Ricoh GR III X Review After Months Quiet Capable, and Close

When Ricoh announced the GR IIIx in late 2021, it didn’t come with fanfare. Just a quiet addition to the GR lineup the same body, the same soul, but with a new way of seeing. 40mm instead of 28. A small change, maybe. But enough to make me look twice.

I didn’t buy the GR IIIx out of excitement. I bought it because I was tired of carrying too much.

The X100V was beautiful, sure but I found myself leaving it behind more often than not. Too big for a pocket, too noticeable in certain places. I wanted something quieter. Smaller. Something that wouldn’t ask to be carried just come along.

The Ricoh wasn’t love at first sight. But it grew on me fast. Within a week, it stopped feeling like a camera and started feeling like part of my routine keys, wallet, phone… GR.

That’s how it won me over. Not with specs. Just with presence.

Note: This is not a full review as I have covered Ricoh GR III review here, we are going to be discussing the major key difference focal length. Also, it’s compared with regular GR III and Fujifilm x100vi.

How is it different than Regular GR III?

It’s part of the GR line same shape, same feel, same philosophy. But instead of the wide 28mm lens found on the regular GR III, this one sees a little tighter. 40mm equivalent.

It doesn’t sound like a big difference, but it changes everything. With 28mm, you step into the scene. With 40mm, you hang back just enough to observe. It’s more focused. More considered. Faces stand out. Details feel sharper. You don’t take it all in you choose what matters.

Everything else is familiar. No zoom. No viewfinder. No flip screen. Just a clean body, a sharp lens, and a sensor that makes quiet, honest files. It fits in your pocket. It doesn’t ask for attention. And it’s ready the second you need it.

That’s the thing with the GR IIIx. It’s not trying to be better than the GR III. Just different. For people who see the world a little closer in. For those who want to step back and wait for the moment instead of diving right into it.

And that’s what it’s all about.

The Way It Disappears

The first thing you notice is what you don’t notice.

It’s small. Genuinely small. Not “mirrorless-small” or “compact-for-what-it-is” small. Just… pocket small. Shirt pocket, jacket pocket, side pocket of a bag. It slips in without making a shape.

There’s no lens bulge. No strap getting caught on anything. No weight pulling at your shoulder. It doesn’t need a case or a cover. You don’t think about how to carry it. You just bring it.

That changes things.

You stop asking yourself if you should bring a camera. It’s already there. You leave the house and it’s beside your phone and your keys. You go out for coffee or a walk and you’re already ready, without having packed anything.

And that’s when the pictures start to come not when you’re out shooting, but when you’re just out. Present. Not distracted by gear. Not looking like a photographer.

Just looking.

Most days I leave with just my keys, phone, and the GR. It doesn’t ask for attention. It’s just there when I need it.

The 40mm View

It’s not wide. Not close either. Somewhere in the middle.

The 40mm focal length doesn’t shout for attention. It’s quieter than 28mm. Less dramatic than 50. But once you start seeing through it, you begin to understand its rhythm.

You don’t shoot everything with it — only the things you mean to. It’s the kind of view that makes you take half a step back, or lean in just slightly. You don’t rush. You wait for the frame to settle.

With 28mm, you catch whole scenes. Crowds, streets, motion. With 40, you focus on something more personal. A gesture. A glance. The space between two people. It’s not about documenting everything. It’s about noticing the thing that matters, then stopping right there.

I thought I’d miss the wider angle. But now I find myself cropping less. Moving more. Paying attention to what belongs in the frame — and what doesn’t.

It feels closer to how I see the world when I’m not trying too hard.

I use GR IIIx for street because it’s more discreet… I use it even for close-up. And you learn to work with its limits. And sometimes, you forget they’re even there.

Image Quality

The files feel calm.

That’s the first word that comes to mind. Not flashy. Not overly sharp. Just clean, balanced, and quiet the kind of images that don’t scream to be edited.

Out of camera, the JPEGs already carry a certain weight. Soft shadows. Gentle highlights. Skin tones that don’t need fixing. Blacks that roll off instead of collapsing. There’s room to work with, but often I don’t feel the need. What it gives me feels close enough to how it looked or at least, how it felt.

The colors surprised me. I’d spent years with Fuji’s film simulations, always tweaking, always chasing a look. With the Ricoh, I tried the Positive Film preset on a whim. It stuck. It’s not film, not exactly. But it has the same restraint. Greens look natural. Blues don’t pop too hard. Reds sit right where they should.

