Customer Reviews

Ricoh GR DIGITAL III 10 MP CCD Digital Camera with 28mm f/1.9 GR Fixed Lens and 3-Inch LCD

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 with dynamic range problem, Ricoh GRD3 has a feature called Double Snap, this feature will take two images consecutively and combine them together to expand the dynamic range. This features are great to bring up shadow details, but you will need tripod for good result because just a bit shake in the process, then the end image will be blurry.

Image in high ISO are also excellent for compact camera. It is very usable up to ISO 800 and 1600 is acceptable for small print or web. Colors and saturation are retained even in highest ISO. [Check the ISO / noise comparison in my website]

VIDEO MODE

Do not expect miracle from GRD3 video mode. This camera is intended for still photography so video mode is very basic, but will be useful for quick snap and web sharing.

SOME PERCEIVED WEAKNESSES

* It is easy to accidentally press the the up and down button (usually use for zoom)

* Spot focus limited to center of the frame only. It is not moveable like other advanced compacts.

* Manual zoom magnification should be greater and also movable to other part of the frame (not only center).

* A bit slow processing when shooting in RAW files (approx. 2 sec each), although you can shoot 5 frames continuously at 2 fps.

* Double Snap feature does not give you control over exposure or other setting.

* Need tripod to get Double Snap feature to work well.

* No image stabilization. This is understandable because the size of the camera could be larger. Also, the high ISO performance and bright lens will suffice in low light condition.

* No scene modes or face detection. This camera is not aimed for casual / family compacts market.

* Tele converter lens is not available.

* Small image sensor, while closest competitors already move to DSLR quality sensor

COMPETITORS

People that looking for Ricoh GRD3 might also consider:

Sigma DP1 14MP Digital Camera $550

DP1 uses 14.6 megapixel FOVEON sensor (effective 4.6 mp), and 28 mm f/4 lens.

Sigma DP2 14MP FOVEON CMOS Sensor Digital Camera with 2.5 Inch TFT LCD $650

DP1 uses 14.6 megapixel FOVEON sensor (effective 4.6 mp), and 40 mm f/2.8 lens. DP2 is slightly improved from DP1 in term of processing and operation speed and interface.

Leica 18420 X1 12.2MP APS-C CMOS Digital Camera $1995

Leica offers 12 megapixel APS-C sensor and f/2.8 lens equivalent to 35mm.

People might also consider advanced compact zoom lenses such as:

Canon PowerShot G11 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch articulating LCD $500

G11 offers 28-140mm f/2.8-4.5 zoom stabilized lens, professional quality body interface and swivel LCD screen.

Canon PowerShot S90IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-inch LCD $430

S90 offers 28-105mm f/2-4.9 stabilized zoom lens

Panasonic DMC-LX3K 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) $500

LX3 offers 24mm-60mm f/2-2.8 stabilized zoom lens

All the camera above offers 10 megapixel image resolution, which is believed to be sweet spot for image resolution and noise trade off.

CONCLUSION

Ricoh GRD3 is a unique compact camera. It is has the best interface and ergonomic compared to its rivals. Image quality is very good considering GRD2 has small CCD sensor. The new 28mm f/1.9 is great. Low light performance and image quality are very good. AF operation are excellent and very innovative. For so long, compact cameras always have problem with slow focusing. With this system, you can bypass the AF with Snap or pre-AF mode.

Of course, Ricoh GRD3 is not for everybody, because it only has 28mm fixed lens, not zoom lens, and it lacks consumer friendly features such as face detection, scene modes and photo retouch. However, this camera is ideal for people who understand about basic photography. The focusing features, size and image quality make this camera ideal for street photography.

Overall, Ricoh GRD3 is a remarkable camera in such a small package. It sports everything the serious photographer will love, not only fancy features as marketing gimmicks. Highly Recommended!

