Ricoh GR III Review: My Field-Tested Camera for Landscape Photography
2.5 sec · f/6.3 · ISO 200 — Ricoh GR III
Best Compact Camera for Hiking: Why I Chose the Ricoh GR III for Landscapes
The higher I climbed Yosemite’s backcountry, the heavier my full-frame DSLR felt. I knew I needed a different approach.
So I began a search for a lightweight, genuinely pocket-sized camera with an exceptional lens. Something capable of producing images with real impact, a tool that could do justice to the sweeping landscapes of my adventures.
The Ricoh GR III turned out to be just the tool I’d been searching for. It isn’t perfect, but it’s become my go-to lightweight camera for landscape photography on the trail.
A Street Photography Legend in the Wilderness
The Ricoh GR III has built its reputation on the streets of places like London and Manhattan, but I discovered that many of the same qualities that make it a street photography favorite also make it compelling for capturing landscapes in remote, untamed places.
Its ultra-portable size, effective IBIS, intuitive layout, snap focus, and sharp lens reveal a shared soul between street photography and landscape work
2.5 sec · f/6.3 · ISO 200 — Ricoh GR III
On the Fixed 28mm Perspective
Some may question the limitations of a fixed 28mm lens for landscape photography. Many landscape photographers prefer ultra-wide lenses to capture expansive vistas and dramatic foregrounds, while others reach for telephotos to compress distant peaks and isolate details. I’ve used both approaches extensively, and they certainly have their place.
But for my landscape photography, the Ricoh GR III's 28mm focal length cultivates a different kind of discipline. It encourages working within a single perspective, moving with intention, thinking more carefully about framing, and embracing simplicity.
This narrower canvas invites clarity. It allows me to include just enough context to tell the story of a place while keeping compositions clean and balanced.
And for moments demanding a wider or tighter view, I have options: stitching frames for sweeping panoramas, or utilizing the GR III’s handy built-in 35mm and 50mm crop modes without breaking my rhythm.
Why the Ricoh GR III IS perfect for Hiking and Landscape Photography
Beyond its general versatility, several key features make the Ricoh GR III an brilliant tool for landscape photographers specifically:
“The Ricoh GR III disappears into your pocket, making it the perfect compact camera for hiking, while delivering stunning landscape photography.”
Stabilization That Delivers: The GR III’s IBIS for Landscapes
By the time golden hour arrives, my hands are usually shaking from several cups of coffee. The Ricoh GR III's 3-axis IBIS is so effective, though, that I've nailed handheld shots at 1/4, even 1/2 a second on occasion.
This stabilization proves perfect for those fleeting moments when storm clouds shift or light reshapes the landscape. Sometimes I only have seconds to react, with no time to set up a tripod—exactly when the GR III's IBIS shines.
The Ricoh’s image stabilization also serves as a secret weapon for late-evening, low-light captures. I can quickly pull the camera out of my pocket to capture perfect reflections in alpine lakes during the brief calm before winds pick up.
Ricoh's claim of 4 stops of shake reduction proves accurate in practice. Even when shooting through an R72 infrared filter—which dramatically reduces available light—the IBIS allows me to maintain slower shutter speeds while keeping ISO low and preserving fine detail.
2.5 sec · f/6.3 · ISO 200 — Ricoh GR III
Tiny Camera. Big Landscapes.
True Pocketability: Why Size Matters on the Trail
The Ricoh GR III is the first high-quality camera I've owned that's truly pocketable. The venerable Fuji X100 VI and Leica Q get close, but even those compact bodies won't slide into a Levi's pocket, especially with a filter attached.
GR III’s diminutive size and intuitive controls make one-handed operation effortless, even when I’m on the move. I’m simply far more likely to carry a camera that stays out of the way instead of hanging around my neck like an anvil. This makes the GR III the perfect EDC camera—ready for travel photography, hikes, and exploring ghost towns.
When backpacking, I carry the GR III in a small fanny pack with a couple batteries, ready to grab at a moment's notice. I tested this setup on a recent fishing trip up Lyell Canyon, and it worked so well I'll stick with it for future Sierra adventures.
Most people assume it's a point-and-shoot toy, which is an added benefit—thieves won't give it a second glance.