And the black and white — it’s lovely. A bit of grain. A bit of grit. But never too much. The camera sees light in a way that makes monochrome feel honest, not nostalgic.

You can grade it, sure. But often, you won’t have to. The GR doesn’t chase a look. It just gives you one that feels true.

I have both and I really enjoy using both of them… I think Ricoh is sharper. I was blown away with the Ricoh colors. I’m a Fujifilm user for a long time since X100S.

Autofocus & Snapfocus

It’s not a fast camera.

Not in the way some cameras are. The autofocus can hesitate, especially in low light or with moving subjects. If you’re expecting quick eye-detection or perfect tracking, this probably isn’t the tool for you.

But once you understand how it works and more importantly, how you can work with it it opens up.

I use snap focus most of the time. Set a fixed distance, usually around 1.5 meters. Frame, shoot, move on. There’s no delay. No thinking. You just react. It turns photography into something closer to instinct.

The GR IIIx is built for that kind of pace. Quick menus. One-handed operation. Everything close to your thumb. You don’t fiddle with dials. You don’t stop to change lenses. It’s all muscle memory after a few days.

Snap focus is the reason I never miss a moment.

It’s not about having the fastest autofocus. It’s about knowing the distance, trusting your framing, and pressing the shutter before the moment is gone.

That’s where this camera shines not in perfect precision, but in quiet responsiveness.

Quiet Shooting

There’s no viewfinder. No tilting screen. No shutter click to speak of.

Just a soft press. A photo.

There’s a shutter, technically, but it’s soft more of a whisper than a click.

No mirror slap. No shutter shock. Nothing that turns heads or breaks a moment.

You raise it, shoot, and lower it again. Most people don’t even notice.

That changes how you shoot. You stop feeling like you’re performing. There’s no announcement that a photo is being taken. It’s just you and the scene, with nothing in between.

I’ve taken pictures in crowded cafés, on empty trains, in quiet alleyways and never once felt like I was interrupting. Not the moment. Not the people. Not myself.

It’s a different kind of photography. Less about being seen, more about seeing.

The silence becomes part of your pace. You start to observe more. Wait more. Blend in. And when the moment comes, you already have the camera in your hand. You don’t hesitate.

You just press the shutter. And keep walking.

What I didn’t like?

Battery Life

It’s short. On paper, it’s around 200 shots. In practice, maybe less if you chimp a lot or use Wi-Fi.

You’ll need an extra battery probably two if you’re out for the day. It charges over USB-C, which helps, but you still have to plan ahead. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s not forgettable either.

Weather Sealing

There isn’t any. Light drizzle is probably fine. But I’ve ducked into doorways more than once, just to be safe. You learn to shoot between raindrops. Or you bring a cloth. Or you don’t shoot. This is not a camera for storms or sand. It likes quiet weather.

Dust on the Sensor

This is the one people worry about. The GR’s design means the lens doesn’t fully retract and the sensor isn’t sealed off. Over time, dust can sneak in. Some users go years without a speck. Others see it after a few months. There’s no guaranteed fix just care. A soft case. No loose pockets. A little luck.

Other Things It Lacks

There’s no viewfinder. No flip screen. No eye-detection. No burst mode worth talking about. It’s not a camera for action. It’s not a camera for comfort. It’s just a tool. Simple and bare. And if you’re okay with that, it’s more than enough.

Video (Sort of)

It shoots video, technically. 1080p at 60 frames. But it’s basic. No mic input, no flat profile, no stabilization worth relying on. The footage looks fine in good light, but this isn’t a camera for filmmaking. It’s more of a backup something you use when your phone’s out of reach. I’ve only used it a handful of times, and only when I had no other option.

If video is part of your process, look elsewhere. The GR is still a stills camera at heart.

Ricoh GR IIIx ($1100-$1200) vs Fujifilm X100VI ($1600): Stealth vs Style

1. Portability & Form Factor

The GR IIIx is genuinely pocketable. Not jacket-pocket-with-effort — I mean actual, jeans-pocket, everyday compact. That matters more than I thought. It’s the kind of camera that disappears when I’m not using it.

“The Ricoh is so much more pocketable… that’s a big +.”
“GR IIIx is genuinely compact… I slip it into a pocket and forget about it.”