Subjective Rating - Relative to advanced compact camera in 2009

Image Quality : 4/5

Features : 4/5

Performance : 5/5

Body and Handling : 5/5

Value for Money : 4/5

This camera belongs to what I've seen called "enthusiast compacts". It appeals to people who are ready to spend a little more and are not easily blinded by number of pixels, 10x zooms, or software trinkets. The ticket of entry is a sensor that measures at least 1/1.8" (as opposed to the standard 1/2.5" which is HALF the size, area- wise, once you do the math!), resolves no more than 10 megapixels, and provides a RAW mode. This Ricoh camera passes muster, and one-ups the competition by having a prime (i.e. zoomless) lens - a ballsy but very promising choice.

To a quality- minded photographer, the specs already are very much in favor of this camera. And if you compare it to your three year- old $129 Target special, you're going to be thrilled in every respect. But the real question is: How does it stand up against the competition in its own class? To determine that, I'm going to pit the Ricoh against what has been termed "king of the compacts" not so long ago, the Canon S90. At a lower price and with a (quality-wise) inferior zoom lens, the Canon should bite the dust in every respect. Does it? Read on for the shootout or skip to 'Unique features' and 'Conclusion' for the skinny.

ERGONOMICS

The Ricoh is about 25% larger than the S90 (by volume), but it's still a rather small camera. I find it considerably easier to hold, thanks to finger- friendly bulges and the textured shell. At first glance, the Canon looks like a worthier camera with its sleek metal finish, but the Ricoh's textured body will most likely withstand a little abuse and it doesn't collect any fingerprints. Both camera bodies are solid - no creaking or crackling here. Also, both have a very nice 3" screen and the difference is slight, but the Ricoh's seems to have better contrast, less reflections, and better colors outdoors. Probably not something I'd have noticed if I didn't have both cameras out at the same time. But in my mind, the Ricoh has better ergonomics than the Canon.

UNIQUE FEATURES

The one big thing that Canon has and the Ricoh is lacking is image stabilization (IS). That is particularly useful for taking flash- free pictures of inanimate objects, such as in a museum, or bring out the background in reasonably calm subjects. The Canon IS gives you a 3- stop advantage which makes a huge difference in low light situations. Speaking of low light, the S90 takes up to 30s exposures in Tv mode (Ricoh: 5s). It has face detection, the only software gadget I'd rate useful since it can save the day when you give the camera to a stranger to snap a pic of you. And finally, if you happen to be a Scuba diver, you know that Canon owns the underwater world: there are 3 different enclosures available for the S90 and none for the Ricoh.

On the Ricoh positive side, we have a flash hot shoe, the iris goes down to f/9 (canon: f/8), and a built- in tilt sensor. Also the lens connector is threaded, so with an optional adapter you can mount standard filters. There is an interval setting, and in macro mode you can get so close you have to watch out not to poke your subject! I've also noticed that the battery lasts a long time on standby: after 2 months of not taking pictures the Canon is dead, but the Ricoh shows full.

All in all, it's impossible to weigh one feature over the other as it depends so much on what the camera is being used for.. so I call it a tie (but for the record, I'm totally pouting over the missing IS).

OPERATION

Both cameras have mode dials with the usual suspects (A/Tv/M/P) plus custom modes. The controls are very different: On the Ricoh, there is a wheel, and two levers to control various settings, whereas the canon uses two rings, one of which on the lens. I may be a little biased here because I've been using the Canon far longer, but the ring around the lens is absolutely genious and always seems to do the right thing (for example, sets ISO in P mode but shutter speed in Tv mode). In addition, one click on 'function' brings up a tidy menu with shooting- relevant items, such as ISO, whitebalance, etc., all with pretty and intuitive icons. On the Ricoh, the "Adj." lever seems to have no effect most of the time, the "up" button is unmapped, and the shooting menu isn't particularly clean as it contains all the options (eg. "noise reduction", "date imprint") in textual form, so it might take you a while to find the proper setting while your subject is waiting. On the other hand, the Ricoh is more customizable, with 3 custom notches on the mode dial and two "Fn" buttons. Perhaps with practice, the Ricoh will feel more comfortable, but for now, I'm giving Canon the medal for thought- out operation.

