&S cameras. I recommend you download the manual (available on Ricoh’s website) and read up on these if you’re thinking of getting this camera.
For me, the most important aspect of a P&S is image quality. Due to the small sensor size, you get more noise and less detail than digital SLRs. In P&S cameras, there are two basic sizes. The smallest (the one in most P&S cameras) and a slightly larger one that is found in the bigger sized point and shoot cameras. The larger one is found in the bigger Canon G11, G12, and Nikon s7000 cameras. As I write this, there are only 3 really pocketable cameras that use the bigger sensor… the Canon S90, its replacement the S95, and this camera. In this case size does matter. The larger sensor gives you a lot less noise and better detail. Couple this with the Ricoh’s lens and very good image processing engine, and you end up with images that are better than most. I’ve been happy with 13 x 19 inch prints and probably could go bigger. Is it as good as a digital SLR? No, but it close and nowhere near as big and heavy.
In conclusion, this camera is not for everyone. The casual shooter taking holiday pictures would be better served by a smaller, cheaper point and shoot. But if you normally use a wide angle lens, want a lot of shooting features, and the highest image quality you can get in a pocketable camera, give this a look.
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|Simply the best fixed lens advanced camera,
Ricoh GRD3 is an advanced fixed lens compact camera and also the best Ricoh compact camera up to date. Ricoh GRD belong to the famous Ricoh GR line, which features fixed wide angle lens equivalent to 28mm with big aperture.
This product philosophy is pretty straightforward, it is designed and engineered for serious photographers. Every buttons, features, and menu interface are designed to be easily accessible for photographers. Aufo focus performance is excellent. This combination ensures photographers to be able to capture the decisive moment when it occurs.
BODY & HANDLING
Ricoh GRD3 is made by magnesium alloy body, very lightweight but very sturdy. It has a big leather-like texture in the hand grip and a bit on the back of the camera. The ergonomic is excellent. It is very comfortable even for a long period of time. The grip make it easier for photographer to keep the camera steady to prevent camera shake/blurred image.
Ricoh GRD3’s body interface are the best interface for compact camera. Here is why:
First, it has many dedicated buttons, two dials, and up-down button in a very thoughtful design. All the buttons are very accessible.
Second, most of the buttons are customizable. There are two customizable function buttons. In addition, the up-down button and the two dials can be customized in certain way to fit your prefered shooting style. There is also a ADJ. button, which is also function as a customizable button.
Mode dial is positioned far top right of the camera with a dial lock. The lock prevented the mode dial to be changed accidentally. GRD3 also has three custom mode dials that can be customized. For example, MY1 for general outdoor shooting, MY2 for low light shooting, MY3 for macro shooting, etc.
This kind of body interface usually only available on high-end digital SLR cameras. But even that, I doubt there are any high-end dSLR cameras that offers wide range of customization option that GRD3 offers.
When using a camera, most of photographers are forced to adapt to the camera interface, but in GRD3, you can tailor fit it into your style. With practical experience, you will find which kind of setting is the best for you.
OPERATION & AUTO FOCUS
Ricoh GRD3 starts-up time is 2 seconds and off-time is around 3 seconds which are not very fast, but not the slowest. The operation is generally smooth. Regarding Auto focus system. This camera has the usual multi-focus and spot focus (focus on the center). Focusing speed are moderately fast at around half a second. AF noise is very quiet. You can only hear the faint swirling noise clearly when you are very close to the camera in a quiet room.
Ricoh has several rather unique AF features. Here is some unique AF features:
Pre-AF = When this feature is activated, the camera will performs auto focus automatically when you start pointing on a scene. This will make auto focus operation a lot faster.
Snap-AF = This is basically bypassing auto focus. You set the focus distance (GRD3 offers 1m, 2.5m, 5m and infinity). When this setting activated, you just click away without having to wait. Because shutter lag is almost 0 sec. You will able to capture the frame instantaneously.
GRD3 also provides depth of field guideline for each aperture in the LCD screen, so you can make sure that your subject will be in focus. The Snap AF works well in digital compact camera with small sensor because the depth of field are large. So the possibility of getting sharp picture is a lot larger than in digital SLR cameras.
There is also a focus confirmation lamp positioned right to the hot shoe. This is very effective when you use external viewfinder as a compositional tool. The AF lamp will provide focus confirmation. The lamp also serves as camera processing indicator.
Missing from GRD3 auto focus is the ability to move the move the spot focus to other part of the frame. There is manual focus that allow you to enlarge / zoom the center portion of the scene, which is helpful when you deal with macro photography, but it is not adequate for normal range of photography because the magnification is only around 2-3 times. and it is only in center of the screen.
IMAGE QUALITY AND NOISE IN HIGH ISO
Image quality is excellent in advanced compact camera class. Shooting in low ISO (200 or lower), it is hard to find the difference the result between this camera with digital SLR camera which has much bigger sensor unless you zoom in to 100%. Dynamic range (the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image) is generally good, but around 1 stop lower than digital SLR camera. The camera has adjustable dynamic range expansion (weak, medium, strong) which will help to optimized your image with special algorithm.
To deal…
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