Fujifilm X100v vs Ricoh GR3x Which one Right for You? There are Blind A/B Photos Test …The Design Concepts and Controls are completely different…
After getting the GR3x, many people are still interested in the X100v. I have been using the X100v for about a year, and my experience with the GR3x/GR3 is entirely different from X100v… Although I have not spent much time with the GR3x, I am still satisfied with it.
There are no SPEC or 100% CROP graphs or numerical comparisons in this article. I have used the two cameras for a long time and I feel that although they have completely different orientations, they can each take very good pictures…
First of all, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this type of integrated body digital camera
Benefits of an integrated body:
Lens optimisation settings
Without the constraints of rings and connectors, the body and lens can be as small and compact as possible… The lens can be optimised, for example, by placing the last lens close to the sensor, and you can see that even with such a small body, the GR3x/ X100v image performance is very good and can be compared to other mid-range and high-end lenses……
The quality of the GR3x lens is excellent, with excellent distortion control without any digital correction, sharp images and superior resistance to flare. The only thing that might be of concern is the F2.8 aperture, which I believe would have been more popular…With the redesigned lens optics, the X100v’s optical performance has been improved, and the image quality is now entirely usable at full aperture, unlike the previous X100 series, which had a soft-focus effect at full aperture.
The disadvantages of an integrated body:
Relatively small focus motor
Both constrained by their small lens design, and it is unlikely that a large and fast lens motor will use with them. In the case of the x100v, this is probably the upper limit of the lens’s focusing ability, and it won’t be easy to improve the focusing speed of subsequent x100 bodies significantly… The focusing speed of the X100v is indeed good, but under AFC, the x100v still struggles a bit when it is necessary to fine-tune the focusing accuracy constantly… The AFs focusing accuracy or focus range of the X100v is more within the author’s grasp…
The GR3x’s AF speed is not very good today, the whole lens is driven, and the focusing performance and speed is not very fast and accurate. Using the GR3x AF as the main focus will significantly reduce the focusing speed and accuracy in low light and cloudy conditions. I use SNAP MODE manual focus as the main focus and AF as a secondary focus and use the touch screen AF as the primary focus when using autofocus…
Expensive prices
If you want a high-end camera like the GR3x/ X100v, you can probably buy a good mid-range lens set for the price…Because of the global shortage of chips, the x100v price had reverted to the official price when it was first launched… However, the price is not attractive… For many people to get an integrated body at around USD1000–1200 is a difficult thing to accept… GR3x The 900usd price is also high for GR users, and there are many GRist users around who are waiting for the price of the GR3x to come down before they buy it…
About battery life/body heat
Two cameras if you need to shoot all day; two batteries are also necessary … GR3x may need three batteries. But the author’s shooting habits, two cameras using a battery can also shoot about 200–300 photos. Bring one more battery is not a problem, a small camera using a small battery is a necessary thing, do not ask for trouble on this issue. Of course, if you do not open the camera for a long time, GR3x a battery is actually available for about 1 hour, or can only shoot 80–150, the last also depends on personal use habits … relatively x100v a battery to shoot 200–300 sheets is also very easy to achieve things, the author has not tried to use up a battery XD …
Both cameras use the APSC sensor and need to process a lot of data, so it is normal for them to get hot… I can say that both cameras will feel the heat after about 20mins of shooting, but I have never had a problem with the camera body getting hot and not being able to shoot… If possible, if you don’t shoot for a long time, you can turn the camera off. If you don’t shoot for a long time, you can turn off the camera body, the boot-up time of both cameras is speedy, you can enter the shooting state within one second… Changing/adapting to the shooting habit may be more effective to avoid overheating and low battery…Initially, GR3x is a little hotter than GR3…
The above advantages and disadvantages are realized in the GR3x/x100v at the same time … The following are the differences between the two machines in the design of different concepts … Generally speaking, it is possible that the IPHONE or cell phone shooting, with faster focus, stronger body automatic post-production (hdr, night mode) to send friends, fb more convenient … photography enthusiasts are the pursuit of cell phones can not control the sense, picture quality
For the author, the main differences between X100v vs GR3x are as follows:
1. 35mm vs 40mm
One of the considerations is whether to choose 35mm or 40mm…for many street photography friends, 35mm is the most appropriate natural focal length to choose…
35mm is the traditional focal length for street photography, and is the choice of most people who choose a camera and a lens. For many friends, a step back is 50mm, is a very suitable focal length for street photography…
I think 40mm and 35mm use is very close. If you want the effect of 35mm to step back, you can have 35mm-like visual effects … because closer to 50mm, visual compression will be better. If more portraits, maybe 40mm will be more convenient.