SOFTWARE

This is a somewhat unfair comparison, as Canon bundles its DPP software with the S90, the same product as with their $5000 SLRs. And they've had at least 8 years to perfect it. Can you tell that I'm trying to ease you into the fact that I like DPP, whereas Ricoh's bundled software, "Irodio", leaves me wanting? Don't get me wrong, Irodio is not awful. It shows the pictures like on a slide desk, you can set the white point, crop and flip, and it doesn't crash THAT much more often than DPP.. and yet: no tagging, fine rotate, tone curve control, batch export, and weirdest of all, no zoom (that I could figure out)! Irodio's saving grace is that it has limited video clip support, something that DPP completely ignores. And luckily, the Ricoh uses the open DNG format which Adobe's Lightroom digests, but that's some serious extra money. The bundled software award goes to Canon, loud and clear.

PICTURE QUALITY

Ricoh specifically highlights the optical characteristics of the prime lens, and let's be clear, it's why people would buy this camera. Of course I don't have a lab at my disposal, so a real- world test would have to do: I took a picture in good lighting conditions and compared a crop in the center as well as on the edge. In addition, I took a picture in low light and ISO 800. I invite you to peruse the pictures here on Amazon, don't take my word for any of this :) But, here's my critique:

On the center shot, I think things are pretty even. If I was pressed, I'd vote for the Ricoh as I like the colors better and I believe I could count more grass leaves. On the edge shot, Ricoh also has the advantage and less chromatic aberration (blue fringes). However, to be honest I did expect a little more. As it is, the difference is not all that great: you'd have to print above 12" x 9" to see any difference in detail, and the fringing in particular can easily be fixed in Software. Finally, at ISO 800 the Ricoh has no noise advantage over the S90 - neither compact should be used at that sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

This is a solid point-and-shoot that appeals to people who want the little (little!) extra in picture quality, or a feature not commonly seen in this class (see 'unique features' above).. The advantage over the (zooming) mainstream competition is slim though, and the two major issues that may irk the aspiring photographer are the missing image stabilizer and the mediocre software.

OPTIONS

I'd like to stress the fact that this is still a "point-and-shoot" class camera, with all the shortcomings: in terms of picture quality, handling, speed, or versatility it can't hold a candle to even my 6- year old DSLR! Make no mistake: for someone looking to capture an event or children growing up around the house, any inexpensive DSLR from Nikon or Canon will be around the same price, yet many times superior in all aspects - except size.

If it has to be small (a valid requirement, as the saying goes "the best camera is the one you have on you"), direct competitors include Canon who recently announced the S95. One big step up is the Micro Four- Thirds system such as Olympus' or Panasonic's current offerings. Also, it's worth noting that Sony's NEX5 has made quite a splash recently as well, as its picture quality comes close to DSLR's.

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.

Ill keep this short. There are a lot of things this camera doesnt have and if you are like me these things arent always important in a camera like movies, zoom lenses, automatic settings for photographing a flower.

But if you value the things below in this camera as I do it will be right up your alley because you will recognise these things are what makes it easier to get the camera to do what you want and to get good feedback on your shots.

Brick like build quality, fast f/1.9 lens, shoots RAW files, discreet appearance, slim enough to pocket, very customisable interface, wonderful 920,000K LCD screen, adequate image quality, useful playback features like one button press to zoom into "x16" to check focus, and just an overall great user experience with

Direct access to exposure compensation (via dedicated up and down buttons) aperture and shutter, (via front and rear dials like on a mid-range DSLR) and ISO (via "Adj lever)

One button press access to (my custom settings) AEL Lock, Snap Focus, Macro,

One press of "Adj" lever and move lever left or right to choose any number of things like Continuous mode, White balance, Flash amount, Picture quality (about 15 to choose from)

I compared this to my Canon s95 which was more versatile with zoom lens, smaller and easier to pocket, better movie mode, probably better high ISO quality, and above average user interface but ended up selling it and keeping this.

