Seeing Double | Ricoh GRiii vs Ricoh GRiii X
A quick side by side of my two Ricoh cameras, sample images, and why you might pick one over the other.
If the above image looks to you like a “dressed up” camera is sitting next to it’s naked twin, few could fault you. I assure you though, they are different, well, technically there is ONLY one meaningful difference, but it counts. This difference is also the single biggest reason why you would pick one camera over the other.
Both cameras are made by Ricoh, a company of notable acclaim from the film era of photography. In the 1990s Ricoh became known for their small, quality, point-and-shoot film cameras. Today, the GR series of Ricoh mirrorless cameras aims (and in my opinion succeeds) to recreate that pocketable, easy to use, quality experience.
Both cameras are also using the same sensor, same processor, same body, and a practically identical autofocus system. (Don’t quote me but I believe the “X” uses the same autofocus system but with a firmware update to accommodate the different lens).
My most recent GRiii X hike and POV video: Cedar City + Zion NP
The different lens is the key difference. Before I talk about it though, check out this stripped down side by side of the two cameras. They’re almost indistinguishable besides the lens markings/labels. (And the iphone’s missed focus on the GRiii).
Anyways. The main (maybe the only )difference between these two cameras is the fixed lens equipped to each. The GRiii uses a 28mm (equivalent) F2.8 lens. The GRiii X uses a 40mm (equivalent) F2.8 lens.
This brings the camera choice down to personal shooting preference.
If you live in a more urban environment and enjoy street photography, or really enjoy wider angle landscape shots, the GRiii is probably the camera for you.
If you however prefer a more specific subject focused shooting experience, the GRiii X is probably for you. The 40mm lens is a less common lens focal length nowadays, but bridges the gap between the classic 35mm and 50mm focal lengths.
I tried the 28mm camera first on a whim to break out of my comfort zone. The widest I normally shoot is a 35mm, often shooting 85mm and 200mm as my prefered mid and tele lenses. To be honest, while I have gotten some shots I love with the 28mm, it just wasn’t my exact cup of tea. It did however make me love the Ricoh GRiii platform in general though.
Read my previous review: Will the Ricoh GRiii replace my Canon R6?
So I decided to go back to my comfort zone and try the 40mm.
The 40mm version has been (personal preference disclaimer) amazing . Again, it sits in between a 35mm and a 50mm, both are focal lengths I enjoy. Both lengths are useful for a daily pocket camera.
My new habit is to bring the GRiii X with me as a backup camera to my professional grade Canon cameras. These cameras are often running an 85mm F2, a 70–200mm F4, or a 150–600mm F5.6 setup and the 40mm Ricoh provides a nice alternative perspective to the more tele Canon experience.
I’ve provided sample images from both below. I will say you can’t go wrong with either camera. While I prefer the 40mm, the 28mm is good enough to stay in my collection and will come with me to any major city for street photography usage.
Extra Note: The cameras are so hard to visually distinguish between, that I have outfited the 40mm version with the leather case, copper accent ring, and protective lens cap just to be able to tell them apart at a glance. I have, though, still managed to grab one thinking I was grabbing the other a few times.
Extra EXTRA Note: You may notice the optical viewfinder mounted on top. These are essentially 28mm and 40mm scopes to simulate what the camera will see. They’re more of a novelty.
More often than not my GoPro Hero10 will be mounted to the hot shoe instead as pictured below. This is my setup for my POV videos.
Check out this GRiii X companion street photography video to this article.
GRiii vs GRiii X GalleryNote: These should be compared for lens angle and field of view not for colors, tones, or lighting etc as the rest of the camera is identical and differences you might spot are from the editing processes I use.
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