The author is the main street photography, Hong Kong people are very sensitive to the lens, if the use of 28mm street photography, it may be more difficult for novices, because the line is very close to the subject … … but if the use of 40mm, you can shoot a little farther away, about 2–3 meters away can also shoot 28mm visual depth of field, it may be easier for novices to master …
For the author, the use of 35/40mm as street photography is also extremely suitable focal length, the difference may be just a step difference in shooting distance … This may require only a simple adaptation can be a perfect solution …
2. The positioning of the camera is different…
Well worth watching the official introductory video
If you have time, you can check out the official GR Youtube Channel, which contains the philosophy of different GR cameras, how to use the camera, many reviews, introductions, etc… Simply put, it’s a camera that sells itself as a street shooter…
GR official | RICOH official community site (grblog.jp)
GR3x Emphasis on body Control
When holding the GR3x, I would like to stay in the crowd or keep a low profile and take the shot only when I see the target. The whole process can be done in 1–3 seconds, mainly in hyperfocal shots, with the LCD turned off and the eye only looking at the external OVF, about the composition and then pressing the shutter, sometimes with the body on my waist. …I don’t even mind putting the GR3x directly in front of my heart, so I can get very close to the subject. M or x100v can’t get any closer…
GR Manoeuvrability / SNAP MODE
The GR3/3x has several different focus modes, which can be used without entering the menu and confirming them.
1. The most basic AF focus function… I often set it to tracking AF, which will automatically track the subject after focusing.
2. I have set the left button for SNAP / AF switching. My’s GR3 is often set to SNAP MODE, with the aperture setting for hyper-focus shooting mostly set at F5.6–11 @ 2.5m-5m focus…
4. The GR3x’s unique FULL Press function allows you to take pictures at a preset distance if you press the shutter button directly, for example, if the aperture is set at 5m… If the aperture value is also F8, you can also take pictures with the shutter directly in focus, which is very useful for sudden scenes. This is very useful for unexpected scenes…
5. I have changed the GR3 touch LCD to touch focus, which is very useful when entering a room or in low light and is often used for shooting meows…
6 I have set the U2 as a touch LCD shooter…it will shoot when you press the LCD…
*** The advantage of SNAP MODE is that it can quickly capture people and events within the desired depth of field. But the disadvantage is that the sharpest resolution will fall at its preset focus point, i.e. if you preset 2m, the sharpest part of the picture will be 2m, the rest is just the adequate depth of field. So the images you see on the web in the GR series may not be the sharpest and may not be as good as the x100v… of course, if you have enough time, the GR3 can also be as sharp as the x100v when shot with AF focus… whether SNAP MODE works or not depends on your shooting needs…
The GR3/3x is a niche, professional-oriented street shooter… The camera’s settings and customisable keys are made for street photography…
As you get familiar with the customisation of the GR3/3x, you get the feeling that the development team also takes the GR3/3x with them on photo shoots, knowing exactly what the user needs and how to quickly help them take photos through the settings so they don’t miss a moment.
However, it takes time to get used to these convenient and quick settings…for those who have some experience in shooting, it may be convenient, but for those who are new to GR3, it may take time to get used to it, read the manual, understand what is SNAP MODE, Full Press function and different settings of AF focus.
GR controls are very personal, and every GR user needs to understand what customisation and control are best for them when they first use the device. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with the settings on your GR3/3x. This is because you may need to fine-tune the settings each time you use it, and when you have reached your personal optimisation and have used it for a long time, you will be able to use it with ease.