I just love it, its a little jewel.......maybe one day Ill miss the zoom and get the new Canon s100 though

I have owned or own the Samsung TL-500, Canon S95, LX5, and now this little guy.

Took a lot of shots side by side comparing all these cameras.

First, and I admit to this, a truly good photographer can get better shots out of an iphone than some people can get out of a dslr. I fall somewhere in the middle, meaning I really enjoy photography but I admit I am also a bit of a gadget nut, hence buying all these similar cameras in hopes of finding a REAL winner STANDOUT. Now that THAT'S out of the way, to my review..

No matter what, any small advanced point and shoot camera even with the larger sensor like the GR3 just can't equal a micro four or dslr type sensor OVERALL.

That said this is about a camera you want to take with you, while your larger compact or dslr sits home.

The long story short on this GR3 at least to me is, It's extremely customizable, you can control just about everything under the sun with it. I loved the controls..it feels great in hand..and it really is just an excellent no frills camera. That's exactly what I wanted. I knew full well it had a fixed lens, no hd video etc. Yes the lens does seem to be BEST out of all the cameras in this category as to overall sharpness(corner to corner), hardly any chromatic aberration etc. BUT!..So you get all this control, over just about every aspect of taking a shot GREAT. But, and here's BUT again, when I used exact same settings, aperture, ev, iso, distance to shot, lighting etc, when all is equal I found the Ricoh actually fell a bit short of my s95 and tl500 oddly enough. I did tests as to overall IQ, Sharpness, dynamic range, SKIN TONES etc. The GR3 is really GREAT but I don't see it besting the TL500 or S95 OVERALL. One big plus it does have IS the lens..there is absolutely much less purple fringing with the GR3 than my other similar cameras. BUT again but? OVERALL, the other cameras actually look more sharp as to FOCUS, do better in low light, have a zoom, at least it's there as an option. I actually like the idea of a fixed lens camera as it makes you work harder for the shot and if you have legs..YOU DO have a zoom. :) BUT other than purple fringing, or extreme corner to corner sharpness it's nice to have the option of a zoom. Say you are shooting, and a cute little rabbit appears cause this just happened to me while shooting. Well you can't run towards the rabbit..I was happy I had my s95 with me got the shot. With the Ricoh my little rabbit was just too far away..hence I missed that shot. IF the gr3 was so much better than these other cameras, image quality means everything to me.I'd rather miss my little rabbit shot for example on the overall. But picture after picture side by side, I kept seeing the gr3 was not a standout vs these other cameras sad to say. Yes it doesn't blow out highlights quite as much as the s95..but that's when YOU take control..so with a little ev compensation...so what. AND the Ricoh DOES blow highlights. The gr3 had no greater dynamic range vs the other cameras...it DOES have the best battery life by FAR. But here's But again, so buy a second battery with the $100 to $200 you can save on a TL500 or S95. To sum up, so you get a TON of control..but due to it's tiny sensor you can do JUST so much with these little guys. On overall everything I found the gr3 a great little camera but REALLY other than the purple fringing or lack of..it really in no way stood out any better than the other cams in this category. No Image stabilization (Another limitation here) is a drag unless you want to pump up iso indoors then you get a lot of noise obviously. Forgot to mention ALSO owned the XZ-1 but sold it cause it had WAY WAY too much noise reduction. I do use raw too..but HAVING TO HAVE to use raw on every picture (like you need do with the XZ-1)had me selling my xz-1. To sum up the GR3 is indeed an excellent camera, built very well (though made in China) BUT, love that BUT, it really seems too expensive for what you get...so sadly I'm going to be selling mine.

First off, I like to approach my digital camera reviews from the point of view of a novice since I'm far from a tech geek and ease of use is typically on the top of my mind. That said, the Ricoh GR Digital III is a pretty amazing camera for being so compact. It's overall user-friendly and intuitive functions matched with pretty darn good image quality is quickly setting it apart from most of the digital cameras I've used in the past.

