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Ricoh Announce GR III High-End 24 Megapixel Camera

Ricoh have announced the GR III, a high-end digital compact camera with a smaller body than previous models and a large 24 mp APS-C CMOS sensor, as well as a newly designed GR lens.

Posted: 22/02/2019 - 07:35

GR III

Ricoh have announced the GR III advanced compact, featuring a more compact body than its predecessors and a newly designed lens. 

The camera has a 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor on board as well as a new wide-angle 18.3mm f/2.8 GR lens, equivalent to 28mm in 35mm terms. Ricoh say it will capture the sharpest, clearest images in GR history. 

The GR III is the first update to the GR range since 2015 when the GR II was announced.

There is an AA (Anti-Aliasing) filter-free design to enhance image resolving power, an anti-shake image stabilised sensor, as well as a new GR Engine 6 imaging engine. The GR III also benefits from a 3inch touch-screen with 1040K dots.

The GR III is set to be available from March 2019 for £799.99.

From Ricoh: 

Newly designed, high-resolution GR lens

The GR III incorporates a newly developed GR LENS; 18.3mm F2.8, which harmonizes exceptional imaging performance with a slim design. Its super-slim optics consist of six optical elements in four groups, while retaining the 28mm angle of view (in the 35mm format) and the large F2.8 maximum aperture of its predecessor. The optimal positioning of a high-refraction, low-dispersion glass element and a glass-moulded element allows it to deliver the clearest, sharpest images in GR-series history, while reducing distortion and chromatic aberration to a minimum. It also minimizes the generation of flare and ghost images when shooting in backlit situations. To deliver high-contrast, high-resolution images of a variety of subjects and in varying photographic conditions, it also comes equipped with a macro shooting capability at a minimum focusing distance of six centimetres, and incorporates an ND (Neutral Density) filter to open up the aperture by two stops. Its nine-blade diaphragm creates a natural bokeh (defocus) effect and a truthful sense of depth at open aperture, while capturing beautiful light beams at closed-down apertures.

High-quality, high-resolution images

The GR III incorporates a large APS-C-size CMOS image sensor with an anti-aliasing (AA) filter-free design to enhance image resolving power, and a newly developed GR ENGINE 6 imaging engine. Thanks to its approximately 24.24 effective megapixels, this image sensor guarantees super-high-resolution images that are rich in gradations. It is also compatible with multi-tone 14-bit RAW image recording. The camera also features the accelerator unit, designed to optimize image data delivered by the image sensor, and provides a top sensitivity of ISO 102400 for super-high-sensitivity photography.

Hybrid AF system for high-speed autofocus operation

The GR III features a hybrid AF system combining a contrast-type AF mechanism with superior focusing precision and a phase-detection-type AF mechanism guaranteeing highspeed focusing operation. Both mechanisms ensure that it delivers a faster, more responsive autofocus operation.

Originally developed SR mechanism

Three-axis, four-step shake reduction: Thanks to the originally developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, the GR III effectively compensates for camera shake at the time of shutter release. Its three-axis mechanism minimizes adverse effects of camera shake caused by pitch, yaw and roll by as much as four shutter steps.
Originally developed AA Filter Simulator: By applying microscopic vibrations with sub-pixel precision to the image sensor unit during exposure, the camera’s AA (antialiasing) Filter Simulator* provides the same level of moiré reduction as an optical AA filter. This innovative simulator allows the user not only to switch the AA filter effect on and off, but also to select the effect to the level best suited for a given subject.
* This function is available at shutter speeds slower than 1/1000 second

Compact, functional body design

Even with the incorporation of the large APS-C-size image sensor, the GR III is extremely compact and functional. It is almost equal in size to the GR DIGITAL IV (which is equipped with a smaller 1/1.7-inch image sensor), providing the outstanding portability in keeping with the GR-series concept of the camera as a pocketable imaging tool or a handy picturetaking tool. It provides such user-friendly features as a short start-up time of approximately 0.8 seconds, the control dial conveniently positioned next to the four-way controller, and effortless touch-screen operation, to enhance operability and allow the user to react to once-in-a-lifetime shutter opportunities. Its exterior frame is made of highly rigid magnesium alloy for improved durability.

High-definition LCD monitor with intuitive touch-screen operation

The GR III features a 3.0-inch high-definition LCD monitor with approximately 1,037,000 dots. Introduced for the first time in GR-series history, its touch-screen operation provides intuitive control of various camera functions, such as AF frame shift, menu selection and image magnification and advance during playback. It also features an air gapless construction, in which special resin placed between the LCD touch-screen monitor and a protective cover made of reinforced glass, effectively reduce the reflection and dispersion of light for improved visibility during outdoor shooting. Its Outdoor View Setting allows instant adjustment of the monitor’s brightness to the desired level for greater visibility in challenging lighting conditions.

Image Control function to produce desired visual effects

The GR III’s new Image Control function provides a new type of ‘finishing touch’ control that integrates effect modes into conventional image setting operation. Using 10 basic Image Control modes, the user can easily adjust various parameters, such as saturation, hue, key, contrast and graininess,* to the desired level, and create a ‘finishing touch’ of their choice. A set of adjusted parameters can be added as a custom setting to the Image Control function.
* This parameter will be available via a firmware update

Bluetooth® and wireless LAN dual communication

The GR III provides wireless LAN functions for easy pairing with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. By installing the dedicated Image Sync application* on a mobile device, the user can display a Live-View image on the device’s monitor, release the shutter and send various commands from the device. The wireless LAN connection also makes it easy to upload captured images onto SNS sites. The camera also provides seamless Bluetooth® connection to facilitate camera operation. Thanks to the Bluetooth® connection, just by selecting the application's shooting mode, the camera can be activated and establish wireless LAN connection even though it is in the Sleep Mode. The location data obtained by the smartphone can be recorded onto captured images by connecting with the Image Sync app.

Other Features:

  • Full HD movie recording (1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 frame rate) in the H.264 recording format
  • Crop mode to capture an image at 35mm (15M) or 50mm (7M) angle of view (in the 35mm format)
  • Customization of functions assignable to ADJ and Fn buttons
  • In-camera RAW Development, providing parameter adjustment of RAW-format images and output of JPEG-format image data
  • Colour Moiré Correction function to reduce the effect of moiré in playback
  • Interval Composite mode, effective in capturing a landscape with traces of the moon and stars
  • Electronic Level to check the camera’s inclination
  • GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens (optional) to expand the angle of view to 21mm ultrawide angle
  • Compatibility with accessory flash units*

 

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