GR3x with body shockproof, the author’s habit, 1/4s or handheld for a second, with ISO 6400 can also lightly shoot indoor low-light environment …
About the GR3x detailed operation, you can author article, there is a detailed introduction
Since the GR3x does not have the help of the EVF, when shooting relatively will be a little more arbitrary. The composition is not so neat, sometimes I will put the GR3x left waist blind shot … this, with a bit of unplanned, not neat photos, may bring some other experience …
Highlights of the official website:
FUJIFILM X100V | Cameras | FUJIFILM X Series & GFX — Global (fujifilm-x.com)
X100v Towards a perfect body
Retro shapes, nostalgic controls, rich colours, easy to use
I believe everyone who picks up or thinks of the X100v will find it a beautiful camera with retro styling and various physical buttons for human movement… It’s a camera that looks good even if you don’t take photos, hold it in your hand or put it in a coffee shop to take pictures…
“The X100V’s timeless body has top and bottom plates milled from single pieces of aluminum, which results in a refined and classic camera body with clean, attractive edges. Finished with a beautiful satin coating, the X100V is a perfect combination of design and engineering that is sure to make photographers of any level joyful as they make their images.” Official Promotion"One of the features of the X100 series is that it recreates the operation of a traditional film camera. Use the dials to adjust exposure compensation and shutter speed, and enjoy the full tactile experience of camera operation and immersion in photography.。"The X100v does what Fuji expects it to do, making an excellent camera… Most photographers will agree with this, and the silver body is a popular choice for the literati… The low profile of the black camera is also very appealing to me… I would like to see improved is the addition of The XPro3 Dual Black, Sliver Duratect coating would give the body better protection… I believe it would be a pleasure for many X100v users to have an additional choice… I would like to do the first thing when I buy a second-hand X100v to buy a body sticker to protect the body. The first thing I did was to get a sticker to protect the body… I finally went for a second-hand black camera with a finger grip and shutter button to enhance the feel…
A more practical hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder (Hybrid Optical EVF) design / TIL LCD …
The X100v’s optical viewfinder OVF has finally become practical and reliable, with a wealth of information on iso, aperture, shutter, and a focus distance ruler, so you can see more accurately when the focus is out of focus… Although there is still a little bit of parallax/deviation in the RF focus window, you can quickly see the actual shot by looking at the ERF, which significantly corrects the problem of parallax and lack of RF over-accuracy… If you like paraxial focusing, this generation’s OVF is very useful…
The X100v can also touch the lcd as a focus point when using the OVF / EVF, which is more convenient and direct than using the Joystick or cross-hair keys.
What makes the X100v better than the GR3 is the diversity of its framing methods and the fact that it has reached a very mature level of usability…
The X100v is my first X100 series camera. In fact, I am interested in all generations of X100 cameras. Still, unfortunately, because of the slow shooting stream, RF parallax is very serious, F2 lens v1 full open soft-focus image, always a bit not. Finally, X100v improve most of the problems of the previous X100 series, the practicality has become quite good, the only bad thing is to wait for the price to come down before you can get it…
I bought the X100v because of the high quality and practical 35mm lens, the usable Hybrid Optical EVF, and the waist level LCD…I hope that the improvement is the fine-tuning of the body software.
Here is my another X100v’s review
In terms of design philosophy, the X100v and GR3x each do what they were built to do, but in different directions… The GR3x tends to work internally to complement the focus function with different customised features to help users capture decisive moments more quickly… The X100v, on the other hand, makes a lot of effort in terms of body design and external appearance. In contrast, the X100v has gone to great lengths in terms of design, build and every detail of its form… The hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder, the TIL LCD and the TIL LCD greatly enhance the accuracy or usability of the shot… But you won’t find in the X100v the same sense of control as in the GR3, nor will you see in the GR3x the x100v’s dedication to craftsmanship, the optical/electronic viewfinder and the TIL LCD. The obsession, the optical/electronic viewfinder, the TIL LCD, etc…
3. Manoeuvrability
X100v menu setting options may need to be made available to hide or streamline a little more directly
It may seem like a simple 2–3 second menu operation, but it can actually affect the rhythm and mood of the shot, and you may even miss the moment of taking an interesting picture…
But the other side of the coin is that it takes time to control the Fujifilm body and enjoy it slowly. Turning the ISO dial on the top of the camera and the fill light compensation dial requires two hands… In fact, the whole process helps you to enjoy the shooting slowly, slow down a bit and enjoy it… As a leisure camera, it is actually no problem at all… When I use the X100v, mentally, I enjoy watching the OVF, shooting slowly and composing slowly. The picture surface is relatively neat…