As far as what's great about this camera, the thing that really jumps out at me is the image quality, in particular in moderate low light. My experience with most digital cameras while shooting inside with moderate lighting has been that the flash was a necessity to capture any decent detail and to prevent high pixilation. This has been an issue in the past because it's hard to use the flash well indoors at close range without overexposing the image. With the Ricoh GR D III I was able to capture medium-high, to high quality pictures with no flash indoors. Also, the Macro function image quality is amazing indoors in medium light.

The other thing that really surprised me was the ease of use right out of the box. I had the camera unpacked with the included battery installed (it already had a 2/3 full charge) and was literally taking pictures in 3 minutes. The menu and function navigation is super intuitive for anyone even moderately comfortable with basic digital cameras (I'm assuredly a novice in that department.) I was able, without the manual, to figure out how to turn on/off the macro and flash, change the image quality settings, adjust the focus options (turning on/off multi or single box focus, etc.), as well as playing back the images and even switching to video mode.

As far as drawbacks go, the main issue I think will bug most people is the lack of any true optical zoom. The camera does have a 4x digital zoom, but honestly I've never been a fan of the large quality reduction digital zoom imparts. Even though the camera lacks zoom, I don't see this as an issue as the camera seems designed for more on the go snapshots, and the overall picture quality makes up for slightly less versatility.

My only real complaint about the camera is in the left side body design. Though overall the camera is easy to use with just the right hand, it's hard to find a good place to hold it with your left because the LCD screen is flush on that side and there's only a thin border to rest your thumb. Also because the flash is flush with the top left it prohibits a good grip when it's in use. It's a minor quibble, but it's worth noting none the less.

All in all, it's a little pricy for an on-the-go camera, but the image quality and ease of use put it light years above lower priced compact digital cameras.

In the hands of an experienced photographer, one who shoots from the hip, frames intuitively, and adjusts on the fly, the Ricoh GR Digital can be magic. Even in the hands of a forever amateur like this Potato Head, the Ricoh can produce some magnificent images though many are the results of dumb luck and a smart camera.

Like a previous reviewer, I started taking pictures as soon as I charged up the battery. My poor dogs no doubt wondered why that black box was constantly in their faces, but they were good sports. With no zoom lens one is forced to get close to his/her subject, a good thing in most cases. When I couldn't get too close because of logistics or because I wanted to use the flash, I did some severe cropping to still achieve good quality pictures.

Likes-

The size and feel of the camera. It has enough heft to feel comfortable in the hands, yet is small enough to fit in a pocket or small case.

The owner's manual. A printed manual is included, an appreciated inclusion for his user. The manual is amply illustrated and easy to understand. It's a bit lengthy because of the complexity and the number of features that come with the camera. Though the scenes are limited compared to many other cameras of this size, the customization options for buttons and settings are nearly limitless. Using the P,S, M, A, and three my scene buttons, one can have seven preconfigured combinations to use on picture expeditions.

Speed - The Ricoh focuses quickly and processes quickly, even in RAW mode. If one loses a shot, it most likely won't be the camera's fault. Learning the camera's settings and menu goes a long way in adding to the speed and comfort of using the camera. I learn a little more each time I use the camera.

Low light pictures - I've seldom had to use the flash because of the Ricoh's sensitivity. Even in a bedroom lit with an overhead fluorescent light, I got good color and detail after adjusting the white balance settings. Macro pictures are terrific, most with good color and clarity of detail.

The more I use and learn about this camera, the more impressed I become. Pictures taken in low light without a flash are incredible.

The dynamic range feature is nice; in scenes with extremes of dark and light the camera takes two pictures and combines the best of both. The owner's guide recommends using a tripod, but I'd had some good results with hand held shots. I especially like the "vivid" setting. Pictures taken in this mode are vibrant yet not unnatural or too intense as with other cameras in this setting.

Video - I like the ease of using the video via the scene mode setting on the dial. Both indoor and outdoor videos have turned out well with excellent sound. The built in microphone is quite sensitive, so try not to hurt its feelings.