1/15 sec · f/2.8 · ISO 400 — Ricoh GR III w/ R72 filter. Handheld
Lost in the Fog.
image Quality THat surprises: APS-C power for Landscapes
The Ricoh GR III truly punches above its weight and price when it comes to image quality. Its tack-sharp 28mm lens and 24 megapixel APS-C sensor form a perfectly harmonious system.
The image quality isn’t just good for a compact camera. It's excellent. Period.
Working with the 24MP APS-C files in Lightroom is a pleasure. They boast abundant dynamic range, allowing for substantial recovery of highlight and shadow detail even in demanding high-contrast landscapes. The detail I can pull from this APS-C sized sensor consistently impresses me.
While the GR III won't match the raw resolution of a full-frame behemoth like the Sony A7V, the practical difference is often unnoticeable for most prints and screens. Furthermore, in high ISO scenarios, tools like DxO PureRAW and Topaz Photo AI simplify noise management and fine detail retention, pushing the camera's boundaries further.
Intuitive Controls and Speed That Shine When Hiking and Shooting Landscapes
The Ricoh GR III's controls are a delight—simple, logical, and unobtrusive.
This camera moves fast. It powers up in a second and fits sweaty hands perfectly on steep trails. The rubberized grip inspires confidence, while the rear dial and Fn buttons sit exactly where your thumb expects them.
The ADJ dial—a clickable rocker—gives instant access to ISO, focus, and metering. I bump it occasionally, but I'll forgive a few surprises for speed like this.
Then there's 'My Settings'—presets for city, trail, or alpine lakes. Spin the dial and the GR III transforms from street shooter to landscape tool. One camera, many personas.
The touchscreen is quick and responsive. No EVF? No problem. An EVF would add bulk, and this thing needs to slide into a pants pocket. That's the point.
This interface stays out of the way, letting you think about the shot rather than the machine. That's rare and fun in today's cameras.
1/25 sec · f/2.8 · ISO 800 — Ricoh GR III w/ R72 filter. Handheld
SNap focus for landscapes: Capturing fleeting Moments
Snap Focus comes straight from Ricoh’s street photography DNA—and it’s just as powerful in the backcountry.
Set a fixed focus distance—1m, 2m, even infinity—and the GR III skips autofocus entirely. Press the shutter, and it fires instantly. No lag. No hunting. It’s as if the camera already knew what you wanted.
On a Yosemite trail, a sudden break in the clouds. On a bustling Istanbul street, a fleeting glance. With Snap Focus, I can lift the camera, frame, and shoot—confident anything in my chosen zone (often 5m) will be tack sharp, especially at smaller apertures.
It’s not just clever. It’s a feature born from Ricoh’s deep understanding of how photographers actually work in the field.
Built-in Memory and ND Filter: a backpacker’s lightweight ally
The built in ND and memory are sleeper hits on the Ricoh GRIII. If you accidentally leave your SD card at home—I’ve done it more times than I care to admit—you can still get around 40 RAW images. That’s not insignificant. Still, note to self: make sure you have the SD card in the camera and an extra one in the bag.
The two-stop internal ND filter is surprisingly useful, too. It means I can leave my external ND filter behind when every ounce matters on a backpacking trip. With it, I can add a subtle blur to a waterfall or smooth out the ripples on an alpine lake.
I still like to carry an R72 infrared filter with a hood sometimes. Like an ND, it greatly reduces the amount of light hitting the sensor, but it does so more selectively across the electromagnetic spectrum.
1/25 sec · f/2.8 · ISO 800 — Ricoh GR III w/ R72 filter. Handheld
Macro Mode: Capturing the Small Details in Nature
Macro mode can be a fun and rewarding way of revealing hidden worlds and details.
I’ve really enjoyed using a dedicated macro lens like the inimitable Sony FE 90mm F.28, and while the Ricoh GR III’s macro can’t match a specialized tool like that, its surprisingly capable for a compact camera.
With a close focusing distance of just 6cm, I’ve managed to capture some interesting close-ups of the unusual rocks, plants, and bugs I’ve come across in the mountains. It’s a feature I’m glad to have for those small details of the natural world that catch my eye. These are usually my least popular photos, but ones I’m proud of.