The x100v actually has different profiles, but you have to press Q first, then select left and right, then press OK. For example, you can customise the ISO key, then select up and down, then press ok. You have to choose between your eyes and hands or your brain … but with the GR3, you can press FN again after pressing the custom key to get the default value … I can change iso with the GR3 without having to overthink, I can just double-click and get the iso value I want… This is the difference between the GR3 and the X100v when pressing the keys. In fact, a decade ago, the Ricoh GXR menu had a similar Direct (Q) menu… but for the average GR user, there was no need to use the Q menu as long as the body customisation and adj settings were set. The Direct (Q) menu is no longer available in GR1/2/3…
4. X100v and GR3 in a different style
One of the most significant selling points of the X100v is the variety of film styles… I like Classic Chrome and prefer Kodak for warm tones… Classic Neg is also a favourite of many people… Many overseas players provide many parameters to modify the camera body settings to achieve more different film style effects…
Overseas players are more interested in modifying different negative settings to create more film preset, such as Kodachrome 64 Film, Fujicolor Reala 100, Portra 400/800, etc…
The GR3 also offers many colour style files, including positive colour, positive and negative backlash, and high contrast black and white, all of which are popular with GR users…
You can also now change the parameters of the body to make different negative style effects like foreign Fuji users do on the GR3/3x body…
For those who are interested in a direct body exit, try the Ricoh Recipes Jpeg Setting…
I think the style settings of both cameras are more important than the picture quality… because different style parameters also affect the contrast, sharpness, etc…For example, you won’t get a soft colour, low contrast tone with the Eterna… you won’t get a high contrast black and white with the GR3, which emphasises the mid greyscale details…
I think that if you like the style files in the machine, now x100v / GR3x can also be found online with different parameters of the negative profile…
5. Portability
The GR3x is actually light and easy to carry. It’s really a camera that fits in your pocket. I can shoot all the time, that’s why most people find mobile phones more convenient and useful, not because of the quality of the phone, but because you can take it with you anytime and anywhere, it gives you more of a convenience than a quality…
The GR3x is a size lighter than its predecessor… it’s definitely a pocket camera, it fits in your trouser pocket… and it’s not a problem to take it in your hand and shoot all day…
The X100v is not really a pocket camera. Although the unibody is very light, it’s not as portable as the GR3x…
6. Second backup camera choice?
The GR3x is an ideal second sub camera. If you have multiple systems like me, put the GR3x on your belt, and when you need to take out a photo in a sudden happy event, the GR3x can finish the task in seconds so that the whole atmosphere can be preserved!
I think with x100v on a sufficient. You do not need to bring other cameras. Of course, if the GFX 100 / 1Ds / D6 is such a heavy body, x100v may also be very compact for you … or you are a Fuji user, X100v colour performance will be like other Fuji bodies, is also a reason for you to consider as a secondary camera.
The author has been taking the Fujifilm GFX 50s2 + GR3x out to shoot in recent months…GR3x 40mm perfectly complements the needs of the standard lenses section. The author uses the GR3x to warm up before shooting 50s2 every day…Using the GR3x SNAP MODE does not need to think much about anything, see any exciting images, light and shadows to shoot, so the brain into the shooting state, so then use the large machine 50s2 shooting will be more comfortable…
The author has over ten years without using SLR-like 50s2 for street photography, GR3x and 50s2 in walking into the crowd shooting also have a very different feeling of use. Relatively GR3x lightweight, portable, low profile is pronounced. I use GR3x shooting success rate is also much more than 50s2 many many. Just not the same use of photography between the two, the value of the comparison is different.
7. The expansion of the body to consider
GR3x Although the GR3x can turn into a camera with a 75mm lens by adding GA1+GT2. It will reduce the overall portability after the addition of … I believe there will not be too many friends to get. Of course, we can use 75mm as a portrait focal length time, the use of it should be good … But I think it is better to keep it simple and use the camera body photo cut material function to forget …
X100v expandability to provide 28mm / 50mm external lens. Although the author does not have these two external lenses, 28mm / 35mm / 50mm under use should meet 95% of the daily shooting needs fully.
8. X100v has better protection against dust and water dripping…
When the X100V is fitted with the AR-X100 adapter ring and 49mm protection lens, you can shoot in adverse weather conditions without worrying about unexpected changes in the natural environment.