Battery life - I've taken lots of pictures so far and haven't had to quit because of a dead battery. Conveniently this camera can use the included Ricoh lithium rechargeable or ubiquitous AA batteries.

Other thoughts - As a point and shoot kind of picture taker, I would have liked some available zoom and maybe a few more scene settings. One can't attach filters to this camera, but there is an available attachment from Ricoh that includes a hood and allows the user to add filters.

I like being able to fine tune the settings to taste whether it's white balance, brightness, exposure, color, sharpness, or things I haven't learned about or stumbled upon yet.

The included Ricoh software is good, with lots of features and intuitive layout. When adding effects, however, the program can plod along slowly while the effects are added.

After taking both RAW and jpeg pictures, I prefer to use the fine jpeg setting.

Value - Over six hundred dollars seems quite a bit for a camera like this, but then again I am a frugal picture taker, not a photographer. However, several photographers of my acquaintance have also reacted with raised eyebrows when informed of the Ricoh's price tag.

Read the descriptive details about the Ricoh on the Amazon page and other sites to see that quite a lot is packed into this little camera. For some, the included features and ergonomic pluses will be enough to justify the Ricoh's cost.

For me the Ricoh wouldn't be the best every day camera, but for those who want a small camera for good, spur of the moment photos, or for photos of people, pets, or baby people in no flash situations, the Ricoh GR might be ideal.

This is the best compact camera PERIOD. I am not going to waste your time with an in depth review on this camera, there is already a very good review that does that. What I can tell you is that this camera constantly suprises me with its versatility and ability.

If you are s street photographer, or are looking for a camera that will allow you to catch "the moment", this is the camera for you. The snap focus function is priceless.

I have taken over 5000 photographs with this little thing, it goes with me everywhere. The size, ergonomics, the unmatched optics, the settings, it all comes together in this beautiful little package. You will not be dissapointed.

Ricoh has done an unbelievable job. In the end, I really believe this compact was designed for photographers. You will grow into the GRD III and it will allow you to express your vision, unlike many point-and-shoots.

I have had several of pro-consumer cameras (like the canon g11). Currently I have been using a canon s90, which I have really loved. The blend of size, features and quality have made it a great camera. That is, until I got this camera.

First, this isn't a camera to get someone who wants a simple point and shoot camera. While you can use it for that, it is far more capable in the hands of someone who is willing to use its advanced features. Plus, its price is going to put off a lot of people. But once you get past the sticker shock, and spend a little time reading the manual you will find that this little camera packs a lot of features and quality into a very ergonomic package.

The body does not have the normal cheapy feel that is so common with inexpensive digital cameras. This is made out of a magnesium alloy. This keeps it not only pretty light, but also very strong.

Also, the button layout is very thoughtful right from the beginning. But they can be customized to better serve your needs.

This is also a pretty fast camera. I did notice that it shooting RAW did slow things down a little, but I think that is common among many cameras of this type.

What you won't find with this camera is some of the gimmicky features that many cameras have (scene modes, face detect, image stabilization). This may or may not be a deal breaker for buyers.

But even with out that, the picture quality can make up for the lose of little features, which may or may not even be important to you.

For me, this is a great camera for someone who is willing to invest the time in learning about the manual modes of the camera. And if you do spend some time doing that, you will get great results.

I've previously owned the GRD 2, and had few qualms with it. However, with the GRD 3 these issues have been answered.

The GRD 3 is a wonderful camera to capture those special moments. It is also a very versitile street camera, that slips into your shirt pocket snugly.

The LCD screen has been improved upon from the previous model, and the button placement and calibration is spot on. This is the main reason I still opt for Ricoh cameras, because their buttons and menu are very accessible and straightforward. I shall always pick a Ricoh GRD and favour it to the Canon Powershot and Leica D-Lux range. Those are great cameras with excellent image quality, but I always found myself favouring the GRD as a companion.

Let the images speak for themselves.