1/250 sec · f/2.8 · ISO 100 — Ricoh GR III. Handheld. Lightroom effects to exaggerate blur.
What I Don’t Love About the GR III
Most of the downsides of the Ricoh GR III exist as a byproduct of its diminutive size. It’s a tradeoff that’s worth it to some, including myself. Even so, there are valid criticisms worth mentioning.
Battery Life: How long does the Ricoh GR III really last?
The battery life isn’t great. The 1350 mAh batteries are quite small and last around 300 shots under “normal” conditions. If it’s really hot—or cold—out where I’m hiking, I get fewer shots than that.
I typically carry extra batteries with me to get around this problem. Thankfully, they are quite small and light.
Dust Resistance and Weather Sealing: The GR III’s Weak Spot
The elephant in the room for the Ricoh GR III is the possibility that it will intake dust over time. This is due to the camera’s retractable lens design, which draws in air when the lens retracts, potentially taking in dust with it.
The most reliable and effective way I’ve found to protect my GR III from dust is by using the Ricoh GA-1 (or NiSi 49mm) adapter paired with a UV filter. Of course, this adds bulk and sacrifices the camera’s pocketability. For that reason, I often forgo the adapter and instead exercise extra care in windy or dusty conditions—especially when powering the camera on and off, as that’s when the lens retracts and is most vulnerable.
Perhaps I’ve been lucky, but a little bit of caution has probably helped me avoid the dust issues that I read about online.
1/50 sec · f/2.8 · ISO 400 — Ricoh GR III
Video Quality: Why I Don’t Use the Ricoh GR III for Video
The 1080P video footage out of the Ricoh GR III isn’t great. The colors are pretty nice, but overall video quality is sub-par compared to so many cameras these days (including my iPhone 15 Pro).
I’d rather take out my iPhone and grab video footage for those times that I want video. In fact, I think Ricoh ought to consider taking the video feature out of the camera altogether and let it shine as a photography-only tool. That might leave room for other features and lower the cost.
Rising Prices: Is the Ricoh GR III Still Worth It in 2025?
Cameras have only gotten more expensive in 2025.
Just two years ago, I snagged my Ricoh GR III on Amazon for $975 before taxes. Today? You’d be lucky to find it under $1,300—a roughly 30% jump. And that’s the kicker: cameras, like most tech, are supposed to depreciate. This reversal feels like a significant shift.
But it isn’t just a Ricoh problem— it’s part of a broader market trend. Take Sony’s popular RX100 VII, for example, which leaped from $1,299 to $1,699, a 31% increase, largely fueled by tariffs on Japanese-made components. We’re being similar, eye-watering price hikes across almost every brand.
The Fuji X100 VI price leap best illustrates this phenomenon, skyrocketing from $1,599 to over $2,100 in the same period. A perfect storm of social media hype, scarcity (some say manufactured), and ongoing tariffs have not only inflated new prices but sent secondhand prices climbing as well.
It’s frustrating to watch prices climb, but I can’t fault Ricoh for adjusting to these macro pressures. In context of today’s camera market, the GR III—even at its higher price—still feels like a surprisingly good value compared to its peers.
Why the Ricoh GR III Earned Its Place in My hiking Pack
My journey from lugging heavy DSLRs up mountains to carrying the compact Ricoh GR III has been one of shedding weight and gaining creative freedom. This camera, long celebrated for its street smarts, shines equally in backcountry landscape photography:
Ultra-portable—Slides into any pocket, always ready.
Tack-sharp 28mm lens—Great detail for landscape.
Effective IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)—Keeps shots sharp without a tripod.
Speedy—Get going in 1 second.
Customizable Controls—Intuitive operation that gets out of your way.
Snap Focus-Invaluable for fleeting moments and light.
The 28mm perspective, far from being a limitation, has pushed me toward a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to composition.
Yes, the battery life necessitates extra planning, and the dust concerns call for mindful handling. The video capabilities are forgettable. Yet, these are deliberate trade-offs for a camera that consistently delivers standout image quality and an undeniably tactile, joyful shooting experience.