GR3’s dusting problem
The author is the first batch buyer of the GR3 users, about two years of use, it is fortunate that there is no noticeable dust particles appear, the author mainly in the F8-F11 shooting there is no problem … but other users of the Internet, there is also a part of the GR3 users, the body of the dust situation … This is more or less with the use of habits have habits, GR3 shooting after the best or not directly into the backpack, pocket, pants pocket, if possible, or find a particular camera bag to put in will be better … believe that the GR3x situation is also similar if you want to go to the beach places need to be more careful …
Although GR3 does not have any waterproof and dustproof function, but in general, to prevent small drops of water can still be … but of course the use will not be too relieved …
9. Mobile apps forwarding function
For many of you, it is essential to be able to modify your photos on your mobile phone through the app and then post them on your friends, FB and IG… I don’t really need to do this, but I have followed the instructions in the app, and the two apps are easy to connect, but Ricoh Image Sync, The Ricoh Image Sync, is easier to connect and can also send raw files in addition to jpegs…In contrast, the Fujifilm Camera Remote is a little more complicated to use, takes a little longer to connect and can only send jpegs to the phone…More reviews to be found by you…
10. Other body issues…
GR3x has improved the GR3 back of the round dial problem, the overall, there are no obvious serious problems. Of course, the body overheating may be unavoidable, but this heat will not directly affect the daily operation of the body …
The X100v body design is relatively less problematic…but I still hope that the next generation can add vibration protection to the body. The body button/Joystick can be made more prominent and easier to press…I hope that the next generation of X100 can choose a faster processor, now. As long as the sharpness is set on the body, even when shooting raw, it takes 1–2 seconds to process after pressing the shutter…The biggest expectation is that Fuji can seriously improve the men
X100v vs GR3 Simple blind test comparison…
Although I only have the GR3x for a short period of about two to three weeks, I am not interested in doing any 100% Crop comparison, I can only say that the resolution of the two lenses can definitely meet the needs of daily shooting, and there is also some room for post-production cropping, I am still interested in letting you conduct a blind AB test comparison to see which group of photos you like better? The photos tested in Lightroom 10.4 at roughly the same settings, with the body straight out of Jpeg, with RAW overlay negative style files, black and white photos are also processed by Nik Sliver Efex 3…
You can go to Google Form for a simple test, there are 18 groups of AB photos for comparison Do not use the angle of view as the test standard, the author has been corrected or corrected to deviate XD
https://forms.gle/TGq37CTyfWVpjemn6
It is most convenient and appropriate to watch on computer and answer on cell phone… The answer will be available immediately after completion…
Please see the large picture: https://www.flickr.com/gp/rokkorx/K61268
You can also pack your Google Drive photos https://drive.google.com/file/d/16brDs5JDyvy23g-p9-vxzBjgPDeDK_bP/view?usp=sharing
The answers will be available for viewing after completing the questionnaire…
About post-processing
If you also like me, only shoot raw files for post-production retouching, colour grading. In Lightroom on the GR3x/X100v RAW files also have excellent results. Colour space is also perfect… Fuji has X-stuido on the computer to try different combinations of film styles. The original post-production will be the original post-production be more convenient and more original settings. GR3x body RAW file conversion function is also very simple and easy to use. If you also have to adjust the colour settings in the machine, it is very worth a try …
Conclusion
If you want to take pictures and not what photography enthusiasts, buy x100v will be convenient and straightforward and direct, use the autofocus function, set different negative style files, and already come up with good photos. At least x100v is also good looking … because the things as mentioned above may be a lot of things to you do not know something. If you need to rely on the autofocus function as the main, you should buy x100v, AFs focus speed, accuracy is quite good.
If you have some shooting experience and need a high-end pocket camera, every day also carry it, commuting to work, shooting on the street, the GR3x light, control will make you feel like 40mm GR3x may be more suitable for the average person to learn to use. But learn to control the GR3x is to take time, understand what is snap mode, hyperfocal shooting, body customization keys, etc. … relatively suitable for experienced users … If you are used to cell phone operation or watching lcd as the main operation, GR3x is also quite good, its touch screen focus function is quite good …
I now have GR3/GR3x, X100v, A7R3, M10D, 50s2 … I can still find the positioning of GR3x and X100v. General family activities, I still tend to take X100v out simple and light autofocus function is sufficient to shoot the needs of children’s activities. Use GR3x is primarily a backup machine or want to paint the street, entirely rely on SNAP MODE lightly, control is also given to the body to deal with, they only concentrate on shooting streams, painting mood, attitude to capture …
I think you can see yourself in the above ten options to rate / weighted … because each person is not the same emphasis, different need. X100v, for me, is to enjoy the shooting process more than the results. GR3 is the pursuit of shooting results more than the process. The orientation of the two machines is different. Even if I have a certain degree of familiarity with 35mm / 40mm, the photos taken will feel different. Two cameras each have their style of use, shooting fun. of course, you can blind test, see their own choice of orientation.
Actual photos:
GR3 / LR 10.4 / TCP K64/400H/Portra160/400 Film Preset
X100v / LR10.4 / TCP K64 Film Preset
P.S Finally, if you can’t choose, please believe in your intuition…buying a camera is almost like falling in love. It’s straightforward to count the shortcomings. You only need one reason to fall in love. More data, more rational scores are not as good as subjective, intuitive love…anyway, two cameras can take good pictures. The most final in fact, the most important thing is to see whether you will have the motivation and love to take it out to shoot … the best camera is the one you are willing to take out of the door …
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