Ricoh is working on third version of GR compact camera with aps-c sensor

Camera manufacturer Ricoh is working on the GR III, the third version of the compact camera with a large aps-c sensor and 28 mm lens. The new model will have a 24-megapixel sensor and a new optical design.

Ricoh does not provide many details in the announcement, the manufacturer says it will show a prototype at the Photokina fair. There is also a product page online, with some specifications. It appears that the Ricoh GR III will have a 24-megapixel sensor. The GR II that came out in 2015 has a 16-megapixel sensor. In addition, the new model gets a stabilized sensor and phase detection focus.

Like the GR and GR II, the GR III gets an f/2.8 lens with an equivalent of 28mm. However, it is a new optical design with six lens elements in four groups. The minimum focusing distance has been shortened to 6cm, which was 10cm. Like the previous versions, the GR III gets a built-in nd filter. A 4k film function is missing, filming can be done in 1080p resolution with 60fps.

The case design appears to be unchanged. Ricoh shows a photo of the front. At the back is a 3″ LCD, which is now a touchscreen. The camera will also have a USB-C connection, which can also be used as a video output. Ricoh will release the GR III at the beginning of 2019, a price is still not known.

Ricoh released its first GR camera in 1996. That was still an analog camera. In 2004 the GR Digital followed, then with a small sensor. Since 2013, Ricoh has been making digital GR cameras with aps-c sensor. They are all relatively small cameras with a fixed 28mm lens.