The X100VI? Gorgeous, but bigger and heavier than you’d expect. A few folks compared it unfavorably to even full-frame cameras.

“WAY bigger and heavier than I thought… heavier than my Canon R8.”

2. Image Quality & Colors

I’ve shot with Fuji before, and it’s hard to beat the film sims straight out of camera. That said, the GR IIIx files really surprised me rich colors, great contrast, and a clean, honest look.

“GR IIIx has fantastic image quality… not far off from my A7R III.”
“JPEGs from the Fuji are just easier. Ricoh needed work after export.”

Fuji has the edge in flexibility with its 40MP sensor more cropping room and sharper prints at scale. Ricoh’s 24MP is plenty for everyday and travel, though.

“Fuji: 40MP. Ricoh: 24MP.”
“24MP is enough for anything you’d reasonably print.”

3. Handling, Controls & UX

Fuji feels like a “real” camera in hand. Dedicated dials, a tilting screen, and a tactile experience. If you like the analog vibe or want more control over every setting, the X100VI delivers.

“The Fuji destroys the Ricoh for me in terms of usability and UX.”
“X100VI has more manual controls… more versatile.”

The Ricoh’s UI is minimal, but once I set it up with snap focus and custom shortcuts, I found it fast and frictionless. It’s not flashy, but it works.

“Programmed the FN button for snap focus — works like a charm.”
“Not intuitive at first, but gives you real manual control.”

4. Autofocus & Viewfinder

This is where the GR IIIx shows its limits. Autofocus is sluggish in low light, and there’s no viewfinder which still matters more than I expected.

“Autofocus is pretty bad.”
“No EVF? Dealbreaker.”

Meanwhile, the X100VI improves its AF over the V and gives you both EVF and OVF. It’s more versatile in all conditions from fast action to composing in harsh sunlight.

“AF is better on the X100VI.”
“EVF at least exists even if you don’t use it often.”

5. Discreetness & Everyday Shooting

The Ricoh wins in staying invisible. It doesn’t draw attention and doesn’t scream “expensive camera.”

“X100Vi is a head-turner… like wearing a diamond necklace.”
“The GR is a tool, not a fashion accessory.”

Fuji is beautiful, but it’s not discreet. That can matter especially if you shoot street or travel solo.

6. Video Features

If you care about video at all, the X100VI is miles ahead 6.2K, F-Log2, usable stabilization, and Fuji’s classic film look. The GR IIIx does video, technically, but it’s not great.

“Pretty bad video features.”
“Built-in ND + film sims will come in handy for video.”

7. Battery, Build & Extras

Battery: Fuji lasts longer. GR IIIx is okay, but I carry at least two spares.

“I have 3 batteries for my GR.”

Weather Sealing: Fuji is sealed. GR isn’t. That alone might tip the scale for outdoor-heavy trips.

“Weather sealing and tilt screen sealed the deal for me.”

Flash: X100VI includes one might matter for travel snapshots or night scenes. GR IIIx does not.

8. Availability & Value

The GR IIIx is usually in stock. The X100VI? You’re either preordering, waiting months, or paying a premium.

“That day I tried the X100VI, I went home with a GR III.”
“If you haven’t placed a preorder, you could be waiting months.”

If you are looking for a full review of x100vi, check out my Fujfilm x100vi review here. Ricoh GR III in-depth review can be read here.

Final Thought

The Ricoh GR IIIx is the kind of camera that doesn’t ask for much. You pick it up, it turns on. You see something, you press the shutter. That’s it.

It’s not perfect. The battery runs out sooner than I’d like. Autofocus isn’t always sure of itself. There’s no weather sealing, no viewfinder, no tilt screen. You learn to work around those things.

But it’s small enough to come with you. And that’s what matters most.

The 40mm lens feels just right for how I see. A little tighter than the 28mm on the regular GR III. You have to step back now and then. But people feel closer in the frame. There’s less distraction. It’s more about what’s in front of you.

I’ve looked at the Fujifilm X100VI. It does more. It’s beautiful. It’s probably the better camera on paper. But I know myself. If it’s around my neck, I’ll sometimes leave it behind. The Ricoh fits in my coat pocket. It comes along without asking.

And that’s the difference.

I don’t always know what I’ll photograph. But I like knowing I’ll have something with me when the time comes. The GR IIIx is that something.